Ways to help with the cost of pet insurance

With the cost of living still high, many of us are looking at ways to save money each month. According to PDSA's recent animal welfare report, 22% of pet owners say the cost-of-living crisis has affected how they care for their pet. 

Since pet insurance isn’t mandatory, unlike car insurance, skipping the monthly fee or annual premium might seem like an easy way to save money for your dog or cat.  But with the average claim costing £770.91 in 2023, cancelling your pet’s insurance could put you at risk of having to pay a big vet bill on your own.

At Animal Friends, we understand that pets are part of the family. So, we’re sharing some practical steps owners can take to help keep their pets (and pockets!) protected…

Read your policy

Understanding your cover can help you avoid any unexpected costs when it comes to making a claim. Insurers usually send policy documents through email or by post; if you can’t find your policy documents, you can ask for them to be re-sent. 

It’s vital that you read through your policy documents carefully, to make sure you understand everything clearly. 

Did you know Animal Friends customers can read their policy documents online through our Customer Hub? Not only that, we’ve also worked with Fairer Finance to ensure that our policy terms and conditions are clear and easy to understand!

Increase your excess

Choosing a higher excess can sometimes help make your pet insurance premiums cheaper. However, it’s important that you choose a level of excess you’ll be able to pay when it comes to claiming.  

You can select an excess of £69, £99, £159, £199, or £249 at Animal Friends; giving you the power to choose your excess, enabling you to manage your budget.  

Use a video vet service

If your policy comes with a free vet video service, you could avoid a trip to the vet if you’re able get the advice you need via this insurance extra. 

As a dog or cat Animal Friends customer, you can speak to the veterinary experts over at Joii Pet Care, any time of day or night, for free! 

Speaking to an RCVS-registered Joii vet, or vet nurse, about any concerns could provide peace of mind, without the stress of travelling your pet to see a vet. So, there are many non-emergency pet health concerns that can be successfully resolved from the comfort of your home, thanks to Joii. 

Check your other benefits

Are there any other benefits you could be taking advantage of through your insurer? From rewards through refer a friend schemes, or cashback through partnerships, you might not be making the most of your policy if you aren’t using these benefits. 

For example, as an Animal Friends customer, you’ll have access to the Treat Tin – where you’ll get instant access to exclusive partner discounts and offers!

Check documents and emails from your pet insurance company, or visit their website, to check for any benefits included with your cover.

Keep them healthy

While you won’t see the savings immediately, keeping up with your pet’s preventative health care could mean fewer vet trips in the long run. 

Regular vet check-ups, keeping them at a healthy weight, and staying on top of preventative treatments (including vaccinations, flea prevention, worming, etc.) should help your pet stay happy and healthy! 

Future-you might be thanking your past self for taking these simple steps to save some money, by avoiding issues instead of curing conditions later on in your pet’s life.

Pay monthly instead

If you usually pay for your pet’s policy in one lump sum at the start of their cover, why not see if your insurer offers interest free monthly payments, instead? 

We offer interest free monthly payments – helping you spread the cost of your pet’s protection over 12 months.

Downgrading is an option

Some insurers might be able to let you downgrade your policy, so you can still have cover in place should you need it at a more manageable price. 

Here at Animal Friends, we have different types of cover, offering options for those with varying budgets.

Final thoughts…

Always get in touch with your insurer before you cancel your pet’s policy, to see how they might be able to help. 

Plus, don’t forget to consider any pre-existing conditions before moving to a new pet insurance provider, to lower the risk of encountering unexpected vet bills later.