4 quick questions on pet insuranceanswered
Clients who cant afford to pay for their pets care ranks as team members No. 2 frustration at work, according to the 2013 Firstline Veterinary Team Trends Study. (No. 1 is team members pay and benefitsno surprise there, right?) Some veterinary teams are recommending pet insurance to help pet owners plan for their pets veterinary care.
We asked Dr. Eva Evans, a veterinarian with Rivergate Pet Emergency Clinic in Nashville, Tennessee, to answer a few pressing questions about pet insurance:
Q: What is pet owners' biggest objection to pet insurance, and how should team members respond?
A: Pet owners don't know the cost of pet insurance, and they believe it will be very expensive. I encourage my staff to let owners know a ballpark monthly cost based on species, breed and age to help owners understand how affordable it is.
Owners also object to insurance because they think they won't need it. I always tell owners “Well, if you have it and your pet stays healthy, then you are lucky to have a healthy pet! If not, at least you don't have to worry about the cost of taking care of your family member.”
Q: What's the biggest myth pet owners believe about pet insurance?
A: Pet owners have a misconception that pet insurance only covers the basics like vaccines and preventive care, and they think it won't cover them for accidents and illness. I educate my team to let owners know that pet insurance actually covers the unexpected illnesses, trauma and emergencies that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. For example, some companies offer multiple specialized coverage plans such as cancer only and accident only plans that help pet owners afford veterinary care for significant health issues many pets experience. Although people tend to think that insurance is a scam and nothing will be covered, this isn't the case.
Q: What's the biggest myth team members believe about pet insurance?
A: Team members tend to have the idea that pet insurance is unaffordable. They expect it to run $100 a month or more.
Q: What's your favorite pet insurance story of a time where pet insurance saved the day?
A: My favorite story is about a little puppy I treated when I worked in Las Vegas. The owners had received a one-month trial policy from an insurance carrier. The day before this insurance lapsed, the puppy ingested highly toxic sago palm. We initiated treatment and saved the puppy. The owners saved about $1,200 because they still had the insurance. Needless to say, they renewed their policy.
What are your thoughts on pet insurance? What strategies do you use to help pet owners afford their pets' care? Share your opinions and stories in the comments below.
