Taking the plunge with pet insurance

Q: I'm thinking of dipping my toe in the water with pet insurance, but I want to do it right. What steps should I take to ensure I'm offering my clients the best options?

Pet insurance is often something clients wish they had when something catastrophic happens. And having learned the hard way, it's often something they look into when they get another pet.

But each insurance company is different and one company doesn't always fit the bill for every client or every pet, says Dr. Vicki Bannerman, owner of Adobe Animal Hospital of Soquel in Santa Cruz, Calif.

Dr. Bannerman has a large percentage of clients with pet insurance, so she understands the process well.

"Research each company thoroughly," she says. "Help clients know the pros and cons before making a decision."

She recommends asking insurance representatives to come to your practice for a Q&A. Also, give clients the tools to do research on their own. Dr. Bannerman has pet insurance company links on her practice's website for this purpose.

Finally, have candid conversations with clients who are interested in pet insurance. "Help pet owners sort through their needs and come up with the best solution for their pet," she says.