What’s a better solution for pet owners: financing or pet insurance?

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Imagine this scenario: Wendy rushes her beloved terrier, Ozzie, to your veterinary clinic after he suddenly falls ill. You diagnose Ozzie with a condition requiring immediate surgery, and your treatment estimate comes to $3,000.

You watch Wendy’s face fall as she hears this total. However, you know that she has two powerful tools at her disposal: she has a dedicated health and pet care credit card and she’s a pet insurance policyholder. You remind her she can use them together to help Ozzie get the care he needs today!

Wendy uses flexible financing with her credit card to pay over time for the cost of Ozzie’s emergency care. She then files a claim and gets reimbursed for eligible expenses when her claim is processed. She can then pay down her remaining financing balance.

Pet insurance: A safety net for all clients

The pet insurance industry arose as a solution to help pet owners be financially prepared for the costs of veterinary care. And it only continues to grow in popularity as more and more pet parents recognize the importance of being ready for expected—or unexpected—veterinary care.

Pet insurance provides clients with an added layer of financial security for a variety of types of care, including illnesses, routine checkups, vaccinations and more—even emergency and specialty costs. In exchange for a monthly or annual premium, pet insurance can deliver clients greater peace of mind for eligible pet care expenses.

But while pet insurance can help ease financial burdens through reimbursement, it’s also important to offer clients a solution that can help offset up-front costs of pet care.

Flexible Financing: A client—and practice—friendly solution

Paying for care at the time of service is the role of budget-friendly financing. Enabling clients to break up total costs, spread payment out into manageable monthly payments, and pay for any costs not covered by insurance can increase the chance they accept your recommended care.

Clients equipped with a dedicated card with financing options may also be more likely to use it for routine or preventive services in a way that fits their budget—which can help your practice drive repeat visits and client loyalty.

How they work better together

Educating clients on the value of having both solutions helps them be more prepared for a Lifetime of Care—and helps them accept your recommendations. Companies like CareCredit and Pets Best are even integrating technologies to make the reimbursement process a more seamless experience—so you can focus on giving your clients a solution that works even better together.