I saved a whopping £840 thanks to Martin Lewis tip – how you can do it too

A PET owner has revealed how they managed to slash their insurance costs by a whopping £850.

Writing in this week’s MoneySavingExpert newsletter a Martin Lewis fan explained how they made the saving.

It comes after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation into the veterinary sector after a review of the vet market raised concerns.

It means that sky-high vet bills which push up pet insurance premiums are being looked at but the results of the investigation won’t be published for a while.

The CMA is only three months into the investigation and it says it could run until November 2025, followed by potentially another six months to put any remedies in place.

In the meantime, though, it’s still possible to make big savings on pet insurance, as the MSE newsletter reader Sally found.

The dog lover, who has five pooches, two cats and a horse, has struggled to find affordable cover in the past.

But thanks to the consumer expert’s helpful advice she has cut her bill by a huge £839 compared to last year.

Sally even managed to save £262 just on one of her dogs just by switching – so even if you only have one pet to insure it could still make a big difference.

She told MSE: “I’ve five dogs, two cats & a horse to insure.

“They’re not all due at the same time, but by shopping around for the best price and then haggling one current provider down and switching several policies to a new provider, I saved a WHOPPING £839 on last year’s premiums with identical cover.”

She also thanked Martin for his handy advice.

MSE points out that insurance premium prices for dogs and cats are unique so it’s “key” to get as many quotes as possible in a short time.

Try as many comparison sites as you can, the team says as different insurers have different prices, and most let you get multi-pet quotes.

Some examples of comparison sites include how many insurers they compare, try MoneySupermarket, Compare The Market, Confused.com, and Gocompare.

Martin and his team have put together a list of pet insurance need-to-knows for owners to follow:

• It generally covers big issues (such as broken bones and tumours), not check-ups
• Need cover but can’t afford it? If you’re on certain benefits, charities such as the PDSA may help with vet bills
• Could you self-insure? For smaller animals, you could put cash in savings to cover fees
• Keep your pet’s routine jabs up to date. Or it may invalidate your insurance
• Always check the policy is right for you. It’s not easy, as insurance is about protection from the unknown, but do check the policy details, what’s excluded, and that the firm’s regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
• If your claim is unfairly rejected, take the firm to the Financial Ombudsman. Once you’ve complained to your provider, you’ve then a right to go to the free, independent Financial Ombudsman Service for its help to settle the claim

How to save money at the vet

Look further than the closest vet

Even though choosing a vet which is close to you may be convenient the fees between different practices differ so it could be costing you more. 

Ask if there are other treatments

It’s important your pet gets the treatment they need and that you understand why a vet has been recommended.

If you’re not sure about a treatment and its costs speak to your vet. 

If it is not urgent consider buying the medication elsewhere

If your pet needs non-urgent care it can be cheaper, even when you include your pet’s prescription fees, to buy the medication elsewhere.

You could have a look at online pharmacies or specialist pet shops.

Get cover

Insurance is the best way to protect against shock bills.

Use a comparison website and increase your voluntary excess to try to bring down costs.

Read the insurance terms carefully sometimes there is a cap on the total that can be paid out for a particular condition or in an emergency.

While insurance can protect against emergencies, it won’t pay for regular check-ups, jabs, flea and worming treatment and there are normally caps on payouts.

Note some health conditions common to particular breeds will also be excluded.

Help if you’re on benefits

If you are on Universal Credit or other low-income benefits, you might be able to get free vet help via the PDSA or Blue Cross — use the eligibility and postcode checkers on their websites.

Non-profit group Animal Trust runs practices that don’t charge consultation fees — only for treatment or meds.

See if there’s one near you at animaltrust.org.uk.

Check your pets at home

A paw-to-tail examination of your dog after every walk can avoid unnecessary and costly trips to the vet.

The Kennel Club has a free guide full of handy tips on how to care for your dog day-to-day.

It includes instructions on how to clean your dog’s teeth and important information on spotting potentially nasty lumps and bumps.

With the average cost of a vet trip costing £40, simple checks can save a lot of cash.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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