{"id":75300,"date":"2023-12-01T00:00:13","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T05:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=75300"},"modified":"2023-11-14T18:46:28","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T23:46:28","slug":"pet-insurance-viewpoints-1223","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/pet-insurance-viewpoints-1223\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Discuss Pet Insurance With Clients"},"content":{"rendered":"

The majority of veterinarians agree: Pet health insurance helps ensure that clients say \u201cyes\u201d to more care and provide the best possible treatment. An American Veterinary Medical Association policy encourages proactive pet insurance education, and as more research on the benefits of insurance is published, practice teams are eager to get clients on board.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide you can implement to ensure that you and your team take the best approach toward pet insurance to facilitate better outcomes for patients, clients and staff. By following the guidelines, you can provide valuable information to pet owners, helping them make well-informed decisions about pet insurance and ultimately improving the overall quality of pet care.<\/p>\n

1. Promote More Than One Option<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Recommending a single insurance carrier can have legal consequences for a veterinary professional or practice manager. In many jurisdictions, individuals who are not licensed insurance producers cannot offer specific insurance recommendations. Therefore, be aware of the regulations and emphasize the importance of comparing options.<\/p>\n

Also, take into account the ethical considerations. The AVMA Code of Ethics states that veterinary professionals should offer clients unbiased information and recommendations about care that is in the animal\u2019s best interest. When it comes to pet insurance, no plan or provider is universally better than the rest. Each insurance product has benefits and coverage limitations that might be more or less suited to a pet\u2019s unique needs. Practices that recommend one carrier exclusively might limit clients\u2019 options and impede their ability to make fully informed decisions.<\/p>\n

Finally, suggesting the wrong option can lead to negative client experiences if they enroll in a policy that doesn\u2019t adequately solve their needs. Though pet insurance has been found to decrease stress in the office and strengthen client loyalty, blind or subjective recommendations can backfire, resulting in more disputes and negative reviews while reducing client retention rates and business revenue.<\/p>\n

To help veterinary professionals avoid liability issues, the American Animal Hospital Association recommends that veterinary teams refer clients to an online marketplace or comparison tool that provides personalized recommendations.<\/p>\n

2. Train Your Entire Team<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Train your staff to discuss pet insurance more broadly by recommending educational resources rather than specific carriers. This approach limits liability and prevents client confusion. By reinforcing a consistent message across your team, you\u2019ll be more likely to make pet insurance work for your practice.<\/p>\n

To ensure a successful discussion with clients, provide a list of responses that everyone in the office can use. You can tailor the responses to address common concerns, showcase the benefits of pet insurance and guide clients in making informed decisions.<\/p>\n

Here are some example talk tracks:<\/p>\n