PAYING vet bills for a poorly pet can cost you hundreds or even thousands of pounds.

It’s a tough hit, especially in the cost-of-living crisis. Pet insurance can act as a vital lifeline for four-legged pals.

Five cash-saving tips to keep vet bills down - from insurance to cashback

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Five cash-saving tips to keep vet bills down – from insurance to cashbackCredit: Shutterstock

Here’s how to get a policy in place without paying the earth . . . 

PICK YOUR POLICY: There are different levels of pet cover.

The more comprehensive policies offer higher payouts for a greater variety of conditions and are more expensive.

Basic cover is more affordable though you will have a cap on payouts for treatment.

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UP THE EXCESS: Opting for a higher excess helps reduce insurance prices. The drawback is you have a sizeable cost to meet if you need to claim.

Keeping cash to cover this excess in an easy-access savings account is one way to offset the risk.

SHOP AROUND: Search for the best deal on policies using comparison sites — it’s worth checking multiple ones as many have exclusive offers with insurers.

Try GoCompare and CompareTheMarket.

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SPENDING POWER: Once you have found a policy, buy it through a cashback app or website to get money back.

Even when buying through a comparison site, you can click through sites such as Quidco or TopCashback for cashback.

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS: Insurers will often refuse to pay for treatment for ­conditions your pet had before a policy is taken out.

Older pets are also more difficult to insure.

It could be better to stick with an existing policy if your cat or dog is elderly or has an ongoing illness.

HELPING HAND: If you find your pet needs treatment that you can’t afford, the PDSA or Blue Cross could be able to help.

The charities help poorly pets of certain owners — to qualify you usually need to be in receipt of benefits and live close to one of their hospitals or clinics. Check eligibility on pdsa.org.uk and bluecross.org.uk.

  • All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

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