Wellness plans and pet insurance serve different roles in your pet’s healthcare — but they complement each other perfectly. Here’s how they work together to keep your pet healthier and happier for longer.
Many pet parents believe wellness plans and insurance are basically the same — or that choosing one means you don’t need the other. In fact, they’re quite different, and both play an important role in your pet’s care. Together, they make managing your pet’s health (and the costs that come with it) simpler and more affordable at every stage of life.
What is the Best for Pet Wellness Plan?
Created by vets, the Best for Pet Wellness Plan makes caring for your dog or cat easy and affordable. It focuses on routine and preventative care that typically isn’t covered by pet insurance, making it easier for pet parents to stay on top of their pet’s health year-round. For a low monthly fee, you’ll enjoy unlimited vet consultations, annual vaccinations, 24/7 vet access, discounted dentistry, and more — all with no waiting periods, no age or breed restrictions, and no excess to pay.
Now available at more than 190 clinics in the Best for Pet network, the Wellness Plan can be used at any participating clinic, offering flexibility, if you move or are away from home.
“The Best for Pet Wellness Plan has enabled me to offer personalised care for my patients,” says Dr Rayya, senior vet from Curtin Vet Clinic in Canberra. “With unlimited consultations, I can earn my patient’s trust with repeatable positive experiences at our clinic. I really feel this program is making veterinary services more accessible and affordable for clients with pets that have chronic medical conditions and require ongoing monitoring.”
The key focus of the Wellness Plan is identifying problems before they become serious. “It helps us track our patients’ blood work annually so we can pick up on any concerns early on and address them effectively,” says Dr Rayya. “If your pet is a frequent flyer at the vets (whether they are injury prone or just super naughty), signing up is a no-brainer.”
Dr Meg, a veterinary surgeon at 4 Paws Vet in NSW’s Neutral Bay agrees that the Wellness Plan encourages owners to be proactive with the care of their pets. “As a vet, I see the difference that proactive care makes in a pet’s long-term health,” she says. “The Best for Pet Wellness Plan allows us to provide consistent, preventative care, making it easier for pet parents to stay on top of their pet’s needs while saving on essential services. Whether you have a puppy, kitten or senior pet, the cost of membership quickly pays for itself.”
Benefits at every life stage
The Best for Pet Wellness Plan is designed to care for your pet at every stage of life. Puppies and kittens, full of curiosity and energy, benefit from routine care as they grow, including vaccinations and a discount on desexing. Adult pets continue to enjoy preventive care and regular check-ups to stay healthy and active, plus an annual dental scale and polish – with $250 off through the plan to keep their teeth and gums in top condition. For senior pets, early detection of health issues is crucial, and the plan includes annual blood and urine tests to catch problems before they become serious. With the Best for Pet Wellness Plan, giving your pet the right care at every age is simple, convenient, and more affordable.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is designed mainly for emergencies. It helps cover the cost of unexpected veterinary expenses, such as accidents or illnesses. While coverage varies by policy (read the fine print!), it generally includes accidents, surgery and sudden illness and may also cover chronic health conditions, depending on the policy.
Like other types of insurance, pet insurance comes with waiting periods, an excess to pay when you make a claim, and annual limits. The key benefit is peace of mind: it ensures you’re prepared for the unexpected and takes away the stress of having to make decisions about treatment for your beloved pet based on your finances.
It’s worth noting that, unlike health insurance for humans, pet insurance typically doesn’t cover routine veterinary care such as regular check-ups, vaccinations, desexing or behavioural problems.
How they complement each other
The combination of a wellness plan and pet insurance provides more complete coverage for your pet’s health. The wellness plan takes care of routine care, while insurance covers the unexpected.
“I am passionate about my clients carefully considering their pet’s healthcare options and making well-informed choices,” says Dr Ciaran, vet from Vineyard Vet Hospital in Sydney’s outer west.
“The limiting factor in caring for our loved ones is quite often the cost. Vet care is expensive. Pet insurance is crucial and a wellness plan in conjunction with this is my first recommendation.”
What our customers are saying
Jeff, a cat owner from NSW, shares, “My cat Sadie broke three canine teeth, which meant a lot of costly dental work. I signed up for the Best for Pet Wellness Plan the day of her surgery, which saved me $375.89. I’m still new to the plan, but the peace of mind and value it provides are fantastic.”
Rinnie from Queensland has had a Best for Pet Wellness Plan for years. “Great savings at the vet, and I’ve never had an issue with the plan. It’s a real relief for my finances.”
With unlimited consultations included in the plan, your pet has the chance to build trust and confidence with every visits, easing away the stress of vet trips. Madi from Victoria says, “The Wellness Plan helps my dog feel comfortable going to the vet. He’s actually not afraid of it anymore. I highly recommend it.”
