In the Spotlight …. Ali Osmani from Pet Insurance Australia

From bee stings to clumsy tumbles, our pets love to get themselves into sticky situations. But if your furry friend was to land in serious trouble, would you be able to keep up with the financial demand of their vet bills? 

Introducing the 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Award Pet Insurance Provider of the Year, Pet Insurance Australia. 

With more than 10 years of experience, Pet Insurance Australia can help give pet owners the peace of mind they need during stressful situations. To get a more detailed look of Pet Insurance Australia and their award winning policies, we sat down General Manager, Ali Osmani.

Meet Mozo’s Pet Insurance Provider of the Year

Ali Osmani is the proud owner of Monty the German Shepherd, Louie the Poodle and Meow Meow the cat. And like a lot of us, he treats his pets just like family and would do anything in his power to make sure they were protected in the worst case scenario.

Accidents and illness can strike when least expected and without the right plan in place, many pet owners could be left staring down the barrel of an astronomical vet bill. 

That’s where Pet Insurance Australia comes in. 

Pet Insurance Australia was formed in 2008, based on the belief that no animal or owner should have to suffer because of expensive vet bills. 

“After working in the pet industry for many years, and watching countless clients struggle to pay for their veterinary treatments, we decided to start an insurance company that could offer Australians good quality cover,” Osmani says. 

“Pet Insurance Australia is a family owned and operated business, that is proud to be 100% Australian.” 

Since then, Pet Insurance Australia has gone on to provide award winning policies to thousands of households across the country. 

Recently, Pet Insurance Australia’s Comprehensive and Major Medical Cover insurance policies both took home an 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Award in two out of the three ‘Exceptional Value’ categories.

This means that our expert judges felt that these two policies offer a fantastic level of cover, without the flashy price tag. 

For instance, one standout feature that can help Aussies save big is Pet Insurance Australia’s GapOnly service. 

Under the GapOnly feature, customers can immediately access their pet insurance benefits at participating vets and only need to pay the difference between the vet’s invoice and the claim benefit under their policy - the ‘gap’. 

“[This feature] saves many clients time and worry, and also assists vets to offer a quick and easy payment service,” says Osmani.

Peace of mind when you need it most

As the nation now enters the seventh month of the Covid-19 lockdown, many Aussies living alone have sought the company of a four legged friend. According to the RSPCA in Victoria, dog and cat adoptions have jumped by 45% and 20% respectively. 

But in between spoiling their new best friend with gourmet treats and warm cuddles, many Aussies may be overlooking the importance of also treating their fur babies to a top of the line pet insurance policy.

“The costs associated with treatment can be astronomical, particularly for complex medical problems. From eating socks, fighting cancer or simply a case of an upset tummy can set you back hundreds - if not thousands of dollars. Pet insurance can help bridge the gap between the high costs of treatment by lending a helping hand,” says Osmani. 

“Pet Insurance Australia is helping many families to concentrate on helping their pets recover, rather than focusing on the financial burden some vet treatments can produce.”

Pet insurance trends and tips from the experts

If there’s one thing that can divide friends and family members it’s the classic debate of cats versus dogs. 

But what about when it comes to the question of which pet is more likely to be insured? 

“We certainly have more dogs than cat’s sign-up for insurance, however this trend does seem to be shifting with many cat owners now deciding on a policy that suits,” says Osmani. 

“Larger dogs are also very popular, as too, breeds that are predisposed to expensive treatments, such as Boston Terriers, Pugs and French Bulldogs.”

Osmani recommends signing up for a pet insurance policy at around the eight-week mark, as it can prevent any ‘pre-existing’ conditions from causing issues with your cover. 

Pre-existing conditions include things like an injury or illness that was treated or diagnosed prior to taking out a pet insurance policy. 

And finally, taking the time to read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) is essential, as it can help you determine whether an insurance policy is the right fit for both you and your pet.

^More information about our 2020 Mozo Experts Choice Pet Insurance Awards