Why saving on medication matters

In this guest post from small animal veterinary surgeon Dr Emma Pemberthy, we look at how to stretch your pet insurance further – focusing on how to reduce the cost of your pet’s prescriptions.

When it comes to protecting our pets, many of us focus on the big ‘what ifs’ – accidents, sudden illness or unexpected diagnoses. But one of the smartest ways to make your pet insurance work harder for you is by looking at the everyday, predictable costs too.

In particular, depending on your circumstances, long-term medication can quietly use up a significant portion of your annual cover if you’re not careful.

At Petgevity, we believe that every pound of your pet insurance should count. That’s why we’re big advocates of using safe, transparent ways to reduce routine costs, so more of your cover is available when your pet really needs it.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Petscribers, who help pet owners compare prices on medication – meaning you don’t have to buy directly from vet practices at a potentially greater cost.

What do we mean by your ‘claims pot’?

It’s essentially your vet fee limit.

Your claims pot is simply the amount your policy will pay towards veterinary treatment each year – whether that’s £1,000, £5,000 or £15,000. Every consultation, test, treatment and prescription draws from that same allowance.

A helpful way to think about it is like a phone battery: the less charge you use on everyday background apps, the more power you have when you need it most.

What does this mean for new customers with pets with no medical conditions?

Let’s say you’re a new customer, and you buy a Petgevity lifetime policy for a healthy pet with no medical conditions. After renewing for a few years, your pet develops a condition which requires ongoing medication.

Provided you renew each year with no break in cover, your policy should cover this medication. Although it will eat into your claims pot.

But by comparing prices, you could spend less on predictable costs such as repeat medication – effectively preserving cover for future diagnostics, monitoring or emergencies.

What does this mean for customers with pets with pre-existing medical conditions?

With a Petgevity Lifetime Plus policy, we consider pets with pre-existing medical conditions*. If accepted, while your pet will be covered for things like accidents or newly developed conditions, they won’t be covered for ongoing medication they were taking before taking out the policy.

In this instance, you’d be unable to claim for ongoing medication costs, unless there’s a flare-up, which might require a change in medication.

But you can still potentially save money by comparing medication with a service like Petscribers, rather than buying directly from your vet. In this situation, you’d save money coming from your own pocket.

Why medication costs matter more than you think

Ongoing medication accounts for a large proportion of pet insurance claims, with a good-sized chunk of long-term claims being linked to prescriptions. That means small monthly savings can add up to meaningful protection over time.

That could be the difference between covering an emergency consultation, diagnostic imaging or blood tests without worrying about your remaining limit.

And when the unexpected happens, costs can rise quickly. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) states that average pet insurance claims sit around £685, but more complex treatments can run into the thousands. In serious cases, surgery or specialist care can approach five figures. Preserving your claims pot wherever possible really does matter.

Buying medication online – safely

Despite the potential savings, many pet owners don’t realise they can legally buy prescription pet medication online. A 2024 Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) survey found that 38% of UK pet owners were unaware this was even an option.

The key is safety. Not all online pharmacies meet UK regulatory standards, and counterfeit flea and worming treatments are a growing concern. Fortunately Petscribers help pet owners compare prices only from VMD-accredited, government-approved pharmacies.

You still request a written prescription from your vet, which they’re legally required to provide – although they’re likely to charge an admin fee. And ultimately your pet receives exactly the same regulated medication, just at a lower cost.

Planning for the curveballs

Pet ownership is full of joy, but it also comes with uncertainty. While we can’t predict accidents or illness, we can plan how we use our insurance.

Saving on regular medication doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means spending smarter, dipping into your claims pot less, and making sure your remaining cover is at a healthy level when life throws a curveball.

At Petgevity, we encourage pet owners to think beyond average claim values and consider worst-case scenarios too. By combining the right level of cover with managing your costs, you can get true peace of mind from your pet insurance.

Small changes that make a big difference

By pairing Petgevity’s flexible lifetime policies with safe medication savings through partners like Petscribers, you can take greater control of healthcare costs without compromising your pet’s wellbeing. You’re still supporting your vet, still using regulated UK pharmacies and still prioritising quality care… just in a more cost-effective way.

Because in the end, it’s not just about saving money. It’s about making sure you always have the support you need to give your pet the best possible care, for life.