Pet insurance needed as vet bills rise

Posted : 06-10-2005

Escalating veterinary fees are leaving many British pet owners with the heart-breaking decision to either pay up, or face having their pet put down.

In a recent survey by Direct Line insurance, 22 per cent of British dog owners admitted they would resort to this drastic action if they could not afford the vet's bills.

Many pet owners are concerned their vet is charging them too much, with the study revealing almost two thirds suspecting their vets have increased fees by recommending non-essential treatments.

However, Britons' animal-loving nature often shines through, with one in ten putting off paying bills to fund their animals' health bills and 15 per cent having raided their life savings to save their dogs.

"With no NHS for animals, dog owners make great financial sacrifices to protect the health of their pets," said Chris Price, head of Direct Line Pet Insurance.

He pointed out that as many vets do not display prices, pet owners are unaware of the cost of their dog's treatment until after it has been carried out – a real concern for the 85 per cent of pet owners whose animals are uninsured.

"We are calling on all vets to be transparent with their pricing to prevent owners suffering this unnecessary financial anxiety," said Mr Price.

Pet owners are urged to consider pet insurance for their animals to help cope with unexpected veterinary bills, which could cost a lot more than expected.

A good solution would be to shop around for cheap pet insurance, rather than having to make a tough decision in the future.

© Adfero Ltd

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