Hidden charge - unfair?

Spendless

That happened to me. Emergency vets cos dog had got a grass seed in his ear. Everything done on phone cos was during pandemic so got asked 'would you like us to send the insurance form for you' said yes. When I got the bill there had been a £25 admin charged for doing so that hadnt been mentioned. We paid, my own vets has a notice up about it nowadays saying theres a charge.

sheramber

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81957316#Comment_81957316

You may still have had to pay for the vet’s admin costs for dealing with the firm and signing it, before it was returned to you.

The cost is for the vet’s time not for the time to email it to the company.

vikkimcd

When I questioned the cost, I was told it was for them sending it off. I was also told the 'reception manager' would call me back to discuss it, but that was nearly a week ago. I guess I will have to pay it and then question every single thing going forward.

KittenChops

Our vets do not charge for completing the insurance forms - which is handy as we have an ongoing claim indefinitely (diabetes)

We were charged for it by an emergency out of hours vet for a different issue - but they were upfront about the cost of it

stormCat99

I think it's quite common for vets to charge a fee for dealing with insurance claims, I know ours do.

However, what is not ok, is for them not to tell you up front about it! I would be digging my heels in on the basis that nobody told you. For all they know, had you known there was a charge, you may have chosen to just claim directly yourself.

elsien

The vet still needs to fill in part of the form there even if you initiate the claim.

Either you leave it with them and they complete it and send it off, or you send your bit to the form to the insurance company who still have to contact the Vet to verify the details and check it’s not related to a pre-existing condition where relevant.

Either way, there is going to be a fee but I agree people should be told that upfront

alisonmyers36

Late response I know but I do feel your pain regarding hidden charges. My daughter belongs to the pet health club at a cost of £30 monthly. She gets free consultations for the cat & vaccinations etc. We took the cat in last week as didn’t seem well. Advised to have bloods & X-ray under anaesthetic. The vet said it would cost £650. I also paid for some medication at £77. Today we called to book the appointment and were told the price was £1,300! An hour later we were told it was now £1,179! Unbelievable and we are getting a second opinion tomorrow at another vets

vikkimcd

Oh my gosh, that is horrific! it is a proper trap as they can charge anything - we aren't going to let our pets suffer. It is really exploitative. I believe there are now rules in place, or coming in soon, where they have to provide a quote for anything over £500. It is daylight robbery!

I seem to be coming across more and more people who want to rip me off, and it is getting on my pip. I'm really sorry you went through this, but thank you for posting as I felt some people thought I was being a bit petty. It just makes me lose trust in these people, it is horrible.