Best pet insurance deals for your pet
Quickly compare 25+ providers. Pay from £2.56 a month.*
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Most vets expect full payment from the pet owner at the time of treatment. This is true even if there is a pet insurance policy in place to cover the vet bills. The exception would be if it has been agreed that pet insurance will be paying the vet directly and pre-approval has been sought and received from the insurer. The situation changes slightly depending on whether or not a pet is insured. We explain below.
If a pet is insured
For vet bills on the lower end of the scale, it's typical for the pet owner to pay the vet at the time of service. Then, a claim would subsequently be made to the pet insurance company. (Sometimes the vet will submit the claims application on the owner's behalf; other times it's up to the owner to initiate the claim with the insurer.) a the claim is valid, the pet insurance company would then reimburse the pet owner directly for the claimable amount (e.g. less any excess).
For large vet bills (e.g. thousands of pounds for a surgery), it may be desired to ask if the pet insurance company will pay the vet directly. This alleviates the need for the pet owner to pay the vet at the time of service. To go this route, it's usually the case that the owner will need to clear this with the vet ahead of time, as well as the insurer. A vet may be reluctant to let a pet and its owner leave the premises without having arranged payment via pre-approval from the insurer.
Most pet insurance companies say they're willing to pay the vet directly. But not all vets will accept payment from the vet; a vet might insist that the pet owner settles the bill at the time of service, then claims the amount back for themselves from the insurer. A vet may be more likely to accept direct payments from some insurers, especially if they've done so before. It's always a good idea to enquire with a vet ahead of time.
If a pet is not insured
In circ*mstances where a pet is not insured, or the insurance simply doesn't cover a particular treatment, the vet will still likely want payment at the time of treatment. This can be particularly distressing if an owner would face financial stress making an upfront payment, say in the case of a particularly large vet bill (e.g. for surgery).
In these circ*mstances, the owner can enquire whether or not the vet will accept a spreading out of payments to cover the bill over time. Not all vets will be willing to do so, however. Long-term clients will a good history of paying may find their vet is more amenable to doing so. In fact, a vet might not carry out a procedure if they know the pet is not insured and they are unable to collect payment upfront.
This is yet another reason why it's so important to buy pet insurance. The average cost of a pet insurance policy is around £271 per year in the UK, although costs can be significantly higher for some breeds and for premium policies.
Erin Yurday
Erin Yurday is the Founder and Editor of NimbleFins. Prior to NimbleFins, she worked as an investment professional and as the finance expert in Stanford University's Graduate School of Business case writing team. Read more on LinkedIn.
FAQs
Most vets expect full payment from the pet owner at the time of treatment. This is true even if there is a pet insurance policy in place to cover the vet bills.
What do vets do if you can't pay UK? ›
In the UK, certain charities, including the PDSA offer help with vet bills: PDSA: The PDSA provides free or subsidised treatments to pet owners who meet certain criteria, including owners that receive specific state benefits.
Can I pay my vet bill in installments UK? ›
Some vets offer payment plans through a credit company if you need help spreading the cost. Not every vet can offer this, but it's worth asking if this is an option. To decide if signing up for a payment plan is right for you, please contact: The Money Advice Service.
Do vets charge for a check up UK? ›
A vet consultation fee can cost more than £30 for your pet to be seen by the vet. In some cases, you can pay £50 to £60 for a standard consultation. The price you pay also depends on whether your visit is during normal opening hours or if it's an emergency appointment outside of hours.
Why are UK vet bills so high? ›
Simply put, there is no NHS for pets and no government support for veterinary practices as there is in the field of human medicine in the UK. In fact, our fees include VAT at 20% so a big chunk of your bill is tax to the government.
Can a vet keep my dog for non payment UK? ›
Your animal isn't the vets responsibility until you're his customer, and you're not his customer unless you have a contract. Vets can't afford to treat every case that comes in without payment.
What is the average vet bill for a dog UK? ›
What are the average vet bills for dogs? Vet bills for dogs can easily top the £1,000 mark. According to Animal Friends, the average vet bill for cysts and tumours in medium dogs was £902. And the average vet fee for problems related to the digestive system was £863.
How much is an emergency vet visit for a dog UK? ›
Our research found that the average cost of an emergency vet appointment in the UK is now £253.34 - that's a 27% increase since 2022. This is for the basic consultation cost to see a vet during the night. You'll need to pay for any treatment needed on top of the out-of-hours consultation cost.
Can I get a vet prescription online UK? ›
Although you can buy your pet's prescription medication online, it's not possible to have an online vet issue a prescription for them in the UK. That's because by law your dog or cat needs to be examined by a vet in person before they can write them a prescription.
Can I claim vet bills on my taxes UK? ›
In that case, you could claim capital allowances on the cost of buying the dog and maintenance costs for the dog - such as feeding and vets' bills - are tax-deductible expenses.
Prescription only Medicines
A prescription may not be appropriate if your animal is an in-patient or immediate treatment is necessary. As from September 2023, the charges for issuing a written prescription are as follows: £30.00 (inc VAT) for the first item. £22.50 (inc VAT) for each and every subsequent item.
How much does a dog ultrasound cost UK? ›
The average cost for an ultrasound scan can range from £30 – £90, dependent on full services offered and the timing of the procedure. At Canine Scanning, we offer a flat rate of £30 for all ultrasound scans performed – we believe no pet owner should have to pay more for a solid, reputable service.
How much do antibiotics cost for dogs UK? ›
The cost of antibiotics for dogs
The maximum price that a vet can charge for a prescription is £24.40, but this doesn't include the cost of the antibiotics themselves. Depending on the type of antibiotic and the size of your dog, the cost will vary. On average, a course of dog antibiotics costs between £10 and £30.
What is the average vet bill in America? ›
In the U.S. the average national cost for a dog's routine check-up is $50 to $250. Overall vet costs including wellness check-ups, dental care, lab tests and vaccines can total between $700 and $1,500 per year.
Does UK have good vets? ›
And despite the pandemic, in 2021 and early 2022, you voted 15,504 times – by reviewing your local practice on VetHelpDirect.com or on Any-UK-Vet.co.uk. And, in a tribute to the vets of the UK, an incredible 14,138 were at 4 or 5* – the top ratings. That's an amazing 95%!
How much is an MRI scan for a dog UK? ›
Cost of MRI for Small Animals
The average cost of a vet MRI scan in the UK is around £2,500. Our scans are priced more competitively, so that they are more accessible to clients. Generally, your pet insurance will cover the cost of an MRI scan, but always check with your insurance company to make sure.
Will vet treat my dog if I have no money? ›
If your animal requires emergency veterinary care and you can't afford treatment, contact nearby veterinary colleges to see if they have any emergency assistance programs. If you are unsure what qualifies as emergency veterinary care, call your veterinarian and describe the symptoms.
Do vets do a payment plan? ›
Your vets may have their own payment plans available or might work with a third-party lender to offer a payment plan. This works in a similar way to a loan, allowing you to pay for your pet's treatment in instalments.
What if I can't afford my dog to be put down? ›
Get in touch with your local shelter or humane society and ask about low-cost or free euthanasia services. If they don't provide the service themselves, they should be able to direct you to an organization that does perform euthanasia affordably.
What if I can't afford my cat anymore? ›
Contact local animal welfare groups.
Many organizations offer pet food assistance or temporary housing for pets while their owners get back on their feet, and some have low-cost clinics.
