With a watchdog report criticising sky high vet bills, many owners may be tempted to take out insurance – but the price of premiums can vary dramatically depending on the animal’s breed and where you live.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned owners are kept in the dark about fees and face pricey unexpected bills and will investigate the six biggest providers, CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets At Home and VetPartners.
Owners can be charged £369 for an X-ray – which compares to less than £100 for a human patient at a private clinic – and more than £35 just for a telephone consultation.
Insuring you pet can cost as much as £900 per year, and unfortunately you can still be left having to pay some of the bill if a procedure is not covered under your policy.
Several factors affect the price of insurance, including the breed of the animal, its age and where you live – with urban areas often attracting the highest fees due to the increased likelihood of accidents.
The most expensive dog breed to insure are Cane Corsos at £873.62 a year, according to Compare the Market
Similar variations for insurance premiums are seen with cats, with Maine Coons the most expensive to insure at £309.21 a year, compared to the cheapest – Domestic Shorthairs – at £180.82
Julia Howard said she spent £28,000 on treating her dog Teddy – ‘only a fraction’ of which was covered by insurance
Pet insurance costs can rise for pedigree cats and dogs because they’re more prone to hereditary conditions.
This is particularly the case for brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds like bulldogs and pugs, which can develop breathing problems and suffer health issues as a result.
The most expensive dog breed to insure are Cane Corsos at £873.62 a year, according to Compare the Market.
This is followed by French Mastiffs (£817.64), Newfoundlands (£762.30) and Bernese Mountain Dogs (£724.29). By contrast, the cheapest are Cockapoos (£228.81) and Jack Russels (£254.14).
Similar variations are seen with cats, with Maine Coons the most expensive to insure at £309.21 a year, compared to the cheapest – Domestic Shorthairs – at £180.82.
Where you live also has a significant effect on insurance premiums. While the average for England is £372, this reduces to £339 for the North East – the cheapest – up to £419 in London – where premiums are the most expensive.
Sharna Liptrot, a dog owner from Milton in Cambridge, believes insurance is of limited value to protecting owners from high fees.
She told MailOnline: ‘A friend of mine’s cocker spaniel broke her shoulder from jumping down from the car and the final vet bill was £20,000.00.
‘The insurance only covered £8,000.00 and as he had recently lost his wife the thought of him losing his beloved dog was simply not an option.
‘Can someone please explain to me how they can justify this cost?’
Julia Howard said she spent £28,000 on treating her dog Teddy before he died last year, with insurance covering ‘only a fraction’.
‘The emotional toll of losing a cherished pet is immense, and the financial strain that accompanies it only compounds the pain,’ she told MailOnline.
The CMA is concerned owners are kept in the dark about fees and face unexpected bills running to thousands of pounds.
It will investigate concerns that six corporate giants dominate the market. The proportion of vet practices owned by large groups has risen from 10 per cent to 60 per cent since 2013.
Brian Flynn said he had his beagle, Flash, treated abroad to avoid paying thousands of pounds in UK vet bills
Mr Flynn said a UK vet quoted him £5,318 for surgery and aftercare when Flash suffered a leg injury during a holiday in France
Cane Corsos – an Italian breed of Mastiff – are the most expensive dogs to insure
News of the investigation saw the value of shares in the six groups – CVS, IVC, Linnaeus, Medivet, Pets At Home and VetPartners – fall sharply.
The CMA chief executive, Sarah Cardell, said ‘feeling on this issue is high’, adding: ‘This is a critical market for the UK’s 16million pet owners.
She added: ‘Our review has identified multiple concerns with the market that we think should be investigated further.
‘These include pet owners finding it difficult to access basic information like price lists and prescription costs – and potentially overpaying for medicines.’
Head of consumer protection policy at Which?, Sue Davies, said there is a risk of rip-offs, adding: ‘The regulator needs to be prepared to take strong action to ensure pet owners are treated fairly when they use vet services.’
This could include requirements to spell out charges and sell some vet practices in areas they have a monopoly.
They could also be forced to offer people pet prescriptions that can be fulfilled by cheaper online pharmacies.
The British Veterinary Association rejected the criticism and argued that the bills are ‘fair’.
Its president, Dr Anna Judson, said: ‘Rising prices are a concern for everyone, but it’s vital to recognise there is no NHS for pets.
‘Whether they are employed by corporate or independently owned practices, vets deliver highly specialised, tailored care for the UK’s pets and the cost is a fair reflection of investment in medical equipment, supplies and medicines, and the time vet teams dedicate to the care of each patient.’
Carol Chamberlain was charged £1,130 after her dog stayed overnight at a vets
Carole’s eight-year-old Biewer Terrier, which is called Amie
CVS said it has put forward a package of possible remedies along with other companies that could address the CMA’s concerns.
These include providing a price list for common treatments, the option to get prescriptions and buy medicines elsewhere, making clear which groups own vet practices and any specialist referral services.
Pets At Home, which offers everything from pet food to clothing and grooming, has been expanding its vets business.
It said: ‘We are incredibly disappointed the CMA’s findings today do not fully reflect our unique business model of locally-owned vet practices.’
International comparisons show British animal lovers can sometimes find cheaper prices overseas