Pet Insurer’s Claims Denounced
6 October 2005
The President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA) Dr Freda Scott-Park today (Thursday) responded angrily to the tone and content of the insurance company Direct Line’s statement concerning the cost of veterinary treatment.
“As a professional body, BVA has long advocated pet insurance and our members actively promote the concept within their practices. We have also long promoted transparency with regard to fees but as anyone involved with private healthcare will know, it is not always possible to predict precisely what treatment will be required until a detailed consultation and possibly surgical examination has been undertaken.”
She continued: “The increasing expectations of pet owners and the increasing sophistication of veterinary treatment has meant an increase in veterinary fees – surgical expertise and equipment does not come cheap – but as the recent Competition Commission inquiry established, veterinary surgeons in the UK have, until recently, been undervaluing the services they provide.
“The profession has, and will continue to promote pet insurance since it enables us to give the best possible care to the animals entrusted to our care” said Dr Scott-Park “but I have to say that I am incensed, on behalf of the profession, at this alarmist, and indeed garbled, marketing exercise given the support the profession has shown to the insurance industry in the past. We go to great lengths to provide the best level of service to our clients that we can, whether they are insured or not.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors
For further information please contact Chrissie Nicholls or Helena Cotton in the BVA Press Office on 020 7636 6541 or email media@bva.co.uk.