Vet fees and insurance ?? Do you need it

Scott199

Regular Member
So this is more a detailed post about my own situation with Bert in a hope it helps someone one day.

now before I go to far at this point I must say the insurance haven’t paid out yet as the claims only just been filled, I’ll update as I go alone.

the story, woke up Monday morning to a slightly quiet Bert (African grey) nothing major in that as he sometimes has off days, over the last few months he has been slowly gaining weight so he’s been switched from Harrison’s high potency to Harrison’s lifetime, the weight stabilised and started to come down a little each day.

Anyway Tuesday morning he was not himself, seemed tired and quiet, Tuesday night he started panting a little and very drowsy, he was given guardian angel sick bird supplements Tuesday, I rang the bet and booked him in and then Wednesday morning he was back to normal, talking and happy, I attended the vets anyway just to be sure.

when he got to the vets they were concerned even though he was active and talking as he had popped a slight bit of blood as we stood in the vets.

after sometime he was diagnosed with a few problems he’d been fighting for sometime, I’ll post exact details SB when I have the vet report.

The vet said it would be around £400/£500 to determine what was wrong with him and start treatment, at minimum he needed and X-ray, blood tests, fecal test and a night or two with them.

so a happy, chatty bird on Friday was now in a 50/50 survival situation and on the spot you have to instantly decide if you have the £4/5/600 pounds to try and help him.

im telling this story as even though I new it could cost, I didn’t realise how quickly it could happen and how instantly you have to make split decision.

now Bert is a rescue and as such was required to have insurance, even though I had 2k saved for him, thinking that’s plenty.

the insurance made my decision easier slightly, I will update regards payout as it happens.

Id just like to show you all how quickly this can happen and how suddenly your in dept (if you haven’t Pre planned)

for anyone reading this, Bert was a rescue but since he joined us 9 months ago has been had Harrison’s pellets, fresh chopped veg daily, topped up with sprouted seeds, Lafeber nutri berries and in the vets own words “ on a fantastic diet with a great routine”

so it’s not a case “he wasn’t looked after” this was a long standing problem that due to his diet and such he was fighting for some time.

he went in on Wednesday at 1pm he stayed till Saturday when I picked him up at 12:30.

total bill for this event £780 and change.

follow up
7 days check up - another £50-70 depending on him

2 weeks - another X-ray and bloods- estimates around £250-300.

4 weeks after - another X-ray and bloods (same as above)

Plus ongoing medication

So as you can see it really adds up and very, very quickly.

thinking it won’t happen to you or you know the cost just isn’t enough, at a guess my 2k savings are going to be gone on this illness.
 
You have insurance which means you will get vast majority of it back thank goodness probably apart from initial agreed amount please make sure that insurance company don't try to exclude the illness on next year's quote if he's deemed eventually cured then get vet to write letter saying that it is or if it's ongoing make sure you can continue to claim as long as possible on his current insurance
 
You have insurance which means you will get vast majority of it back thank goodness probably apart from initial agreed amount please make sure that insurance company don't try to exclude the illness on next year's quote if he's deemed eventually cured then get vet to write letter saying that it is or if it's ongoing make sure you can continue to claim as long as possible on his current insurance
I will, I’ll add a detailed list of what did and didn’t get covered going forward.
 
Last edited:
So a little update on this.

as predicted vets again today, total of £230 plus change.

so at this point for anyone reading.

we had an initial £780, then a £15 for meds. £38 checkup after 7 days, another £18 on meds, today (two weeks later) £230.

luckily enough he’s improved quite a lot so now the next appointment is in 6-8 weeks for X-rays and bloods again.

So at this moment for what we thought was as a healthy, Well cared for African grey 3 weeks ago.

£1080 give or take some.

and we are yet to get any decision from the insurance, they may pay, they may not.

this goes to show, YOU still need the money available even if you have insurance.

If your considering a parrot of some kind, can you cover the above on a moments notice, basically we had a few hours to decided if we had circa £600 to throw at him.
 
Here you can see how it all adds up and very, very fast, I have no idea regards Vet charges and wether these are good but you really don’t have time to shop around once you notice an illness or possible illness.

I’ve removed names and such but you can see the dates and cost.

each one as a single isn’t to bad but they do an awe full lot in a very short space of time.
 

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Yes about the same as my avian vets. But I have no insurance for 3 of my larger birds as cannot get insurance for them but can for the other 2. So I have a separate bank account that I put whatever I can into to cover vets bills.
Not sure how come your insurance company is dragging their feet though that is a puzzling one.
 
Goodness me,it soon mounts up, paying VAT on everything doesn't help either. Which insurance company are you with @Scott199 . I always thought they paid up, but have only ever had dog insurance.
 
Yes doesn't sound like the insurance company is playing ball to me. What are their reasons? Look at your policy fine print very closely!!!

If they are no good then please out them as there will most likely be others who could be in the same boat hun and who think they are fully covered with no spare cash. Most vet operate on a pay in full before the bird goes home system.

Insurance and some spare cash is one point I think many don't think about before having a parrot.
 
They said when I rang to log the illness that it would be 2/3 weeks before we get the decision, claims was filled about 2 weeks ago after the initial acceptance(if it’s accepted) any and all related vets fees or treatment will not need a claim, they will be paid on submission of invoice/receipt.


The main reason is (or so I’ve read) any claims within the first 6 months of a new policy has additional checks and verification and I’m guessing a major problem like this, this early in the policy is making someone twitch.
 
Yes doesn't sound like the insurance company is playing ball to me. What are their reasons? Look at your policy fine print very closely!!!

If they are no good then please out them as there will most likely be others who could be in the same boat hun and who think they are fully covered with no spare cash. Most vet operate on a pay in full before the bird goes home system.

Insurance and some spare cash is one point I think many don't think about before having a parrot.
Oh I certainly will name and shame or not depending on the outcome.

some will take a direct payment from the insurance (which probably means the insurance act quicker) but ours didn’t.

so all payment before bird leaves the vets.

Im not moaning, they may pay, they may not, I’m fine with either, my pet, my responsibility.

This thread is all about the real life possibilities and how they can hit hard and hit fast with or without insurance.
 
They said when I rang to log the illness that it would be 2/3 weeks before we get the decision, claims was filled about 2 weeks ago after the initial acceptance(if it’s accepted) any and all related vets fees or treatment will not need a claim, they will be paid on submission of invoice/receipt.


The main reason is (or so I’ve read) any claims within the first 6 months of a new policy has additional checks and verification and I’m guessing a major problem like this, this early in the policy is making someone twitch.

It has taken me ages to get Ruby insured on her previous problems but I would say be completely honest regarding your parrots history when applying.
 
I would think they won't pay for the food listed and probably not the consultation fees also minus any excess you agreed to.
 
Yes I believe the initial consultation fees I’m pretty sure they don’t pay, think I seen that in the small print, also I think they pay 60/70% of X-rays or maybe that was CT can’t recall.

And yes minus excess which for me is £35 per claim, so in theory this will only be one claim as long as it’s treated within 90 days if the last treatment, if it goes past 90 days I would need to start a new claim.

One word if warnings for anyone that doesn’t know

both of the main ones I spoke to only cover 50% of referral/consultation fees, in other words if you go to a normal Vet or specialises in avian and then they have to refer you to a fully qualified avian vet that would be a referral.
 
Hi

Funny enough i just got it back (Monday 8th) so although a waiting game i didn't t expect, i have to to allow some grace as it was Christmas and then lockdown.

But to update and be transparent, the actual payment is detailed below.

Invoice's received from vet: £1083.16
Less policy excess of: £35.00
Less deduction of: £75.69
Deductions made: x ZOLCAL-D (calcium) , PVV LIVER SUPPORT , HARRISONS RECOVERY, HARRISONS HP PELLETS
Final total: £972.47

And now going forward as the claim has been accepted, its just a case of emailing any new/ongoing invoices direct to them and they pay in 5-7 days without another claim and also no more excess to be paid as long as each new claim or visits happens within 90 days.


So atlthough slightly longer than normal, i must admit its been a very easy process with little to no questions or forms to complete.

The insurance i'm with is Exotic direct.

So anyone reading this, yes you may/should get your money back, you will still need the money to pay for treatment upfront, some Vets do allow direct claims, but not many as far as i'm aware.
 
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