Reasons insurance cover may be absent or not enough
Occasionally we are asked why owners should get help with vet bills when, if they had pet insurance, charitable help would not be needed. Here are some of the common reasons why it is not as simple as that:
For many adopted dogs pre-existing conditions exist. These will not be covered by insurance policies
Most policies exclude treatment such as dental work. This is increasingly expensive and can cost in excess of £1000, a sum many people with, or without insurance, simply cannot afford as a sudden, unexpected expense.
The cost of living crisis is forcing many people to reduce their outgoings. A regular insurance payment may be too much for some people at this time where before it was not. Hard decisions are being faced and reluctantly made.
Even when insurance is in place, it may not fully cover the costs of treatment. Veterinary costs, like everything else are rising and becoming unaffordable, even with basic insurance in place.
Monthly insurance premiums can easily be in excess of £100 per dog these days. Things are changing rapidly and what was possible for pet owners until recently, is now unaffordable.
Circumstances change and life can throw up challenges at any time such as changes in health or employment, bereavement, crises in dogs’ health, emergencies and more. Our dogs rely on us to provide the veterinary treatment they need, whatever the changes in personal circumstances. If we cannot afford it, that is where a charity such as Schnauzerfest comes in.
As a charity we are here to help dogs get the vet care they need. We cannot help everyone but we will do our very best to help owners who cannot afford at that time to pay for treatment.
We are sensitive to people’s circumstances and understand it may not be easy to ask for help. Our experience shows that most people will only ask for help when it is genuinely needed. We will ask just the questions we have to, and only in order to manage charitable funds correctly and provide the best possible help, where it is needed.