Whenever possible, a Fixed Fee Quote will be provided. However, due to the nature of veterinary medicine and surgery this is not always possible and for all other cases, a written Fee Estimate will be provided. Fee estimates can be updated periodically, at the client’s request, as diagnostic investigation and treatment proceeds.
The treatment consent form with its fee quotes or estimates is an integral part of your contract with Croft Vets and your signature on that form indicates your acceptance of the terms and conditions described here.
Payment terms
All treatment is payable at the time of consultation or, in the case of hospitalised patients, at the time of collection of the patient from the hospital.
Payment can be made in cash, by credit card or by debit card.
Croft Vets does not operate any kind of deferred or delayed payment scheme. In the event that a client has obtained treatment or other services with insufficient funds to settle their invoice(s), the patient will be kept, at the owner’s expense, in the care of Croft Veterinary Surgeons, until all fees have been paid.
Financial Hardship:
In many cases, a range of treatment options is available, some less costly than others. In cases where payment of estimated fees may be difficult, clients should initiate this discussion before any work is undertaken.
To assist in cases of financial hardship, Croft Vets has access to an interest-free loan facility for payment of veterinary fees. Loan arrangements are subject to confidential means testing by the lender. Approval for interest free finance MUST be in place before any work is undertaken.
Pet Health Insurance:
In the case of insured patients our normal Terms and Conditions apply.
It is important to appreciate that Pet Health Insurance contracts exist exclusively between the client and the insurance company. However, we will assist with the preparation and timely submission of pet health insurance claim forms and no charge is made for this service.
Payment by "Direct Insurance Claims"
Exceptionally, we will consider payment direct to Croft Vets by an insurance company (not E&L).
Minimum value £250.
The following special conditions apply:
A written pre-authorisation covering the full claim MUST be obtained from the insurance company before any work is done.
All arrangements, agreement and documentation must be in place BEFORE any work is done
Your non-insured liability will be estimated and this sum MUST be paid before any work is done.
You must produce photo ID; proof of residence; completed insurance claim forms.
A deposit of £250 will be payable
Notwithstanding our agreement to receive payment directly from an insurer, the absolute responsibility for payment of the invoice within a reasonable time remains exclusively with the client. If, for any reason whatsoever, the insurance company does not reimburse the monies owed within eight weeks of first treatment, then the client must pay the sum owed in full without further delay.
Debt Recovery
Failure properly to settle an account, for whatever reason, places a client in debt. No further reminders will be issued before the debt recovery process is started. A debt administration charge of £50=00 (plus VAT) will be incurred immediately and outstanding monies will attract interest at 2% per calendar month. In addition, Croft Vets will seek to recover all expenses, including Civil Court Costs, incurred in pursuit of the debt. A client who instructs Croft Vets in the knowledge that they do not have sufficient funds available to pay the fee may be committing a criminal offence.
Croft Veterinary Surgeons is a veterinary practice dedicated to providing the very best clinical patient care and client service. The practice receives no support, financial or otherwise, whatsoever from government, government agencies or charitable bodies and depends exclusively on fee income.
The full range of services offered by Croft Vets is available to any pet owner, owners of working animals or agents of those owners who agree to abide by the payment terms described below.
