Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

BengalcatRVN — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 23:47:48 GMT

My insurance has gone up over the years, I've not worried about it to be honest, I know its gonna go up, and a sliding scale suits me (rather than "your pet is how old?! how about bumping it up 3 fold). To be honest, I'd rather rarely or never claim. Would mean my cat's not gonna die at a young age. But if it wasn't for the insurance, he prob would have been PTS a long time ago.

The vet wasn't advising on particular policys at the end, he was advising on the cover for life policys, and advising people get insurance and speak to their vets. People forget, they ARE a business, as are we vets at the end of the day. I saw a raise in fees, as well as a fall in some area's.

I agree, I've seen "worse" from ins co, but know one must bite one's tongue and continue to offer the advise to try and get people to make the right choice.

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Tracy Windler RVN — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 22:51:52 GMT

[quote user="*Steph *"]

Is there anything to stop her making up another account? cause that what I think will happen.. then 'she' will be posting under a different name.. Mmm, makes you wonder how many members are actually genuine ones

[/quote]

Apparently on Vetsurgeon, the vets have to enter their reg number or credentials and practice details, or they can't access it. I know its an old chestnut, but maybe this is the way to get rid of these charlatans? Not sure how we would incorporate the important contributions from QVN's and non-QVN's alike, though???

My employer is keen to start a second list, similar to the old "Veterinary Practitioners" after the 1966 act. Allows experienced nursing assistants to register on their own list, but will not allow new ones to the list and would eventually phase out of its own accord. Everyone would have a number then! Perhaps I should have started a new thread for this??!!

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Dippy — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:37:20 GMT

Anyone been watching this tonight? I have a couple of questions...

How can a vet go on telly and advise about types of policy - thought we weren't allowed to say half of that stuff or is it different becuase he's representing the profession in an official capacity? (Not moaning, just curious!)

Does anyone work in a practice where the veterinary fees have gone up as much as the insurance companies say? Think our fees went up fractionally last year for the first time in about 3yrs and that was still a tiny amount in relation to inflation etc.

As a customer (and NOT in my nurse capacity and I'm not prepared to name the company but am just passing comment), my policy has gone up by 25% this year and I have never claimed and my pet isn't over a certain age. No answers required, just posting a comment that I did actually remark on this myself three months ago when my renewal arrived!

Thought the item was fairly harmless really, quite informative for anyone who doesn't know about variations in policy type etc and unless they're going back to it, I could've told a lot worse stories myself (although of course I wouldn't cos I ain't allowed! )

To be fair, a friend of mine is currently having a very similar nightmare scenario with her car insurance policy so I guess at the end of the day, they're all businesses and can't afford to give money away...

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

FINNIGAN — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 17:00:00 GMT

if she was genuine she would have responded, think that answers our questions, nice try jo whatever your name is, but it didnt work!!!!!

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Phrin Vernon RVN — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:07:17 GMT

I would hedge a guess that the OP, if not genuine, may be working for * &* or a company with a similar rep, as they are the ones who will likely be slated.

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

christinam — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 23:01:48 GMT

TVN to QVN/ RVN, maybe she joined and then opened her post and ooohhh she had qualified!!!

LOL, maybe not! Well done Sandra for picking up on it!

My question is, if dopey works for FSA, why is she stupid enough to give her true name??

Watchdog if you're reading this, ohh, mnn, hang on, thats odd, no answers? That is because we abide by data protection as we are PROFESSIONALS!!!!

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Sal the 1st — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:21:45 GMT

well surprise surprise no reply from watchdog - or maybe its because they are too busy reading through all the stories we have to share that they havnt read my email yet?

I am not annoyed really I am not - I am incandescent!

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Mac Feather — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:32:03 GMT

[quote user="Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA"]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think this post is a bit suss??

I read it and thought of those adverts for no fee no compensation injury lawyers......

Dont know why! Just the way my cracked mind works!

[/quote]

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Steph Phillips — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 08:13:18 GMT

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 00:04:05 GMT

Thankyou Arlo! hopefully we are all wrong and just a bit on edge after all the recent bad publicity surrounding vets, but I dont think we can be too careful. So if I am wrong then I apologise.

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Vicky RVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:21:57 GMT

Ta Arlo

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:21:15 GMT

Have locked Jo Smith's account till I can check her identity.

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:27:44 GMT

Nothing on vet surgeon apparently...

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:25:43 GMT

I wondered too if it had been put up on vetsurgeon! or maybe the person in question thinks that we (nurses) are stupid enough not to question it!

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Hannah25uk — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:19:55 GMT

Just did a google search looks like this Jo Smith has something to do with the FSA. Could be completely on the wrong track but who knows....... seems suss either way

http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/joanne-smith/7/494/741

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

BengalcatRVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:17:19 GMT

Yes, I will watch the program, as I'm interested what's going to be said but I'm sure not going to be breaking any rules and bring our professionalism down. Anyone on vetsurgeon? I'm not, my boss is but I don't know his password, lol! I had to set it all up for him and had him change it after. Wonder if he remembers it...?

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Sal the 1st — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:12:38 GMT

[quote user="BengalcatRVN"]

Pet insurance IS on watchdog next thursday, doing a thing on ins companies that won't pay out. BUT it could be someone poseing to gain our trust to "taddle-tail" on them.

Not allowed to under data protection (info on clients claims) and the FSA rules (discussing particular companies) surely?

[/quote]

agreed

PLUS

if we want to be seen as professionals participating in something like this just makes it so much harder to be taken seriously. Wonder if the same sort of thing was posted on vetsurgeon? - somehow I dont think so. I look forward to a reply to my email - but doubt very much I will get one

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

BengalcatRVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:02:14 GMT

Pet insurance IS on watchdog next thursday, doing a thing on ins companies that won't pay out. BUT it could be someone poseing to gain our trust to "taddle-tail" on them.

Not allowed to under data protection (info on clients claims) and the FSA rules (discussing particular companies) surely?

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Dippy — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:01:47 GMT

Well she's gone very quiet....

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Jenny Cook RVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:00:51 GMT

Next thursday 8pm on bbc1 they are talking about pet insurance and claims, etc... just seen them say it on tonights episode.

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Vicky RVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:43:09 GMT

[quote user="BengalcatRVN"]

[quote user="Vicky SVN"]

Google search doesn't show 'Local Town Vet Practice', funnily enough...

[/quote]

What?! But that's were the email told me to send all my bank details as I'd won the international lottery

[/quote]

Hahahahahaha love it

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Jenny Cook RVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:42:37 GMT

Hmmm, bit odd... originally signed on as JoTVN. (trainee nurse?) and Local town vet practice?? Sorry no offence to Jo if this post is genuine...

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

BengalcatRVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:36:57 GMT

[quote user="Vicky SVN"]

Google search doesn't show 'Local Town Vet Practice', funnily enough...

[/quote]

What?! But that's were the email told me to send all my bank details as I'd won the international lottery

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Vicky RVN — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:12:53 GMT

Google search doesn't show 'Local Town Vet Practice', funnily enough...

Re: Pet Insurance on Watchdog

Sal the 1st — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 20:11:04 GMT

[quote user="Kate Claxton DipAVN(Med)VN"]

Maybe we should email Watchdog about people from 'Local Town Vet Practice' posing as VNs on a site for professionals...what a way to generate trust and get people to help you!

Arlo - can you block this account? x

[/quote]

Yes I was just going to suggest that - in fact I am emailing them now, if it is Watchdog shame on them and if it isnt? well makes you wonder which one of the insurance comapanies it is?