Think they are talking about the external filter .

My guess is no one is going to remove the fuel pump , unless they have to . Certainly not to remove the strainer .

The 2 older cars I have replaced the in-tank fuel pump , I had to drop the tank !

From the photo , it looks like that assembly also includes the fuel level sending unit , also . Which explains part of the cost .

Other than that , who knows why the companies do what they do ?

God bless
Wyr