Veterinary medicine has, in recent years, become increasingly sophisticated. We are able to diagnose and treat many conditions that a few years ago would have remained undetected, with often fatal consequences, especially for older pets. The downside of these advances is cost. Several cases especially where a referral for “consultant” treatment is made can run into several thousands!
One of the most distressing situations we find ourselves in, is where a pet’s problem is curable, but (understandably in some cases) the cost is too high for the owner and the animal has to be put to sleep. A less serious situation is when the owner has to opt for the less than best treatment available for their pet, owing to money constraints.
That’s where pet insurance comes in, as veterinary fee cover can help you to avoid such situations, but when choosing an insurance company, there are a few things you should look out for:
- Be careful to check that the amount of veterinary fee cover is adequate. Over time, a single illness can cost many hundreds or thousands of pounds.
- Check that there is no limit on how long you can claim for each illness. (This is called a Lifetime cover policy for EVERY illness renewable yearly). Some insurance companies place exclusions on an illness after a year. Chronic conditions can go on for life, not just 12 or 24 months.
- Check that your pet will be covered in later years, when he or she may need it most.
- What won’t be covered: like your household and car insurance, pet insurance has an excess, which you will have to pay on each claim in each claim year. Vaccinations, routine treatment i.e. neutering, worming and most foods are not covered.
Some insurance companies include a pensioner and multi-pet discount.
Our practice endorses the concept of pet insurance and we thoroughly recommend it to our clients. Our only interest is to ensure that we never have to compromise the quality of veterinary care on the basis of cost.
Switching insurance could cost you more and pre-existing conditions may not be covered!
Pre-existing conditions may not be covered. Pet insurance is designed to cover costs associated with unforeseen injuries or illnesses. Most policies will automatically exclude any condition that occurred or was noted on your pets record, (whether treatment was undertaken or not) before the start of a policy. If you change insurance companies, the new policy insurer is also likely to exclude pre-existing conditions. This is particularly relevant for clients who move from a Covered for Life policy which would have continued to cover treatment costs for the rest of the pet’s life (providing the client renews each year). Clients will have to find the money themselves to cover further treatment costs for any pre-existing conditions which are excluded, which could actually end up costing thousands of pounds during their pet’s lifetime.
Not all pet insurance is the same. It is very important that you are clear about the type of cover you are switching to. If you move from a Covered for Life policy to a 12 month or Maximum Benefit policy it is essential to understand the difference.
If your pet develops a skin condition such as eczema, it may require treatment for the rest of its life. On a 12 month policy, you would only be able to claim for 12 months of treatment, then the condition is excluded, although the policy continues for other conditions. On a Maximum Benefit policy, you would be able to claim until the cover limit is reached, before the condition is excluded. Many insurance companies advertise the fact they offer cover for the life of your pet, but it is not clear that this means with exclusions on these types of policies.
There are now hundreds of different pet insurance policies available, provided by a wide range of companies, from supermarkets to garden centres. Some providers are new to pet insurance and do not have the experience yet to price and underwrite policies. You may be tempted by a cheaper premium in the short term, but could find your premiums increase significantly at renewal, or if you make a claim.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to the Data Protection Act, Insurance Companies are no longer able to discuss insurance claims directly with the veterinary surgery, unless you have given them verbal or written permission to do so.
Insurance forms and claims Protocol
Our practice policy is that you the owner claim direct from the insurance company. Please always remember the insurance policy (contract) is between you and your insurance company, not the veterinary practice. It is your responsibility to settle the account in full at the time of treatment/collection, not the veterinary practice’s responsibility to chase the insurance company. We would now recommend you claim for treatment within three months as some insurance companies are refusing to settle the claim if they have not received the claim within this time span.
You should check with your insurance company and either obtain a claim form and complete the policyholder sections and sign in the correct locations or complete the online claim via the insurers portal and/or website. Our Insurance Administrator will then complete the Veterinary Practice sections and any include any relevant receipts, history and laboratory results etc. Once completed, the claim can be either electronically submitted, or returned to you for sending to your insurance company. Please note that with effect from the 1st October 2022, the practice will make a charge of £5 + VAT for the completion of each claim. Clients on our Pet Health Plan will not be charged for the completion and submission of any claims.
Please Note:
(a) We have to disclose a full medical history to the insurance company. This may also include medical histories from previous veterinary practices.
(b) Insurance companies will charge separate excesses for each medical condition being claimed for per policy year. Some insurance policies will charge an excess plus a percentage of treatment cost, these may vary from policy to policy. Please make sure you are aware of all charges that may/will be deducted from any final settlement.
The practice can no longer complete and submit claims in respect of third party companies, including hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and online pharmacy purchases. In these cases, you should check with your insurance company, but you should be able to complete a claim form and return this directly to your insurer.
In some circumstances, depending on treatment cost and insurance company, we will authorise a direct claim. This is where the insurance company pays us directly for the treatment carried out within the practice on your pet. (We will not authorise a direct insurance claim with Many Pets, Perfect Pet Insurance, E&L Insurance, Post Office, 4Paws, Kwikfit, Legal & General, Paws and Claws, Purely Pets and Pet Insurance.co.uk. (This list is not exhaustive and is subject to change). There is an administration fee for direct claims of £25.00, which is not reclaimable from your insurance company. A minimum payment must be made to the practice of £250.00, (which includes your excess payment), plus the £25.00 administration fee. Card details are taken and should your insurance company not settle our account within 60 days, the balance is taken from your card. In the event of the claim being declined by your insurance company, you will be liable for all costs outstanding on your account. Once the claim is settled, should there be any balance on your account, this will be returned to you immediately, via your original payment method.