The Benefits of Pet Insurance

Benefits of Pet Insurance:

– Financial Protection: Pet insurance helps cover the cost of unexpected veterinary bills, reducing financial stress during emergencies.

– Comprehensive Coverage: Policies can cover a wide range of treatments, including surgeries, medications, and diagnostic tests.

– Peace of Mind: Knowing you have insurance allows you to make healthcare decisions based on your pet’s needs rather than cost.

Types of Policies:

1. Lifelong Policies: Lifelong policies provide coverage for chronic conditions throughout your pet’s life, as long as the policy is renewed annually. With the benefit of refreshing your vet fee limit each year.
2. Maximum Cover – covers your pet for each injury or illness up to a pre-set limit (check with insurance company) – once this limit has been reached (per condition) – cover will cease and you will no longer be able to claim for that condition.
3. Time limited (typically 12 months) Policies: These policies cover illnesses and injuries for 12 months from the onset of the condition. After this period, the condition is excluded from coverage.
4. Accident Only – Covers accidents only – does not cover medical conditions

Claiming Process:

– Direct Claims: Some insurers allow direct claims, where we bill the insurance company directly, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses.

– Paying Owner Direct: you pay for the treatment upfront, and the insurance company reimburses you after you submit a claim.

Exclusions and Reasons for Exclusions:

– Pre-Existing Conditions: Conditions that existed before the start of the policy are typically excluded.

– Routine and Preventative Care: Some policies do not cover routine check-ups, vaccinations, preventative treatments or routine neutering

– Policy Changes: Switching insurance companies can result in new exclusions or limitations, particularly for conditions diagnosed under the previous policy.

Excess and Percentage Excess: All policies are subject to excess which is what you will contribute towards the cost. Each insurance company varies so you will need to check with the insurance company.

– Fixed Excess: A fixed amount you must pay towards a claim before the insurance coverage kicks in.

– Percentage Excess: Some insurers may require you to pay a percentage of each claim, in addition to the fixed excess.

Research and Choosing the Right Policy:

We advise our clients to thoroughly research different insurance companies and policies to ensure they select the best possible coverage for their pet. Look for policies that offer comprehensive coverage, reasonable premiums, and good customer service.

By choosing the right pet insurance, you can ensure that your pet receives timely and effective medical care without the added worry of unexpected veterinary costs. For more information and impartial advice, please speak to our Pet Insurance manager.

Condorrat Vets Insurance Policy:

Claiming:

Please inform our reception team if your pet is insured. We will need the name of the insurer and also the policy number. Our insurance manager will then advise whether we need a paper claim form or if we need a link provided by your insurance company. Some insurance companies also use portal systems.

In the first instance any treatment your pet received will be due to be paid by yourself, once the claim has been submitted and accepted by the insurance, we can do direct claims to the practice.

We have an insurance administration charge for preparing and submitting claims:

• Claim one condition= £20 annually
• Claim one or more chronic ongoing conditions= £30 annually

Contract of Insurance

Pet insurance is a contract between your insurance provider and yourself. Please phone your insurance company and give them authorisation to speak to us about your claims. Otherwise, if there are any queries they will not discuss them with us.

Our insurance manager will assist by completing claims in a timely manner (usually within 2 weeks), but we cannot guarantee payment will be made. This will be down to your contract with your insurance provider. We can also offer impartial advice when needed.

Please ensure you keep your pet’s vaccinations and health checks up to date, as this may affect your insurance policy if you do not.