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A simple guide to insurance for pets.

 

It’s a good feeling to know that with Orchard Veterinary Group you have the best possible healthcare on hand for your pet; it’s an even better feeling if you know that you don't have to worry about paying for most of it.

With most things in life you get what you pay for and veterinary treatment is no exception.  To take advantage of all that is offered by modern expertise and technology you need to think carefully, in advance about your budget, and pet insurance is one of the best and easiest ways of making ends meet.  Due to recent changes in the financial services act we are unable to advise on specific policies but that also means that, unlike some practices, we are not tied to any one company.  So read on for an impartial “vet’s eye view” of pet insurance.

Types of Policy

Like Veterinary Services some pet insurance policies are better than others; broadly speaking there are 2 types:

1/ “Lifelong” policies - these policies “do what it says on the tin”; they will insure your pet for its entire life for any condition.  What exactly this means varies, for instance some policies will “give” you a sum of money and once that’s used up they stop paying, others provide an annual sum per condition which is topped up each year.  Standards and costs vary from company to company.  Generally if your pet has an ‘ongoing condition’ for which you are making regular claims you will be required to pay an excess each year on each condition being claimed for.

2/ “Twelve month” policies - these are generally cheaper than the lifelong policies but as the name suggests they will only cover any one condition for 12 months and in some cases the apparent saving can be a false economy.  While this type of policy might be ideal for a ‘one off’ condition, with no complications such as, say, a pyometra or an uncomplicated broken leg; for longer term conditions you have to beware of THE 12 MONTH TRAP!  If your pet develops a long term condition such as a recurring skin problem, or an injury which requires repeated surgeries or which may cause other problems such as arthritis later in life then this type of policy will stop paying after only 12 months, leaving you with no cover.  The ‘trap’ is that you are then unable to change to a different insurance company to maintain cover since no other company will cover what is now a pre-existing condition.  You are left high and dry.  If you are willing to take that risk then a 12 month policy can be a cheap option, just beware that like so many other cheap options in life they can turn out to be more costly in the long run.

Take home message - Do your research to find out which policy gives you what you want, but that’s why you’re here, so that’s ok!

 

The practicalities

Insurance doesn’t have to be complicated.  You can set up a direct debit to pay your premiums and when it comes to claiming just go online or phone the company, get a form, fill in your bit (we’re not allowed to do it for you I’m afraid) and give it to us.  We'll do the rest and send the form in free of charge (although there may be a charge if we are asked to prepare specialist reports).  You don't need to know any technical or clinical details about the case or worry about what can or can't be claimed for, we'll do it all for you.

Of course there are a few things insurance won't pay for, such as neutering or conditions which started before or up to 2 weeks after the policy date.  Most companies won't pay for vaccination although some will give you a voucher towards the cost.  As with any insurance policy there will be an excess, a sum that you have to pay towards the cost of a condition; after this is paid the insurance company will honour the remaining costs.  An excess can be a lump sum, a percentage, or both.  In most cases we ask the insurance company to pay the claim directly to us and we will then invoice you for uninsured items such as food, some administrative charges* and any excesses.  If you would like the claim to be paid direct to you we would ask that you settle your bill with us before the claim-form is submitted.

Remember; 30% of pets will need veterinary treatment every year and this increases as pets get older.  Also, veterinary fees are increasing faster than inflation.  If you have pet insurance you will almost certainly use it!

Bear in mind that premiums and the excess will increase with age.

 

Things to remember when making a claim (Printer friendly guide)

Act promptly - notify your pet insurance company as soon as you think you might be making a claim.

Read the small print carefully - some insurance companies have strict conditions in their policies which must be followed closely.

Non insured items - there will be items on your account that the insurance company will not pay for such as flea and worm treatments, food, vaccinations etc...

Concurrent claims - when claiming for more than one condition a separate excess will be payable for each condition.

Keep the claims forms coming in - if treatment is ongoing you need to bring in a claim form every month during treatment.  This will not affect the excess you pay.  If we haven't received a claim form from you in the last month we will send you a bill.  In this situation simply get in touch with the practice before paying it and we will advise you.

*Administration fees - although we will process claims forms free of charge any extra reports, letters and so forth requested by the insurance company will be chargeable to you.  The insurance company will not usually reimburse you for this cost.

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© Orchard Veterinary Group

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