Pet insurance

Re: Pet insurance

Rob Loxley — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 18:11:25 GMT

[quote user="Robin Grimmer"]some clients to try it on though[/quote]

Usually they at least change vets after taking out insurance and claim it's never been to a vet before!

Re: Pet insurance

Robin Grimmer — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:05:21 GMT

some clients to try it on though. We had a client whose dog had been treated for otitis externa on a number of occasions - before they took out insurance. A recent swab showed a growth of Malasezzia, and the client wanted us to write to the insurer (Tesco I think) to say that this was a new condition and it couldn't possibly have had Malasezzia before! Needless to say I didn't oblige.

Seriously though, there is one reason above all why insurance premiums have increased - increasing expectations and demands from owners who want the best for their pet. This means a lot more referrals than there used to be.

Re: Pet insurance

Francisco Gomez — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:01:07 GMT

I'm sure most of us agree that having a pet insured with a good insurance company is a good idea for our clientele (with the obvious exceptions).

These programs seems to be quite biased most of the time and I am obviously worried that it may protrait vets as using insurance as 'a way to print money' (see sentece for vet going to prison a few weeks back). And giving the general idea of insurance being just scam.

I hope the progam doesnt do this. But if it does, Is there a way to tell the general public that this is not true and that the program was biased?

Re: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 14:43:16 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]I suspect this may be a total of £350 limit per condition! [/quote] Need Alex to confirm but reading again this seems to be what he meant so it is unbelievable unless the premium was 10p and no excess!

Re Stephens post: I had a client with Animal Friends and they refused to pay for a soft tissue mass which was removed at the same time as a mammary mass because it had had mammary tumours previously. This was mentioned in another thread on this subject. Update is that we re-submitted the same claim for just the soft tissue mass and they still refused to pay. A stern letter from me and an even sterner conversation with a claims 'consultant' on the phone with the threat of the ombudsman and it was paid in full! One happy client.

Re: Pet insurance

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:26:39 GMT

Which? online has a good comparison of all the quality pet insurance providers, even mentions companies I have not heard of who provide petplan-like cover at lower prices and with better customer service.

Worth directing clients to have a look!

Re: Pet insurance

Bob Russell — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:25:41 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="alex gough"]Had someone in with a £350 insurance limit the other day - even to offer that feels like fraud to me. [/quote] It sounds like a good idea to me if it keeps premiums under control and they'll pay willingly for really big claims without silly limitations. Quite frankly someone who can't find £350 can't afford to keep a pet.

[/quote]

I suspect this may be a total of £350 limit per condition! Several policies have a max payout of £2000 per year but a stupidly small amount per condition.

Re: Pet insurance

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:19:04 GMT

I've just had a claim for haemorrhagic gastroenteritis bounced because the dog was seen for diarrhoea 11 months before - not even more than 12 months, just in a new policy year. Animal friends. I have sent a sternly worded rebuttal and will hold client's hand through ombudsman if need be. Very angry.

Re: Pet insurance

Martin Atkinson — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 13:06:33 GMT

Re: Pet insurance

Bob Russell — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 11:44:36 GMT

Sadly the price comparison websites tend to direct clients towards the cheaper, less reliable end of the market. Some of these policies are not worth the premiums paid.

Good policies with fair insurance companies are worth their weight in gold.

Re: Pet insurance

Alex Gough — Wed, 06 Nov 2013 10:55:37 GMT

Hope they don't blanket condemn, and distinguish the good from the bad. Had someone in with a £350 insurance limit the other day - even to offer that feels like fraud to me.