Pet Insurance
At Summerhill Veterinary Centre we highly recommend our clients insure their pets against accident and illness as we are only too aware how quickly treatment costs can escalate.
We can only provide general advice regarding types of insurance policy but we feel it is important to our clients that they are aware of all aspects of insuring their pets. The majority of our clients insure their pets and receive the best of care for their pet with the extra peace of mind that they can afford the costs.
However, we feel that clients should be aware of the implications of insurance and of the various reasons that insurance payments can sometimes not be forthcoming so that they can safeguard themselves and their pet should they need to make a future claim.
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Some policies provide cover for life allowing continuous cover for long-term or recurring conditions.
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Others provide maximum benefit for each condition. Once a claim has been made up to the maximum available the policy holder will become liable for any veterinary fees payable for their pet’s illness, this can be a problem if a pet were to suffer from, say, diabetes or a skin condition.
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Twelve-month policies cover a condition for twelve months from the original symptoms, after that the pet owner would be liable for all veterinary fees. Even if a claim is not made for the condition in the first year then the insurance company would not pay out once twelve months have gone by from the first symptom appearing.
It is important to remember that new insurance policies do not always cover pets from the first day of the insurance policy – many do not do so until the policy has been in place for fourteen days – it is advisable to check the conditions of your own insurance policy.
If your pet undergoes treatment under the terms of an insurance policy we will update your regularly as to the level of fees incurred. It is advisable for clients to request a claim form from their insurers immediately so that we can complete a claim to the insurance company. Provision of a claim form is not a guarantee that the insurance company will pay for veterinary treatment – each case is assessed by experts at the insurance company before agreement is made to pay veterinary costs incurred. By dealing with a first claim quickly, we can establish at the outset that the insurance company is happy to cover your pet’s veterinary fees. If the condition is ongoing we will then complete subsequent claim forms at regular intervals.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that your pet’s condition will always be covered by your insurance policy. Claims to insurers may be declined if there have been any problems with missing premium payments or there has been a pre-existing illness at another veterinary practice or before your current policy commenced. Clients should take every care to ensure that their policy does not expire. If you are unsure about your policy, you need to speak to your insurers as soon as you become aware of your pet’s illness.
If you wish us to claim insurance for your pet’s fees to pay your account with us then please be aware that should your insurance company fail to meet the full cost of the fees, the account becomes payable by you.
Clients should be aware that some insurance policies will not pay out claims if the pet insured has not been receiving certain treatments and preventative care – some may refuse to pay out if the pet has not been vaccinated, neutered or received dental care. Others do not pay out claims relating to pregnancy and breeding.
