Pet insurance problems - Petplan

schizometric

Hi all,

My pet dog suffered with an ear infection around this time last year (up til present). I've always been covered by Petplan, however, I have been really busy as it was my final year in Uni. The condition was "noticed" on the 10th July 07, and I thought that by getting a claim form in mid June I'd probably be ok. However, the vets I'm with lost the initial claim form. I took them a new one last Friday (27th) - hand delivered etc, rang them to find out when it had been posted (Monday 30th or Tues) but it still hasnt showed up on Petplan's system. I'm worried it's been "lost in the post" now, and concerned that Petplan will only fund claims that have been put forward within a year of the condition being noticed. I could get another filled in but my vets will "do it in their own time" (fair enough I suppose) and so it may not get there by the 10th.

I spoke to a bimbo on the phone who was completely unable to clarify whether its date of treatment or date of it being noticed etc. Does anyone know?

Steve1981

schizometric wrote: »

clarify whether its date of treatment or date of it being noticed etc. Does anyone know?

i cant see how it can be the date of it being noticed as there will be no record of this, the date of treatment would be documented so logic would say that would apply. what has been the cost of the treatment? Is it really worth claiming for? once you take into consideration the excess and the impact it will have on future premiums is it really going to be cost effective?

I know petplan are pretty good, they are one of the only pet insurers who dont exclude a condition from renewals once you have claimed for it.

Ian_W

There's a claims tracking page on PPs website - HERE
which may help more than the "bimbo" did!!

From my policy book [dated April 08]:
"You should send us your claim at the end of treatment or at the end of the policy year if the treatment has not finished at this time. The claim must be submitted within 12 months of your pet receiving treatment."

So it appears it's 12 months from the first treatment but if it is lost in the post [not having much luck with the form are you!?] then provided your Vet backs up the the fact they submitted it within 12 months I can't see PP being able to quibble if it hasn't arrived with them through postal difficulties.
The first sentence may be more of a problem though if you've renewed between treatment starting and now.
HTH.

schizometric

Hi Ian, thanks for your reply. Yeah I've tried to use the tracking form before but it just hasnt appeared on the system. Unfortunately I have renewed between treatment and now (it just renews automatically...), I think it was in Feb, when most of the treatment was over... so I'm not sure what that means? Does it mean I won't be entitled to anything? I'm sure I asked about this on the phone before and they said it was just 12 months from treatment/noticing (whichever, but it looks like the former from the T&Cs) and not the policy start date. Seems this contradicts that advice though?

Cost of treatment was around £300 so probably worth it. Just.

Ian_W

schizometric wrote: »

Unfortunately I have renewed between treatment and now (it just renews automatically...), I think it was in Feb, when most of the treatment was over... so I'm not sure what that means? Does it mean I won't be entitled to anything? I'm sure I asked about this on the phone before and they said it was just 12 months from treatment/noticing (whichever, but it looks like the former from the T&Cs) and not the policy start date. Seems this contradicts that advice though?

Hmmm ... honest answer is - Dunno!
However, the FSA requires that customers are treated "fairly" so unless it increases the risk to them I think it's unlikely they'll point blank refuse it. However, if the condition had been declared and would have resulted in a higher premium on renewal for this year then I think they would be entitled to deduct any increase due from their settlement.

Steve1981 wrote:

I know petplan are pretty good, they are one of the only pet insurers who dont exclude a condition from renewals once you have claimed for it.

I think PP were [one of?] the first to offer "cover for life" but many others do it now in various forms. I also think they're pretty good but a tad expensive which is why I went with PDSA for a recent new addition to the household.

schizometric

Thanks for your help both. They finally received the claim after my vet faxed it through again in the nick of time - it was faxed over Tues and today they had it all sorted. Just rang up this afternoon and there was a payout of £260 (less 50 excess)! Really chuffed :beer: