Pet insurance query

Lizzog

My dog, who is 11 years old, had his knees pinned for luxating patellas a few years ago. This was covered by his insurance, who at the time was More Than. I had a few problems with More Than subsequently not paying out for hydrotherapy and physiotherapy after his operation, and so switched providers. I am now with Ultimate Pet Partners who I've never claimed with before.
A few weeks ago I noticed a lump on my dogs leg, and he's had an X-ray, bloods, and an op to take off a bit of the pin that had somehow worked its way loose from the main pin. He's not had it re-pinned. This has cost £400 in total.
I rang the insurance company up, and they said they thought it would not be a valid claim as it is a pre-existing condition, but said to make a claim anyway as it would be looked at on its merits by a panel.
I will be making a claim, but wondered if anyone had any similar experience with things like this?

LusciousLuce

Unfortunately as this treatment is as a result of the previous condition it will be clsssed as pre-existing and your claim will be declined. Sorry, I know it must seem harsh, but they will consider this one loss.

krlyr

I too imagine it will be excluded as a pre-existing condition. The rule is in place to stop customers taking out insurance after a health issue occurs - afterall, insurance companies make their money on the chance you never need claim, if their customers were only people who had taken a policy after the dog had shown symptoms then they would go out of business very quickly.

There are a couple of insurers who will cover a pre-existing condition if the dog is symptom and treatment free for a period of time (usually 2 years I believe) but if yours doesn't offer that then you may well find the claim rejected.

It really is up to the individual insurer though - they may decide it is unrelated enough, especially as they have suggested putting the claim in to see, but given that it's hardware from the original operation, my view would be probably not.