Pet Insurance Claim Declined - Help!

juliemacq

So, our dog needed a specialist operation to remove a lump which was restricting her movement. I thought we'd be covered by pet insurance, up to £2000.
The final bill came to £5100!!
We cashed in some savings, thought we'd at least get some money back. But no!
The insurance company have declined the claim on the grounds that it was a pre-existing condition. She had a different smaller lump checked by the vet 2 years previously, but it was just a fatty lump and nothing to worry about, (said the vet). That lumps is still there.

The removed lump has never been noted on the vets system.
We are of course going to battle this one out, but wondered if anyone out there had any advice as to particular wording we should use, or indeed have any tips or recomendations. I genuinely didn't think that fatty lumps were a notifable health condition. More fool me. Advice please.....

sheramber

The exclusion of pre existing conditions is normally pretty wide and would apply to anything that previously occurred or anything that can be linked to it.

A second lump would be considered the same condition as the first as it is the same clinical symptoms with the same diagnosis.

Read your policy document ( not the policy summary) to see exactly what your policy says about pre existing conditions.

sheramber

Anything that you consult your vet about, whether any treatment is given or not, is considered a pre existing condition.

w06

Do you know what the lump that was removed was? Was that also a fatty lump (lipoma)? If it was then I agree it was a pre-existent condition, but if it was something else then that's not the same condition and I'd challenge the exclusion.

I succesfully challenged one of my dogs' policy, years ago, trying to exclude his GI condition because of an apparent pre-existent condition that was totally different

iolanthe07

This is the sort of story that convinces me that pet insurance is a waste of money. Insurance companies will use every twist and turn that they can to get out of paying. Much better to set up your own fund and. unless you are really unlucky, you will end up with a nice savings account. I put £5K aside and add to it at £50 a month for my puppy.

Claddagh_Noir

I agree with Sheramber, anything consulted and discussed with the vet will be classed as 'pre-existing.'


I do see and understand why people would rather not have insurance and just put the money aside every month.