Pet insurance refusing claim

Stevebell

Hi all
My partner and I adopted a puppy back in October last year. As a result of his vaccines and worming treatment he had diarrhea with traces of blood. This is apparently normal in almost all puppies, however it took our little guy a little longer to recover. We took him to the vets and it was concluded that there were no underlying issues and it was just down to the stress of moving to a new place and the treatments. Our insurance has put an exclusion on gastro intestine problems as a result of this. We belive this is highly unfair as its a regular thing that almost all puppies endure. We're now in a position where he has been admitted to the vets with a currently unknown problem that is causing him to vomit and regurgitate. It could be something he has swallowed and could require surgery. The vets are aware of the exclusion and have advised us that this is extremely unfair. I have called pet plan to say this and argue our point, but after speaking to their underwriters they aren't budging. We have launched a complaint with them and have to wait upto 5 days for a response, which will be too late. We don't have a £4,000 stash tucked away, this is how much they believe the vets bills could tot up to. Aside from going down the complaints procedure and potentially the ombudsman, is there anything else we could look at or do? 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and any and all feedback will be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks, Steve 

sheramber

That is a standard exclusion in these circumstances. I have had 6  pups and none have been affected by  vaccinations, moving home etc.
That is why insurance should be taken out from the day you get your  puppy.
Since you do not know the cause of the problem you cannot say that it is not related to the  previous episode.
If it is proved he  has swallowed something to cause it then you could try getting your vet to write to Petplan confirming that this episode is not connected to the previous one. They may or may not accept this.
If they refuse your complaint you can go to ombudsman but that is not a quick  solution and  there is no guarantee which way the ombudsman will decide.
In the meantime you need to  look into ways of paying the bill.
Does your vet do a payment plan? 
Bank loan? Credit card?

elsien

It is possible to challenge after the event if it does turn out to be unrelated.
Petplan put an exclusion on my girl for all foot conditions because of skin issues and cysts before the insurance was put in place. But when she needed a toe amputating because of a tumour, my vet provided evidence that it was completely unrelated and they paid up.
I guess your difficulty is that without treatment you won't know one way or the other. But exclusions for preexisting conditions are the norm. 

Pippwhips

I suggest if they're refusing to pay ask if you can have your money back if you haven't had any claims paid out .
Open a saving account and put the money you paid for the insurance also ask your vet if the do a  treatment/ health plan.
Some vets do one for health check, worming flea treatment and vaccination  might cover some other treatments.
I found if you have an older dog the insurance can be very expensive
Hope this help.

Pippwhips

Don't use purely pets insurance vets and clients have trouble with this firm not paying out for treatment.

elsien

Pippwhips said:

Don't use purely pets insurance vets and clients have trouble with this firm not paying out for treatment.

Deleted. Read it wrong.