Advice needed on insurance claim for new puppy

DesignMonkey

Hi guys, I'd like to get views on whether or not we would be covered for insurance claim on our new puppy. Here's the lowdown:

- day 1 picked up puppy. Super long day due to journey so came hoem and crashed out
- day 2 took out lifetime insurance policy and had vet 'introduction' same day. Had also pencilled in a date for first jabs but the vet said pup had some kind of infection so prescribed meds and said to postpone jabs.
- day 3 until present (around 3 weeks). pup has been on and off of meds due to same condition plus another condition. 

now my question is - will we be covered for any of this under our lifetime policy? the policy document states cover started on XX date (no time). Now i'm aware of the 14 days no claim clause so this first batch of meds and consultation woudln't be covered, which is absolutely fine, but would we be able to claim for any of this condition AFTER these first 14 days, or will that count as 'pre-existing'?

also to note is that the vets offered a 'start package' which included 4 weeks of insurance. so if we claimed for first batch of stuff through that, and then continued with claim on our own insurance i presume that would then definitely make it 'pre-existing' even though policies both started same day? or could we claim on our main insurance then go back and claim for first 14 days worth on vet insurance?

thoughts and thanks in advance

sheramber

For the insurance you took out you cannot claim for any illness occurring in the first 14 days so you cannot claim for any treatment  already received.
Also , this will now be a pre existing condition going forward and any further treatment or anything that can be related to it in future will be excluded unless you have a policy which will cover it after no recurrence or treatment after 2 years.
So, no, you will not be able to claim for any further treatment on your own policy.

You need to check the terms of  the vet's policy.   It may also have an exclusion period. Your vet surgery will be the best people to advise you.
Be aware that if you have two policies covering the same time then each policy will only pay a share of any valid claim.

DesignMonkey

Thanks @sheramber

I found a term in policy that states: "Waiting periods when you first buy. • The waiting periods below do not apply if: i) Your pet was insured by another insurer up to the date this policy starts. If this is the case, we’ll ask you to give us details of your previous insurance to confirm there was no gap in cover."

I queried with the insurance company who said this: "If that condition had been picked up after you've taken the policy out we would have been able to cover it for the rest of your puppies life but as it was seen by the vets prior to you taking a policy out it would been seen as pre existing until its 24 months free of any treatment medication or advice from the vets in regards to that condition"

So by that it seems we are covered, although the first 14 days may not be 'claimable' but anything after that would be.

Silvertabby

Didn't the puppy have insurance cover when you bought him/her?  The 2 pedigree kittens we have purchased in the past came with insurance for the first month, which gave us time to change the policy into our name with no gaps and no pre-existing conditions or exclusion period hassle. 

swingaloo2

DesignMonkey said:

Thanks @sheramber

I found a term in policy that states: "Waiting periods when you first buy. • The waiting periods below do not apply if: i) Your pet was insured by another insurer up to the date this policy starts. If this is the case, we’ll ask you to give us details of your previous insurance to confirm there was no gap in cover."

I queried with the insurance company who said this: "If that condition had been picked up after you've taken the policy out we would have been able to cover it for the rest of your puppies life but as it was seen by the vets prior to you taking a policy out it would been seen as pre existing until its 24 months free of any treatment medication or advice from the vets in regards to that condition"

So by that it seems we are covered, although the first 14 days may not be 'claimable' but anything after that would be.

That reads to me that you would not be covered.

sheramber

 but as it was seen by the vets prior to you taking a policy out it would been seen as pre existing until its 24 months free of any treatment medication or advice from the vets in regards to that condition"
 The bolded statement  applies .
 The pup will be covered for any unrelated illness or condition.
Have you advised the breeder of the pup's condition as it may be something that affects  other pups?
What was their  reaction?