Pet insurance - what counts as a pre-existing condition?

aroominyork

Last year our dog showed signs of illness and was referred by our vet to a specialist unit. They ran x-rays, saw some hip dysplasia and tried to treat it. When his condition subsequently deteriorated, they ran an MRI which showed paralumbar abscesses. They immediately operated, which was successful.

Because the initial diagnosis was hip dysplasia, that is the condition that shows on the insurer's system. They say they cannot change the initial diagnosis but there is a note on their file that the actual problem was the abscesses. I have just received a renewal quote and it is huge. I have spoken to the insurer and they are going back to the underwriter to explain that the diagnosis on which the quote was presumably based (hip dysplasia) was not the cause of his problem. He has had no prior or subsequent hip problems.

I want to get other quotes and my question is whether I have to declare hip dysplasia as a pre-existing condition. A comparison sites described a pre-existing condition as:

- "a condition that occurred or showed symptoms before the start date of your insurance policy". That seems to be a 'No'. There was no 'occurrence' of a hip-related problem.

- "a condition that results in the same diagnosis, or is a result of or relates to an injury, illness or clinical sign your pet had before the start date". Again, that seems to be a 'No'.

I realise an easy solution is to speak to insurers and obtain in writing that I had declared his history and that they did not consider hip dysplasia a pre-existing condition, but I am a bit concerned that once I mention it they will bump up the premium. Also, his abscesses were not a 'condition' but probably from a grass seed that migrated (although this is uncertain). Although I would declare this as a claim, do I need to mention it as a pre-existing condition?

Brie

Have you asked your vet practice?  They are the ones with the most experience in dealing with insurance I would think.

ZaSa1418

If the vets have changed the dogs medical records to reflect the true diagnosis then no you do not have to declare it as a pre-existing condition. You will have to report the abscesses though.