Pets at Home Insurance - Pre-Existing Condition Query

7chb

Hi, I'm not sure if anyine has come across something similar previously to this issue and may be able to help please.

Back in March when our 10 year old dog had his annual vaccinations, it was noted by the vet that he thought he had a heart murmur.  He said at the minute he'd rate it a 2/5 and so it wasn't anything to worry about at this stage but to keep an eye on him.

However yesterday we started hearing an unusual sound from his chest, so we took him to the vets who weren't great but said it sounded like an issue with the left side of his heart and they'd recommend going to see a Cardiologist for further checks.  They said this is £900 for the check and then any medication would be on top of this.

We have had Classic Plus insurance with Pets at Home (currently provided by Pet Plan) since we got him as a Puppy 10 years ago.  However as this policy renews in June each year, the vet has informed us that we wouldn't be covered by the insurance as the heart murmur picked up in March will now be classed as a 'Pre-Existing' condition.

Has anyone had a similar issue in the past?  Surely the fact we've been with the same insurer since he was a Puppy (when the issue wasn't known) means it isn't a Pre-Existing issue on that basis, and this should only apply if we took out a new policy with a different insurer?  Or have we just got unlucky and this is generally how Pet Insurance works? 

We've convinced the vet to submit a claim, but just want to prepare in case it comes back as rejected as to whether we have any other possible options rather than paying for the treatment out of our own pocket.

DullGreyGuy

If you've actually renewed it shouldn't be a problem. If you lapsed the old policy and bought a new customer policy which just happens to be with the same insurer then you are on ropy grounds at best. 

Ultimately you need to read the policy, the above is how health (human or otherwise) typically works but there can be variances 

7chb

Thank you, yes it automatically renews each year and has done every year and so hopefully the insurer's are reasonable.

35har1old

7chb said:

Thank you, yes it automatically renews each year and has done every year and so hopefully the insurer's are reasonable.

At policy anniversary the excess resets.i assume there was no claim in regard to the mention of the heart murmur.You could easily have any condition that the cost of treatment was less than the excess so no claim would be submitted  and if it was near policy anniversary and then the cost escalated in the new policy year under that way of thinking you would be denied claiming I think I would moving to a new vet it's not upto him to decide if a claim is to be submitted.If necessary you could have submitted the claim.
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