For fuck's sake, I need to vent. Bloody vets and insurers!

[tanfastic]

Excuse me whilst I let off steam. Bloody fuming today.
My dog has had a nasty skin problem for a good while now but it's been diagnosed as dermatitis after a load of skin biopsies because they wouldn't diagnose and give him anything without them. He's had steroids, antibiotics, shampoo, sprays, you name it. Over the last two months i've spent in excess of £500.00 on the above and was told by the vet "don't worry you can claim it back on your insurance". She said I first came to see them about it in January so as I have a twelve month policy I would be covered.

I got my cheque today from the insurers......23.00 poxy pound

Apparently because I mentioned last May that he had a flaky skin problem and they gave me some shampoo to try the vets have started the claim from that date and so they have only reimbursed me for the shampoo and my appointment in January this year less excess. I actually came back in January because he had what looked like a different skin problem that smelt and was inflamed (not the same as the one he had last May). It was in July this year that the vets bill shot up with an operation for biopsies, steroids etc.

I just feel like i've been (a) very silly to not get it clarified the date they would run it from and (b) annoyed that the vet said I could claim from January so I would be okay.

So i'm nearly £500 out of pocket. I could cry.

[GobblersKnob]

I am not totally sure from you post but it sounds like the vet might have not put the claim through properly. Why don't you ring them and see what you can sort out?

[tanfastic]

Yes i'm going to ring them on Tuesday. The problem is because it's "dermatitis" which is an umbrella term for a skin condition they use to cover bloody everything they've probably put that on his notes from last year when he had this flaky skin thing. I'm not hopeful though. I rang the insurance company today and they basically said tough shit. They only cover for one illness per twelve months and it has to start the date you first visited the vet about it.

Gutted is not the word.

[Wiggypigs]

This is why you really need to be careful with pet insurance and policies that only last a year. I know someone who's dog has its anal glands emptied. 3 years later it developed an infection and needed them removing but the insurance company wouldn't cover it as said it was a pre existing condition. They will do anything to get out of paying. It's worth ringing your insurance company before embarking on treatment to make sure you are covered.

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

Honestly, it's unlikely to be the vet's fault (speaks as a vet, also frustrated with insurance companies!)

They demand that we send them ALL the clinical records and THEY decide that the original complaint was "dermatitis". I had a huge fight with a certain insurance company who tried to get out of paying for a dog's cataracts because it had had conjunctivitis years before- hardly the same thing, apart from the fact it involved the eyes!! They then tried to threaten ME into paying the money they had already paid the client because they decided that I should have known the condition started well before I ever actually saw the dog!

Out of interest, what insurance company are you with??

[tanfastic]

Argos. I feel like I've been mugged. Been paying for years, first time I've ever claimed. A poxy £23

[tanfastic]

Aah so my vet may have put jan but they've then asked for his notes? Actually that would make sense as I got a letter a few days ago asking me for a full clinical history but when I rang Argos to query it they said "it's okay that has been dealt with now, your cheque is in the post".

Bastards.?

[tanfastic]

Can anyone recommend a decent pet insurer? My policy is up for renewal in October and I don't feel like staying with these lot after today.

[Convert]

My Mom is a practise manager with a vets so deal with insurance claims etc, she said Argos are fucking bastards.

[Convert]

My cats are with animal friend but haven't had to claim yet so can't tell you if they're better!

[tanfastic]

Convert, your mum is correct.

[Convert]

Sorry, my post probably wasn't the most helpful thing ever written was it?

[Lizcat]

List of dubious insurance companies Argos, E&L, Animal Friends, Protect my bubble.com just to list a few.
The good guys currently are John Lewis, Pet Plan and Direct line.
This is constantly fluid though Pet Plan always come out near the top.

[tanfastic]

I'm with direct line for home and car and they are brilliant, never quibble. Will go with them I think.

[Wiggypigs]

Petplan are the only insurance company I would use. Have claimed thousands from them for my little dog and they have been brilliant. They even text me to let me know my claim is bring processed. They are more expensive but you get what you pay for and I have claimed more than I have paid.

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

Direct line are no better for pet insurance, honest! They also have a "12 month" disclaimer on their policies, as far as I can see. And they use anything and everything to get out of a claim.

It's true you do kinda get what you pay for as it goes. Many insurances which look cheaper will only pay out for a large scale "accident". Skin conditions like your dog has are a common cause for frustration as often the dog has presented once before for similar and this gives them a get-out clause. Unfortunately even if you change your insurance agent now, they will put a disclaimer on any "skin" conditition

[Stoney666]

I am with vetsure, not cheap but seem ok

[sunflowerseeds]

I'm with Direct Line and have had all claims paid in full, no quibbles, policy tailored to my needs and they're very helpful when I call them. They only cover 1 year per condition, but that is made plain.

[JaxTellerIsMyFriend]

My Loofa is with Direct Line - they cover everything and were brilliant when he had 'the thing that has no diagnosis or cure but cost ££££££'

Anyway, only thing I can say is that they take a while to pay out but are helpful and sort things out ASAP when contact is made.

Petplan is a good policy - used that for all previous dogs and for Lolly when she was with us, never needed to claim for her and I know that Guide Dogs use them too.

[clam]

Mine wanted the name and address of the person I deemed responsible for "allowing Monty access to chocolate" as a very young puppy. Well, technically that was me, but can you imagine if it had been at a friend's house and I was expected to dob them in for a nasty letter and claim from the insurance company?