Are They Going to Screw Us Over?

[plutoisnotaplanet]

I have insurance with Animal Friends, Top of the tree, all you can eat policy. The most expensive one they offer.

About 3 months ago my lovely boy's right leg started to turn outwards. He's now 18 months old and it's a trait of the breed so we didn't worry as it wasn't causing him a problem at all.

Last night though he started limping on his leg after he woke up, so I've called the vet and he's booked in for Saturday.

Are Animal Friends going to claim this is pre-existing because it's congenital?

Heard horror stories and I'm panicking :(

[tabulahrasa]

It's not pre-existing if nobody knew he had it before the policy was taken out.

They are kind of notorious for trying to avoid paying out though, but if they do, it'll not be for that.

[Whitney168]

It's not congenital if he's only just got it, as that means 'present at birth'.

If you mean because the breed has a genetic pre-disposition to the defect, then unless it was excluded for that breed when you took the policy out, I wouldn't think it would make a difference.

AF are known for being a bit tricky, but it sounds as if you should be OK to claim.

[plutoisnotaplanet]

Ok, we think he has premature closure of the distal ulnar physis, which usually presents at about 5 - 12 months but he's only just presented with it, I@m so confused whether they'll say this is congenital and therefore not covered or whether because it's presented so late it can't be that?

[phillipp]

The insurance company will have asked what breed it is. Your policy should take into account conditions that are common in that breed. It's one the ways they come to decide on what your price is.

It's not congenital, because it's not from birth. So unless there is a clause that doesn't cover it you should be fine.

[plutoisnotaplanet]

Thanks guys,

I've just called the vets to make double and triple sure that nothing to do with his legs or feet or back have ever been mentioned on his records and it hasnt. There isnt a mention anywhere of his structure and there's a note from his last health check that says he's "unremarkable"

He's a basset so they are prone to structural issues, but he hasnt had any problems until now so hopefully all will be ok.

[tabulahrasa]

Pre-existing stuff are conditions that they've had vet treatment for before, it's not so much how long it might have been there, but when it was picked up on that makes it pre-existing.

And yep, they take health issues known to be in the breed into account when they first quote, that's why some breeds cost more to insure than others.