Claiming on pet insurance

[twinnywinny14]

My cat has seen the vet twice in the past 10 days for an unexplained limp on her front leg. The vet has prescribed pain relief and I’ve been keeping her in one room but it doesn’t seem to be improving at all. When I went back last Thursday the vet told me to go back in a week if she is still limping and they can X-ray or scan it to see what the problem is. I’ve spent £55 so far and can see this going up quickly if she needs scans or xrays etc. I’ve never had to use pet insurance before but how/ when am I able to claim? I have a £99 excess btw. Also her insurance renewal is due 31st Oct so what will happen regarding that? Thanks for your help x

Who is your insurance with?
We have PetPlan and I've generally had to pay all bills and claim it back by filling in a claim form and giving that to my vets who then fill their bit in and send it off, then you get a cheque for the cost of treatment minus your excess. The only time I didn't have to do this is when my cat broke her leg and it cost thousands, the vets went straight to the insurer themselves and we just paid the excess.
Any treatment and a subsequent claim has not affected any insurance renewals I have had although we have PetPlan so can't speak to any other provider.

It’s with purely pets. So would I pay for everything u til treatment is complete or do I do it in stages? I haven’t met the excess yet so not an issue so far but can see it escalating soon enough so want to be prepared for it

You need to talk to your vets and see if they can/will manage a direct claim for this condition or not. If not then you would be expected to settle the bills as they happen and then put claim in for the insurer to repay you. You can put a claim in as soon as you are over excess and then further continuation claims when ongoing costs occur.

Thank you for the advice, I will see how she is by Thursday and then contact them for etc

You'll probably find the claim form and instructions on the insurance company's website.

Usually you'll need to ask the vet practice to complete part of the form to confirm the treatment and cost etc.

Thought I'd share experience of our limping cat recently.
Basil developed a limp - vet did a cursory examination, put him on metacam (anti-inflamatory) and said bring him back at the end of the week if not sorted. Took him back, vet suggested arthritis or bone cancer and told us to book x-rays for about £600.
We went for a second opinion.
New vet did a really thorough examination, said we needed to keep him on metacam for 2 full weeks and keep him under house arrest. (she also didn't believe that it was bone cancer).
2 weeks later limp was gone and 2 weeks on there is no sign of it returning.
We love our new vet .
So OP - may be worth getting a second opinion?

Thanks for that grumpy, it will be2 wks on Saturday stuck indoors and on metacam too, although she got out at the weekend for a few hours so that may have set her back I suppose. I may see if I can find another vet for an opinion x

Thank you everyone who offered advice. I took her back today as she is still not right. The vet said the swelling isn’t any bigger but hasn’t shrunk either. Booked in for xrays and tests tomorrow £550 at least 😩