These days it’s very simple to make a claim.
Although companies will differ in their requirements, some principles
are generally the same, but it will also depend on what you are
claiming for. For example, if you are making a claim for vets’ fees, some
companies can now let you make minor claims over the phone,
without having to fill in a claim form at all.They process your request
and can send you a cheque within a matter of days. If the claim is
small and straightforward and you are a long standing customer, they
may not even request any evidence or receipts.
However, for larger and more complicated claims, the process may be
slightly different.The company will probably send you a claim form for
you to fill out and sign.You will then have to pass it to your vet to complete part of the form with the necessary medical details, outlining the
treatment and the cost etc.The surgery will either pass it back to you to send to the insurance company or will send it to the company directly.
If your claim is more serious or complicated, for example a specialist operation, you may have to get permission from the insurance company
before you go ahead.You may even need a written diagnosis from the vet before the procedure can continue.
If the claim involves a third party you must notify your insurance company in the first instance and they will sort it out directly with the third party.
Although each insurance company may differ in their claims procedure, the way they process your claim and the amount of time they take to
pay, the claims process will often start with a phone call.
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Each year 1 in 3 cats and dogs fall ill or are injured - that’s more than 4.5 million cats and dogs. There is no animal NHS and the average
emergency visit to the vet will set you back around £300. So if your pet was to have an accident or need emergency medical treatment it could
end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.Take a look below at some of the most common reasons for going to see a vet:
Some of the main reasons for making an unexpected trip to the vet include:
1. Cuts/lacerations
2. Lameness
3. Road traffic accident
4. A growth
5. Abscess
6. Bites
7. Foreign body (swallowed)
8. Pyrexia/anorexia of unknown origin
9. Gastro-enteritis
10. Ear infection
Pet insurance would cover all of these common conditions. And it doesn’t have to be
expensive either. Pet cover is becoming increasingly essential as the cost of vets’ bills
continues to rise.Technological advancements in veterinary medicine have meant that vets
are able to provide more comprehensive treatments and this has caused bills to rise steadily.
Yet insurance itself can start from just a few pounds a month, enabling you to avoid most of
these unexpected costs, whenever they arise
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As you can see, there are a number of things to consider when taking out a pet insurance policy to make sure it meets your requirements.
Below, we’ve included a checklist of the key points you may want to clarify with the insurance company before you make your decision.
Make sure you take notes when you ask each company the questions so that you can evaluate all of their answers and it’s a good idea to
shop around to find a company that passes as many of your personal check points as possible.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
YES,THIS POLICY FITS THE BILL
Does the cost of the policy suit my budget?
✓
Is the level of veterinary fee cover appropriate for me?
✓
What are the exclusions and how will they affect me?
✓
What are the excesses and how are they applied?
✓
Does my pet have any pre-existing conditions that affects the cover?
✓
Do the terms of my policy stay the same at renewal stage?
✓
What happens to the policy’s terms and conditions as my pet gets older?
✓
Will my insurance cover my pet for the whole of its life?
✓
Do I want to pay my premium on a monthly or annual basis?
✓
Should I have third party liability cover?
✓
What additional benefits are important to me?
✓
What do I know about the company’s reputation?
✓
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Where to buy pet insurance
If you don’t know where to go for pet insurance, your existing insurance company for other products such as home or motor insurance is
probably a good bet.You may even receive a discount for taking out more than one policy with them. Many banks and supermarkets also offer
pet insurance, sometimes through subsidiary companies or associated companies, and these too make it easy and quick for you to buy your
pet insurance policy. In addition, there are some specialist companies which offer pet insurance.
How to buy pet insurance
There are different ways in which you can buy pet insurance.
1. By post
If you’re the type that prefers to fill in an application form, you can phone up and most companies will be happy to send you one in the post.
2. By phone
You can complete the whole process over the phone, giving all your details and there may be the option to pay by credit card or direct debit
there and then if you wish or by cheque later.
3. By internet
An increasing number of people now prefer to take out their insurance policy over the internet, and most companies have the facility for you
to conduct business this way.
Nowadays, companies make it as easy as possible for you to take out whatever insurance you need.
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There are a number of points you need to consider when taking out pet insurance. Not only can the policies vary in the level of cover they
offer you, but each company will apply their own additions, conditions and exclusions to their cover, which means there can be great
differences between them. It’s important to make sure that you compare like with like when choosing pet insurance and pick the policy which
best meets your needs and budget.
Cost
As we have seen, the basic level of pet insurance costs much less than you may think, and, although some policies may not cover you against
every eventuality, it’s usually better to have some cover than none at all.The more comprehensive the level of cover, the more expensive the
policy is going to be. However you should take care to ensure you are not paying for more cover than you need.
Different companies often use different rating methods to work out the cost of your premiums. Some companies rate according to the
species of animal you own, the breed of the animal, its age and where you live.The benefit of this is that you are charged according to your
own circumstances.
Other companies make you pay the same as everyone else - even if their animals pose a higher risk than yours.This also means that if there is
a rise in claims, the company may put the price up for everyone, rather than just for those who are making the claims.
You should be able to tell roughly how each company charges by the questions they ask you. If they want to know more detail about your
pet, you know that you are probably being rated on an individual basis.
Most policy contracts are on an annual basis and the cost of the insurance can usually either be spread over the year by paying monthly or as
a one-off annual charge. Sometimes you can save by paying by a particular method, such as by direct debit.
Exclusions
Different insurance companies apply different exclusions. Some may refuse to cover older animals or certain breeds if they feel they are too
high a risk. Other companies may refuse to cover your pet for certain conditions, such as arthritis or hip trouble which certain breeds of dog
are especially prone to. Make sure you check the exclusions to ensure the cover provided meets your individual needs.
Possible exclusions may be:
- Preventative/elective treatments e.g. neutering/worming/flea treatment/vaccinations/nail clipping/grooming
- Treatment arising as a result of pregnancy & parturition (giving birth)
- Behavioural problems
- Illness arising within the first 10,14 or 30 days of the policy date
- Home visits - unless the vet feels this is absolutely necessary for the pet's health/welfare
- Congenital or hereditary conditions
- Dogs restricted under the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991/ Wolf hybrids
or animals listed under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
- Pets used for work, racing, guarding or commercial gain
- Dental treatment
- Diet food
Pre-existing conditions
Most insurance companies won’t insure your pet for a recurring condition which they may have already suffered from before you took the
policy out. How strictly this general rule is applied will vary between companies. For example a dog that has suffered from arthritis in one joint
prior to the insurance starting may be excluded from all arthritis cover by one company, just the specific joint by another, or for any bone and
joint problems by another.
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The principles of insurance generally are simple and have long been founded upon common
sense - it’s the risks of many covering the mishaps of a few. So, instead of everyone paying
out of their own pocket every time something goes wrong, everyone clubs together, spreads
the risk and pays a fraction of what they would otherwise have had to.
The principles of pet insurance are the same as any other general insurance.You pay your
premium and hope that your pet stays healthy for the rest of its life. However, if your pet
should unexpectedly fall ill, have an accident or even swallow something that it shouldn’t, your
insurance company will pay to put it right out of the collective money pot.
Although pet insurance will cover you against life’s unexpected emergencies, it won’t cover
you for routine or preventative treatment for your animals such as worming tablets or their
regular injections.This is no different from any other form of insurance though, for example,
you can’t claim for your car’s regular service on your motor insurance but you can claim for
repairs if you have an accident.
Pet insurance has been around since 1947 when breeders of pedigree dogs were offered
specialist cover. Now, there are over 80 providers all offering different pet insurance policies
which can be bought by post, telephone or on the Internet.
4
Third Party Liability
Many pet policies offer third party liability cover for dogs for
whatever damage they cause to someone else or their property
which you are legally liable for. For example, if your dog was to get
hit by a car, not only would you have the cost of your pet’s injuries to
deal with but you may also be liable to cover the cost of damage to
the offending car and this can run into thousands of pounds.
A pet policy may also cover:
• Holiday cancellation or curtailment - cover in the event
that you need to cancel or cut short a holiday due to loss, illness
or injury of your pet
• Hospitalisation of the owner - the cost of boarding kennel
fees if you are hospitalised for a specified period of time
• Death from illness up to a certain age - cover for
purchase price should your pet die due to illness
• Cover abroad if travelling under the Pet Travel Scheme
- the cost of vets’fees abroad,quarantine kennelling in the event of the
pet’s microchip failing,financial help should the Pet Health Certificate
get lost while you’re away and third party liability cover abroad
• Retrieval costs - money towards advertising, reward and
repatriation if your pet is lost or stolen
• Alternative treatments - some policies provide cover for
your pet to receive alternative treatments or therapies such as
homeopathy and hydrotherapy
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Key Features and Benefits of a Lloyds TSB Pet Insurance Policy
The policy you have purchased is underwritten by UK Insurance Limited and will run monthly for a
period of 12 months unless you advise us otherwise.
Please read your policy carefully to ensure it meets your needs.
Your policy schedule shows you which sections you are covered for, any excesses that may apply and
premiums due. Please check you have the cover you require.
Please also read any separate endorsement letters that may apply to your policy
Helplines
In addition to the cover above your policy provides access to three helplines. Find a vet, pet
bereavement and legal advice.
Your right to cancel
If this cover does not meet your requirements, please return all your documents within 14
days of receipt. We will return any premium paid in full provided no claims have been made
on the policy during that time.
How to make a claim
To notify us of a claim in the first instance please telephone 0845 300 1106.
How to complain
Should there ever be an occasion where you need to complain, please call us on our priority
number 0800 056 0114. If your complaint relates to a claim, contact your claims handler
whose details will be shown in your claims documentation.
If you wish to write, then address your letter as follows:
Lloyds TSB Pet Insurance
Inter Group Insurance Services
Lumbrey Park
Selborne Road
Alton
Hampshire
GU34 3HF
If we cannot resolve the differences between us, you may refer your complaint to the
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). Their address is: South Quay Plaza, 183 Marsh Wall,
London E14 9SR, telephone 0845 080 1800.
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