Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 11:59 am Post subject: premium upped 53% - understanding 'pre-existing' conditions?
Just got my direct line renewal through for both dogs.
It's now £580 for both dogs, a 53% rise on last year.
I've claimed this year £2300 for Basils back so I'm not surprised and I can't say I blame them. Although if you think it covers both dogs and Nell has claimed nothing then really it's like saying Basils share has doubled
So, I'm hoping for a healthy year and *can* afford otherwise if something goes horrbly wrong anyway plus I'm happy to pay for any ongoing physio for Basil muscle,nerve problems from this year.
I'm really thinking about checking out new policies.
A new policy would exclude Basils back problem from this year, his notes say 'trauma to the brachial plexus' so in my mind that would mean a reoccuring injury would not be covered, a bit like if a human has a bad shoulder and then pulls it again?
His insurance claim forms always come through with 'spinal problem', because that's what we thought it was when the pain first started- before tests but the tests all showed clear.
In my mind, should he in future develop a problem with say a disc or his lower back that would be a new condition???? Helped by the fact we have clear x-rays and an MRI to show he doesn't have it now???
What do people think?
How do I update the insurance company to what the vet thinks the problem actually is, do I have to ask the vet to write to them as I don't want spinal problem on his insurance records *just in case*
I will be watching this thread as I really want to change insurers as mine has only a £4000 limit and have now learnt that is not enough. That is the maximum cover Tesco will give so I really need to move but am concerned about what we would then not be covered for. I have recently put a claim in for both of them with severe gastric infection so if I move would they then never be covered for anything gastric related
Getting the vet to write to the company, giving a more precise diagnosis of 'trauma to the brachial plexus' rather than the more general 'spinal problem' would hopefully rule out them refusing to pay out on other types of injury BUT I would ring the company and speak to them first, following up the call by putting it all in writing. The damned insurance companies can be so good at wriggling out of paying up.
____________ Lynda x
Emily, Poppy, Maisie, Phoebe, Martha, Will, Ned and Isis
I spent hours looking at and calling round different places for quotes - it really does do your head in doesn't it?
Most have at least one benefit over the other - and in the same breath, that better one always has one downfall.
I went with Virgin in the end £6000 per condition each per year .... and I also liked that you could choose or play about with the excess to come out with a 'manageable' amount to pay out each month.
I don't envy you having to mull it all over - it's very tiresome.
Thanks, I have called the insurance company as suggested (phrasing it very carefully trying not to give away i'm thinking of moving companies or they wont give a hoot )
They say a letter from the vet clarifying the spine was ok and that it's was a nerve/muscle injury along the front shoulder should suffice
Joanne, that one I can answer with regards direct line because Basil had a severe gastro problem (haemoraging gastroenteritus) and was hopsitalised - annoyingly in the first 14 days of insurance a couple of years back.
I was worried he wouldn't be covered for anything relating to sickness or diahorrea etc therafter.
Direct line assured me that generally bugs are seen as isolated illnesses so would be covered, each one counting as a new condition and a new claim.
There would have to be proof it was related and a continuation of the last bout of sickness and diahorea for them to consider it the same condition.
I am just in the process of looking for a good insurance policy. I seem to have spent ages on it !! I have learnt a lot though !!
I have mine narrowed down to either Petplan (£12,000 vets fees cover) or Greenbee (£7,000 vets fees cover) (as they both offer hydrotherapy if God forbid we need it ! )
Petplan is fantastic cover but they are expensive. I understand from a lot of the threads on here that they are excellent at paying up - direct to the vet if required. Also they do not quibble with any claims but just pay up.
I have made enquiries with both companies regarding increases in premiums and both say that they only increase premiums based on inflation and statistical data from vets (ie some breed weaknesses).
On the internet I got quotes for both a 5 year old and a 10 year old dog and Petplans premiums did not go up much. Greenbees did. (I hope this makes sense !)
I therefore need to decide whether I want to pay more initially but I do have more cover or go for the cheaper option but will eventually pay more.
At the moment I am thinking Petplan but am still mulling it over !!
I will definitely be switching insurers this time as some quotes are 100quid cheaper than our renewal and the cover is better.
Am I right in thinking it is the vets who the insurance company will contact about whether a claim you put in is for a pre-existing problem? I have never claimed for anything and haven't actually seen the vet in this country for anything other than concerns her spay was dodgy (it wasn't and wasn't covered by insurance anyway). The vet also gave her elbows (which Belgian vet was concerned about) the all clear.
SO the only thing I think I need to declare is a stress fracture in one of her legs - is this a pre-existing condition???? - but I'm thinking I might check with the vet what they have on her notes....?
Laura, I *think* a stress fracture would be pre-existing if it goes onto cause her problems like limping,pain meds etc.
But I would think you'd be covered for other things to the leg for example OCD, assuming you have a clear x-ray to help prove the elbow wasn't injured in the same trauma as the stress fracture.
Good point about them contacting the vets! So I don't really need the vet to write to the insurer, I just need to clarify it's crystal clear on the vets notes should they be referred to by someone else in the future
Good point about them contacting the vets! So I don't really need the vet to write to the insurer, I just need to clarify it's crystal clear on the vets notes should they be referred to by someone else in the future
That sounds right!
I think I'll pop and see what the vet has on their notes for her before I inform the insurers of anything pre-existing. I can't imagine they'll contact our old vet overseas!!??
The stress fracture was over a year ago now and touchwood hasn't reoccurred or needed any attention at all since the initial diagnosis, treatment etc. I'm guessing that if she was injured in some kind of accident on that leg, the treatment for that accident would be covered if the vet could see no relation to the stress fracture in the new injury?????
I have some money set aside in a savings account allocated to Luna 'just in case' as I can't help but feel that somehow the insurers will wiggle out if they can!
I can't imagine they'll contact our old vet overseas!!??
I wouldn't have thought so, but like you I tend to worry they'll try their best to wriggle out of paying.
On the claim forms I've had to list all previous vets, I did list the singapore one but as far as I know they haven't contacted them (well they didn't ask for the number but I suppose they could have googled).
How long do vets even keep records for anyway once a dog has left the practice?
I try to get copies of anything important for my files because I can't imagine they hold it for 5+ years.
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