I thought insurance was supposed to take the worry away?

Question

As a responsible pet owner I have pet insurance for both of my cats. My male cat has been suffering from a number of different problems which should all be covered by this insurance. However the vets require being paid upfront but the insurance company havnt even begun to look at the claim yet even though we sent it in before christmas.

We have covered the vets bill out of our income so far but we have got to the point where we cannot do this anymore.

We are not on benefits so we cannot get help from the RSPCA etc...

Has anyone else been in this situation?

We are now faced with not being able to contiune with his treatment.... we could loose our pet even though we have insurance which could prevent this.

Answer 1

Hi,have you told your vet you have insurance.My vet lets people pay weekly.If they will not then phone & ask other vets.

Also this happened to me I give the nurse at the vets my claim

like you was waiting for cheque.I phoned & they told me they had not got it that was like you before christmas phoned the nurse up she said they had been short staffed it took another

week then she sent it & the same week I got the cheque off the insurance company.Good Luck

Answer 2

I would ask the vet to confirm with your insurers that they will be paid direct by them, in the meantime, make a complaint to the insurers. Did you read the small print on the insurance form, does it say you have to pay upfront for treatment and claim later.

Answer 3

phone the company 20 times a day until you get somewhere - if not   pay them a avisit

Answer 4

your insurance company should have a complaint system check it out and make an official complaint if you have no luck you can take it to the FSA (finical service authority) take should give your company a kick up the bum.

Answer 5

Having insurance for a pet can be very emotive as you're finding out, but insurance is insurance is insurance. You have to think of the incident (in this case any treatment or operations), as an incident that had no cover - it is something you would still have had to pay for anyway. Your insurance company will look at the claim in due course which is the same for all claims of any type - your insurers will not pay for a claim without having all of the full details beforehand. In the case of pet insurance it is quite common for insurers to pay out for the claim once the vet fees have already been settled. I know that this isn't an answer that will help you in your circumstances but I'm afraid this is the way claims go.

Answer 6

Jamesdean - your original post was one of the most pig ignorant answers that I have ever seen posted. You judgemental s**+*t. How on earth do you know if the girl posting does not have a job? She states that she is not on benefit, so that would indicate that she does work. This person is doing the decent and responsible thing, yet you write this sanctomonious response. I bet you don't have many friends and get smacked in the mouth quite a bit.

I see you took it down pretty quick, did you get a pang of guilt?

Answer 7

have you called the insurance company to make sure that they have all the paperwork that is required?  perhaps the vet did not provide all the details or there is a missing code or something on the paperwork.  Sometimes something that simple can back up a claim.

I have pet insurance as well and have never had a problem.

If you do all of the aforementioned and still get no results, find out the name of the top executive at the insurance company and write letters, send email and copy the big cheese on everything.  this does wonders.

Also, threaten to contact the BBB (better business bureau) and the insurance commissioner.  These agencies are regulated and do not want numerous complaints.

good luck and I hope you keep up with your pets treatments.  Ask the vet to work with you since they know you are running into insurance snags.  Ask for  a payment plan...Sorry if you have already done this...Just trying to think of good suggestions.

Answer 8

Due to experience insurance companies are cun'ts, when you have the chance bleed them dry of as much money as possible, fake injury do whatever means neccesery.  These companies are so quick to take the cash but always let you down when paying it out. Also if they are really taking the p**s threaten them by saying your going to take it up with the FSA they will soon sort you out....

Answer 9

i know this is difficult and you are frustrated and angry. But I can guarantee you level heads will prevail here. Most pet insurance is on a reimbursement basis..... so you do have to lay it out..... BUT the only course of action you have is to call the company and get a claim rep on the phone.... and MAKE A FRIEND!!!! swallow your pride and kiss butt! The only way you can save your pet is by swallowing your pride( I hate this myself but sometimes it MUST be done)   Plea your case and most importantly be nice and you should be able to get your claim expedited. That way by the time your money from the Decembers claim arrives you will be ready for the next procedure. One last option is to ask the Vets office for a payment plan...... most of them will try and work with you on that! Good Luck and all the best for your pet.