Can I make an insurance claim mid-way through treatment?

[Desley (booktigger)]

That's interesting - in one way, I wish I sent my own forms off, that way I would know when they were done, but at least I know 32p of my money is going on postage.

[Millys Mum]

My vets dont send them off (the grief for missing forms would be annoying) they fill out within 24hrs and post back first class to the client.

[Desley (booktigger)]

No, I was talking about 2 different vets - I briefly used the rescues vet, but hated the 3-4 week wait to get the claim to the insurance company. Obviously the cats waiting homes aren't insured, but we do pay for treatment.

[claws n purrs]

My vets do them on a certain day of the week, so if you put it in the day after, it would have to wait until the week after - although as I said before, the rescues vet dont charge, but you might be waiting a while, I asked 3 times about mine.

Well, all i can say, Desley, is I'm glad you're not charged for the rescue cats and I'd hope no-one else running a rescue is charged for this also.   

I'm aware that vets have to cover their costs but charges are expensive enough and if insurance companies don't cover these extra costs, it's just yet more expense. 

[Desley (booktigger)]

My vets do them on a certain day of the week, so if you put it in the day after, it would have to wait until the week after - although as I said before, the rescues vet dont charge, but you might be waiting a while, I asked 3 times about mine.

[claws n purrs]

Hmmm, have found out why perhaps my vets don't charge for filling out claim forms.

Ronnie had a biospy done over a month ago and I took the claim form down to my vets the week later. The receptionist told me to leave it with them and they'd send it off. This afternoon I rang the insurance company to find out whether the claim was being processed to be told they hadn't even received the claim form! 

A quick phone call to the vets confirmed that the form is still there and hasn't been sent yet! Apparently, the nurse that deals with them is on holiday and won't be back until next week so it won't be sent until then. I didn't realise they were sent in batches and just assumed they were sent as and when they were presented. Might have been helpful to be told how long it would take. Looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer for my money. 

[Millys Mum]

No you cant claim it back.
I always get my form back v.quickly so i think its worth it. They probably have to spend hours filling them all out and the ink to print out the invoices etc

[claws n purrs]

Apparently it is cos of the time it can take to fill them in. The rescue's vet dont, but it can take her weeks to fill them in, so would rather pay her to fill them in and get them done the same week.

Oh right, just seems a bit much having to pay for having a form filled in.
Can you claim this back on your insurance?

[Desley (booktigger)]

Apparently it is cos of the time it can take to fill them in. The rescue's vet dont, but it can take her weeks to fill them in, so would rather pay her to fill them in and get them done the same week.

[Millys Mum]

Yes mine do but i make it back in discounts   

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

How do they justify charging you just for filling in a form? 

Does anyone elses'  vets do this?

Mine don't.

[claws n purrs]

The only word of warning I would give is check your vets policy on dealing with claims - my vets charge £3.85 for filling in the form, so I have always waited till the end to avoid paying 2 lots of charges.

How do they justify charging you just for filling in a form? 

Does anyone elses'  vets do this?

[Lily]

Thanks guys, I phoned my vets and they said to just drop the form off with a covering letter and they'll fill it out for me.  They didn't mention anything about me paying for it.  It would be nice to get a big fat check for £100, as the treatments have been £40 here £20 there, I haven't noticed them in my budget too much.  But as this will probably go for quite a while, it's great that I only have to find the first £80 (my excess) and the insurance will pay me back the rest.  Insurance is definately worth it as this payout will pay for the years cover and I'm only one month in!

[Gill (sneakiefeline)]

I have never had any vet charge me for doing insurance and its thoughly bad policy.

I have also never claimed mid way because my vet in London always allowed the claim to go though and then for me to pay once it came in to me, but I was a long standing customer and things have changed.

When Sasa had emergency treatment from a different but outstanding vet before Christmas I took my insurance form along and card to pay him and was shattered cos he said do you want to just pay the excess and we will get rest from insurance! They had neb=ver met me or Sasa before and she bit him!

[Desley (booktigger)]

The only word of warning I would give is check your vets policy on dealing with claims - my vets charge £3.85 for filling in the form, so I have always waited till the end to avoid paying 2 lots of charges.

[Millys Mum]

Yes you can, the next one will be a continuation claim

[Leanne]

I've made a claim mid way though as well

[Lily]

Thanks for that, it makes sense when you say it that!

[Tiggy's Mum]

I'm fairly sure you can, otherwise if it was a lifelong condition you'd never get paid out until the animal dies 15 years or so down the line! 

When Riley needed some quite expensive tests I asked the vets if they would deal direct with the insurance company.  They said if it was a one off investigation/treatment that you had to pay first and claim off the insurance yourself but that if it was an ongoing condition they would accept payment direct from the insurance company.  If Lily does have an ongoing condition it's worth asking your vet if they will wait to be paid direct from the ins co to save you paying out at all.

[Lily]

Lily's being treated for sores for over 4 weeks now, the total bills is about £200 so far.  Can I put an insurance claim in even though I know the treatment hasn't ended?