In most cases, making a claim against your pet insurance is relatively straightforward. If you are unsure you should contact your insurer by telephone as soon as you need to make a claim; a claims helpline number should be given in your policy booklet. This offers you the opportunity to discuss your claim with an advisor, who can answer any questions you may have. You will then be required to fill out a claim form and post supporting documentation to your insurer; in most cases you are required to do this within thirty days. Once you have provided a completed claim form and the required documentation is deemed satisfactory, insurers often settle the claim within twenty-four hours.
Ensure that you obtain a receipt and/or invoice for any veterinary treatment your pet receives. Unlike private health insurance for humans, pet insurance can have age restrictions and range of conditions applicable to covering your pet, including exclusion of certain operations and treatment as well as requiring co-payments. So it may be worth first obtaining a quote from a veterinary professional before proceeding with making a claim and undergoing treatment, some pet insurance only pays out after treatment has taken place, meaning you may need to pay for treatment first and be rebated after the event. However, if your pet develops a condition that requires ongoing treatment, you are usually allowed to claim before the treatment has ended, which means you can recover initial costs and reclaim further costs on a recurring basis. Alternatively, your insurer may offer to settle the claim with the veterinary practice directly. This means that your insurer would pay the invoice directly, and you would not need to recover the cost at a later date.
Special Conditions to Consider
You should read the special conditions that relate to the area of cover for which you wish to claim. Special conditions are things that your insurer expects from you, before they will accept your claim. For instance, if you claim for the cost of veterinary fees, your vet may have to sign the claim form and may be required to provide your pet's full medical history. If you make a claim to recover the cost of advertising and reward because your pet has gone missing or was stolen, you are usually required to provide receipts and examples of advertisements. Your policy documentation will list exactly what your insurer expects; failing to comply could result in the delay of a payout or a rejection of your claim.
Many pet insurance policies have limits on the amount you can claim in any one period. Alternatively, some insurers restrict the number of times you may claim for the same or separate conditions. On the other hand, you may find that some policies allow unlimited claims. The type of cover you have will determine the limitations of the protection you receive. Read your policy booklet carefully, to ensure you are familiar with the limitations that apply to your insurance.
