Insured Pets
Forest House always recommends you insure your pet, giving some assistance with veterinary bills should your pet be injured or become unwell.
There are many different types of insurance, and the level of cover will usually be reflected in the price. The best cover is lifelong cover.
Always read the small print of your policy as all insurers will have specific policy conditions and restrictions. These can also change at renewal, so its important you review your renewal documentation each year.
Most policies will have a fixed excess, an amount you will need to pay towards each claim. Some will also include an additional co-payment as a percentage of the balance, especially as your pet ages.
Insured Pets
If you have pet insurance, you should be able to claim back some or all of your pet’s treatment costs, depending on the details of your policy.
Whilst your insurance company may say that they can pay us directly, we do not routinely offer this service. Accounts should be settled at the end of a consultation, discharge of your pet, or collection of drugs and food. An insurance claim can then be processed afterwards.
Our primary role is to provide treatment and care for your pet. Whilst we are happy to assist with insurance claims, each insurer and policy is different, and we are not responsible for understanding the details of your cover.
Are you familiar with your pet’s insurance policy?
Always check your pet insurance policy at each renewal, as your insurers may make amendments to the cover as your pet gets older. Be aware of policy limits, any excess or co-payment that will be deducted from any claim settlement and any exclusions that apply.
The claims process
Speak to your insurance company or go online to start the claim and check your policy information.
The claim process varies by insurer – some have a portal for you to access, some will send us an email, some require you to complete a form to give to us which can usually be downloaded from their website
We will process your claim within 5 days of receipt provided we have all the correct and relevant information. All clinical history, test results and details of costs will be provided by us to your insurer
Payment is sent to you less your policy excess and any other deductions your insurer has applied as per your policy.
Your insurer will assess the claim in line with your policy. Timescales for payment will vary from 5 days to 10 weeks. Please contact your insurer to check these timescales.
Continuation claims for the same condition will require you to follow the same process as above.
Your insurers may decline claims based on the terms of your policy, including time limits within which claims must be made or due to pre-existing conditions.
Whilst there may be occasions where we are asked to provide supplementary information or clarification, your insurers decision regarding payment of a claim is final. Any disputes regarding these decisions should be directed to your insurers.
Direct Claims
On occasion, we may agree to claim treatment costs back directly from your insurer. If this is something you wish to discuss, please speak to a member of the team in advance of your pet’s treatment. A fee for this service will be payable and we will need to review your insurance cover before we can agree to proceed. If agreed however, if the relevant information to enable to process a claim is not provided within 5 days, then the full amount outstanding on your account will be payable.
The full cost of treatment always remains the responsibility of our clients, regardless of insurance claims being processed.
