Agria insurance and exclusions

[Fizzandfun]

I’ve just purchased a new pony which passed five stage vetting. I had X-rays done for my own peace of mind (not required by Agria) but as the vetting referenced the X-rays I was required to share them with Agria.

Vetting cert. States all normal for age of pony (14 years) and no clinical or medical concerns (passed flexion tests etc).

Agria have now excluded any claim for osteoarthritis as their independent vet noted small hock joint osteoarthritis.

My vet stands by his assessment but I’m now stuck as Agria are staying one thing, and vets are saying another.

I’m not sure if I can move to another insurance company (other pony is with NFU) as I’d have to declare any exclusions.

Has anyone experienced this with Agria and how did you resolve it? Do I just suck it up?

 

[Widgeon]

I can't help I'm afraid, as my horse had very definite existing arthritis when I moved him to Agria, so it was clear cut. How frustrating for you though, that your insurance is resting on a difference of clinical opinion. I suspect that if that's what they've decided, you're probably not going to change their minds (unfortunately).

 

[ihatework]

This is pretty typical of a variation in vet interpretation of X-rays between ppe and insurance. And the insurance vets always are the more cautious…. Funny that

I’d get quotes and send the X-rays to a couple of other companies and see what happens. I wouldn’t declare exclusions as you presumably haven’t taken out the policy yet.

It’s bloody annoying though having someone sat at a desk who hasn’t evaluated the X-rays in context with the clinical examination

 

[Fizzandfun]

Yes, the policy started the day pony arrived with us. Agria came back two weeks later with the exclusion information.

I have asked follow up questions as they seem to be applying generalised osteoarthritis - it’s doesn’t just apply to the hocks it seems.

I’ve had an automatic response of “Agria Pet Insurance Appeal Acknowledgement”. I haven’t formally appealed, I was asking follow up questions and had copied in my vet. They have 28 days to now respond. Honestly, I wish I’d stuck with NFU now!

 

[ihatework]

Yes, the policy started the day pony arrived with us. Agria came back two weeks later with the exclusion information.

I have asked follow up questions as they seem to be applying generalised osteoarthritis - it’s doesn’t just apply to the hocks it seems.

I’ve had an automatic response of “Agria Pet Insurance Appeal Acknowledgement”. I haven’t formally appealed, I was asking follow up questions and had copied in my vet. They have 28 days to now respond. Honestly, I wish I’d stuck with NFU now!

I’d still send the X-rays to other companies,
They have essentially changed the terms of your contract with them so you could angle to dissolve the contract if you don’t agree with the new terms. You will need to act quickly though.