Anyone claimed on insurance policy with E&L???

Im terrified - my horse is going for x-rays tomorrow, vet says I can claim on my insurance and to give him the claim form.......

the only problem is im insured with E&L.

Didnt think anything of it until I posted about an hour ago about vet refferal for rehab livery and insurnace companies covering the bill.

But im hearing alot about E&L.....and its not good.

Anyone got anything good to report? Do they pay up in time? Do they pay up at all?
 
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scotsmare

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You need to have their specific permission for this to be done otherwise they're unlikely to pay. They try and wriggle out of paying 95% of the time - especially if your vet visit was 'non urgent', 'non lifethreatening' or 'unauthorised'. Be careful - it's the best advice we can give.
 
I havent any experience Im afraid, but I wasnt aware that anyone actually used them. Every time their flyer falls out of the H&H mag I chuck it away and remember being told 15 years ago how bad they were.

I hope they pay out. May just take a while - perhaps your vet will let you pay when you are paid iykwim? (assuming they do pay of course)
 
Oh yes, I did, had to get emergency treatment for my horse and they tried to say they wouldn't pay out because I didn't call them immediately to tell them - it was a bit of a ife and death situ so it was hardly first thing on my mind!! I fought my corner (they had also been on watchdog around that time so added that in too) and they eventually paid up.

Keep them informed at every turn!!!!
 
I used to insure with E & L. Until I needed to claim... they were very difficult to deal with but my Vet was fab and they did pay up eventually. As soon as the treatment was stopped my vet advised me to change as he said he often had problems with them....
Now I insure with NFU and have found them to be so much better.....
Best of British !!! and I do hope your horse is ok... x
 
I used them.. never again.. it was for a £600 bill back in September, .... they have eventually agreed to pay this week, (they did settle a month ago but I wouldn't accept as the vets added surcharges for each month (bill had now gone to just over £800) I finally accepted a payment of just over £500 ... last week, (they still haven't paid) had a bill yesterday from the vets for £907(more surcharges added), I have just paid it less than the £500 E+L agreed to pay. Best thing is they rang me yesterday to renew my insurance as it was due today... I had great pleasure in saying no

EDIT: to say my vets require payment up front if the insurance company is E+L but as I have been a client for years they weren't bothered and actually froze the interest on there part of the bill (there's was £260) it was where my mare was referred to that was the big bill... and the ones who added interest)
 
Make sure you tell them and get the OK before you start investigations of any sort. They are a pain in the bum but most vets are used to dealing with them and will help you. If you have any problems at all then go to the Ombudsman - it is how I had to get paid out on my old horse.
 
nope bad story from me as well, pony went lame and vet wanted xrays, had to pay the vet from my own pocket and claim it back from E&L. E&L never paid out.

I am now with pet plan
 
Does your vet know which ins co you are with. TBH mine wont deal with E+L. Had a saddle stolen years ago and they refused to pay up, kept changing the reasons why they wouldnt pay.

I learnt my lesson with them, thank goodness it wasnt for the horses, and changed swiftly to a decent insurer.
 
When I thought of insuring my first horse recently, I was advised not go w
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ith E&L and have subsequently heard many really bad reports of them (Sorry to say ). It does concern me that they can use reputable horse magazines to advertise themselves in when it is well known that they have a very bad reputation.Do the magazines not have a duty to readers not to mislead them?
 
Hi, sorry another bad story from me. I currently have a claim with them, I have paid out over £2.5k in treatment and they seem to think it acceptable to not pay up. This is money I don't have to spend and I am seriously in need of it. this claim goes back to November and I'm still no closer to getting the money. I even waited till they accepted liabilty of the claim before sending the horse for surgery. Make sure that you speak to them before getting anything done to your horse, else they will not pay for it if they haven't authorised it. good luck and you'll need plenty of patience!!
 
Do I bring this up wth my vet when I drop the horse off in the morning?

He knows im claiming on insurance - he didnt point blank refuse to accept certain companies.

Do I keep quiet or speak up?
 
Sorry, bad story from me to. I informed them every step of the way and photo copied everything. It took ages for them to deal with claim and eventually the did pay out for 2 vet call outs and 2 hospital visits and a months supply of medication but didn't pay out when PTS or for loss of horse. This all took over 8 months
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so have also changed company
 
Dont panic I am in the process of a £3000 claim and they have already paid out on £1500.They are slow to pay but you have to be vigilant,write down every conversation the date time and person put as much in writing as you can and take copies.Ring them before the xrays to check you have no exclusions and that they agree to claim.My horse has had numerous xrays and scans and surgery I have had to appeal twice but as long as you do the ground work and dont give up the claim will be sorted.I cant break free because of the year you have to cover for a existing claim and his have been ongoing injuries.Hopefully next year I can get cover from a easier company.If they give you any trouble write to the manager and threaten the ombudsman.Good Luck if you want any help pm me I have learnt how to deal with this shady company the hard way.
 
If you have problems claiming you should go to the insurance ombudsman - which is a government body set up to represent the consumer when disputes with insurance companies happen. They are very good and very helpful. (You can google and get contact details).

But they'll only intervene if you have a problem you can resolve with the insurers direct.

Best advice is keep immaculate records of everything you do and say to the vet and everything you do and say to E&L.

Keep records of every phone conversation and where possible confirm phone conversations in writing either by posted (recorded delivery) or by email. Keep times and dates of all calls and record the names of the people you are speaking to.

Good luck!
 
If you are not in a financial position to pay the Vets bill directly yourself then to be honest I would cancel your appointment with the Vet, get on the phone to E&L and ask permission and insist it is faxed or emailed immediately, if it doesn't arrive within the hour phone again and again until they bl**dy well do it. Once you have received the WRITTEN go ahead make the appointment for x-rays. Your Vet can give you first aid advice with drugs to make your horse comfortable until you get the insurance go ahead. Good luck
 
I didn't realise there were so many bad stories.

I insured my last horse with E&L and when the vet came for jabs we were taling about insurance and he said if my horse ever needed treatment, they require payment up front and then you claim from E&L - he told me nothing but bad about them.

If they are still as sh*te as they were 15 years ago, how are they still in business????? It doesn't seems like they've ever had a success story!
 
It's not all bad news! I used to insure with them and they paid out for for 2 - 3 injuries (can't remember now), I always made sure I phoned them straight away if anything happened. I unfortunately lost the horse in a freak accident. I got sick of phoning them, especially at such an upsetting time but I did get the money for him, plus disposal costs within 4 - 5 weeks.
I would advise to keep on their backs until you get a result. I've heard negative reports from most of the other insurance companies. Maybe E & L have more because they are the biggest horse insurance company in the country (I think?)
Best of luck with your claim and don't give up!
 
someone at my livery yard has had terrible terrible trouble with them. and when my mare got injured it was the first thing the vet asked, whether i was with e&l, he said he has real trouble getting them to pay out and was very relieved when i said i was with NFU! good luck though x
 
Firstly do NOT panic, if you stick to the book do everything correctly, ring, email them exactly what is going on (keep copies) then it would be very difficult for them NOT to pay out. Check your small print (this company has a lot!) and advise your vet straight away who you're insured with. They will probably then contact your insurer first to confirm it is covered.

If you do everything right as far as you're concerned and contact them as much as possible you will be ok. You have the FSA and financial ombudsman on your side.

If they do put up any barrier have your ammunition (copies of confirmation 'x' will be covered, names of who you've spoken to etc) ready. You should be fine.

One thing to remember for the future though - you get what you pay for as far as insurance premiums are concerned!
 
good news from me , horse fractured pedal bone , x rayed, remedial shoeing etc. e&l payed up quickly and without fuss .
highly reccomended. and no i dont work for them !!!!!!!!!!!
im sure you will have no probs.
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