BEVA guidelines and insurance - Rubbish

[asommerville]

I will start by saying I did NOT put my boy to sleep to get insurance money. I put him to sleep because I couldn't bear the thought of him being in pain, on danilon for the rest of his life when he was only 8....not to mention the stomach ulcers which wouldn't have agreed with danilon for ever.

So I duly filled in the insurance form anyway, after speaking to a really helpful girl (who put up with my greeting!) who advised me that if the vet 'agreed' with my decision to put him to sleep, to fill in the form, I may as well see if I can get anything back she says.

The vet agreed with my decision, would it be worth a letter to the insurance to appeal it do you think?

He was put to sleep after being diagnosed with ulcers, KS and terrible hock issues, the vet felt that the option for him would be retirement and he would have been in pain and needed danilon, which he couldn't have had with his ulcers....but how many people actually get horses put to sleep that meet the BEVA guidelines?

 

[madlady]

I'm not sure how many horses that are PTS that meet the BEVA guidelines but I do know of more than one where a letter from the vet has changed the opinion of the insurance company.

It must be awful having to argue with them after losing your boy and you have my every sympathy. I'd say get in contact with your vet and ask them for a letter - believe me you won't be the first that they have had to do that for.

 

[smellsofhorse]

Initially nfu refunded to pay out saying my horse didn't meet the beva guidlines.
I fought it, quoted the animal welfare act.
My horse couldn't live confortably although he didn't meet the guidlines.

They then paid out in full.

 

[nuttychestnut]

It's a ridiculous clause!! You have to have exhausted all treatment options prior to considering PTS under the guidelines, even if the prognosis is only field sound. I tried when my boy was PTS due to subspensory damage, OCD in his stifles and liver failure, was told his case did comply as there was treatment options he though they would have left him crippled and in pain!!
I do feel your pain, but at least you made the right choice for you and your boy

 

[asommerville]

I could have kept him going got his KS op, Danilon and ulcer meds for a year and it would have cost more than he was insured for!

At least I made the right decision for him.....I will try writing to them and see what they say it would be nice to have something to give OH seeing as he bought me a horse!!

 

[EventingMum]

As far as I was aware if the horse didn't meet the BEVA guidlines the best course of action was to contact the insurers and get their agreement before PTS. The BEVA guidlines were there for immediate euthanasia to prevent further suffering when there was no other alternative treatment. I had a horse PTS when I decided against colic surgery, he had already suffered enough and was a horrific patient so aftercare would have been difficult if not downright dangerous and the vet had said his prognosis was very poor (this was backed up with the PM). Because surgery was an option he didn't meet the BEVA guidlines but I did put a claim in and becase the PM report showed how slim his chances of recovery were I got an ex gratia payment from the insurers. Try to show that further claims would have exceeded the amount paid out for a death claim and the insurers may look favourably on it. It's hard when you are struggling with loosing a horse and have to deal with insurers as well.

 

[bonny]

Did you speak to your insurance company before his death ?

 

[asommerville]

Yes I phoned them and was told if the vet supports the decision (which were the exact words the vet used) then fill in the paperwork and send it away

 

[conniegirl]

Beva guidelines are there so that a vet can put a horse to sleep in an emergency where the horse is suffering immensely and must be immediately destroyed. In these situations the insurance will pay even if they are not consulted first.

Insurance will often pay if the horse didn't meet beva guidelines but only if the insurance company authorise it in advance which normally takes a few weeks.
Your horse could have been made comfortable for a few weeks whilst you discussed with the insurance company, sent them vet letters etc.
By not seeking authorisation or not meeting beva guidelines you forfit your right to a pay out

Before slating insurance read your policies!

 

[asommerville]

One and I'm not slating them - I'm not naming hem and they have been good! I can understand where they're coming from but it doesn't make it any better - all I asked was it worth sending a letter to them or not?

Two ifyou read my post above you will see I did phone them and had they told me to keep him going for a few weeks I might have done but then again I might not because he was sore - in which case I would.absolutely have forfeited any kind of monies which in no way will make up for the loss of my boy

 

[ester]

It does sound like they couldn't say for definite before you actually put the claim in but suggested it might be looked favourably on.
As you are suggesting appealing I presume they have on the basis of the paperwork refused? Did that paperwork include any letter from the vet then or not?

 

[maisie06]

I am in a similar situation, horse started with poor performance issues, all work ups done and we find PSD, There are also some other underlying problems, The vets advised an op but I have chosen to have this horse PTS as I don't feel the op is a good idea, he has gone froma happy little soul to utterly miserable even on pain medication, so we say goodbye this week, I have thought about the insurance but TBH I haven't the heart to fight them and I feel the vets also disapprove of the decision, but there you go, I know my horse and it's heartbreaking to see him melting away and becoming miserable.

 

[McFluff]

OP - if you have a good relationship with the vet then get them to write to the insurers for you. My situation was very similar to yours and my vet fully supported PTS even though, in theory, we could have explored surgery. Like you I had spoken to insurers and got told to complete the forms. After I sent off forms, they asked for a lot of info (sent me some questions, sought valuation from my instructor and spoke to the vet) but paid out in the end. It does feel a bit clinical and hassly when you are already feeling awful at having to make difficult decision about your horse.
Good luck and remember you won't get if you don't ask.
Sorry about your boy. It's awful when they are in so much pain.

 

[Louby]

Sadly the same happened to my horse. Despite being told I was doing the best thing, and that keeping him going, putting him through painful surgery leaving him of a risk of his face collapsing was only prolonging the inevitable and a letter from the vet stating this, the insurance refused to pay as it wasnt BEVA guidelines. They said they understood my decision but said it may be viewed differently by the underwriters if I put him through the surgery.
I often wonder why I insure especiallt after reading about the 3rd Party issue on here the other day.
What annoys me is how insurers say horse insurance isnt proffitable anymore, hence our rising premiums, yet they insist on often pointless surgery and treatment costing them thousands before either paying out for loss or ducking out of it one way or another.

 

[flaxen]

My pony was put to sleep under beva guide lines for an injury with rapidly deteriorating neurological signs. We had tried treating hia fracture but he was becoming brain damaged. His specialist spoke to the insurance company's vet ( his specialist is actually higher qualified than the insurance vet ) and less than 48hrs later I had a letter from the insurance company giving written permission for his euthanasia under all risks mortality. Its incredibly hard to get a payout under beva guide lines and they have a very strict criteria. My pony wasnt put down for insurance money ( he was actually worth a lot more than hed been insured for ) but because he was suffering and was a danger to himself any anyone around him.

 

[SusieT]

I think get your vet to write a letter and see what happens - I'd also ask for the call you made to be listened to as if assurances were made by the call staff member they should be adhered to unless you misinterpreted what they said.