Insurance advice on new policy

[Notanag]

Hello! I’ve just joined this forum after a few weeks of following. You’ve all been really helpful to fellow equestrians so thought I’d join for some advice of my own.
Purchased a new horse for my daughter 6/7 weeks ago. Vetted but only 2 stage as I’ve known the horse since she was 3 (now 9) and has been in same home since, always admired her etc. I know this is no reason not to have a full 5 stage and hindsight is a wonderful thing!
I’ve had a few concerns past 2 weeks so decided to get my vet out who is querying a kissing spine. Problem now is if she does have kissing spine are my insurance company likely to pay out/cover this as I’ve only had her insured for 6 weeks!!!
Any advice greatly received ?

 

[Lady Jane]

You need to read the details of your insurance

 

[chaps89]

Most insurance will only cover injury for the first 14 or 30 days, then illness cover kicks in at the end of that period.
The insurers will ask when you first noticed signs of the illness, if it was within the injury only period it wouldn't be covered.
You're best off reading through the t&c's or calling them

 

[Tiddlypom]

Kissing spines will almost certainly be a pre existing condition, so you well may find getting vets fees coverage tricky in a newly purchased horse.

Call the insurance company and speak to them. You might be ok, as you had her part vetted. There's no ridden element in a 2 stage, is there?

Whatever happens going forward, your vet's concerns will be recorded on her vet history and you will have to declare that at renewal. Expect exclusions to be applied.

 

[throwawayaccount]

you may have to complete an evidence sheet, I had to for my claims for when I first noticed anything and why was treatment necessary. I simply wrote that my mare was sold to me with no health issues/injuries (which was true) and they paid out of course it turned out the seller had not been candid but because i'd got insurance from the day she arrived home, and contacted the vets immediately when there was an issue-- there wasn't a problem. on the form they may ask for a timeline of when you noticed it, was there a 24hr delay of noticing any concerns and contacting vet, if so why etc (this might be standard, not sure- i'm with petplan)

I think for my insurance the fine print stated it was either 2 weeks or 4 before they could pay out for any claims, but mine were put through on the 5th/6th week.

give them a call i'm sure they can help you.

 

[Lipglosspukka]

Six weeks in should be fine, providing that you have said that you have only just noticed the problem. Not that you noticed it a few weeks back meaning too early on in the policy.

As for it being pre-existing. You could say that about pretty much anything couldn't you. A cancerous tumour will have started off as just a few cells weeks, months or possibly more than a year before a symptom appears. Or arthritis. The day you first notice a symptom is not the day the horse first got arthritis. The horse will have had it for a fair while before, it's just only gotten to a stage of displaying symptom now.

Same for kissing spine. You see the first symptom today, but it will have been progressing a while back.

If insurance companies could use the theory that the illness was pre-existing because statistically, it must have progressed without symptom earlier, then they would surely not pay out for anything!

 

[wren123]

Do read your policy but as others have said it is normally two weeks for new conditions so hopefully you'll be OK.
Presumably you wouldn't have bought the horse if it was showing any symptoms.