Insurance advice please ?

[4kids2dogs1pony]

Hi, I unfortunately had to have our pony put to sleep last Monday ?. I informed my insurance company over the phone the week before, that it was planned. I’ve emailed them her passport info as requested and filled in my section of the claim form, however I’m still waiting for my vet to complete her section and return it to PetPlan. My concern is that the insurance policy expires today ?. Obviously I don’t want to renew the policy for another year, but I’m counting on the payout to put towards another horse for my daughter. As the euthanasia occurred during the policy term, am I still covered even if the claim is submitted after? Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ?

 

[bonny]

Why was the pony pts ? Have the insurance company said they will pay ?

 

[w1bbler]

Has the insurance Co. agreed in advance that they would pay for pts. They generally only do that if all treatment options have been explored and the animal is still in pain. Not being fit for work would not generally get a payout unless you have lou insurance.
The exception is if its an emergency pts, in which case your vet would need to be able to say the horse met certain guidelines & the suffering was too bad to wait for a decision.

 

[4kids2dogs1pony]

Has the insurance Co. agreed in advance that they would pay for pts. They generally only do that if all treatment options have been explored and the animal is still in pain. Not being fit for work would not generally get a payout unless you have lou insurance.
The exception is if its an emergency pts, in which case your vet would need to be able to say the horse met certain guidelines & the suffering was too bad to wait for a decision.

The pony was PTS due to suffering with severe arthritis with no hope of recovery. She was on daily painkillers and my vet advised me to have her euthanaised. The insurance company said they couldn’t guarantee a payout until the claim was assessed. I don’t have loss of use cover. Thanks

 

[mariew]

The small print might tell you, do you know if the claim has actually gone in? I'd probably ring them and see what the deal is.

 

[4kids2dogs1pony]

The small print might tell you, do you know if the claim has actually gone in? I'd probably ring them and see what the deal is.

Thanks, the helpline is closed at weekends ?. The actual claim form hasn’t been sent by the vet yet but I’ve informed the insurance company by phone and email with the dates and passport info. X

 

[AmyMay]

It doesn’t matter if the policy expires today. The claim is for the policy prior to it lapsing.

 

[foxy]

Can you claim if you don't have Loss of Use or are you claiming for cost of having your pony pts?

 

[4kids2dogs1pony]

Can you claim if you don't have Loss of Use or are you claiming for cost of having your pony pts?

I’m not covered for loss of use or for the costs of the euthanasia and disposal, but I have death cover which is due to illness or injury and is the value of the pony. X

 

[bonny]

I’m not covered for loss of use or for the costs of the euthanasia and disposal, but I have death cover which is due to illness or injury and is the value of the pony. X

I’m afraid that the insurance company will probably not pay you anything unless you had permission from them in writing to have the pony pts beforehand.

 

[foxy]

I’m not covered for loss of use or for the costs of the euthanasia and disposal, but I have death cover which is due to illness or injury and is the value of the pony. X

I think as Bonny has said unless it was agreed in advance and in writing then they probably won't pay out.
Slightly different as I had LOU but they still wanted a full vets report first before they made the decision
Which insurance company as that could make a big difference
Good luck, I hope you get something

 

[Flyermc]

You can speak to your vet and ask if the PTS was in line with BEVA guidelines.

If it doesnt, then you might have a fight on your hands to prove that it was on welfare grounds, which is certainly not easy to prove, unless you have a lot of support from your vet, but it could still take a long time to resolve, particularly with arthritis being the issue.

 

[4kids2dogs1pony]

You can speak to your vet and ask if the PTS was in line with BEVA guidelines.

If it doesnt, then you might have a fight on your hands to prove that it was on welfare grounds, which is certainly not easy to prove, unless you have a lot of support from your vet, but it could still take a long time to resolve, particularly with arthritis being the issue.

My vet is fantastic and I’m sure she will provide support where she can. She advised that my pony should be PTS and I rang my insurance the week before to inform them, they didn’t say I needed ‘permission’ just to submit the necessary paperwork afterwards. The company is PetPlan Equine. I suppose now all I can do is wait to see what happens. Thanks for your advice

 

[chaps89]

Mortality claims are usually only paid out if the horse meets the BEVA guidelines - essentially that there was no alternative and horse has to be pts welfare grounds in instances such as a broken leg or a colic etc.
that you were able to advise the insurance company a week in advance would suggest it’s unlikely that those guidelines were met in this instance. Hence why Loss of use cover is both helpful and more expensive.
However it will come down to what your vet says, so talk with them.
In regards to your original question about renewing the policy, you shouldn’t have to, as long as cover was in place at the time of the incident being claimed for occurring.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I'm afraid that it's unlikely that you will get a payout for a PTS for arthritis, however bad it is, even though morally it may well have been the kindest action. The insurance co will do their best to evade paying up unless the BEVA guidelines are strictly met.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Correct me if I am wrong … I dont think you will get anything, the only payment you would receive would be if you had loss of use cover on it. I have a great policy and I am not sure it covers for disposal or anything like that or a payout for pts. I think that would be up to me to pay.

 

[Birker2020]

If the insurance company will pay out then you will definetely be covered as you had the pony PTS during the term of your insurance.


https://www.beva.org.uk/Portals/0/Documents/ResourcesForVets/Humane Destruction.pdf

The above is a link to Best Practice for Veterinary Surgeons when carrying out euthanasia on humane grounds where horses are insured under 'All risks of mortality' insurance. I don't know if its the latest version.

I don't see chronic arthritis covered but I hope you get a pay out. The vet really should have known the guidelines and informed you prior to euthanasia.


I've found this on Petplan's website
https://www.petplanequine.co.uk/BEVA/

The BEVA Guidelines state: for less urgent cases, in particular chronic illness or lameness where the horse’s condition is deteriorating to the point at which euthanasia will be required, it is essential for vets and owners to keep insurers informed of the situation and to mutually agree or negotiate an appropriate course of action, if necessary involving their veterinary adviser. Such cases may require a second opinion on behalf of the insurers before euthanasia can be undertaken.

I'm so very sorry for your loss.

 

[throwawayaccount]

nothing else to add other than i'm so sorry for your loss

 

[Pegasus5531]

My insurance recently paid out in full for market value of a horse I had to have pts. I always insure with NFU who are brilliant. They actually contacted me to ask if I wanted to raise a claim, I didn't realise I was entitled to it. I believe they spoke to the vet and the vet confirmed it was the only option. I didn't ask or inform them before pts though so not true that you need written permission first. At least not in every case.

 

[Birker2020]

When my wobblers boy was pts at Liverpool I believe the consultant rang the insurance company before the deed was done. I still think I was 'lucky' (bad choice of words but you get what I mean) to be paid out. Rommy was my heart horse but he was extremely ataxic and the consultant said I would never ride him again. I pleaded to keep him as a field ornament but he said he'd be too dangerous as he could have fallen at anytime or ended up recumbent.

I got the full value of £4,500 for him (bought him in 2004) which then allowed me to buy Bailey.

 

[eggs]

I am sorry that you had to pts your pony.

You will not need to renew your insurance to pursue your claim but unfortunately I think it is very unlikely that you will get a mortality payout as these are usually only paid our to relieve immediate pain and suffering when there is no other option. Your vet may go to bat for you which may swing it in your favour but then the insurers could argue that the market value of a pony with such severe arthritis is negligible.

 

[Birker2020]

I am sorry that you had to pts your pony.

You will not need to renew your insurance to pursue your claim but unfortunately I think it is very unlikely that you will get a mortality payout as these are usually only paid our to relieve immediate pain and suffering when there is no other option. Your vet may go to bat for you which may swing it in your favour but then the insurers could argue that the market value of a pony with such severe arthritis is negligible.

Don't you get the price for the 'sum insured' anyway? Surely they only work on market value if you believe the horse to be worth more than the value of the sum insured?

 

[Leandy]

If the reason for the claim (ie PTS) happened within the policy period then it does not matter that the claim is made in full after it, so long as you have followed the required procedures around notice etc. I can't comment on the likelihood of the claim succeeding in this case.

 

[Leandy]

Don't you get the price for the 'sum insured' anyway? Surely they only work on market value if you believe the horse to be worth more than the value of the sum insured?

No. You can only recover your loss. Your loss is the market value, not the sum insured. There is absolutely no point in over insuring.

 

[Birker2020]

No. You can only recover your loss. Your loss is the market value, not the sum insured. There is absolutely no point in over insuring.

i went the other way with mine and under insured in order to keep my premium down. Also thought I'd have a bigger excess to reduce the premium thinking 'a new horse, little likelihood of claiming'. 3 x £250 excesses later ......... lesson learnt.

A friend had a mare who had a hunting accident, vets said 40% chance of horse making a recovery enough so that it would be able to hack only, would never stand up to hunting again. a prolonged period of box rest was necessary with no guarantees, which she felt wasn't in his best interests given his nature. So she had pts and tried to claim, we all thought 'no chance' as she didn't have loss of use. Anyway she got a pay out for his value. So it rather makes me wonder how rigid the rules are given her case and how she managed to do this.

 

[eggs]

Don't you get the price for the 'sum insured' anyway? Surely they only work on market value if you believe the horse to be worth more than the value of the sum insured?

Sum insured or market value, whichever is the lower. For more expensive horses they will get the loss adjusters in to try to determine value

 

[Flyermc]

My vet is fantastic and I’m sure she will provide support where she can. She advised that my pony should be PTS and I rang my insurance the week before to inform them, they didn’t say I needed ‘permission’ just to submit the necessary paperwork afterwards. The company is PetPlan Equine. I suppose now all I can do is wait to see what happens. Thanks for your advice

If you know your vet well, i believe that there is a tick box on the insurance form that the vet ticks if the horse met BEVA guidelines. You could just ask your vet if they ticked the box or maybe ask the insurance company if it was ticked.

 

[Sossigpoker]

If your vet has confirmed that the case meets the BEVA guidelines then the insurer will consider it. But getting a pay out for PTS due to lameness is very difficult , so please manage your expectations.
I didn't get a pay out although my boy was virtually on 3 legs.
I'm sorry for your loss.