Insurance claim for vet bill

[spider]

My pony developed a cracked heel while out in the field. Saturday morning when I saw it there was a vet visiting the yard so I got her to look. She said it was really nasty and treated it and gave him two jabs - bute and antibiotic, and left me with lots of instructions and bute, antibiotic and cream. So I thought ok that'll be a big bill but probably not over the excess as the call out charge will be shared.

Unfortunately Saturday night he developed an allergic reaction to the antibiotic and swelled up grossly and the vet had to be called out. Poor thing is much better now but vet will also check on him next week so this is going to be expensive.

I hope it doesn't seem that I am just concerned with cost as I would pay anything so long as he is ok but I did want some monetary advice as I have never claimed on insurance before.

1) Can I claim even though I didn't ask the insurance co before incurring the costs?
2) Shall I phone them tomorrow or wait until I have the bill?
3) Would they exclude his leg or anything silly for a cracked heel?
4) If I claim will my premium go up so vastley that I'd be better off paying myself and keeping the insurance for a major incident?

 

[Sarah_Jane]

1.) Yes no problem
2.) Phone tomorrow as you should let them know ASAP and they will send a claim form for you and vet to fill out
3.) Quite possibly depends on your company. They may exclude heel or any future problems airising out of an allergic reaction to antibiotic.
4.) My insurance co (NFU) don't increase premiums after a claim just add exclusions.

If you don't claim you could be caught out in the future as most claim forms have a section for the vets asking if they have ever treated the horse for a similiar condition. Depends how pliable your vets are!

 

[spider]

Thanks Sarah Jane. This forum is great. i knew someone would advise me the best thing to do.

 

[star]

yep, agree completely with sarah-jane.

 

[parsley]

Agree with Sarah Jane - and if you don't tell them there is a problem I think it is possible that it can cause problems later. If you want to make a claim for legs and haven't told them they will see when the vet gives them a history report - I THINK there is a chance they won't pay.

 

[Skilgariff]

I am also with NFU, great insurance company, luckily as now have two claims on the go for my mare!! I agree with everyone else, phone them and you could also ask them advice, very helpful people. I only have two legs left to claim on!

 

[BethH]

Your policy document/wording will have a clause saying it is your duty to advise them immediately/asap in in the event of a possible claim. If you don't, they could use it as an excuse to not pay so as everyone else on here has said, get on the phone sharpish. If it is a good quality policy, they will be sympathetic to your situation, I'm with Scottish Equestrian and they are pretty good too. You may find they won't pay for the first vet checking the cracked heel as that is just general horse wear and tear so to speak! but that they may well pay for the follow up treatment for the allergic reaction.

 

[Alibear]

usually you have 14 days to notify them of an incident, they understand we worry first and foremost about sorting the horse out so you should be fine.

Yes claim for it, sounds like an accident rather than anything else so can't see exclusions cropping up from it.

 

[spider]

Phoned them this morning (SEIB) and they were very helpful and are sending me a claim form. Were interested in what he was actually allergic to so I guess that's what any exclusion will be based on. I certainly didn't realise about the telling them whether you make a claim or not.

 

[BethH]

I work for an Insurance Underwriters, it's always hidden in the small print bless them! Good luck - hope they pay!

 

[Janette]

A few years ago, I claimed for some treatment from NFU and they were great - no exclusions or raised premium. (Silly horse ate twigs and got abcesses in the back of her throat...

). They DID raise the excess, but by only £20. Brilliant service.