Ljl
New User
Hi all
I have an 18 year old TB cross who I've owned since he was three, and who has been healthy for most of his life. He had an issue with arthritis in his knee/hock joints at around the age of ten, but since then it has been managed and he's been doing fine. He recently had a workup and some x-rays after going lame, and the vet has identified "arthritic and navicular changes to left fore foot with a flat left fore foot. Arthritic changes visible on x-rays of LF knee joint."
I now have a vets bill of around £900 to pay. If my insurers agree to pay all or some of it (not sure if the mention of the knee will qualify this as a pre-existing condition, given they paid for his treatment relating to knee and hock arthritis several years ago), should I claim for it, or should I pay for it myself? I have enough in my savings account to cover this bill but it will take a decent chunk out.
My concern is that
a) If I claim, this will drive my insurance premiums up even higher, particularly given his age - they go up every year and currently I pay £1,025.70 per year.
b) If I don't claim, his premiums will go up regardless and I will have spent a large chunk of my savings when I could possibly have had it paid by the insurers.
I was considering whether it would be better to claim for this treatment, then when it comes time to renew, opt for a veteran policy instead? I've heard, however, that these don't usually cover illness and injury vets bills. As I said, he has always been very healthy (excluding the arthritis) but I am aware he is getting older.
What are everyone's thoughts?
I have an 18 year old TB cross who I've owned since he was three, and who has been healthy for most of his life. He had an issue with arthritis in his knee/hock joints at around the age of ten, but since then it has been managed and he's been doing fine. He recently had a workup and some x-rays after going lame, and the vet has identified "arthritic and navicular changes to left fore foot with a flat left fore foot. Arthritic changes visible on x-rays of LF knee joint."
I now have a vets bill of around £900 to pay. If my insurers agree to pay all or some of it (not sure if the mention of the knee will qualify this as a pre-existing condition, given they paid for his treatment relating to knee and hock arthritis several years ago), should I claim for it, or should I pay for it myself? I have enough in my savings account to cover this bill but it will take a decent chunk out.
My concern is that
a) If I claim, this will drive my insurance premiums up even higher, particularly given his age - they go up every year and currently I pay £1,025.70 per year.
b) If I don't claim, his premiums will go up regardless and I will have spent a large chunk of my savings when I could possibly have had it paid by the insurers.
I was considering whether it would be better to claim for this treatment, then when it comes time to renew, opt for a veteran policy instead? I've heard, however, that these don't usually cover illness and injury vets bills. As I said, he has always been very healthy (excluding the arthritis) but I am aware he is getting older.
What are everyone's thoughts?
