Insurers not paying out because isn't up to date with boosters

[JillA]

Anyone had this? The loan horse with liver disease (who is improving in himself BTW), loanee tells me they have refused to pay out as horse isn't up to date with boosters, and she is struggling with the cost. I have suggested she read the small print - especially as these days, with tetanus in particular, the interval is up for debate. Any similar experience?
I am disgusted TBH - in a loan situation I insist on insurance so that cost is never a bar to obtaining the necessary treatment, but if they wriggle out of it it makes it a bit questionable

 

[cava14una]

Don't know about horses but when I had dogs which had only had puppy vaccines they would pay out as long as it wasn't vaccine related

 

[oldie48]

I guess it depends what is in the small print but unless the condition/treatment is in some way related to up to date vaccination I can't see how it would matter. Does this mean they don't insure unvaccinated horses?

 

[ihatework]

If the condition being treated has potentially arisen due to the lack of vaccination then it is perfectly understandable.

If there is no connection then get vet to write to insurance company. If that doesn't help then take to ombudsman.

Out of interest what insurance company?

 

[ycbm]

This is going to depend on the small print.

I can see why it would be in the small print. In general, a horse which is not vaccinated for at least tetanus would be more likely to have an owner who is less concerned for the welfare of the horse than one whose boosters are kept up to date. They are also missing an opportunity for a trained eye to catch something which is wrong with the horse and treat it earlier, and cheaper. A bit like car insurance being invalid (except 3rd party) if your MOT is out of date.

Can you let us know what the small print says?

 

[Auslander]

I would be cross with the loaner, not the insurance company - it's their fault for not keeping up with the boosters. All my policies state that the horse must be up to date with flu/tet, and whilst there is debate about how often a tet is needed, it's still the rules!

 

[Red-1]

I would search here on HHO. I have not had this personally, but recollect someone with this on here. I think it may have been a shoulder injury or similar, so definitely not connected with boosters. I don't recollect the details, but I think the insurance paid out after the ombudsman got involved.

 

[ester]

It is standard small print so I'm surprised at the surprise as you agree that you follow their rules. I wouldn't think a 3 year brand of tet would be argued though as that follows the manufacturers instructions. You may be able to make a case with the vet but part of me thinks that is unfair to the insurance company as the terms have been agreed to.

 

[ycbm]

I would search here on HHO. I have not had this personally, but recollect someone with this on here. I think it may have been a shoulder injury or similar, so definitely not connected with boosters. I don't recollect the details, but I think the insurance paid out after the ombudsman got involved.

If it's the same one I remember, it was about a three year interval on tetanus vaccination, which was recommended by the vet.

 

[Leo Walker]

I got a pay out and mine wasnt vaccinated. Somehow I missed an entire year out without noticing! The only quibble was if I had had the pony registered with another vet at that time.

I also had a pay out for my dog, and I refuse to vaccinate them after the puppy jabs.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I'm claiming for a horse who isn't currently vaccinated at the moment - they continually asked for the vaccination record however this is to prove the horse has no other history of the thing I'm claiming for. They've approved the claim so perhaps this is a misunderstanding. Which company is it? Obviously if the claim was connected to them not being vaccinated, that would be fair enough.

 

[JillA]

Thanks all, I don't yet know which company, but as liver disease I can't see how it can be related to tetanus boosters? One for the vet maybe. I'll link this thread to her so she can read it though with a request to know what the small print says.

 

[JillA]

Eeeek. Equine & LIvestock I had problems with them years ago, they eventually backed down when I threatened to go public. They always seem to try it on. I can't find anything making that an exclusion, I have suggested she ask them where it says that.

 

[Snuffles]

My policy states vacs must be kept up to date. This flummoxed me a bit as with the same company, new dog has had loads of insurance work done with previous owner, and no vaccinations appear on her vet history !

 

[MuddyMonster]

I would be cross with the loaner, not the insurance company - it's their fault for not keeping up with the boosters. All my policies state that the horse must be up to date with flu/tet, and whilst there is debate about how often a tet is needed, it's still the rules!

This exactly.

My insurance states my horse has to be up to date with vaccinations have at least annual teeth & routine farrier. I mean, I would anyway for my horses well-being but if I din't and try to claim and it was refused, I can't reasonably be cross with the insurance company. The onus is on me to read the small print.

 

[DirectorFury]

I had this with Equicover. I managed to miss the booster date by 2 weeks and the horse coliced (spasmodic - not vaccine related) and ended up in a vet hospital for 3-4 days with a £1k bill. Insurers refused to pay out and I was so relieved that the horse was OK I didn't bother fighting it and just paid up myself.

 

[JillA]

Actually he is up to date - with the two year interval, and I can't find anything in the small print about it. I have no reservations whatsoever about how he is kept, he is very well cared far, and I am able to visit him and check for myself whenever I want to. Some of you maybe need to take a more understanding point of view and not find fault where none exists

 

[Auslander]

Actually he is up to date - with the two year interval, and I can't find anything in the small print about it. I have no reservations whatsoever about how he is kept, he is very well cared far, and I am able to visit him and check for myself whenever I want to. Some of you maybe need to take a more understanding point of view and not find fault where none exists

You said in your first post that the claim had been turned down because the horse wasn't up to date with his boosters. You can't then turn round and get grumpy because people commented on that stated fact!

 

[ester]

Well if he's up to date why aren't they covering it? We do only have you telling us the facts we can't exactly go and check them ourselves and you said he was not up to date! Or is it flu that is the sticking point? We only got in to tet because of the 2/3 year situ.

I stopped insuring when I stopped following the t+c's in my case farrier care.