When to notify your insurers?

[lucy_108]

So one of my horses is going into the vet clinic (not a referral, our vets have a clinic/theatre etc. at their practice) for a lameness/performance workup.

He's been ''off'' over the last 10 days - 2 weeks and I'm not convinced he's 100% sound (we're talking 1/10 lame) and he's been showing behavioural traits that I believe are pain related that are gradually becoming worse. Alongside the lameness workup to see if he a) is in fact lame b) what is causing the lameness, I am hoping they will investigate his back too and possibly take some xrays as some of his behaviour would lead me to think he is in pain in his back - obviously it will be up to them and what they find.

Question is, do I notify my insurance (KBIS) now? Or after when I claim for the workup? I've been insured with three different companies over the last 5 years and each one has been totally different on their policy. I can't find it in any of my T&Cs, I can only find a section that covers ''if an incident occurs that you may or may not lead to a claim at a later date you must notify us'' etc. etc.

I don't want to shoot myself in the foot if I don't need to notify them, but equally don't want to be stung if I do have to.

Any help/advice/experiences appreciated.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would imagine lameness work up and xrays is best part of £1k so it's pretty unlikely you'll not want to claim.

Even if you choose not to claim I suspect it's in the T's and C's to inform them anyway and if you make a future claim they will ask for full vet history and will find out anyway at a later date - there's no option of them not knowing.
Best now to avoid inadvertently invalidating a claim if in advance is their policy.

 

[poiuytrewq]

As above, even if you choose not to claim if the horse has had lameness investigations and the insurers haven’t been informed they could void future claims.

 

[Leandy]

Usually you must notify in advance and personally I would be having a conversatin with them to understand exactly what I would be covered for in this situation and what would require express prior consent. They won't necessarily cover all investigations your vet may suggest and it would be good to go armed with the information as to what is covered and what you might have to pay for yourself, as it will help you decide, along with the vet, what investigations you want them to proceed with at the time.

 

[ROMANY 1959]

Call and tell them what is going to happen.. you are then covered, up to you if you make a claim. I had similar with the dog, had an infection in her lip, informed insurance in case it got expensive, but it was under my excess. So never claimed. So just told them I was not claiming

 

[doodle]

Yep call and tell them now. A work up won’t be cheep.