INSURANCE
At Adur Valley Vets, we recommend to all of our clients that they take out pet insurance.
Care for a much loved pet is something we all undertake to provide. However, sometimes unexpected injuries and illnesses happen, and it is best to be prepared. Although we cannot advise on which veterinary insurance is best for your particular circumstance, we do recommend that you look at the range of products on offer and consider whether they meet your needs. As with any insurance policy, it is important to compare the level of cover and the details when making your choice.
Typically, insurance companies will take into account the state of your pet’s health when the policy is taken out. It is often best to insure pets when they are young and healthy as pre-existing conditions and illnesses may not be covered, even if they have not been the basis for a claim before.
For puppies and kittens under a year of age we can arrange four weeks free, no obligation, insurance with one of the UK market leaders in the pet insurance industry. Please ask a member of staff for further information.
TYPES OF POLICY
Lifetime Policy: This is what we would ideally recommend as these policies provide cover for the lifetime of your pet. The total amount of cover will differ depending on the policy and this amount will usually be available each year.
Per Condition /Maximum Benefit Policy: The insurer will provide a certain amount of cover per condition. Once this is used up for that condition an exclusion will then apply. While cheaper than life policies they provide more limited cover. Bear in mind once a condition is diagnosed, if you move to a new provider, the condition will be excluded.
Annual Policy: These will cover costs of treatment for 12 months from when the problem was first identified, after which the condition will be excluded.
Accident Only: As the name suggests these policies will only cover accidents (for example a broken leg) but not medical conditions.
Bear in mind - If your pet has a pre-existing condition when you take out insurance this will not be covered. Insurance companies will generally request the full clinical history when a claim is submitted.
The details of a particular policy should set out what you can expect in terms of coverage. It is important to consider not only emergency but also that long-term conditions can be adequately supported. Lifetime policies are the best way to ensure that long-term, ongoing care is provided.
We will discuss your care options with you before we proceed, and we would be happy to discuss whether our services can be covered through direct claims with your insurance provider. With some insurance companies we are able to process electronic claims (eClaims) enabling faster claim processing.