The importance of pet insurance
At Wicstun Vets we believe that pet insurance is an important part of responsible pet ownership in East Riding, Yorkshire. Owning a pet is hugely rewarding, but it can also be expensive if they are to suffer an illness or injury.
Having a good pet insurance policy allows you to concentrate on what’s best for your pet while knowing help is there for the cost of unexpected treatment should they become ill or are injured.
People tend to think it’s only older pets that get ill and therefore, younger pets don’t need pet insurance, but at Wicstun Veterinary Group we know from the patients we see each day that that is not the case.
The younger your pet is when you insure them, the better as it means you are less likely to have any existing conditions, which the policy may not cover, and you can then receive more help covering the cost of any future treatment your pet needs.
It is important to note that not all pet insurance is the same. There are many different types of policy available, and the level of cover provided can vary considerably. The four main types of policy are as follows:
- Accident: provides cover for accidents only and no cover for illness
- Time-Limited: provides cover for a set amount of time (usually 12 months) and after this period, the condition is excluded
- Maximum Benefit: provides cover up to a maximum amount of money per condition and once this limit is reached, the condition is excluded
- Lifetime: provides a set amount of money each year which is refreshed each time you renew your policy, allowing you to continue to claim for ongoing conditions
As you can see from the information above, the type of policy you choose can have implications for the veterinary care of your pet and the costs you will face, so it’s important to choose the right cover.
Sometimes, the cheapest insurance can cost you more in the long run. Therefore, when shopping around for a policy, we suggest that you ask the following questions to allow you to compare the overall value you are getting, not just the price:
- Does this policy cover congenital, hereditary, hip-related, dental, and behavioural conditions?
- Is there a time or monetary limit on how long this policy will cover ongoing conditions?
- If I file a claim, will my premium increase?
Unlike other forms of insurance, it is not always easy to switch pet insurance in the future as any pre-existing conditions your pet has are likely to be excluded, so it’s important to do your research and choose the right cover from the start.
Please contact us at Wicstun Vets at any of our Yorkshire practices for further details.
Pet Insurance Claims at Wicstun Vets
At Wicstun Vets, we are able to support both indirect and direct insurance claims for your pet’s treatment, helping to make the process as straightforward as possible.
What is an Indirect Claim?
An indirect claim is where you pay the full cost of your pet’s treatment at the time of your visit.
You will need to:
Complete and sign the client section of your insurance claim form and provide this form to us
We will complete the veterinary section and submit the claim to your insurer. If the claim is accepted, your insurer will reimburse you directly, in line with your policy terms.
What is a Direct Claim?
If a direct claim is agreed, your insurer will pay Wicstun Vets directly rather than reimbursing you.
With a direct claim:
- You will need to pay any policy excess and applicable co-payments to us
- You may need to initiate the claim via your online portal as the policy holder or fill out a paper form. You will need to check with your insurer as to what they require.
To proceed, we require:
A complete and signed Direct Claim Form and Agreement
A fully completed and signed claim form (client section),
We will then complete the vet section and submit the claim to your insurer
The insurer will settle the claim directly with us, subject to policy deductions
Who Can Claim Direct?
All requests for direct claims are reviewed by our dedicated Insurance Team. Decisions can often be made within a few hours.
To help speed up approval, we require:
Authorisation from your insurer allowing them to discuss your policy with us
A complete veterinary history for your pet, including records from any previous practices
Please note that approval by Wicstun Vets does not guarantee that your insurer will accept or settle the claim.
Will I Need to Pay Anything If My Direct Claim Is Approved?
Yes. The policyholder or account holder remains responsible for:
- All policy excesses
- Percentage contributions
- Any deductions made by your insurer
- Non-claimable items
How Do I Start a Direct Claim?
To begin, please fill in our online form here.
To complete the form you will need the following:
Insurance company name, policy number, and policy start date
Details of any other veterinary practices your pet has attended
Confirmation that your insurer has authorised Wicstun Vets to speak with them
Authorisation for any previous vets to release your pet’s clinical history upon request
