Direct pet insurance claims payment to vets

Imagine, your pet suffers a road traffic accident and you have to take it to the vet for emergency care. Treatments for an accident can run into thousands of pounds and surely it’s unpleasant to have to fork out that kind of money!

The whole point of pet insurance is to make sure your pet can access relevant veterinary care without having to worry about the bill. That’s why most pet insurers can pay claims directly to the vet. It’s a great service because you don’t have to jeopardise your financial wellbeing and wait for the insurer to reimburse you to get back on your feet (some insurers take quite a while).

 

Check with your provider and with your vet too.

As I said, most insurers provide payment to the vet, but check your terms and conditions so that you don’t have any nasty surprise when it comes to claim. In case of any doubt, call your customer service.

If your insurer can pay the vet directly, then you still need to ask your vet if they agree. Most do but it’s always best to check, especially in small practices. To wait for a claim to be paid requires administrative work and follow-up, and sometimes practices with limited staff just don’t have the time. So, it’s always best to ask your vet prior to any treatment being given. Avoid any headaches!

 

Golden rule: always ask your insurer and your vet if payment can be made straight to the veterinary practice.

 

The excess comes out of your pocket.

For all claims you make, the insurer will require that an excess is paid. The excess will not be paid to the vet, so you will have to sort it out with them. The same applies for treatments that fall outside your cover policy: if your insurer doesn’t cover some of the treatments your pet received, then they’re at your own costs and you could be in trouble. As always, check your terms and conditions with your vet to find out your level and breadth of cover, so that your pet can receive care you can claim for.