Pet Insurance

We recommend all pets are insured. There are significant advances in veterinary medicine that rival private human medical care but these advances also come with a price tag. A dog or cat that is hit by a car can easily run up bills into the thousands.

You are more likely to claim on your pet insurance than your car or household policies*.

It is important to be aware that not all pet insurance is the same. We strongly encourage owners to choose a level of cover that suits their financial needs in the event that they need to make a claim. Many policies limit either the amount of money that you can claim, or restrict the amount of time they will cover a condition for to just 12 months. The price you pay for your premium does not necessarily directly reflect the level of cover you get.

We deal with pet insurance on a daily basis and are see the heart ache when owners discover the level of cover they thought they have is not what it seemed. Ash Tree Vets highly recommend Petplan, the UK’s number one pet insurance provider, who offer a fantastic ‘Covered For Life^®’ insurance policy. We believe this provides the best level of cover for your pet because:

• Petplan’s Covered For Life^® policies guarantee your veterinary fees cover is renewed each year no matter how often you claim (providing you renew your policy each year with no break in cover).
• Petplan do not place exclusions at renewal on their Covered For Life^® policies so any ongoing conditions such as skin problems continue to be covered year after year.
• Petplan will not increase your premium or excess just because you make a claim.
• Petplan is a pet insurance specialist so they understand pets and work closely with vets, charities and breeders.
• Petplan may request your pet’s medical history when you take out a policy – this means you are paying for the level of cover you are actually receiving.

Click here to find out more about the different levels of pet insurance available.

For 4 weeks’ free Petplan insurance simply click here.

*Allianz Insurance plc.

In the event that you need to make a claim, we are here to guide you through the process, and make no charge for completing our section of the claim form.

You will need to obtain and fully complete a claim form from your insurance provider; some companies allow you to download a claim form online, others may send you one by post when requested.

If you are insured with Petplan we can supply a form for you. Your claim form can then be left at the practice for us to complete. We aim to process any claim form within one week of receipt.

Owners are usually asked to settle in full at the time of any treatment. However, with prior arrangement and agreement, we are able to offer Direct Claims, meaning that your insurance company settle the claim directly to us; you simply pay your excess and any co-payment.

In order for us to be able to arrange a Direct Claim by your insurance company you must bring the following documentation with you:

• A fully completed claim form
• A valid and current certificate or schedule of insurance, detailing the level of cover provided
• Details of your excess and any co-payment for this condition
• Details of any exclusions or any limitations to your policy
• Insurance provider have been given verbal authorisation by the policy holder to discuss the pets policy with Ash Tree Veterinary Centre

It is the owner/policy holders responsibility to ensure the level of cover they have chosen is suitable for the treatment or procedure undertaken.

Owners will be responsible in full for any shortfall in your insurance payment.

If your insurance provider decline to settle a claim, or any part of the claim, you will be liable in full for the fees owed to the practice.

If you would like to make a Direct Claim for your pet’s treatment, please contact the practice, and a member of our team will be happy to talk you through the process.

For owners who do not have a Pet Insurance policy, or who’s policy is not adequate for their pet’s treatment, we are able to offer personal loans at 0% APR for 6 to 12 months via a third party company, CarefreeCredit. To find out more please call the practice, or click here to see if you qualify.