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Direct Claims – Q and A

All the information you need to make a direct claim.

Do Davies make direct claims?

Davies can help you make a direct claim (this is where we would be reimbursed by your insurance company), provided that you discuss this with us prior to arriving for your appointment, before your initial consultation with the vet and prior to any investigations or treatment being undertaken.

Direct claims cannot be requested for the first time after a consultation, or at the time of collection of your pet after treatment has already been given.

How long do direct claims take?

Direct claims often include quite a lengthy preparation time. This may delay possible investigations and surgery. Due to this we do charge a non-returnable administration fee for handling direct claims.

If Davies processes my direct claim, how does this work?

We require you to provide a signed claim form at the time of treatment for each occasion you wish to claim for. A direct claim cannot be made by sending us a claim form after your pet has been seen.

Do I still have to pay the excess?

Yes. At the time of making the first direct claim, we ask for a down-payment of any excess specified on your insurance policy (the excess is the first amount of the bill that your insurance company will not settle and which you must pay). We understand that you may believe that this may already have been paid (e.g. at your own vets). We can assure you that any overpayment will be refunded.

What if my excess is a percentage of the bill?

It is important to understand that insurance policies which include an excess which is a percentage of the bill can result in a significant sum which you will need to pay directly to us.

Things to be aware of:

  • Any anticipated shortfall in the cost of treatment, which is not covered by your insurance company, will be payable by you to us at the time of making the first direct claim. You will also be required to pay any additional shortfall outstanding once the claim has been settled.
  • It is important to appreciate that if, having carried out careful checks with you and your insurers, we decide that we are prepared to undertake a direct claim for the treatment for your pet, this is not a guarantee that your insurers will settle your claim, and if they fail to do so, this will result in a shortfall for which you will be liable to pay us in full.

If you are considering a direct insurance claim, you may find our informative guide to pet insurance claims helpful to read.

Linnaeus Veterinary Limited trading as Davies Veterinary Specialists 01582 883950

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