Being hit with a hefty vet bill can be really stressful, especially when you’re already worried about your poorly pet. But there is a way to make things easier.
When your pet needs treatment, money can be the last thing on your mind – until you get the bill. So, have you ever wondered if your insurer can pay your vet directly? At Petplan, we have a unique relationship with veterinary practices all over the UK, and our claim systems are interlinked with theirs. This allows vets to submit claims on your behalf so we can pay them directly, leaving you free to focus on your pet’s wellbeing. It’s one of the reasons 90% of our customers renew their policies with us every year.
There are two ways that your Petplan insurance can pay out – with direct vet payments or a payment to reimburse you for a bill. It’s not as complicated as it sounds.
of our claims we receive are for veterinary fees
of claims paid in five working days
We pay the vet directly, minus any excess as well as other deductions (such as admin fees, food and routine costs, flea treatment etc). This will be a lot less than footing the total amount of the bill, which is good news if you’ve got other outgoings coming up.
You pay the entire bill to the vet after the procedure and then claim the amount back from us, minus any excess and deductions.
of our claims we receive are for veterinary fees
of claims paid in five working days
Every pet is different – and every vet is too! Each practice will have its own policy on handling insurance claims, and may not be willing to accept a direct payment from an insurance company. This might be the case if your vet hasn’t worked with your insurance company before, or has previously had a bad claims experience. But don’t worry we’re one of the largest pet insurers in the UK, so there’s a much higher chance that your vet will have worked with us in the past and be open to direct payments.
Some vets on the other hand will only accept payment from you at the time of treatment, so the best thing to do is to ask them about it. They’ll be able to tell you which insurance companies they accept – or would accept direct payments from.
Don’t wait until you’re settling the bill to have this conversation, depending on your vet’s policy, enquiring well ahead of time can increase the odds that they will agree to a direct payment. That way you’ll know which payment option to choose when you want to make a claim.
Your vet may impose an administration fee to handle any paperwork and for dealing with the insurance company on your behalf. As the pet owner you’d need to pay this, but the convenience usually makes this worthwhile. And don’t forget, we don’t charge you a penalty for claiming, so you can always make sure your pet is receiving the best care possible.
When you take out a pet insurance policy with Petplan, ask about direct payments
Check with your vet if they’re happy to accept direct payments from Petplan.
When your pet needs treatment, simply select ‘Pay veterinary practice directly’ on our simple claims form. Your vet then sends the claim direct to us.
All you pay is the excess and, potentially, a small admin fee or other deductions to the vet. Your pet gets the very best care, and you have one less thing to worry about.
There can be a lot to think about when your pet needs treatment, so don’t forget to check if your vet takes direct payments before you need to claim. If they do, you can cut any hassle and concentrate on getting your pet back on their furry feet. Not covered with us yet? Get a quote to see how we could help.
If your vet permits it, we can cover the costs of your bills by making a direct payment to them, which would mean you only have to cover the excess charge (if one applies) and any other deductions at the time of your appointment. Your vet will be able to explain their policy on taking payments in this way.
Most pet insurance companies will be able to pay your vet directly, but not all vets accept direct payments from all pet insurance companies. That’s why it’s best to go with a trusted and recognised insurance provider, not the cheapest one. Start by asking your vet if they allow direct payments and if there are specific pet insurance companies that they’ll accept these from.
All vets actively encourage owners to insure their pets. However, not all vets will accept direct payments from pet insurance companies, so be sure to check your vet’s policy on this first. Getting pre-authorisation from your pet insurance provider – which confirms you are covered for the treatment and that they will pay – can help to increase your chances of a vet accepting a direct payment.
Vet bills can mount up, so it’s important to have your pet insured and pay a monthly premium as this can help to cover the costs of emergencies. We have a choice of different policies for you.
Direct payments made by your pet insurance provider to your vet can also help to lighten the financial load as that means you only need to cover the excess charge and any other deductibles (if one applies). If your vet doesn’t accept direct payments and you need to pay the fee upfront before getting reimbursed by your pet insurance company, your practice might allow you to pay in instalments. But that is down to the discretion of the practice, so you’ll need to have that chat with them.