AXA claim advice (atopy - dermatologists referral)

My vet is recommending a referral to a dermatologist for Toby, in regards to his atopy. I've just had a very unhelpful conversation with the axa claims line who refuse to tell me whether they will cover the treatment or not. The best they will commit to is "that there is nothing in the exclusions to say its not covered"????

After much 'to and fro' to the manager (who I was not permitted to speak to) they did agree that in the case of the referral going ahead they would pay half the milage costs. This was after I had to read the policy out to them as they tred several excuses 1)we don't cover any transport, 2)only in emergencies.

So I just wondered if anyone had experience making this type of referal claim to axa and whether they paid out??

Do you mean you're trying to find out if they cover the costs to get to the referall appointment? Your post confused me a little

My previous gsd was referred to a skin specialist when she was only a matter of a few weeks old, and my insurance paid up for the whole amount no quibble. If the manager refuses to speak to you, I'd be inclined to write them a letter, tell them of your proposals recommended by your vet, and also remember to tell them about the bad customer service you got over the phone!

I have a white gsd who has had atopy from a few weeks old, he saw a specialist in those days, but I'm afraid for him, nothing worked, only regular steroid jabs, pills and ab's. I rescued him at the age of 5 when he was in a terrible state even though he had seen a vet regularly throughout his entire life, I stuck with that same vet, he explained his problems, even gave me a book on Atopy and said it was "his" book (i.e. my dogs!) and told me he'd be seeing me on a regular basis, which he did, almost weekly for 4 years!

He had to come off his steroid injections and tablets about 2 years ago, because he was diagnosed with an enlarged liver , but a year after, I could take no more, he was in such a state, I was fighting a losing battle with my Hibiscrub, my anti-bacterial powder, my vitamin E cream, blah, blah, blah, constant bathing, grooming, ear problems, so I took in back to the vet, where I cried my eyes out in front of him, told him I was now at my wit's end, and he prescribed a different steroid tablet (medrone-v 4 mg a day), and I can honestly say, to this very day I have never looked back, he hasn't scratched once!!!! I suggest you make a note of that if nothing else! Good luck with it all, I do hope you don't have the same nightmare that I had for many, many years, but what can you do?!

Fight for that insurance, coz once you been to the vet with the problem PRIOR to getting any, then you stand no chance, coz my dog was never, ever covered and I dread to think how many thousands of pounds have been spent on him over the past 7 years

Are you on a "For life" policy, if so they should pay out. Still. insurance companies never fail to amaze me, the way they like to opt out of paying out....

I've managed to get them to agree that they will cover at least some of the transport costs but its the actual referral and subsequent treatment they wont commit to. Its just going to be very expensive if I'm left with the bill! I just thought there might be someone who has made a similar claim to axa and if it was paid?

We are on a lifetime policy (£7000 per year) and they have paid a previous claim for his ordinary treatment.

Well, if it's not in their exclusions, they haven't told you over the phone that they definately won't pay, and it's definately not a pre-existing condition (and your vet is willing to vouch for that), I don't see why they wouldn't. Perhaps see if the specialist will claim direct? I know some of the specialist places do as obviously there tends to be a bit more money changing hands than in your normal vet practice.

Apparently they are a "non-advisory" company!

The vet has said I need to pay the specialist direct then claim it back

Could you phone the specialist to check, just incase? Just explain that you're pending a referall and wanted to know whether you can claim direct (might be worth naming the insurance, I know some vets prefer to claim from some insurance companies but avoid others like the plague) so you can prepare yourself for the payment method when the referall comes through

I was with M&S who at the time were underwritten by AXA and i have to say they were fantastic paying out thousands with no quibble for various operations and other things.
As for the claiming direct that is always down to the vet/specilaist it's not something i ever asked about i just paid it myself.
Transport costs isn't something i've ever looked into and i have done absolutly hundreds of miles i thought that would be a bit cheeky expecting them to pay that too but if they say they will then go for it.