Insurance claims + Financial control

Question 1

What is ‘Civil Liability’?

Answer 1

“At its simplest, civil liability means being responsible for actions and practices that could damage others, but which aren’t criminal.
So they are not pre-meditated or against the law “

Question 2

True or False.

VP must have public liability inssurance.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What is the certificate called to demonstrate a VP has public liability insurance?

Answer 3

A Public Liability Insurance Certificate (PLIC) according to the Practice Standards Scheme (PSS)

Question 4

What does Public Liability Insurance cover you for?

Answer 4

• Civil Liability
• Criminal + Disciplinary Proceedings

Question 8

How many types of insurance policys are there?

Answer 8

4

Question 9

Name the 4 types of insurance policies

Answer 9

1. Life-time
2. Time limited (within Non-lifetime)
3. Maximum benefit (Also known as ‘Pre-condition’, within Non-lifetime)
4. Accident only

Question 10

What is a Life-time insurance policy?

Answer 10

• Most popular
• Pay out indefinitely for treatment over the pet’s lifetime - subject to annual limits
• Must renew each year to stay covered

3 types of life-time policies =
1. Annual policies = pay up to a specified amount on vet bills each year
1. Per/condition - per/year cover = annual limit for each condition
1. Limited annual amount = smaller annual benefit, within this for a single condition

• The higher the limit = the more expensive the premium

Question 11

What is a Non-lifetime insurance policy?

Answer 11

• Less comprehensive than life-time
• Excludes certain conditions, after you hit your claims limit

2 types of time-limited insurance policies =
1.Pre-condition = pays limited amount for each condition + once limit reached, insurer stops covering it

2.Time-limited = both monetary limit + time limit, typically 12 m/o from the beginning of the claim > before condition is excluded

Question 12

What is a Time-limited insurance policy?

Answer 12

• Type of Non-lifetime insurance policy
• Allows you to make a claim for a medical condition up to a specified amount for a limited time
• Both monetary limit + time limit
• Typically 12 m/o from the beginning of the claim > before condition is excluded

Question 13

What is a Maxium benefit insurance policy?

Answer 13

• Type of Non-lifetime insurance policy
• Covers each new medical condition up to a certain amount for the length of the policy
• Pays limited amount for each condition
• Once limit reached, insurer stops covering it

Question 14

What is a Accident-only insurance policy?

Answer 14

• Cheapest + basic type of insurance
• Only coers vet fees for sudden + unexpected injuries
• Doesn’t cover illnesses + Injuries
• Provide a fixed sum of money for each accidental injury, to help pay for tx
• Will often stop paying for the injury after 12 m/o

Question 15

What does pet insurance cover?

Answer 15

• Depends on your policy
• Usually covers the cost of vet frees + certain medical expensess
• Can range from £1,000 > £18,000

Some cover:
1. Death by accident or illness
1. Missing pet
1. 3rd party liability
1. Overseas trael cover
1. Cattery + kennel fees
1. Euthanasia
1. Cremation
1. Burial
1. Dental cover

Question 16

Does the VS, VP or the Client approach an insurance company with a claim?

Answer 16

The client

Question 17

True or False.

Claims usually require it to be reported within a certain time frame.

Answer 17

True

Question 18

What do pre-payment claims require from a VS?

Answer 18

An estimate

Question 19

When can a VS directly send an invoice to the insurer?

Answer 19

On client’s permission

Question 20

Why should all invoices be itemised?

Answer 20

Due to fair trading requirements

Question 21

True or False.

Fees can be individually set by the VP but they can collaborate across other practices.

Answer 21

False, they cannot be collaborated across other practices

9.7 = “Pricing practices should comply with the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 + other consumer protection legislation, and should not be false or misleading”

Question 22

What are the 5 factors of consideration for estimates?

Answer 22

1. Cover all likely charges in the time period covered, including ancillary or associated charges, such as those for medicines/anaesthetics, diagnostic tests, pre- or post-operative care, follow up or routine visits and should include VAT
2. Include a clear warning that additional charges may arise, eg if the treatment plan changes or complications occur
3. Be offered before treatment is commenced. If an estimate is declined, this should be clearly recorded
4. Be the subject of clear client consent, except where delay would compromise animal welfare
5. Preferably be provided in writing, especially where treatment involves surgery, general anaesthetic, intensive care or hospitalisation.

Question 23

What is the protocol when it comes to re-direction to charities?

Answer 23

• Client must contact the charity directly
• The animal must be fit to travel

Question 24

Where there are no options for payment of services, what may be considered?

Answer 24

Euthansisa