Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

[Liv'n'Dai]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

BTW, what was the reason for refusal of a payout by the insurance company?

Hi Alham, they refused because the claim went in very close to the start date of the policy. Cruciate disease is classed as an illness rather than an injury so they refused on grounds that the symptoms must have begun in the initial 14 day period.

Our last letter to the vet included everything you suggest above, on recieving it we started getting text messages from the DCA so we're really not sure what else we can say to him and are just waiting for him to file with the small claims court.

[alham]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Hi Alham, they refused because the claim went in very close to the start date of the policy. Cruciate disease is classed as an illness rather than an injury so they refused on grounds that the symptoms must have begun in the initial 14 day period.

Our last letter to the vet included everything you suggest above, on recieving it we started getting text messages from the DCA so we're really not sure what else we can say to him and are just waiting for him to file with the small claims court.

In that case two points - am I right that the vet looked after the animal BEFORE owners went away, if YES did they pick up on the cruciate disease previously? If YES then there may be a case of fraud (conspiring with owners to shift the financial blame on to you). If NO than whether it is illness or not if no symptoms were picked up before then the insurance should have paid out - with regards to the date, check small print of the agreement. Any chance you can get information from the insurance company on who paid for the insurance (obviously ask for this before you re-lodge the claim)? However, if it was me I'd wait for the court, then defend it using all points you've mentioned in your above posts, circumstantial evidence is very strong in your favour - ask a simple question, would anyone in their right mind accept an animal with illness who's just undergone an operation, agreed and arranged by owners BEFORE owners even left the country? With regards to insurance it was taken out and paid for by the owners TO PROTECT you against any FUTURE illnesses/vet bills.

[astraldream]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

I cant quote and reply so i have copied and pasted. In that case two points - am I right that the vet looked after the animal BEFORE owners went away, if YES did they pick up on the cruciate disease previously? If YES then there may be a case of fraud (conspiring with owners to shift the financial blame on to you). This would be impossible to prove, and they would have no reason to do this. If NO than whether it is illness or not if no symptoms were picked up before then the insurance should have paid out Not so. Pet insurance states they pay out for INJURY not illness within a certain time period. - with regards to the date, check small print of the agreement. Any chance you can get information from the insurance company on who paid for the insurance (obviously ask for this before you re-lodge the claim)? The insurance was in the OP's name as she stated. However, if it was me I'd wait for the court, then defend it using all points you've mentioned in your above posts, circumstantial evidence is very strong in your favour - ask a simple question, would anyone in their right mind accept an animal with illness who's just undergone an operation, agreed and arranged by owners BEFORE owners even left the country? With regards to insurance it was taken out and paid for by the owners TO PROTECT you against any FUTURE illnesses/vet bills

[alham]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

I cant quote and reply so i have copied and pasted. In that case two points - am I right that the vet looked after the animal BEFORE owners went away, if YES did they pick up on the cruciate disease previously? If YES then there may be a case of fraud (conspiring with owners to shift the financial blame on to you). This would be impossible to prove, and they would have no reason to do this. Circumstantial evidence - as previous owner was employed by the vet, and it was she and the vet who arranged the operation without involvement of OP in the full knowledge of all parties that the owner was going abroad and that the owner was going to be responsible for all bills in any case, hence if this illness was known previously than it is feasible that the owner and the vet could have conspired to shift the financial responsibility onto OP in the knowledge that cure was going to be expensive. If NO than whether it is illness or not if no symptoms were picked up before then the insurance should have paid out Not so. Pet insurance states they pay out for INJURY not illness within a certain time period.That was my question, I have no idea of per insurances - with regards to the date, check small print of the agreement. Any chance you can get information from the insurance company on who paid for the insurance (obviously ask for this before you re-lodge the claim)? The insurance was in the OP's name as she stated. YES, but again if you can demonstrate that it was paid for by the owner 14 days before the operation than, again, the case for intention of the owner to be retaining financial responsibility/veterinary care is conclusively proven. However, if it was me I'd wait for the court, then defend it using all points you've mentioned in your above posts, circumstantial evidence is very strong in your favour - ask a simple question, would anyone in their right mind accept an animal with illness who's just undergone an operation, agreed and arranged by owners BEFORE owners even left the country? With regards to insurance it was taken out and paid for by the owners TO PROTECT you against any FUTURE illnesses/vet bills

See my comments in red.

[Liv'n'Dai]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Hi both, we're not sure about the conspiracy theory, but the insurance won't pay out as Astral says because it was considered an illness rather than injury. No more correspondence from vet or DCA so far and there's nothing more we can say to the vet so are just waiting on his next move.

[alham]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Are illnesses specifically excluded? With regards to conspiracy theory, I was just thinking of possible supporting arguments if it ever got further.:santa_cheesy:

[Liv'n'Dai]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Are illnesses specifically excluded?

Within the initial 14 day period yes. Conspiricy theory would certainly rub the vet up the wrong way! Lets hope it doesn't get that far, we are both really tired of being streesed out over this.

[alham]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Then you've been sold a shtoomer. Wait for them to take you to court, then we'll deal with response/defence as required. Try to have a merry holidays and hopefully they will go away and we will not hear from you next year.

[Liv'n'Dai]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Thanks Alham, we'll try. And than you so much everyone for your help thus far. Hope you all have a merry christmas. L&D

[alham]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Hi, hope you've had a good holiday period. Keep all correspondence, if you need help with the claim (if ever issued) there is plenty of very good advice and help here.

[Liv'n'Dai]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Hi and happy new year all. We had a response to our last letter letter from the vet just before Christmas saying that the DCA and a legal team were looking into the matter and we would be informed of the outcome in due course. He then went on to thank us for our ongoing patience and said he hoped we could find a mutually beneficial outcome (can't imagine what he thinks that might be!). It's been over a month now with no word so we are hoping he's given up.

L&D

[CleverClogs]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

We had a response to our last letter letter from the vet ... He then went on to thank us for our ongoing patience and said he hoped we could find a mutually beneficial outcome (can't imagine what he thinks that might be!).

I'd say the best outcome would involve someone performing a double (?) orchietomy on the vet. msl:

[alham]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Hi and happy new year all. We had a response to our last letter letter from the vet just before Christmas saying that the DCA and a legal team were looking into the matter and we would be informed of the outcome in due course. He then went on to thank us for our ongoing patience and said he hoped we could find a mutually beneficial outcome (can't imagine what he thinks that might be!). It's been over a month now with no word so we are hoping he's given up.

L&D

I am sure that you will succeed - their position is so laughably tenuous that they are at a stage where they will have to spend REAL money if they believe they have a case, and I am sure that any solicitor will be open to an accusation of misrepresentation if it ever comes to court.

[Liv'n'Dai]

Re: Owing money for someone else's pet - can we be forced to pay?

Hope so. It's a definite change of tune at any rate. He's gone from 'pay up or go to court/be made bankrupt/face bailliffs' to 'thanks for your patience'...