Pet insurance companies to restrict choice of referral specialists

[PennyB]

I am currently writing to my insurance company re this as I feel I have a better relationship with my vet to help me choose the right specialist than some stranger with a list

http://www.pet-insurance-guide.co.uk/pet-insurance-articles/new-pet-insurance-companies-to-restrict-choice-of-referral-specialists/

This affects Morethan, John Lewis, Tesco, Argos, Homebase or M&S

[PennyB]

For a stranger to suggest appropriate care which will be from a list no doubt smacks more of finding a mechanic to do your car rather than a living being - I don't want to have to go to say a certain orthopaedic vets other than the one my vet uses as I know they are excellent and knowing that would make me feel am getting 2nd class treatment if I had to go elsewhere

[PennyB]

Have just rung them up and their 'excuses' as to why they're doing it sound ridiculous - they suggest its because they're listening to clients who complain re not enough in their policy re treatments once they've been referred so no doubt they're suggesting which vets you should go to in these cases - surely it should be about what you have worked out with your own vet. I told them I trust my vet not theirs

You need to get in touch with yours if you're with any of these and complain how ridiculous this is as you will not have any choice re which referral you get which is the whole point of the insurance in the 1st place.

They did say they would look at each individually though but wonder how long that would take and they said they would let you go to which you wanted if you put a good argument across - I told them that's not good enough plus not everyone is vet savvy and can deal with vets every time

Currently they are trialling this in 2 areas so now is the time to put your idea forward