Ask Laura: sending in my claim within 60 days if I haven't met my deductible

Question:

I chose a plan with a $500 deductible as I truly am most concerned with the major problems (and I couldn’t afford the premiums for a lower level). However, I notice your instructions indicate that claims over $50 must be submitted within 60 days of the vet visit. Do I still have to submit all claims before I reach the $500 deductible?

What would make the most sense to me is to save all bills, and then if, and only if, I get past the $500 would I submit for reimbursement. I would want to be able to include any lesser bills incurred during the year that would contribute towards the $500, but by that point they would be past 60 days old. If I have to keep submitting claims all year that I’m not going to get reimbursed for (because I have not yet met the $500 deductible) then this plan sounds like too much work.

Please advise.

Answer:

You are absolutely right - saving them until you meet your deductible total makes the most sense and that's what we've unofficially been allowing behind the scenes. But no point hiding the good news and I'm glad you asked this so I can say that we won't enforce the 60 days when you haven't met your deductible total.

Do make sure to send your invoices in in a timely manner when you finally go over the deductible and certainly be sure to send them in within 60 days of the end of your policy year so we can wrap up things up for our underwriters in a timely manner.

Thanks for that excellent point - I'll make sure to update the instructions on the claims as soon as I can.