My daughter's leonburger had to undergo an emergency spay today, due to Pyometra. Axa are saying they won't cover it. The policy wording does say they don't cover spaying or castration. I just had a discussion with them and they finally said they may cover all the incidentals, such as the scan, antibiotics etc. So I said "so you won't cover the actual removal of the uterus?" "that is correct" was the reply.

The person I spoke with said they considered if a bitch was neutered, it wouldn't require the treatment (stating the obvious!)
Surely they should be clearly stating that they won't cover lifesaving surgery if it involves removal of reproductive organs?
Quite apart from a Pyo this could result from an accident or cancer. I really do wonder sometimes about the value of insurance!

I too have entire bitches ( not for breeding, just personal choice based on many years of bitch ownership) one of which is insured with Axa.
I am quite non-plussed as with previous insurers, emergency spay has always shown on the schedule as covered, only elective being excluded.

Has anyone else experienced this?

sorry I can't help with axa, but when my pug had emergency spay due to pyometra, Petplan paid up without any quibbles.

Have you tried the Ombudsman. I think they should have to pay out as it is an emergency operation to prevent a life threatening condition and not just a spay. Without the operation your daughters dog would die so how does that work that they wouldn't ensure it.  Ridiculous.

When I was recently looking at insurance policies I did notice that one excluded all medical bills arising from seasons, phantom pregnancies, pregnancy etc etc and I did think to myself, oooo, that would exclude a pyo and that is a bit risky. Can't remember which though sorry!

I'd investigate further in your situation, my sister had to claim for her Sheltie, one form ( from vet ) said kidney failure, a following form said renal failure, axa claimed they were two different conditions and weren't going to pay !...not the sharpest knife in the box. She did get it sorted, eventually.

I too would investigate further as Pyo is an emergency life or death situation and surely insurance must cover this. I am with Axa but originally my C. Spaniel had Pyo I was with PP and they paid with no questions, I have since moved to Axa. Maybe the person you spoke to was not on the ball and it may be advisable to call them again.

Thank you all for your replies, you are all confirming my own view on this. My daughter spoke with one advisor and I spoke to a different one, so it would appear to be their normal stance. I have advised my daughter to send the invoice in, with a supporting letter from her vet.

She will definately take it to the ombudsman if they persist in their refusal to cover her op.

Will let you know the outcome of this because it could affect others on here too. I know that I will look elsewhere for my cover if they don't pay up!

If they or other underwriters take this view, then our choice of not to spay or castrate electively, ( they also said any illness caused by an entire dog's testicles would not be covered) is in my opinion being unfairly discriminated against.

> If they or other underwriters take this view, then our choice of not to spay or castrate electively, ( they also said any illness caused by an entire dog's testicles would not be covered) is in my opinion being unfairly discriminated against.

All insurance discriminates.  They would, quite reasonably, argue that the risks are greater. 
It really boils down to the wording in the policy as to whether the risk was covered or not.

My dog had a retained testical, the removal of this was covered by the insurance, I think we were with Direct Line at the time.

*testicle !!!

a couple f years ago now but Petplan payed for one of my bitches to be spayed as part of her treatment for inter bitch aggression. The behaviourist recommended it so they paid. And in case anyone wants to know, it made no difference and I had to re-home her in the end.

My rescue girl had an emergency spay because of Pyo and the insurers paid up without any issues.

Where does it end! - sorry, it is a condition which just happens to originate from the reproductive organs, its nothing to do with an elective choice such as breeding.  I can't believe they say an emergency spay isn't covered.  I'm also starting to come round to the emergency fund and cc for vets bills rather than insurance. 

Bit OT but glanced through my Tesco insurance docs there to see what they say - couldn't see anything specific but I'm sure from reading it that 3rd party liability isn't covered - eek!  That was one of my last reasons for using insurance.  Off to call them when they open and if its not covered guess who is cancelling!

Im with Axa too and have an entire bitch. Bit of a concern really.

Thing is, say they choose not to pay out for an emergency spay, some people who are tight on cash may loose their bitch and surely the refund for the cost of the dead animal would be more than the cost of the emergency spay so it's not like it's saving them money either!

May look around at insurance renewal time again as so far I've not been overly impressed with Axa and this just adds to it

I think it's pretty common - like with things like dentals, they won't pay for something that can be prevented and neutering comes under preventative treatment.

I don't agree with that by the way.

Penfold - I am thinking the same, I'm unfortunately not in a position to do it at the moment.  Axa have peed me off from the start - every claim and even a simple reassessment takes at least 2 months to sort out, every claim made but one has been paid to the wrong people (vet direct claims have come to me, hydro claim that was sposed to come to me went to them and so on), they've gotten excesses mixed up, conditions mixed up, so on and so forth.  Not one claim has gone smoothly.  But the Axa policy is the one policy I can't change because Saffi has severe arthritis and the cost of the meds and hydrotherapy far outweighs the premium.

If I had my way I'd have an emergency credit card - but I can't get one (not even the ones for bad credit!).

I myself am in the (so far) fortunate position of not having a claim with Axa for my young Golden. She is 3yrs 6months. The first year i had her with M&S, but on renewal the premium shot up, so finding I could get the same £7000 cover annually direct with Axa, I switched this girlie at a better price.

I am stuck with M&S for my nearly 7 yr old Flatcoat, owing to an existing condition. I have found M&S very good with claims, but my premium for Flatcoat girlie is coming to the point where I shall probably be better paying any vet bills myself!

Obviously, insurers have the right to exclude treatment for anything they consider to be preventable, however, I do feel they should make it very clear, in plain language, if they won't cover even a life threatening condition relating to reproductive organs.

As a matter of interest, I have shared virtually the whole of my life with dogs, including at least a dozen lifelong entire bitches and have only had one with a pyo.

I must admit that with the concerns of insurance cover at the moment, and the worry of what will happen if they decide to 'pull the plug' on pet insurance as has happened recently for some people, I have been considering moving mine back to PP. ( from Axa )
More expensive I know, but at least a safe company, and as I only now have 2 to insure I think the extra cost will be minimal for the peace of mind.
I have just completed a quote form online and found out that the older C.Spaniel can only be offered the 12 month cover plan and not the lifetime, so it looks like she will have to stay with Axa on her lifetime, as I don't like the thought that PP can refuse to renew at the end of a year if they so choose.
We all try to do our best for our beloved dogs, but insurance companies really make it an uphill struggle sometimes.

I have had three bitches spayed for pyos and in each case the insurance paid out with no quibbles - including last one, where they had a get out clause.

John Lewis are also saying they will cover removal of retained testicles, provided dog insured with them from a young age, interestingly.

M.

This is slightly off topic but our private health renewal letter came through the post and because of the treatments ( back injections and ankle op for me , broken leg and pin for my OH and an abcess on the spine op got my daughter they hiked the premium up by nearly £300 to just under £600 per month when they rang up I asked them to justify the rise considering the ankle and leg were accidents rather than any under lying condition and the answer was well we have to get the money back somehow

I told them that I wasn't renewing the policy and have gone to another provider £400 less and no restrictions.

like with things like dentals, they won't pay for something that can be prevented and neutering comes under preventative treatment.

So all pups should be neutered, mammary strip and the legs cut off - preventative measures - just what are they collecting money for it is not to provide a service that is for sure.

This is an update, not a reply to you Nova! Though I must say I agree with your last post!

I am very pleased to let you all know that Axa have paid out in full on my daughter's claim (obviously less her excess)her vet submitted all the details and they didn't even query it. So, a good outcome for her and good news for the rest of us.

It would almost appear as if Axa staff are being instructed to discourage clients claiming for emergency spays- or could it be they have experienced false claims for routine spays and only agree to pay, once all the veterinary evidence is presented?

It does seem odd, as we both had the same negative response from different advisors. Before I renew this time, I shall ask for written clarification on this cover.