I am just looking at the M&S website with view to changing from E&L.

On the M&S website it says:

£750 for complementary treatments

What are complementary treatments would you say?

Homeopathic, Acupuncture etc. I would say

Would that be with a vet referral?

As I understand it yes, you would need to be referred by your Vet.

Just to let you know that I took out M & S Insurance for my 9month old gsp and have had to claim for 4 things and they have paid out each time. I was very wary as they are so much cheaper that everybody else but so far so good!!

im with m&s and my dogs having hydrotherapy- the claim form needs to be countersigned by the vet, and sent with a letter written by vet stating why he/she referred the dog to that treatment- they need to write this and sign it also.

The person carrying out the complementary treatment needs to fill out part of the claim form and sign also- including all invoices to the claimed sum.- m&s told me this procedure. fingers crossed they'll pay up!

I agree with the others, complementary treatments would be acupuncture, herbal, homeopathic and possibly also things like hydrotherapy? These do all have to be with a vet referral, same with the behaviourist bit. I'm also with M&S and have found them excellent, no fuss, really quick payout :)

sorry ChrisJack was obviously typing at the same time as you - hydrotherapy is definitely included then :D

i know- you got me worried ;) no i checked about 3 times with them- and thevet will state its vital recovery treatment, thanks!

I would never have called hydrotherapy an "alternative" :)  To me it is very much a branch of physiotherapy, just one that allows exercise under reduced weight conditions, certainly it has been used in hospitals for humans as long as I can recall.  Being physiotherapy I would have said an ancillary health department, but no matter if M&S are coughing up anyway :)

gosh- so do you think its categorised under normal treatment? hope they do pay- because they only decide once theyve got the claim form. but i suppose if the vet states it was necessary to the dog for recovery then they should pay???aarrggh panicking now, as ive only asked them HOW to claim for complementary treatment-- idid state it was hydrotherapy on the phone though. can you help me!!(sorry for hijacking, really am)

I don't know what they would call it I only know I would regard it as normal as any other physiotherapy but if your vet has stated it is necessary I don't think they will argue.  You could always put on the claim form physiotherapy with the use of a pool ;)

thanks- i'll calm down now!

OK, here we go;

"Complementary treatment means: physiotherapy, acupuncture, osteopathy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic and alternative medicines that results from a valid claim under this insurance."

"What we will pay: any reasonable costs for treatment of your pet by a vet of complementary treatment carried out under their direction"

This was taken from the M&S Pet Insurance Policy Document, page 5.

cheers- cleared that up nicely x

im with direct line and they have just paid up for my first lot of hydrotherapy with no problems and ive just sent off my form for the second lot - we shall see if they are going to be so kind a second time round

All sounds great.  If I apply online I get 5% discount but the website doesn't seem to give an explanation of what complementary treatment is.  Going to go for the no-excess as dog has had two foot injuries in the last 4 months and I have to pay over £50 excess at the moment.

Thanks :)