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Insurance Policy

Document of insurance protecting you and your pet

Please read the following carefully. Together with Your Schedule, it defines the insurance cover provided by Us. You should pay particular attention to the Exclusions and Conditions contained within it.

Insurance has been effected between You and Us. You have paid or agreed to pay the premium for each Period of Cover and We have agreed to insure You as described in this document read together with your Schedule.

The information and statements provided by You have been relied upon by Us in entering into this insurance. A copy of the information You have provided is enclosed so that You may ensure that it is accurate. If there is any inaccuracy in the information, or in the documents We have provided, please let Us know immediately.

You are reminded that this insurance does not cover any disease, Illness or Condition that has occurred or shown any signs or symptoms before the start of the insurance and that this will include any that You have shown in Your application.

You must notify Us as soon as possible of any changes which affect this document and which have occurred since Your insurance started. If You do not tell Us about relevant changes this document may not be valid or may not cover You fully.

Signed on behalf of the insurers

Director

Please select a subject from the following list:

Claims Procedures:

Definitions used in this document
A number of words used in this document have a specific meaning. Such words are written in bold and start with a capital letter. They always have the meaning shown below
Accidental Injury A sudden and unforeseen injury which is the result of an identifiable and known cause or event during the Period of Cover
Alternative Medicine Herbal or homeopathic medicine
Clinical Signs Changes in Your Pet's normal healthy state, its bodily functions or behaviour.
Commencement Date The date on which Your Pet first becomes covered under this insurance as shown on Your first Schedule
Complimentary Treatment Physiotherapy osteopathy acupuncture or chiropractic Treatment
Condition Any Illness or Accidental Injury or symptoms of these whether or not it results in a diagnosis
Excess The amount shown on Your Schedule. This is the part of each and every claim thatYou must pay yourself. If Your Pet is aged 8 years or more at the time of Illness orAccidental Injury the Excess will be the amount shown on Your Schedule plus 25% of the remaining cost of Treatment
Illness Sickness, disease and any changes to Your Pet's normal healthy state, not caused by Accidental Injury and including mental disorders but not behavioural problems caused by inadequate or inappropriate training
Period of Cover The period of twelve months starting with the Commencement Date and any subsequent period for which We accept renewal of Your insurance in each case subject to Your payment of the premium.
Poisoning The introduction of a substance into the body of Your Pet causing Accidental Injury or death
Pre-existing Condition A Condition or any complication directly attributable to that Condition that has been investigated by Your Vet or is otherwise known to You prior to the Commencement Date
Schedule The personalised document issued by Us which accompanies the terms and conditions of this insurance
Territorial Limits The United Kingdom, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, and other member states of the European Union included in the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) (England) Order 1999 or the Republic of Ireland for a total of thirty days in any Period of Cover in respect of Section 1 only
Treatment Any examination, consultation, advice, tests, X-rays, medication, surgery, nursing and care provided by or arranged and specified by Your Vet.
We, Us, Our Alpha Insurance A/S and in the discharge of its responsibilities its agents Harvington Services Limited
You, Your The person named on Your Schedule who is responsible for Your Pet. Only one person may be named
Your Pet The dog or cat named on Your Schedule and which is free from any Condition at theCommencement Date
Your Vet An active working member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons or the equivalent in another country within the Territorial Limits

Section 1: Veterinary Fees

What We will pay

We will reimburse You up to the amount shown in the Schedule for the cost of Treatment Your Pet has received during the Period of Cover for an Illness or Accidental Injury.

You are covered for

1. Fees charged by Your Vet for treating the Illness or Accidental Injury (including injuries caused by fire, lightning and Poisoning)

2. Fees for any Alternative Medicine recommended by Your Vet

3. Up to £250 per year towards Complimentary Treatment following an Illness or Accidental Injury when recommended by Your Vet

4. Fees for euthanasia of Your Pet when recommended by or agreed with Your Vet together with the cost of cremation up to a combined maximum of £200

5. Up to 20% of the cost of a clinical diet for Your Pet for a maximum Treatment period of 6 months, provided it is recommended by Your Vet for a treatable Condition other than weight loss

6. Fees for dental Treatment to relieve suffering provided Your Pet has been covered under this insurance for at least two years, no dental Treatment has been recommended during this time and there is a history of regular routine check ups

What We will not pay

We will not pay

1. More than the maximum benefit shown in the Schedule

2. The Excess shown in the Schedule

3. The cost of preventative vaccinations

4. The cost of routine and preventative treatments, cosmetic dentistry, cleaning and descaling of teeth, spaying, castration, removal of dew claws, killing and controlling fleas,Treatment of round worms and tapeworms, grooming and nail clipping, or any complications arising from any of these treatments

5. Costs of any Treatment related to pregnancy or giving birth

6. Charges for home visits, premium rate out of hours calls or ambulance fees unless Your Vet confirms these are essential to safeguard Your Pet’s health

7. Any costs arising in connection with a Pre-existing Condition or any subsequent Condition related to one

8. The cost of treating any Accidental Injury or Illness deliberately caused by You or anyone living with You

9. Extra costs for treating Your Pet outside usual surgery hours, unless Your Vet believes an emergency consultation is essential and that Treatment could not be delayed until usual surgery hours.

10. Costs of any Treatment for a Condition or for Poisoning if this first occurred or showed Clinical Signs within 30 days of the Commencement Date

11. Any costs for Treatment that Your Pet has received after the end of the Period of Cover

12. Traveling expenses

13. Any fees charged by Your Vet for completion of claim forms or for the provision of information relating to a claim

14. Treatment fees for Accidental Injury caused by another owner’s pet where recourse can be taken against the other owner

15. Fees for the Treatment of retained testes if Your Pet is over the age of 16 weeks at the Commencement Date

16. The cost of post-operative convalescent care which could reasonably be provided in Your home

17. Costs of any transplants or associated Treatment

18. Costs incurred outside the Territorial Limits

Section 2: Hospitalisation Costs

What We will pay

1. We will reimburse You up to the amount shown in the Schedule for kennel or cattery fees if during the Period of Cover You are ill or injured and have to spend more than 48 hours in hospital and Your Pet stays in a licenced kennel or cattery while You are in hospital

2. We will instead pay a daily rate of £4, subject to the maximum benefit shown in the Schedule, for someone not living with You to look after Your Pet while You are in hospital.

What We will not Pay

We will not pay

1. Any costs resulting from Your pregnancy or giving birth

2. Any costs resulting from hospital treatment for alcoholism, drug abuse, attempted suicide or self inflicted injuries

3. Any costs for treatment arising from any illness or injury starting or occurring within the first 30 days of the Period of Cover

4. Costs incurred outside the Territorial Limits

5. Any costs relating to Hospitalisation for which you already had an appointment arranged at the start of the Period of Cover or for which you were on a hospital waiting list at that time.

Section 3: Holiday Cancellation

What We will pay

We will reimburse You up to the amount shown in the Schedule if during the Period of Cover, You cancel Your holiday less than 7 days before You were due to leave, or come home early, because Your Pet goes missing while You are away or Your Vet advises that Your Pet needs life-saving Treatment

What We will not pay

We will not pay

1. Costs for anyone else who was on holiday with You

2. If You cancel Your holiday or come home early because Your Petneeds Treatment that is not life-saving

3. For Treatment arising from an Illness first occurring or showing Clinical Signs before the Period of Cover started or within 30 days of the Commencement Date

4. If You booked Your holiday less than 28 days before You were due to leave

5. If You can get Your expenses back from any other source such as travel insurance.

Section 4: Third Party Liability

What We will pay

If Your Pet causes an Accidental Injury to anyone or damages anyone’s property during the Period of Cover and within the Territorial Limits and You are legally responsible We will pay up to the amount shown in the Schedule in aggregate for

1. Any compensation and legal costs awarded by a court for their Accidental Injury or damage to their property

2. The legal costs of defending the claim

3. If more than one person is injured or has their property damaged We will pay compensation and legal costs awarded by a court and the legal costs of defending the claims until the limit shown in the Schedule is reached

4. If someone else is looking after Your Pet when the Accidental Injury or damage occurs, We will pay provided

a. You asked them to look after Your Pet

b. You did not agree to pay them to look after Your Pet

c. The Accidental Injury or damage was not to them or their property, and

d. You are not aware that Your Pet has previously caused any Accidental Injury or damage

5. If other dogs were involved with Your Pet in causing Accidental Injury or damage to property We will only pay for the share Your Pet caused. The owners of the other dogs will have to pay their own share, as will You if You own any of them.

What We will not pay

We will not pay

1. Any amount if Your Pet is not a dog

2. Compensation or legal costs if the injured person or owner of the damaged property

a. Is You or part of Your family

b. Lives in Your home

c. Works for You

d. Was looking after Your Pet with Your permission

3. If You or someone listed above is looking after the property or holding it in trust

4. The first £250 of any compensation or legal costs for property which has been damaged

5. Any liability arising from an agreement which would not have existed in the absence of the agreement

6. Any liability arising as a result of Your occupation or business

7. For any liability arising from pollution of air water or soil.

Condition applying to this Section

If any claim against You results in legal action, We can take over the case in Your name at Our expense. We require You to help Us by providing any documents and information We need to pursue the case.

European Extension of Cover

What We will pay

In respect of cover provided under Section1 Veterinary Fees the total amount for which We will reimburse You will be limited to £750 if the fees are incurred during a visit to any country included in the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) (England) Order 1999 (as amended, supplemented or re-enacted) or the Republic of Ireland.

This cover will apply only if

1. You comply with the requirement of the PETS

2. The fees are normally payable under Section 1 Veterinary Fees

3. If Your Pet has been abroad for less than an aggregate of 30 days during the Period of Cover at the time the fees are incurred.

What We will not pay

We will not pay

1. Any costs associated with complying with the requirements of PETS

2. Claims arising outside the Territorial Limits

3. Any claims for Treatment not supported by a receipt showing the address and telephone number of the veterinary surgery providing Treatment

4. Any claim made under any section of this insurance other than Section 1 Veterinary Fees.

General Conditions applying to this insurance

Conditions affecting You
1 Throughout the Period of Cover You must take care of Your Pet and submit it for anyTreatment recommended by Your Vet to prevent Illness or injury.
2 You must arrange for Your Pet to receive the annual vaccinations recommended by Your Vet.
3 You must comply with the terms and conditions of this insurance at all times.
4 Your Pet must be in good health and free from Illness or Accidental Injury when You apply for this insurance.
5 Your Pet is only covered under this insurance while You continue to pay the premium. If Youelect to pay by monthly direct debit and We do not receive Your monthly payment within 10 days of the date of a missed installment, We will cancel this insurance with effect from the date of the missed installment. We do not have to give You any further notice of this provision.
6 You must give Us full and accurate information about Your Pet and You agree that Your Vet hasYour permission to release to Us any information We ask for about Your Pet. You will meet any charges levied for this.
7 You must never make a claim that You know to be false or dishonest.
8 You must take all reasonable steps to control and regulate the behaviour of Your Pet at all times.
9 This insurance is an annual contract but You may have chosen to pay monthly. In this case claims will only be paid on the understanding that You will still pay the remaining monthly payments for that Period of Cover.
10 If You wish to cancel this insurance You must advise Us in writing.

Please note that if You fail to comply with these Conditions, We may reduce or refuse to pay any claim made under this insurance.

Conditions Affecting Us
1 If, when You claim, there is any other insurance under which You are entitled to payment, Wewill only pay Our share of the claim.
2 At each renewal of Your insurance We may change the premium and/or Conditions and add exclusions because of Your Pet's history. We will only do this at renewal date.
3 We may terminate this insurance at any time by giving You seven days notice in writing to the address held on Our records. If We do this We will refund any premium paid for the cancelled period, unless payment has been made for a claim in the same Period if Cover.
4 We may cancel this insurance and recover any payments made if You make a false or dishonest claim.
5 We reserve the right to reclaim any unpaid premiums out of any outstanding claim payments.
6 We may arrange for a representative to visit You and Your Pet in order to obtain information necessary to validate your claim.
7 We will undertake to deal with Your claims fairly and without undue delay.
8 We will forward any settlement cheques within 7 days of Your claim being finalised.

Exclusions applying to this insurance

This insurance does not cover the following

1 Your Pet if it is less than eight weeks old.
2 Dogs being used for guarding or racing or any other commercial purposes.
3 Any loss if You break United Kingdom animal health or importation laws or regulations.
4 Any loss caused by Your Pet being confiscated or destroyed by government or public authorities, or under the Animals Act 1971 or Control of Dogs Act 1986 because it was worrying livestock.
5 Any costs caused by the imposition of restrictions on Your pet by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food.
6 Any loss caused by pressure waves from supersonic aircraft, radioactive contamination, war, riot, revolution or any similar event.
7 Any consequential loss unless specified by the policy
8 Any claim arising from a malicious or intentional act, willful injury, gross negligence or worrying or chasing livestock.
9 Any injury loss or damage caused by Your Pet if Your Pet is a dangerous dog as defined under the Dangerous Dogs Act.-

Claims Procedures

Section 1 Veterinary Fees

You must

1) let Us know as soon as possible when Your Pet is ill or injured. Unless Your Vet agrees otherwise You will need to settle the Treatment fees in the first instance

2) complete a claim form with the help of Your Vet and have it signed by Your Vet

3) forward the completed claim form to Us together with all receipts and any other relevant documents. You should do this at the end of Treatment or within a month of the end of the Period of Cover if the Treatment is not finished at that time.

4) give all information and assistance required by Us

Section 2: Hospitalisation Costs

You must

1. Ask Us for a claim form

2. Have the completed form signed by Your doctor or consultant

3. Send Us the completed form together with Your kennel or cattery receipts.

Section 3: Holiday Cancellation

1. Ask Us for a claim form

2. Complete the claim form together with Your Vet

3. Send us the form together with the details of any expenses You cannot recover and the booking and cancellation invoices from Your travel agent, tour operator or holiday organiser showing

a. The booking date

b. Dates and cost of the holiday

c. Cancellation or return home date

Section 4: Third Party Liability

You must

1. give immediate notice in writing to Us of any event or notification which might give rise to a claim for Accidental Injury loss or damage to anyone else under this insurance

2. give all information and assistance required by Us

3. send to Us immediately on receipt every letter writ summons or other document

4. notify Us in writing of any impending prosecution inquest or fatal accident inquiry in connection with any event for which there may be liability under this insurance

You must not

1) admit to being at fault or make any offer promise or payment without Our written consent

2) give anyone information or help them to make a claim against You without Our written consent

3) answer any communication from anyone in connection with any claim without Our written consent. Forward the communication to Us immediately.

Complaints procedure

If You have a question or complaint relating to Your insurance, please write to:

The Membership Services Manager
Internet Pets
P.O. Box 65
Evesham
WR11 8ZG

If We do not deal with a complaint to Your satisfaction, You may write to

The Underwriting Director
Harvington Underwriting Limited
Harvington House,
9 Abbey Lane Court,
Abbey Lane, 
Evesham
WR11 4BY

Should You remain dissatisfied, You should write to

The Chief Executive
Alpha Group
Amaliegade 12
st. DK-1256 Copenhagen 
Denmark

If the complaint is still not resolved, you can approach The Financial Ombudsman Service.  Referral to the Financial Ombudsman will not affect your right to take legal action.

Full details of addresses and contact numbers can be found within the Policy Wording.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)

Alpha Insurance A/S is covered by the FSCS, which is triggered when an authorised firm goes out of business.  In this unlikely event you may be entitled to compensation from the scheme.  Compensation under the scheme for:

·         Compulsory insurance is covered in full.

·         Non-compulsory insurance is protected in full for the first £2,000 and 90% of any amount above this threshold.

Full details are available at www.FSCS.org.uk