Business

You Don’t Want to Know What Some Brits Are Doing to Their Pets For Insurance Money

You know the economy is bad when people stoop to this level.

Apparently, several Brits are maiming their pets in order to collect the insurance money, reports Newser.

The Daily Mail writes that the insurers detected $3 million in pet insurance fraud in 2010, compared to just $668,000 in fraud the year prior.

“Between 2008 and 2010 the number of claims where fraud has been suspected or proven has increased by 440 per cent,” said Carys Clarke, a solicitor who works as an insurance fraud investigator for law firm Berrymans Lace Mawer, to the Daily Mail.

That’s quite a jump in claims.

If not cashing in on the deliberate maiming of their pet, some Brits have also collected on “lost” or “stolen” policies after reporting that their pet went “mysteriously” missing. Many of these claims have proven to be fraudulent as the Association of British Insurers reports that they have uncovered several cases where the “missing” pet never even existed.

Obviously, the difference between a pet insurance scam and something like an auto insurance scam is that it’s not very easy to investigate and verify a missing, stolen, or maimed (“damaged”) pet claim.

But even more troubling are the different frauds that imply cooperation from veterinarians.

The Association of British Insurers reports that other scams it has uncovered include submitting claims for vet treatments that never occurred and submitting doctored bills that severely exaggerate the original charge.

Clarke notes that vets, who are not bound by the constraints of using the cheapest drugs available like the National Health Service, can even charge up to “twice as much for treatment.”

“Insurers may also be presented with claims for cost of drugs or treatment for animals that don’t exist or for a treatment that is unnecessary or more expensive than needed,” she said. “These are particularly worrying types of fraud because it often requires the help of a vet.”

Indeed, a desperate pet owner is one thing, but the veterinary is in on the take? Can this get any worse?

Yes. Yes it can.

The worst of the scams, as reported by The Daily Mail, involves pet owners taking their healthy pets to the vet and deliberately having them put down.

Deliberately killing pets to collect insurance money?

“As in motor insurance, the types of pet fraud vary, but suspicions are often aroused by potentially exaggerated claims for treatment,” Clarke told the Daily Mail. “In addition to the loss of use and value of the animal, the deliberate destruction or maiming of an animal can also be disguised as an accident and deliberate destruction of an animal by a veterinary surgeon when unnecessary are also areas where fraud might arise.”

Much like the situation involving doctored bills, this scam implicates the cooperation of the vet. Who knows? Maybe the pet owner and the vet split the cash when the insurance company pays out.

While things in England have been arguably bad economically — especially given the country’s recent string of riots — are people really that strapped for cash that they would harm innocent animals?

Comments (45)

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  • grannygrottbags
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:03am

    My last dog died at the ripe old age of 18 going on 19, black and white smooth collie mixed…or heinz variety lol. He was much loved, no insurance, no illnesses, fresh food, no tinned rubbish full of ash!. Buried in his favorite ‘sunny’ spot in front of our small patio. Two rescued kittens a year old lay beside him, victims of speed freaks (before the council installed sleeping policemen in the road), no insurance, fresh food, noting tinned. Have one cat left, an old Tom who actually chose us, was first living with a neighbour down the road when we told her he kept coming to us she said thats how she got him, he had been knocked over by a car in the past, his jaw was broken and reset, teeth permanantly missing on each side, a back leg limp and a permanant kink in his tail. Vet guessed his age at around eight or nine when he saw him, no collar, no prvious aparent owner. He keeps me company at night and i dont mind that at all, is loving and totally laid back. We’ve had him a total of four years now, that makes him an estimated 13 years old. Got a few hens too, one of which actually will lay beside my old Tom in front of my door…amazing!. Insurance is a scam, vets are extortionate pricing, i couldnt afford any pricy operations so, if anything bad happens i would have to take the kindest route or try to find a charity vet who sets bones(yes they still exhist) or RSPCA who will let you stretch out a payment plan within reason.
    Sad but, life in the real world.

    Report Post »  
  • swimmer1940
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:48am

    All things wise and wonderful
    All creatures great and small
    All things bright and beautiful
    The Lord God made them all.

    Enough said.

    Report Post »  
  • schroeder123
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 10:38am

    Ha ! Someone has it right…The World is over populated.

    Too many morons. I’ll give a bounty for the ones that are caught. Then turn them over to me.

    Report Post » schroeder123  
  • The Jewish Avenger
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:42am

    Can I get that if I travel to Korea?

    Report Post » The Jewish Avenger  
  • Dismayed Veteran
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 8:45am

    Welcome to socialism where wealth has been redistributed until no one has money.

    You have to be a real a@@hole to maim or kill your dog for money.

    Report Post » Dismayed Veteran  
  • LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 7:31am

    Hmmmm…..I concur….we do need some plagues to wipe out some people….

    Report Post » LIBS-ARE-DINGLEHEADS  
    • CulperGang
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 11:46pm

      fear not ..the globalist are poisioning the water. the evil that has permeated this world…….is mind boggling. now take note where the evil emanates from…………socialist aka dictatorship states.

      us has become just as evil since the socialist took a strong foothold.

      Report Post » CulperGang  
  • RossPoldark
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 4:29am

    What, pet life insurance!!!!? No wonder why the UK is going under. What a luxury, and absolutely ridiculous!! Only in Europe.

    Report Post »  
  • TH30PH1LUS
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 2:46am

    GOD cares about the wellbeing of the creatures He made & will call humanity to account for what was entrusted to our care:

    Even birds: “If you come across a bird’s nest beside the road, either in a tree or on the ground, and the mother is sitting on the young or on the eggs, do not take the mother with the young.” Deut 22:6

    ALL domesticated animals: “The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10

    Animals are innocent bystanders and subject to the whims and wills of their human masters. The greater sin lies with those who abuse and mistreat the defenseless. DO not think for one second that God Himself will not bring retribution for this behavior.

    Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
    • westfayetteville
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 7:42am

      very well put

      Report Post » westfayetteville  
    • EqualJustice
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 9:17am

      THIS is what happens when you take RELIGION completely out of the equation. Development of a “conscience” comes with being taught right from wrong and good from evil, starting at a very young age. You know something is wrong because you actually feel GUILT. Caring and love of fellow man is nurtured by the GOOD deeds one does everyday and you feel humbled. Atheists feel nothing. They are empty without something to believe in or FAITH.

      Report Post » EqualJustice  
    • NightWriter
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 12:41pm

      It happens here too, with horses!

      I personally know of a ‘champion’ endurance rider who deliberately fed her horse hay that was tainted with blister beetles… a painful and horrible way for a creature to die… just to collect on his insurance!

      Anyone who abuses an animal… is just as likely to abuse a child… ’nuff said!

      Report Post »  
  • Brokendrum
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 2:40am

    I blame the company. Insurance on a pet is a rather lame attempt to rake in a few extra dollars and I am sure they had in mind some little old lady and her Boopsie. The average life span of a pet is 8-12 years. What insurance company in their right mind would hope to recover any payout funds in such a short time.
    They went for some fast immediate cash and got bit.

    Report Post »  
  • Rowgue
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 12:32am

    Pet insurance…are you ******* kidding me? This world is insane.

    Report Post »  
    • Jack of Hearts
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 3:10am

      The biggest insurer is Pet Plan who are part of the giant Allianz group. This is not an ad – just to say that Pet Insurance is a long established and very profitable form of insurance. It’s open to fraud like any other insurance – but just what is “insane” about it?

      Report Post » Jack of Hearts  
  • grayling646
    Posted on November 16, 2011 at 12:11am

    Is anyone surprised that this is happening? I have two Labs, little over two yrs old. Never hit them, never even yelled at them. They don’t mind worth a damn, but they’re happy.

    Report Post »  
  • OhSnappage
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:41pm

    They need to take away the incentive for these scandals to cash in on this insurance loophole.
    People would go to any low for a quick and easy payday.

    Report Post » OhSnappage  
  • BannedByHuffpo
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:19pm

    WTF??? Michael Vick moved to England?

    Report Post » BannedByHuffpo  
  • phillipwgirard
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:05pm

    I hurt people who hurt animals

    Report Post » phillipwgirard  
    • WAKEUPUSA2012
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 12:39am

      Exactly

      Report Post » WAKEUPUSA2012  
    • smokie
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 12:53pm

      I damn them.

      Report Post »  
    • Infidel49
      Posted on November 16, 2011 at 2:41pm

      Hurt an elderly person in front of me, hurt a child in front of me or hurt an animal in front of me. Something else over takes me. Sorry, can’t help it.

      Report Post » Infidel49  
  • godhatesacoward
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:02pm

    The tabby on the right has that WTF look on its face!

    Report Post » godhatesacoward  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:29pm

    The problem is that people think there are supposed to be over 7 billion people walking the earth and there is not.

    Report Post »  
  • Eliasim
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:26pm

    We just need two or three very bad plagues.

    Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:32pm

      You do know they are coming don’t you? As people change this DNA and that DNA it opens up the possibilities of ancient, very ancient plagues people haven’t even heard of.

      Report Post »  
    • YoungBloodNews
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 11:04pm

      You have gone mad, talking to yourself lol.

      Population will be culled by the coming wars, no worries.

      Report Post » YoungBloodNews  
  • Secessionista
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:25pm

    We’ll be doing this to our grandmothers before we know it.

    You laugh – but we are already doing it to our unborn children…

    Is it that great of a stretch?

    Report Post » Secessionista  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:32pm

      No .. it’s in Obamacare .. they take over Medicare .. and seniors get “managed care” .. meaning if you are over a certain age (a board, bureaucrats decide) .. forget it .. you get nothing but Obama’s blue pill!

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-dQfb8WQvo

      TEA!

      Report Post »  
  • whatthecrazy
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:24pm

    ITS a sick world after alllll……………………………….

    Report Post »  
  • YoungBloodNews
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:15pm

    BLAZErs

    I saw you removed my post about MF Global stealing. Im guessing your rushing to cover this now. I do hope you give me credit for pointing you to this ;)

    Heres another fun story you can cover:
    Why are they (company backed with $$$$ by Pepsi, Kraft, etc.) testing food/drink flavoring made with aborted fetuses????

    http://www.naturalnews.com/032043_human_fetal_cells_artificial_flavors.html

    Report Post » YoungBloodNews  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:01pm

    this is nothing new and most definately not just over the pond. as an equestrienne I have seen this so many times it is disgusting. when dealing especially with expensive warmblood horses and imports the insurance claims are just too tempting to some especially in economies like this. claiming insurance for this and hurting animals is wrong and they should be dealt with BUT I have many an acquaintence, friends and other competitors who have had to euthanize very expensive horses because they cannot afford to feed and board them anymore. the economy is forcing horseowners to the brink and I know many good people who have put down 10-70k$ a piece horses because you cannot give them away in this economy (not to claim insurance money but out of compassion so their horses don’t end up starving or on a slaughter truck) that being said those who do this for money need to be in jail

    Report Post »  
  • garbagecanlogic
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:01pm

    Another reason why we got out from under their rule………………….they can be really really crazy at times.

    The U.S. Out Of The U.N.
    The U.N. Out Of The U.S.

    Report Post »  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:54pm

    The Britts can afford pet insurance , but not dental ? Seems odd to me ; ))

    Report Post »  
    • chips1
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:25pm

      They have more pets than teeth?

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on November 15, 2011 at 10:29pm

      I have “American” pet insurance .. doesn’t cover if my pet goes missing ..and unlike Britain vets generally charge LESS than people doctors here. Case in point .. my dog had a lump on her back hip .. exam, needle biopsy, lab work, treatment plan and measurment of the lump .. $61. Over 15 years ago I had something similar .. doctor bill for exam only $175 (I saw the doctor maybe 5 minutes tops!) .. he did nothing else .. my dog got better treatment last week than I did!

      I cannot imagine doing anything to my dog just to make a profit off the insurance company … sickening and sad.

      Report Post »  
  • pamela kay
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:46pm

    Sacrificing innocent animals for the almighty dollar? How low have societies fallen? This is sad and very disturbing.

    Report Post » pamela kay  
  • netmail
    Posted on November 15, 2011 at 9:40pm

    I see skies of blue and clouds of white / The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night / And I think to myself….. what the hell happened?? This is even lower than Bill Maher…heartbreaking too.

    Report Post »  
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