Colic exclusion after mild colitis episode?

[Feathered_Feet]

Hello all, hoping for some feedback on expectations here.

Dobbin had a mild case of colitis earlier this year, was treated at the clinic and came home after just a few days, recovered successfully, and we went on to have a very productive and successful year showing (fantastic scores at 3rd and 4th levels). Insurance is up for renewal and they are saying that Dobbin is not eligible for emergency colic surgery. This strikes me as a bit odd as, although I know colic has multiple etiologies, colitis is separate. This was confirmed colitis, not colic by any measure, and I would think the two would be considered unrelated.

I will call my insurance Monday to get their perspective, but has anyone dealt with this before, and/or successfully gotten this reversed? Am I unrealistic in thinking these are two separate conditions, and should be considered unrelated?

[tbchick84]

Yep, welcome to useless insurance. My horse had Lyme and going forward, nothing neurological was covered. I just self insure now.

[Dutchmare433]

Depends on the insurance company I guess. I would expect a 1 year exclusion of colic after the colitis. For the insurance company it doesn’t matter that they’re unrelated. It matters that it had to do with the intestines. Likely next year when you renew you can get the exclusion taken off.

When my horse had anaplasmosis, any tick borne disease was excluded for 1 year. Now it’s all included again.

[Equibrit]

Read this for why; https://www.succeed-equine.com/succeed-blog/2016/06/30/what-is-colitis-in-horses/

[bingbingbing]

I had a horse diagnosed and treated for ulcers and he was excluded for colic coverage.

[happilyretired]

Years ago I had a horse that was insured – he had a bout of enteritis. He recovered with no issues but when I renewed the insurance they excluded him from all colic coverage for a year. Then after a year he was covered for colic again. So I’m not surprised – the basic rule for insurance is if there’s ever been an issue they won’t cover that area again … the classic pre-existing condition exception.

[joiedevie99]

Yes, this is pretty standard. After one policy year symptom free, you should be able to get the exclusion removed.

[Feathered_Feet]

Thanks all! I recognize they are not completely unrelated, but was hoping they were considered sufficiently unrelated to warrant discussing with the insurance (not that that would probably do anything, anyway). I guess the consensus is “it’s all the gut” so it makes sense. C’est la vie I suppose.

Thanks!