The Financial Services Authority factsheet states that businesses will need to be authorised by the FSA if they notify an insurance claim to the insurer or negotiate settlement of the claim on behalf of the customer.

However, simply providing information to a claimant or insurer in connection with the assessment of a claim is not a regulated activity.

The following advice can be adapted according to your own practice policy and given to clients:

1. Ensure that the insurance policy is up to date and active. Note that some companies may not cover sickness or illnesses suffered during the first 21 days of a new policy. This is to prevent claims being made for conditions that were pre-existing.
    
2. Contact your insurance company. Notify them that you will be submitting a claim and request a claim form.
    
3. Ensure that the completed claim form clearly states the following: name, address, pet's name, certificate/policy number and the name of the person to whom the settlement cheque is to be issued. The claim form must be signed by the policy holder.
    
4. Forward your claim form to the veterinary surgery along with any administration fee (if charged).

In addition, you will need to tell the client:

1. How long it will take to for the practice to process the claim form.
    
2. Whether the practice will make an administration charge for processing the claim.

If your practice has a contract with one of the insurers that deals solely with claims payable direct to the practice bank account, then none of the above is necessary - all claims on these policies are dealt with automatically by the practice.