Advice needed please

When we first had Pixee in 2012, we took out insurance with John Lewis for £160.12 a year.  
There has been two claims, one for her broken cannine tooth in October 2012 and her leg in Nov 2012, so the renewal insurance in 2013 went up to £229.42 a year because of those two claims, hubby did phone to say why that much, they said it was because her leg was ongoing, ever though it had been signed off by vet, but if no other claims were made they said in 2013, they would reduce our insurance again.  We have had the renewal today and we are very shocked to say the least, its now gone up to £365.87 a year, with no claims made.  What are your thoughts on this please.  I feel they are ripping us off.

Wow, that does sound a tad inflated there. We recently had an insurance renew letter from Argos, we were originally paying about £18.00 per month, had a claim last year which put the last policy with Argos up to £26 per month. We have now gone with More Than for £18 per month - all on roughly the same lifetime cover.

Have a look around on line, we did it through comparethemarket.com

That's big hike but having never made a claim, fingers crossed I don't know, mine up for renewal too so I'll be shopping around xx

Thanks Kathy, we do pay monthly too, and a jump from £19.11 to £30.48 is massive for no claims whatso ever either!!!
Only worry I got is, Pixees leg could be an ongoing thing, although its been signed off. now where do we stand when we want to change insurance? Hubby will be home soon, and he will be ringing round. I will tell him about More than, so thanks.

I know Hayley, to us its a massive increase! Ever more than last years after the two claims from year before. Just does not make sense. Lets see what they have to say when hubby rings them. Hes not best pleased either.

TBH Lynn hubby did the new insurance on line, I cannot remember if they asked about any previous claims.

You could try doing a quote on line and see what it gives you.

Kathy wrote:TBH Lynn hubby did the new insurance on line, I cannot remember if they asked about any previous claims.

You could try doing a quote on line and see what it gives you.

Wow, lets see where this gets us. Thanks for the head up. Will let you all know how we got on.

Best of luck Lynn, the prices may vary with a Staffy cross which Rocky is rather than a KC reg Staffy, just something to bear in mind.

We have gone with 'More Than', lifetime cover one, for £188.58, so monthly payments will be 15.71 (first one will be 15.77)

And after hubby phone John Lewis, more lies!!!! After being told the first increase was due to the two claims, its infact due to John Lewis teaming up with Royal and Sun Alliance Insurance! And the reason for the massive increase, is Royal and Sun wanted to put a massive increase on the pet insurance the first time, but John Lewis talked them out of it saying they would lose customers, hence the lie to us saying it was for the two claims to keep us. And the reason for the massive increase is due to Pixee being a Staffy and is now a high risk group     Well all I can say is what a load of rubbish. Its a shame other breeds of dogs dont make it to the papers for attacking etc. And we all know it goes on.

Pleased that you made a bit of a saving there Lynn, well done

Kathy wrote:Pleased that you made a bit of a saving there Lynn, well done

Yes we are real pleased too, because its cheaper than last years too. Plus a better package too.

Have you checked that the new insurer will cover the problems pixee already has, usually when you change insurers they won't cover pre existing conditions?

Hi Janey, I dont think anything came up??? I would need to check with hubby. However the vet had signed it off, surley that counts for something?

No hun, if its a pre existing condition then generally the new insurers won't cover it even if it has been signed off. Make sure you check as you usually have a week to cancel new insurance, this is how they get you, on your last insurer as you have claimed your premium goes up but a new insurer will not cover the old conditions. x

Hi Janey.  There was just no way we were going to contine to pay John Lewis charges!    And the lies too from them.  I mean come next year, how much would they put it up again, because of a pre existing condition and the fact that Pixee is a Staffy - high risk accordlying to them.  I am still waiting for the paperwork to come through to check.  Hubby did tick that there was  no pre existing condition, as vet signed her off, and we havent been back for her leg for 15 months either.  (Think thas correct)  What I have found out is, depending on what kind of cover you take out, e.g. if its maximum benefit, Maximum benefit – provides a maximum amount of vet fees cover per condition. But once the financial limit has been reached, the condition becomes a pre-existing condition and is excluded from future claims. And the same applies to time limit, were any of you aware of this?, so that leaves us all  in the same boat.  Some other advice we had off the vet when Pixee had that leg condition, well its around her shoulder area, is to stop putting her harness on, as they felt that added to it.  Thats why I brought a wide collar, to spread the load on walks.  Shes been great since.  Its very difficult to know just what to do with pet insurance. Found out about below too last night, so yes Janey you are correct. Just everyone be aware about the Maxijum benefit and time limit, cos pre existing medical conditions stop being covered then too.

Pre-existing medical conditions won't be covered – this also applies if you change your insurance provider, regardless of whether you've ever made a claim. Preventative and routine treatments, such as neutering, vaccinations and flea and worm control, will also be excluded, as will anything related to pregnancy/birth.

Pet insurance is a mine feild we've just renewed with more than far cheaper than direct line who we were with previously xx

It was horrible trying to find one when we started looking! I am dreading when we have to renew because we have already claimed a couple of times for Banes skin treatments.

I will keep in mind to avoid John Lewis from what you have said We also found that it was more expensive if we put Bane as a Staffy! It is ridiculous!

We also found the price increased slightly because Rocky is a Staffy cross, how riciculous. Always pays to read the small print with insurance companies.