Just got back from a very successful trip to Holland and found 2 insurance renewals due for 2 dogs. One is 7 and one is 8. The one has risen for 16.99 to 29,99 and the other from 18.99 to 33.99. I cannot believe how much it has increased. I have hardly ever claimed on either dog and neither have any medical conditions. Not sure if I can re insure elsewhere because of age but certainly going to look into it. Any suggestions?

ouch!!!!!!!
may be worth a look at axa, my GSD was 2 last July, his premium -top level for life policy- was due for renewal in Oct, having made £1k claims in 1st year I was expecting a rise but it went DOWN!.
Chris

Be prepared for More hikes as your dogs get older.....I'm with More Than with 2 of mine and yes once the
dog goes above six the hikes start....on one of my dogs policies it was a 31.5% hike from the previous years
policy.

Check Pet Plan too see how much they are but be wary when changing and check out your dogs medical
history with the vet before you do as there may be 'pre-existing' conditions that you don't think are there...some company's
will say if they've ever been treated for something even once in it's lifetime...it's an existing condition.

Mine are insured with M & S and they've just whacked me with a huge increase as well.  The dogs are only 4 and 5 and I've not claimed for years!!  Am seriously considering self-insuring!

Just for interest, try phoning More Than and stating that you can get the same insurance elsewhere and would they like to incentivise you to stay with them. I have done this with Direct Line for both house and pet insurance this year, and have barely got the words out of my mouth before they've agreed to a reduction - ridiculous how easy it was. I guess they depend on the fact that most people won't bother.

Might not work, but worth a try.

M.

Some insurers like to offload their liabilities by encouraging their oldies to leave and price hikes are a very effective way to achieve this.

You may get a discount by threatening to leave your current insurer but do not be tempted to try it unless you really do have somewhere else to go.  You may find they call your bluff :)

I don't know how they compare price wise at the moment but I've always been pleased with my insurance from M&S (premium).  Nowadays I wouldn't bother with anything less than the highest cover.  I somehow managed to choose standard when I insured one of mine a few years ago and just recently discovered it.  They only paid £1000 for his £1500 surgery bill - still, better than nothing...

I've really not had to go anywhere near threatening to leave. It has been as easy as asking the question why new customers can get the insurance cheaper and they've almost fallen over themselves to reduce the cost. Maybe I've just been lucky.

M.

Hi

hope you had a good journey home, congrats again on the wins :)

We have just had a similar price rise for our 9.5yr old, had an increase of close to 60% on her premium and she has never been to the vet for other than routine boosters !!!!!!!! . Did a bit of shopping about, not all companies will take on older dogs and most that do seem to charge similar amounts. I ended up with More Than at £25.95/mth the other girls are also with them  at £15.99/mth and are far more likely to have a claim given their typical GSP attitude to life.  

K 

Thanks Karen..tired but worth it.
I just spoke with Morethan and basically told nothing they could do. Its because so many claim are being made and they realise how much business they are losing so 'are looking into it' I got a quote from Axa for the same sort of policy for £10 per month less so I am going to switch.
Thanks for the advice

Beware changing policies I did this just before Tink's was 9 yrs old [seems to be a cut off point for dogs]  Got a really good deal the 1st year then MASSIVE increase the following year.  I've never claimed for her and 'touch wood' the only illness she's ever had is kennel cough' which is preventable by vaccine and I now give her even though I no longer leave her, and I didn't claim for vet's fees on previous policy.  The excess increase was appalling too. 

Just seen that Axa will not cover a dog that has had a litter so thats out then. Back to google :-(

JUst a thought but would it be worth just putting the money into a building society account in case it is needed - £750 a year for two dogs is a fair whack and should cover most eventualities - especially as it appears there is no guarantee the premiums wont continue to rise.  

I know it's a gamble but inevitably a gamble in your favour as insurance companies have expenses to pay and profit to take.   Over time you should end up ahead and I'm assuming most of us on here intend always to have dogs ?