No it is not to quiery the renewal price as usual..Had a massive claim late last year 2454.86 Mri test's the lot, they have paid up no problem and renewal came through only gone up three quid !! But because of the claim they have had history from the vets, loose motions,ear drops, conjuctivits,possible OCD lamenness at five months  no problem since, all the others in the  last 3 years,No claim has ever been made before now. Now have had a letter saying they will not cover Digestive System, The ears,Eyes,and Sight..or OCD.Is it worth having the insurance now because they seem to have covered everything that you may want to ever claim for in the future.. but I suppose what I have claimed for last year will still be covered? Blooming Insurance is such a minefield..

They are all the same Teressa and if you try to change it the next lot will only ask the questions and excempt them too!! At least you know he is covered for anything new he may come up with !! It would cover him for any accidents...and you know they pay out without an argument.
Aileen

I know I do realise, but to be penalised because you have had ear drops or the runs seems so harsh.

Yes it does try ringing them to see if they will change it. It must be worth a try
Aileen

Exactly why I don't have insurance!

40 years ago I had an afghan, my first pedigree dog and so I insured him.  During the first year he had an upset tummy that I was stuggling to sort.  I took a sample to the Vet and by the time the results came back, the dog was fine.  The insurance paid for the consultation and lab fee less the VERY small excess, as it used to be in those days! :)  When the renewal came through it said "Excluding an digestive problems".  My dog was fine but if he did have an ongoing digestive problem, then that was when I would have needed insurance!  I've never insuranced again!

But these days, some policies give life long cover.  These policies are expensive but I would have thought that if anyone has a sickly dog, the that would be the way to go.

So hang on let me understand: you've had the policy for at least a year with no lapses but at renewal they've suddenly imposed a pre existing condition clause? 

OK, I think that's because you bought an insurance with annual benefit limits and an annual policy limit.  You can check AFI's policy wording here

I'm not sure these restricted policies are ever worth it and would always recommend lifetime cover with the highest benefits you can afford.  The trouble as you've found out with 'limited' policies is that, after claiming, they can apply catch-all exclusions which massively reduce your cover.  This is why companies like this have no need for expensive renewals as they are reducing their risk each year.

Re your query about last years condition:  As far as I understand it, once you reach your benefit limit (£) you will no longer be covered for that condition.  Until you reach the benefit limit you can claim for 12 months following onset (subject to renewal) but again only up to the benefit limit.  Once you hit the benefit limit or the 12 month limit  (whichever comes sooner) that condition will be excluded for future.

I would also agree with dogs a babe, our Boxer and Boston both have Life Cover the Boston is with Petplan and is £46 which is stupid for such a little dog but we learnt our lesson from one of our other Boxers he had a eye ulcer that lasted about months so obviously we claimed for this it was in his right eye then he got another in his left eye by this time the policy had come up for renewal and wass worded that we couldnt claim as it was a exsisting condition even though in the other eye so that is why we now have life cover by the way our new Boxer is with Animal Friends and that is £30 for her life cover but please make sure you go for the higher one if you can afford it and check what they cover for.

No, I do have the life cover Superior Plus, these exclusions are because I changed to them last year from M & S they have now had medical report from my vets and because he had been seen for these everyday things they are now exclued from any future insurance..will call them later today see if I can get any joy

They are being over zealous in their exclusions but, to be fair - they do make that clear in their policy.  Point 2.4.1.2 is the killer!

So for instance, if your dog fell in a pond and got an ear infection at 3 months (treatment Surolan), IF he was diagnosed later with an allergy which also resulted in sore ears (ie same symptoms, Clinical Signs, and same treatment, although different cause) your insurance company would say it was a pre existing condition and possibly/probably an early sign of what was to later be diagnosed as an allergy.  Not fair, not exactly accurate, but still within the letter of their policy

2.4 Exclusions
The following are excluded from cover:
2.4.1 Costs resulting from an Accident or Injury or Illness that:
2.4.1.1 first showed Clinical Signs before the Commencement Date or within the Waiting Period of the Commencement Date;
2.4.1.2 is the same as or has the same diagnosis or Clinical Signs as an Accident, Injury, Illness or Clinical signs Your Pet had before the Commencement Date;
2.4.1.3 is caused by, relates to or results from an Accident, Injury, Illness or Clinical Signs Your Pet had before the Commencement Date.
Please note if Your Pet first showed any Clinical Signs; or had an Accident, Injury or an Illness; or was diagnosed with a Condition during the Waiting Period or prior to the Commencement Date, We reserve the right to apply an exclusion to Your Policy in respect of this Accident, Injury, Illness or Condition.

Your only option would be to discuss each possible future claim with the vet and enlist their help to support you if they feel a subsequent condition is completely unrelated to an earlier one.  The above scenario happened to me but my vet was adamant that an infection in one ear caused by a dunking in the pond was absolutely NOT related to his subsequent allergy.  Luckily the insurance co were convinced by 2 letters and a telephone call and my claims for allergy treatment were paid in full, and they continue to pay.

For any one else reading this it does pay to be very wary of moving insurers OR not getting puppies insured quickly.  You have been caught out by the former, and I nearly got caught by the latter.  If I were you I would continue the insurance but keep very accurate records fo what treatment you receive and why, to be used in case of a disputed claim.  I'd also try and get some clarity about the wide exclusion they've put on and do ask what would happen in the event your vet says a new condition is unrelated to anything previous symptoms or diagnosis.  Good luck :)

Have just called them spoke to a very nice lady, and the exclustions  apply for 1 year if no claims or any more visits to the vet for the same things they will take them off! so that is good news, good job I have changed to fish4 dogs so no runs, olive oil for his ears and tea bags for his eye's  No really I think they were being a bit over zealous, you live and learn.. but then I do rush to the vet's can't have my boy any less than A1

Well that was worth the call. Best you wrap Stan the Man in cotton wool for the year then...Glad to hear you keep him A!, I'd have him back else ;) ;)
Aileen

I had the same thing with Remy, they said that if I could get his old vet to write a letter detailing what things were one-off problems then those would be removed from the exclusion list.

Ahh you would have him back now he is 5 he is a very quite laid back gent now!! but think he would still rise to the bait of those pesky smelly girls..XX