Hi,

Just wondered if anybody has had any experience with them and how well do they pay out etc? I am thinking about possibly switching from Petplan who are brilliant at paying out for claims but they are just getting a bit expensive now for 4 dogs.

Thanks

I tried to get a quote from them but they have a long lis of dogs they will not insure including Bullmastiffs so I couldn't :( I know AXA underwrite alot of other companies insurance so chances are people may not even realise they are with AXA in the first place.

Up until recently I would have recommended them. But not any more!

They do pay out pretty quickly, usually 4-6 weeks IME, and their premiums had been reasonable, only going up by small amounts at renewal. This year however most of my premiums have doubled and with 5 dogs insured with them my annual bill went up from around £1300 to £2200. I've now got 3 still insured with them (existing conditions), one insured elsewhere and another uninsured.

GSD nearly 4 years old,   on top level lifetime cover

1st year              £160ish, claims of about £1k
2nd year             £150ish, no claims
this is 3rd year    £240ish

They seem quick to pay out and Vet is happy to get payment from them, unlike with some firms when you have to pay vet up front and then wait for insurance to pay you.
Chris

Both my sister and I have our dogs insured with Axa and we've both found them to be incredibly slow at paying out, up to 2 months for straight forward claims. When I used M&S a few years ago they were also very slow to cough up ( 4 months ) at the time they were underwritten by Axa, if it wasn't for the fact Spud wouldn't get insured with anyone else due to claims for Mast Cell tumours I'd change companies.
I tried to get Ben insured when I first got him and only Petplan would cover him just because he's a type of Mastiff, I asked Axa why this was and it's because they think there's a greater risk for damage claims as Mastiffs are so aggressive !....what a load of tripe !

Tried a few weeks ago to insure my bitch with Axa but they would not cover her as I have now stopped giving  yearly boosters to older dogs,most other companies just say they would not cover the dog for any illness that would be covered by boosting.

Forgot to say her M&S insurance had gone up from £440 last year to £880 now that she is 9 years old, even though we have never made a claim.

Vanna I was the same, I was going  back to Axa before I had to claim on Petguard in case they end up not covering ongoing conditions if and when when they get their new underwriter and noticed this new policy exclusion.

Thanks for the replies, my 4 are currently with petplan and it has gone up to £95 a month (from £85 last year), Im guessing its because my lab will be 6 this year so more prone to health problems and we did have a big claim last year as he developed vestibular syndrome. They usually pay out in 2-3 weeks I have found and are good with paying the vet direct too. Guess ill have a think about it.