I've had a letter from Direct Line today to say that my excess premium (per dog) is now going up to £65.  I pay £35 per month for the two of them and have a policy that doesn't stop treating them for recurring conditions. 

Is this reasonable?  Anyone care to compare?  ;)

Jo

go with m/s they got the better insurance on the market at the moment

Have you made a claim or a yours dogs over 8 now
As I am with direct line have been for over a year and I hope they don't put mine up as that is a huge steep

Well one of the dogs has had a claim in the past but the other one never had a claim on it.  Its been put up £20 for excess for each dog and £1.50 per month for each dog, we got a letter yesterday, apparentely its something to do with their financial audit this year, seems a bit steep to me!  I shall be looking around.

Hi Jo, I'm with DL too.  Are they increasing the xs at renewal?      

My 2 dogs renewal was in March and nothing has changed
but I have not claimed yet and hopefully I won't have too

Ours was a renewal for our oldest dog and its partly due to them and some financial company merging or something, i can't find the paper.  If you've already renewed you may be lucky but they are applying these increases to our pup as well - we've only had him 12 weeks.  I think variations on increases may coincide with post codes.  Jo

Hello - Mack is with Sainsburys and his premium has been reduced by £5.00! Excess remains at £50.

I thought this was really good and have put the £5 to good use by sponsoring a rescued westie for £5 per month!

And yes claims have been made for Mack's skin problem to nearly £2000!

I got my renewal from direct line last month and was pleasantly surprised to see the premiums had only gone up £2 per month until I read the rest of the document and my exess has gone up another £25 but they have introduced a vet phone line for their treasured customers- like NHS 24 for dogs.  I don't know about any other people who insure their dogs with direct line but I would rather have a cheaper excess than have someone trying to diagnose my dog over the phone.  I'm moving house next month and once that is settled I'm going to join up with M&S as they are providing excellent cover at very cheap rates and have been highly recommended by fellow champdoggers.

Interesting Jo, ours was renewed in April this year and so far I haven't received anything in writing regarding an increase to the excess.  It was my understanding that they can't actually amend the policy schedule or T & C (i.e. existing contract) until the next renewal date. Unless for some reason they cannot provide insurance mid term and in this case they have to provide a refund.

I think I'll give them a call tomorrow.

Edited to say, I got one of those letters for a vet phone line too as an addition to the policy.  I thought it was a good idea at the time but then wondered if there was something not so good to follow ;-)

I know, if only I can find the letter I'll phone them again, don't see why Lubos should go up too, I've phoned them once but they politely and firmly told me that this is the way its going to stay, made it sound like the area I live in is v. dodgy and that it might be because its London.  (I thought it might be because my eldest was quite ill 3 years ago!).  I might shop around then, M&S was 18 per month with no excess, does anyone know if they're any good with stuff that comes back (I speak with weary experience) as Poppy nearly died with reoccuring gastroenteritis and had I been with a couple of others they wouldn't have covered me)).

Talk about held to ransom, i thought I had such a good deal.  I saw that about the phone line, but like the NHS one they'll tell you if in doubt see a vet!  although the NHS one doesn't say that they say see a doctor  :)

I used to be with Pet plan with my previous dog and when he got older than 10 years, my excess was £100 plus 20% of the cost.His premium was about £25 per month and he was a cross breed. Have gone with M&S for the puppy and it increases every 4 years (apparently).

I also use M & S which included a 5% discount if you have one of their cards, also i pay a few pounds more so i dont have any excess to pay should i have to use it (fingers crossed that i dont)

Ref DL, apparently the excess increased in May 2005 to £65.00.  It takes effect on all new business and renewals.  So anyone opening a new policy or renewing an existing policy after April 2005 will have a £65.00 excess. 

I wouldn't have said that's unreasonable, isn't there some insurance companies where you have to pay the excess plus a percentage of the bill as the dog gets older? 

For young dogs tho, I can see how other insurance companies would be more attractive.