Dear all,

We're the proud owners of a Spanish Water Dog. We've just been advised by our insurers (M&S) that our monthly premium for the upcoming year will rise by £10 per month! that means an increase by £120 a year. Having asked why they have told us that since Axa took over they have updated the system. I wonder if such an increase may have to do with the fact that we own a breed which is regarded as "rare" in this country. Has anyone encountered the same problem? Are there any insurers out there that provide lifetime cover at resonable rates?

Thanks for your cooperation.

Alex

chase went up from £11 to £18.45 in dec. he a fcr month
tangle a swd is £ 10  month
but i do get discount on muilt dogs too with m/s gollie  a swd with pinncles which £ 21.60 was £17.00

Unfortunately Alex it seems as though M&S are doing this to all breeds and I think that ours may still be one of the cheaper ones!

How was Spain?  How's Xandra?  Oooh not long to go now before the patter of tiny feet! :d 

is that human or puppies patter of tiny feet:rolleyes:

Human :d  It would be a bit hard for Ricky to have pups :d :d

I am a proud owner of a "common" breed  :D - and our premium went up from just over £13 per month to £24 for a 16 month Golden Retriever. It seems to be an across the board increase.

Am I right in thinking M&S premiums used to be very cheap? If so, they used that method to get more customers signed up, then they could hike the premiums up to the general level. If anyone had claimed for anything it wouldn't be worth their while changing insurers because that condition wouldn't be covered in the future. So they have their clientele hooked, and in a few years they repeat the process ...

JG that was exactly what I thought when I received my first renewal.

I rang them to ask about the increase and the reply was that the underwriter had advised them that young dogs were more likely to have an accident so young dogs premiums had been increased accordingly. When I pointed out that this didn't exactly tie in with the fact that the policy clearly states dogs who are 7 or older automatically incur an additional payment of 15% of vets fees on top of any excess and so would suggest to me that they are expecting larger claims for older dogs the man I spoke to was unable to comment on it!

It's the principle that was explained to me by the rep from "A.N.Other" Insurance (no names, no pack-drill!) who came to talk to the staff at the surgery where I work.

We gave up insuring this year when our PetPlan premiums for 2 dog (mongrel and Aussie) went up to £50 per month :( Even though Bramble is now on Rimadyl for his arthritis we have saved money :)

Daisy

JG I think its more to do with a change in underwriter. All new premiums are now changed to the higher prices, so i would have thought if they originally did it to attract new customers they would still be doing the same now. They changed underwriters last summer which is when the premiums started going up.

I was expecting a big increase for one of my young male cockers but itr only went up by less than £2 so was pleasantly surprised. I still think for the cover they give, its good value for money

When I got my GSD seven years ago I took out an insurance policy but my excess was fifty pounds so when she had to be treated for a few minor injuries I couldn't claim so I decided to  cancel my policy open a high interest  bank account and just put the premium in there every month and did the same when I got my second dog. Now I have quite a bit of money there in case they did ever need treatment and no excess to pay.

Well if I saved each month what the insurance costs, then I wouldn't have saved enough for Izzy's recent treatment (£1300 so far and counting :rolleyes:).
But then I'd rather have her fit and healthy than to have the insurance worth it's weight in gold.

That's exactly what I do - with 3 dogs,  insurance was a big cost.  I opened a high interest savings a/c and pay a monthly amount - a bit more than I would have paid to insure them.  So far I've been lucky and not had any major problems, so I have a good little nest egg building if I do need it.  I know vet fees are tremendous with a major problem, but I think you also have to weigh up the pain of the interventions and the dogs quality of life, if they are badly injured or ill.  Like any insurance, you are paying for the possible risk, but I do think some of these insurance companies are cashing in on us pet lovers. 

Well folks this doesnt surprise me, I have recently changed to M&S just put in a claim form to my vet, and she said that all pet ins at the mo are being picky,and M&S more so,just hope they pay this latest claim, then I have to say I am looking round.
Now....have heard "More than" were good any ideas anyone...? and my friend is with Saga but havent got to the age yet for them..:rolleyes:

Be aware that any condition you have claimed for with M&S will NOT be covered by another company if you decide to switch, so if your dog is likely to need ongoing treatment you'd be better to stick with M&S

This is my first claim for my boy he had severe gastroneteritis over New Year, they wanted 2 yrs vet notes to go with the claim form, our vet was surprised, was with Pet Plan before and no such trouble, only moved as, for my 2 goldens one 3yrs, one 12 months the monthly cost was £24 each....

In response to MuffyMoo - But there probably wouldn't be enough if (God forbid) there was ever a third party claim against your dog.  It's more for this reason that I insure my dog, rather than for vet fees.

the two main reason for me insureing my dogs are  thrid partly claim and vet fee not worried about the others details on the policy this two are the main reason.
after going on trevor cooper semiar on dog law this was one point he point out was to be insured for third party.

not all household insurance will cover the dog out side the house if theres a claim.like the dog cause a rta.biting someone,snatching or jumpering up to scare someone. flighting with another dog or killing live stock, if your dog cause this problem how are you going to fund the case if it gos to court.sell your house and be homeless all because of a few pounds a week,

Dare I say it! I'm an insurance Broker! and i know if my dog had become ill in the first few years I would have had to pay out & thats a risk I am willing to take.I now have a nice nest egg for my dogs and their future.

Same here Daisy.  I decised after my insurance went up for one of them to cancel and start putting money away.  Second dogs insurance is due to finish end of month and I shall start putting double away.  I have already a nice little sum built up in a separate doggy account. 

I just had exactly the same problem - Went up from £9.20 to £16.90
I have not made a claim and I was told it was due to the underwriters Axa making the decision to increase premiums. I now have to make a claim and have phoned twice to get a claim form and still recieved nothing!! Hopefully they will get their act together when it comes to paying up!!

Setters4me, you don't have to phone them to get a claim form anymore, you can download one from their website. GO to m and s pet insurance, click on quote and buy, click next, then a seperate window will come up asking for details. Don't bother putting details in but on the left hand side it says contact us. Click on this, scroll down and there is a form you can download. They do tend to take a while sending out forms, so its much easier to download it yourself.
I have to say though, petplan quoted me over £60 for 3 dogs which would be over £20 each per month with an £80 excess so i personally think htat although they have put one of mine up to £16, one to £15 and one to £11 with no excess i am still getting a bargain.

Are M+S still not asking for an excess. I have put 5 claims with them for Breeze in 18 months and have not had to pay anything towards it. I paid annually so its not due until the summer. Having a Rottie, even though a very friendly one, the 3rd party liability is essential for us.

Pet Protect for my cocker is now a little over £53 per month! 

Yes, I believe you can still have the no excess option with M&S.  I'm don't know how much I'll be paying next year for my two but I do know that I can't afford to be without it as I've made several claims in the last six months, probably totalling well in excess of £1500 :rolleyes: Even if I'd been saving the equivalent of the premiums in an account, I doubt I would have anywhere near that amount saved.

Thank you! I did have a quick look to see if there was a form I could download but must have missed it! That will save a lot of time!!!