Re this subject, I have done some research, and have spoken to the Kennel Club twice.
First time, basically the same spiel about costs of veterinary treatment rising etc etc. Told we could reduce our premium by increasing the excess from £95 to £160, but once changed this cannot be reversed. Also by having a variable excess of either 10% or 20%, this would also reduce the premium. So if Dylan had an illness claim for say £1,000, we would pay the excess of £95 or £160, PLUS the variable of 10 or 20% of the claim, so £160 + either 10% or 20% of the remaining £860 (equals another £86 or £172).
I also asked about an age when a hike in premium would occur, and was told that at 9 years of age the 20% variable excess would be applied. I said I would go away and think about it.
Phoned up today, to see about removing our cover abroad, (we've no plans to travel at the moment, it can be added back at any time), that makes a difference of about £12.00 a year (!)
By removing the foreign travel and having £160 fixed excess, this would reduce our premium from the new 40% price hike of £31.77 to £25.27. I wasn't interested in the variable excess.
HOWEVER -
I again asked about the 9 years of age application of the variable excess of 20%, this was confirmed, and the operator then said that at 5 years of age a 10% variable excess would be applied. I was not told this in the previous call.
There is absolutely nothing in the policy documents about this, and I was not informed about it when I took the policy out. The clause they cover themselves with says "If we offer to renew your policy we may change your premium, policy terms, conditions, policy excesses and the monetary amount of cover under any section'.
Now we all know that certain breeds have certain conditions that increase risk, and at different ages, e.g. large breeds have shorter lives etc etc., so the Kennel Club know the risk of each breed and the age at which they are likely to need treatment. So why when you take the policy out are you not informed that these excesses will apply at a particular age for the breed of dog you have?
I think this is underhand and sharp practice. They obviously have a list of set increases for all breeds (after all they only insure dogs), but they do not tell you your premiums will be increased, and cover themselves with a vague clause.
So, in short, my premium has gone up by 40%.
I have increased the fixed excess by £65
When he gets to 5 the variable excess will increase by 10%
When he gets to 9 it will increase by 20%
This is without any further price hikes they may make in the meantime.
I expected better from the Kennel Club. I have protested about these variable excess increases and am awaiting a call back from a manager. It might be an idea to check your policy to see what it says about this, or make a call to clarify your position. I have a 14 day cooling off period, I shall again be trawling the net for other insurance. We're pensioners so on a fixed income, had we know all these conditions from the outset we would have thought twice about it. Any comments appreciated.
Lesley and my ticking time bomb Dylan