CockersOnline Forum

Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Insurance => Topic started by: 8 Hairy Feet on June 14, 2013, 09:49:37 AM

Title: Axa
Post by: 8 Hairy Feet on June 14, 2013, 09:49:37 AM
After having a stupid hike in my
insurance premium for Ellie :luv:
(despite no claims) I decide to move to Axa.
I got an excellent quote online and although
I had difficulty retrieving it the following week
one of the staff has gone above and beyond to
help me and I would like to give them a big
thumbs up. (Thanks Reuben!)
So the insurance premium for this year is....
136 quid... not 497 as quoted by Argos >:D
steffxxx
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: piph on June 15, 2013, 05:47:54 PM
Steff - do they cover the dog for life and do you have to pay anything towards each claim, apart from the yearly excess?
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Lovely on June 17, 2013, 09:31:53 PM
I'm with AXA and am also happy with the cost in comparison with other insurers. I would say though that they are not hugely quick at paying out on a claim, and I have had both brilliant and awful help when contacting them. I will not name the very unhelpful person, but will mention a lady called Rosie who has been absolutely fantastic. Mine is lifetime cover I think max on each condition is £7000 and I pay £75 excess for each claim.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: ali2010 on June 17, 2013, 09:48:33 PM
We are with AXA , again up to £7000 per condition and we've had to make 4 claims within the last year and a half, they have paid up every time (so far so good)
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: SophieBlueRoanLover on June 17, 2013, 10:12:21 PM
I'm also with Axa, and have been pleased with the speed with which they paid out, but the process for claiming is a bit hit-and-miss - ie. you have to phone and leave a message and then wait for them to send you the claim forms - I never received mine, so ended up going through to the customer services, and they sent lots of forms!

I'd be interested to know whether people who've had to claim have had massive hikes in premiums. With Henry's recent diagnosis of a cataract I'm expecting a fair amount of costs this year, so don't want the premium to go through the roof...
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: tonio on July 23, 2013, 09:06:06 PM

Expect a major hike on renewal in my very recent experience.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Maria on July 24, 2013, 03:46:11 PM

Expect a major hike on renewal in my very recent experience.

And ours.....
and just read on FB that they are stopping pet insurance, but will arrange future cover for dogs with ongoing conditions!!!
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: supergirl on July 24, 2013, 04:02:03 PM

Expect a major hike on renewal in my very recent experience.

And ours.....
and just read on FB that they are stopping pet insurance, but will arrange future cover for dogs with ongoing conditions!!!

Are you sure? - I've just had a renewal for Ellie come through, and while she has no ongoing conditions I wouldn't have thought that they would want to renew her policy if they were no longer going to offer pet insurance.    :dunno:  Perhaps they're not going to underwrite some of the other pet insurers anymore.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Holly Berry on July 24, 2013, 04:41:52 PM

Expect a major hike on renewal in my very recent experience.

And ours.....
and just read on FB that they are stopping pet insurance, but will arrange future cover for dogs with ongoing conditions!!!

Are you sure? - I've just had a renewal for Ellie come through, and while she has no ongoing conditions I wouldn't have thought that they would want to renew her policy if they were no longer going to offer pet insurance.    :dunno:  Perhaps they're not going to underwrite some of the other pet insurers anymore.

It's true, just phoned them. Chap on the phone said he believes its because the claims are outstripping the premiums! I'm not suprised, as vets fees are so high and they seem to offer meds or procedures for everything these days  :shades:
Apparently just before the policy expires they will offer an alternative provider, probably underwritten by the same co as axa and will offer as near as possible to existing policy. Wait to see. Disappointed as have been really pleased with them, although only ever made one claim when Rosie broke her tooth.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: supergirl on July 24, 2013, 05:51:34 PM
Seems strange, Ellie's insurance expires in two weeks and today I've received her renewal, no mention of an alternative.  If it is the case then it will affect a lot of pet insurance providers as AXA underwrite a lot of them.

ETA:
have just seen this on their website:

New business pet insurance is no longer available from AXA. Existing customers, you can still receive the support you need until your policy expires.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Homebird on July 24, 2013, 06:02:49 PM
It's obviously just happened because I was researching pet insurance yesterday and the site was still offering it - but not today.

Vet's fees have gone up tremendously - I wonder if it is because people have insurance and so they can charge more - years ago we were able to afford them and hardly anyone had insurance.  But perhaps the facilities are much better these days and obviously there are more expensive treatments.

If there is less insurance around or people can't afford premiums maybe consultation fees will go down! 
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: ladylola on July 24, 2013, 06:04:19 PM
This is what the Halifax and Lloyd's did.
Soon won't be able to get pet insurance at this rate. Or it will be extortionate premiums.

I really believe some vets are overcharging now people have pet insurance.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: supergirl on July 24, 2013, 06:25:38 PM
I've just had a look at one comparison site and a lot of the insurers are asking for a percentage of the final bill along with the excess.  A few years ago with my first dog I had a similar policy and the vet bill was huge - that percentage soon adds up.  At the time it was 15% and on a £4500 bill thats £675.

I might try and see if they will renew Ellies policy as she has no pre-existing conditions.  Thankfully the other dogs policies (all with AXA) don't run out until Jan 2014
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: jasper_boy on July 24, 2013, 08:49:59 PM
I had Vixen's renewal through a couple of weeks ago, a 447% increase  >:( went from £190 per year to over £1000 per year. She has a terminal illness that requires no ongoing treatment, so its not like there will be any huge claims before she dies.

I am seriously worried about this as I have all 4 of my dogs with Axa. I claimed the maximum amount 2 years running for Jacob's new hips and the MRI's on his spine. Its likely that there will more disc deterioration in the future and he will need treatment, so I am concerned as to how much his premium will increase each year.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: ali2010 on July 24, 2013, 09:01:35 PM
Seems strange, Ellie's insurance expires in two weeks and today I've received her renewal, no mention of an alternative.  If it is the case then it will affect a lot of pet insurance providers as AXA underwrite a lot of them.

ETA:
have just seen this on their website:

New business pet insurance is no longer available from AXA. Existing customers, you can still receive the support you need until your policy expires.

Oh no does this mean we won't be able to renew our policy? Think Alberts policy runs out in october and we are having ongoing tests on his for liver problems
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: jasper_boy on July 24, 2013, 09:07:11 PM
Seems strange, Ellie's insurance expires in two weeks and today I've received her renewal, no mention of an alternative.  If it is the case then it will affect a lot of pet insurance providers as AXA underwrite a lot of them.

ETA:
have just seen this on their website:

New business pet insurance is no longer available from AXA. Existing customers, you can still receive the support you need until your policy expires.

Oh no does this mean we won't be able to renew our policy? Think Alberts policy runs out in october and we are having ongoing tests on his for liver problems

I think it means that the policy will continue unless you cancel it. So any ongoing conditions will be covered each year, unless you do not pay, then the policy will be cancelled. On all of the new renewals you will see, in bold, that it now says that if they are unable to take the first payment from the renewal then your policy will be cancelled.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Maria on July 24, 2013, 09:41:32 PM
I read it differently, because all policies are annual, and needed annual renewal (with new premiums). So my interpretation is that if you currently have a policy, it will only last until renewal date -  but they will try and find alternatives, and indeed will be required to for those with existing conditions.....
As an aside up until a few days ago you could still get quotes , and I discovered that you could be living in the same road and have different quotes on the same dog, but one postcode cost over £100 more !
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: airyfairy76 on July 27, 2013, 07:36:30 PM
Was doing some reading on another forum, as Lottie is insured with Axa, but she is not due up for renewal until April next year.  It is all very misty at the moment, with al, of the following being possible options:

1. Axa will continue to insure all existing policy holders
2. Axa will continue to pay out for those with existing conditions
3. They will write to you with recommendations for other providers when your policy is up for renewal.  

Lottie doesn't have any problems yet (touch wood) but even when I did quotes as a 12 week old pup, they were the cheapest by far (the next cheapest with comparable cover was £6 a month more!) so this is all very vexing.  It must be very worrying for those with pets with existing conditions.

For those of you who have had more than one policy cycle, what happened at the end of the year? Did they just continue taking it from your account unless you cancelled it?
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: abkb on July 27, 2013, 09:31:28 PM
Was doing some reading on another forum, as Lottie is insured with Axa, but she is not due up for renewal until April next year.  It is all very misty at the moment, with al, of the following being possible options:

1. Axa will continue to insure all existing policy holders
2. Axa will continue to pay out for those with existing conditions
3. They will write to you with recommendations for other providers when your policy is up for renewal.  

Lottie doesn't have any problems yet (touch wood) but even when I did quotes as a 12 week old pup, they were the cheapest by far (the next cheapest with comparable cover was £6 a month more!) so this is all very vexing.  It must be very worrying for those with pets with existing conditions.

For those of you who have had more than one policy cycle, what happened at the end of the year? Did they just continue taking it from your account unless you cancelled it?

They did with my Molly for her previous policy;Sainsburys kept taking the monthly payment until I cancelled.

I have Finley with Axa at the mo, no claims. Has anyone thought about cancelling? I'm seriously considering it.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: pam1 on July 28, 2013, 10:59:40 AM



I have Finley with Axa at the mo, no claims. Has anyone thought about cancelling? I'm seriously considering it.

I have Ollie and Poppy with Axa at the mo, with no claims, both new policies taken out beginning of June -I have decided to cancel the policies because if something does happen (and fingers crossed, touch wood it doesn't) ;) I don't want to be stuck with a company I haven't chosen.  >:( 
I have just been through the TopCashBack site and had a quote with morethan for £26 for both of them - lifetime cover - with £40 cash back, so I think I will change to that.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: airyfairy76 on July 28, 2013, 01:13:43 PM
Nicked from another forum...

Statement from Axa

Axa has announced it is no longer taking on new pet insurance customers. We have now received the following statement from Axa:

“After a strategic review of our business lines, we have decided to no longer offer pet insurance through AXA Direct and swiftcover.com, and focus on our core product lines of Home, Motor and Travel insurance. AXA will continue to provide cover for existing customers until a new insurer is secured. At the time of the switch over, existing customers will have their policies transferred to the new insurer who will continue to provide them with the same or similar levels of pet insurance cover. Customers will be contacted with more details before their policies are transferred.”

Our insurance doctor Neil Flint, from VIP, is working on getting the correct advice together and we will get this to those affected as soon as possible. Please do keep an eye on our page over the next few days.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: SophieBlueRoanLover on July 29, 2013, 12:29:09 PM
Ooh, just stumbled upon this and I'm glad I did!

I took out insurance with Axa last September and have made three separate claims and have had no problem being paid out (once I managed to get hold of a claim form). My renewal will come up in mid-September, but I'm due to have a check-up with the opthamologist (about £200) at the beginning of October. I assume that policies will be transferred, with the existing conditions covered, to a new provider. If not then I'm a bit screwed (well, hopefully Henry's eye condition won't have changed so won't require further treatment, but don't want to have to fork out £200 for a annual check-up).
Grrrr!
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: SophieBlueRoanLover on July 29, 2013, 12:32:12 PM
PS. I'm not surprised, as their website hasn't offered pet insurance for ages. When I did my first claim back in March I couldn't find the links to the pet area and the links from my policy email didn't work.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: abkb on July 29, 2013, 08:20:34 PM



I have Finley with Axa at the mo, no claims. Has anyone thought about cancelling? I'm seriously considering it.

I have Ollie and Poppy with Axa at the mo, with no claims, both new policies taken out beginning of June -I have decided to cancel the policies because if something does happen (and fingers crossed, touch wood it doesn't) ;) I don't want to be stuck with a company I haven't chosen.  >:( 
I have just been through the TopCashBack site and had a quote with morethan for £26 for both of them - lifetime cover - with £40 cash back, so I think I will change to that.

I've also just jumped ship and put Fin with John Lewis who Molly is with (should have done that in the first place!) £26 for the both of them per month on their plus cover £7.5k per year). Certainly wasn't going to stay with Axa and wait for them to place me with a different company. The man I spoke to at Axa sounded as if he'd done a fair few cancellations!
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: airyfairy76 on July 29, 2013, 08:43:06 PM
I've also just jumped ship and put Fin with John Lewis who Molly is with (should have done that in the first place!) £26 for the both of them per month on their plus cover £7.5k per year). Certainly wasn't going to stay with Axa and wait for them to place me with a different company. The man I spoke to at Axa sounded as if he'd done a fair few cancellations!

Don't know why it's so expensive for me - over £20 just for six month old Lottie on their plus cover!  As are most insurers  >:(
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: abkb on July 29, 2013, 08:54:47 PM
I've also just jumped ship and put Fin with John Lewis who Molly is with (should have done that in the first place!) £26 for the both of them per month on their plus cover £7.5k per year). Certainly wasn't going to stay with Axa and wait for them to place me with a different company. The man I spoke to at Axa sounded as if he'd done a fair few cancellations!

Don't know why it's so expensive for me - over £20 just for six month old Lottie on their plus cover!  As are most insurers  >:(

Some of them are very silly, I guess it could depend on location (we're up North) but also keep shopping around. Also go through quidco who usually offer cash back  :blink:
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Mary P on July 30, 2013, 09:06:58 PM
Hmmm.

I phoned and asked for a claim form only today due to Inky's Addisons. If they dump me it will be impossible to insure him with an ongoing condition.  :o Only diagnosed over the w/e  >:(
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: supergirl on August 05, 2013, 08:37:07 AM
I've just renewed my policy for Ellie (£15) with AXA and asked about existing customers - from what I was told they will honour existing customers and offer existing customers renewals.  I also asked about my other policies for the other dogs which renew in Jan 2014 and was told that they would offer a renewals when they are due.  Have to add that none of my dogs have existing conditions other than Lexi who has two unrelated eye problems.  It is only new business that they are not taking on.
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: ali2010 on August 05, 2013, 02:15:31 PM
Have just phoned AXA and they tell me that "Pet insurance is no longer available to new customers from AXA but if you already hold a policy with AXA then you can renew it", they are just not taking on new customers

Thats a relief!
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Holly Berry on August 05, 2013, 04:49:31 PM
Have just phoned AXA and they tell me that "Pet insurance is no longer available to new customers from AXA but if you already hold a policy with AXA then you can renew it", they are just not taking on new customers

Thats a relief!

Perhaps they've had lots of upset customers and had a change of heart, because when the news first broke, they said they were pulling out of the market completely. Good news  :D
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: Mary P on August 07, 2013, 12:07:38 AM
Have just phoned AXA and they tell me that "Pet insurance is no longer available to new customers from AXA but if you already hold a policy with AXA then you can renew it", they are just not taking on new customers

Thats a relief!

Yes, that is a relief, as Inky's just become in need of his insurance....
Title: Re: Axa
Post by: SophieBlueRoanLover on August 28, 2013, 07:34:10 PM
Just had my renewal notice - gone up 7 times!!! Was £27 now £190 a month. Did claim last year, but still!

Must be a mistake - will call tomorrow.