CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Insurance => Topic started by: SophieBlueRoanLover on August 28, 2013, 07:31:49 PM
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Just added this to another thread, but thought I'd start a new one to see if anyone else has had anything like this. I got my renewal notice from Axa today - they are asking £2,283 for the year!!!!! £190 PER MONTH, up from £27 per month - that's a 7 times increase!
I am still gob-smacked. I've claimed for about £800 in total this year. Irritatingly Henry's cataract needs another check-up, due a couple of weeks after the policy is up for renewal, so will call tomorrow to see if they can fit him in before it's due for renewal, so that the £190 for the appointment is covered.
I am absolutely gob-smacked and shocked and also really irritated. Obviously I will be changing providers, but now his eye condition won't be covered by anyone else. The reason I went with Axa in the first place was to cover lifetime conditions and now I've been scr*wed!
Anyone else had this experience?
There's absolutely no mention whatsoever about them not doing pet insurance any more, just this insane price hike. Absolutely astounding! It must be a mistake....
Sorry - this should be in the Insurance thread, not Health - please can the mods move it!
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That is ridiculous ...any possibility it is a mistake? Have you spoken to them and did they offer any explanation?
I really hope it is not a sign of things to come as I have both pooches insured with them. Fingers crossed you can get Henry seen before the renewal date.
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I'll call them tomorrow - it has to be a mistake. I probably won't be able to get him seen before the renewal date, as we're off to Cornwall and only back the day before it expires. Will try to get an appointment that day!
Will post an update tomorrow once I've spoken to them. Really really angry about it! >:D >:D >:D >:D >:D >:D
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Thats ridiculous. Really hope its a mistake, we also use AXA so will be interested to hear if it is a mistake
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I'll call them tomorrow - it has to be a mistake. I probably won't be able to get him seen before the renewal date, as we're off to Cornwall and only back the day before it expires. Will try to get an appointment that day!
Will post an update tomorrow once I've spoken to them. Really really angry about it! >:D >:D >:D >:D >:D >:D
I am not surprised you are feeling angry...I would be bloody livid >:D
Will be very interesting to hear what they say when you ring them tomorrow....I really hope they are not pricing everyone out so that they have to change insurers at renewal...especially for those who have dogs with health issues
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:o I too am with Axa, has to be a mistake please let us know Axas response :luv:
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I would contact the insurance ombudsman if you don't get any satisfaction, and also the tv. How annoying here it's 46 euro
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Why dont you get some comparison quotes before you give them a call, just to give you an indication of what the going rate is? Obviously you will have to declare Henrys Cataract problem and it will no doubt be excluded, but at least you will know.
Make sure you get the appointment with the specialist before the policy runs out ;)
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Even if you do decide to move providers, you really need to contact the ombudsman about that - that is beyond ridiculous :o
Mine was up for renewal last month and I was dreading it after hearing about everybody elses premium hikes and the fact he had turned 9. It only went up from £21 to £26.
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If it's not a mistake I'm definitely going to get in touch with the ombudsman - had already thought about that. It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! I was upset that my house insurance was raised last year from £35 to £45 per month last year, but this is just ludicrous - it has to be a mistake. If not, then it definitely needs to be reported. Axa cannot possibly get away with this (think of how much the banks have been fined for mis-selling protection plans, etc...). And only giving me 3 weeks notice of such a hike is awful too, I think.
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Wow and again wow if that is right. I pay £138 per month for Jasper and we have claimed about 20k in five years. His policy increased by about £35 this year. So yours is way out of line if you have only claimed £800 we are with m&s btw. Good luck
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Wow, really shocking :o :o
Since AXA no longer take on new customers I wonder if this is their way of getting rid of their existing customers? By pushing the prices up so high they have no choice but to move to another company...
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I would contact the insurance ombudsman if you don't get any satisfaction, and also the tv. How annoying here it's 46 euro
Let us know what the response it. It must be a mistake as otherwise you may as well pay for treatment yourself. I'm sure that the ombudsman would have something to say about it. >:(
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Wow, really shocking :o :o
Since AXA no longer take on new customers I wonder if this is their way of getting rid of their existing customers? By pushing the prices up so high they have no choice but to move to another company...
Vixen's policy increased this year by 470% after one claim for £1300 for a MRI scan. She has no ongoing vet treatment but she still had the increase. I wouldn't be surprised if this is not a mistake to be honest :-\ I rang and spoke to the representative about Vixen's increase and he kept telling me that it was in relation to the one claim and my postcode. Makes no sense to me as all >:(
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I wonder with all these horror stories regarding pet insurance hikes, whether it would be worth contacting someone like 'Watchdog' to bring the matter into the open.
It would seem these companies have us over a barrel when it comes to pet insurance. >:D
I phoned up Petplan to carry on my insurance after the four week freebie, but agent would not tell me the difference between the different premiums - so I told them to send the details in writing so I can compare for myself. :shades:
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So, bad news >:D >:D It is no mistake!
"That's the best rate we can offer you for renewal" said the woman. So, policy cancelled, and from now on I will have to pay for any treatment relating to Henry's cataract myself. I am so annoyed about it. The woman gave me the complaints details for Axa, but I will definitely do more. Watchdog is a good idea, and the financial ombudsman. Perhaps a letter to the Sunday Times. Any other ideas?
I will also recommend all of my friends on FB to stay well away from Axa forever!!! Since they underwrite lots of other insurance policies I will also make sure I find out if they are the underwriters for any new policies and avoid.
Hopefully the others on here who are have renewals coming up won't have such appalling news as I have had.
Oh well, on the plus side I'm now working again so at least I can actually afford the treatment!!
Now have to shop around for a new policy - will need to overlap as they never cover the first 2 weeks either. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
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Thats terrible, we should get our renewal letter soon and given that Albert has just had major surgery am thinking the worst
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Thats terrible, we should get our renewal letter soon and given that Albert has just had major surgery am thinking the worst
Hope not for your sake.
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Jeez, don't let them get away with that. The Ombudsman really frown upon insurance companies trying to price you out of your policy which is exactly what Axa are doing here. There is no way that kind of price hike is proportionate to anything!
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I would also get in touch with Dogs Today magazine - they/their editor Beverly Cuddy did a lot of work during the Lloyds/Halifax fiasco.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dogs-Today-Magazine/22448504641?ref=ts&fref=ts
And email:
enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
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I'm getting angrier and angrier about this.
Just looked at the Direct Line website, which I'm sure has similar conditions to other policies. They state:
"The policy does not cover any conditions or symptoms that your pet suffered from prior to taking out the policy and before cover is in place. Or for any claim that is anyway connected with a pre-existing condition." There was also something about any remotely related symptoms too.
So does this mean that if Henry ever gets a stomach bug and I need to get poo tested I'm not covered (as this happened before)? I guess that's what it means.
So so angry and upset.
>:D >:D >:D
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I would also get in touch with Dogs Today magazine - they/their editor Beverly Cuddy did a lot of work during the Lloyds/Halifax fiasco.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dogs-Today-Magazine/22448504641?ref=ts&fref=ts
And email:
enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
Thanks JennyBee - will do! Just been googling and didn't find anything recent about this kind of thing, so this is really helpful.
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I would also get in touch with Dogs Today magazine - they/their editor Beverly Cuddy did a lot of work during the Lloyds/Halifax fiasco.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dogs-Today-Magazine/22448504641?ref=ts&fref=ts
And email:
enquiries@dogstodaymagazine.co.uk
Thanks JennyBee - will do! Just been googling and didn't find anything recent about this kind of thing, so this is really helpful.
This is the Facebook page for the Hound Out Halifax and Lloyds campaign, you never know there might be something helpful on it:
https://www.facebook.com/HoundOutHalifaxandLloyds?ref=ts&fref=ts
Really hope something is done about this, it is deeply worrying for all dog owners who insure.
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The Hound Out page has something about Axa withdrawing from the market, so I've added my info to that. Will be interesting to see if others have the same experience.
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Absolutely disgraceful that this is the price being quoted....would definitely report this to the ombudsman and anyone else who may be interested. It seems to me that this is the way they are getting rid of policy holders and preventing them from renewing....price people out the market and they will go elsewhere...seems very underhand to me.
I better start looking at quotes for my two girls as no doubt when their renewal comes in at the end of the year I am going to get a nasty surprise
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Might be worth any Axa insurance policy holder looking at the cancellation clauses - if your dog has no underlying conditions and you can cancel with no penalty then I'd get moving now, in case anything happens in the meantime.
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I'm getting angrier and angrier about this.
Just looked at the Direct Line website, which I'm sure has similar conditions to other policies. They state:
"The policy does not cover any conditions or symptoms that your pet suffered from prior to taking out the policy and before cover is in place. Or for any claim that is anyway connected with a pre-existing condition." There was also something about any remotely related symptoms too.
So does this mean that if Henry ever gets a stomach bug and I need to get poo tested I'm not covered (as this happened before)? I guess that's what it means.
So so angry and upset.
>:D >:D >:D
It's so infuriating. Have just upgraded my puppy 's Petplan insurance from essentials to lifetime cover. Had to mention any illnesses, conditions, vet visits. So I mentioned that he'd had his anal glands emptied - no infection or treatment. And he's had one ear infection. Not claimed for either. But he is now not covered for any ear conditions, skin conditions, allergies or anal gland issues or pruritis (sp?). Although, they will reassess the exclusions in a year's time so not as bad as some. But I do think vet fees and insurance are total ripoffs (tantamount to extortion).
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I'm getting angrier and angrier about this.
Just looked at the Direct Line website, which I'm sure has similar conditions to other policies. They state:
"The policy does not cover any conditions or symptoms that your pet suffered from prior to taking out the policy and before cover is in place. Or for any claim that is anyway connected with a pre-existing condition." There was also something about any remotely related symptoms too.
So does this mean that if Henry ever gets a stomach bug and I need to get poo tested I'm not covered (as this happened before)? I guess that's what it means.
So so angry and upset.
>:D >:D >:D
It's so infuriating. Have just upgraded my puppy 's Petplan insurance from essentials to lifetime cover. Had to mention any illnesses, conditions, vet visits. So I mentioned that he'd had his anal glands emptied - no infection or treatment. And he's had one ear infection. Not claimed for either. But he is now not covered for any ear conditions, skin conditions, allergies or anal gland issues or pruritis (sp?). Although, they will reassess the exclusions in a year's time so not as bad as some. But I do think vet fees and insurance are total ripoffs (tantamount to extortion).
Absolutely, I'd be stuffed if I was in the same position and had to move >:D Brodie has been to the vets over many things, most minor such as warts, sore legs, urine infections etc, and other more serious such as severe, chronic ear/skin conditions and pancreatitis. I am with PetPlan and hoping that that means I will be safe from this since they are a company targeted purely at pet insurance, but if they decide to copy others and raise their (already high) prices I have nowhere to go :-\
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Slightly different but my brother was screwed over by Axa medical insurance. He got very ill on a trip and his recovery cost him thousands. He was fully covered and they have never paid up. He has tried fighting them but their solicitors somehow keep it out of court.
Axa are not a very nice company.
I have lifetime cover with PetPlan and this year it went up to £67 per month. I am very tempted to lower the cover from Supreme next year and put the extra in savings account.
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I cannot believe that. I really thought you were going to post and say it was a mistake after all!!!
Gobsmacked is an understatement! Really needs to be taken further as others have suggested. They cannot get away with this - other companies will just follow suit and then so many people will have problems funding monthly insurance payments.
Good luck.
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Slightly different but my brother was screwed over by Axa medical insurance. He got very ill on a trip and his recovery cost him thousands. He was fully covered and they have never paid up. He has tried fighting them but their solicitors somehow keep it out of court.
Axa are not a very nice company.
I have lifetime cover with PetPlan Andes this year it went up to £67 per month. I am very tempted to lower the cover from Supreme next year and put the extra in savings account.
Good luck if you try that. I tried to downgrade my dog's sainsbury's pet insurance and they said if I did that it would be treated as a new policy so all Pre-existing conditions wouldn't be covered >:D. And similarly now with Petplan upgrade - they treated upgrade as entirely new policy (hence the exclusions). Over a barrel. Disgusting.
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I would urge you all to log onto www.moneysavingexpert.com and make your feelings known in the pets column and insurance column.
The more people that know about Axa's policy the better (or worse for them) Also make it known on face book if you have accounts.
We need the likes of Axa and other companies that try to rip us off that we will do what we can to spread the word that they are rip off merchants. I know its pet insurance that concerns us but people need to know what they are doing.
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Blimey! I thought our 40% increase back in Feb was a shock!
We have a case ongoing with the Ombudsman now, partly due to price, but also because they insisted Charlie had an ongoing condition when he doesn't. I would urge anyone who gets a big increase (or any other issue) to take it up with the Ombudsman. You can call them and tell them your problem, and they send the paperwork to you, or you can download the forms.
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I looked at the Ombudsman website and it only really seemed to mention cases where you're disputing your claim, rather than my case where you have a (big) problem with the premiums. Will definitely investigate more. I've just started work, so don't have as much time on my hands (great timing, not!), but I'll try to formulate my plan of attack.
40% would have been a reasonable increase, I think, but this could not possibly be described as reasonable.
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I mentioned this to our vet earlier as Albert is insured with Axa and we have a big claim going through. She said definately take it up with the ombudsman as the insurance company cannot price you out of using them, they have a duty to continue to insure
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I mentioned this to our vet earlier as Albert is insured with Axa and we have a big claim going through. She said definately take it up with the ombudsman as the insurance company cannot price you out of using them, they have a duty to continue to insure
I spoke to my vet practice today as well and they said a similar thing - that they can only put up prices if you move into a higher risk area, your dog moves into a higher risk age-group (ie. over 8) and to reflect reasonable inflation of vet fees. You shouldn't be penalised for having a sick dog, otherwise what's the point of lifetime cover policies?!
I have drafted a letter to Axa and will follow up with the ombudsman.
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On the flip side of this - do the insurance co. give you no claims bonus each year if you don't claim for anything, bet they don't, or if so hike premium price up so it cancels out.
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The price of everyone's claims is built into the price - I already pay a higher amount for living in a higher-risk area which takes into account the fact that there are more claims and vet fees are higher. Similarly, older dog's premiums will be priced higher because their likelihood of needing treatment is higher. My buildings insurance hasn't been put up because we claimed. That's paid for by everyone's premiums - that's how insurance works - if you don't claim they get your premiums anyway (and you get nothing back )and if you do, they pay out with the money they've got from everyone else's premiums. They have actuaries to work out all the risks and calculate premiums accordingly. Putting an individual's premiums up because they've claimed is unfair practice, and especially if it is at such a monstrous level.
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So sorry to read this, Sophie! I was almost certain in my mind that it had to be an error.
I can imagine that you could well do without all of the associated aggravation that will come with trying to remedy this right now but I wish you the best of luck in trying to redress the balance and achieving some degree of fairness.
What ba%*$^rds they are!
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If Petplan give me a no claims discount then their premiums are going up even more every year than realised!
I seriously am tempted to look into something cheaper.
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I see Dogs Today magazine have mentioned your problem on their Facebook page, I really hope it comes to something xx
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If Petplan give me a no claims discount then their premiums are going up even more every year than realised!
I seriously am tempted to look into something cheaper.
It was only a thought, Mel. I just wondered that was all as I don't usually go for insurance after the 1st year - rather putting my money in a pot - in case
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I see Dogs Today magazine have mentioned your problem on their Facebook page, I really hope it comes to something xx
Yup! Spoke to a woman from Radio 4's You & Yours programme (I'm not a R4 listener, so not familiar with it) and am probably going to the studio tomorrow after work to chat about it. So watch this space.... Axa - we not gonna let you get away with this!! Social networking is definitely helping!
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Good on you for doing something about it. I really do hope that AXA do something about it. Please keep me informed as I think that we will have the same problem when our renewal comes through
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Brilliant, I'm so pleased that they are taking an interest in this. Yes, definitely one good thing about social media - things like this can no longer be swept under the carpet! Hope all goes well tomorrow x
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So, update...
BBC Radio 4's "You and Yours" (a consumer affairs programme which has apparently been going since 1970!) is featuring this Axa "issue" on their show on Thursday 5th Sept (it's on between 12 and 1pm just after the news). I spoke with them earlier (went into the studios behind Broadcasting House and sat in an empty studio while being interviewed remotely) and they're interviewing another person who's had a 470% increase, and had asked Axa to comment (no word yet).
The story will also be featured in Dog's Today magazine at some point!
Have also sent off a complaint letter to Axa.
We shall see what happens! Shall keep you all posted.
In the meantime, need to take out a new policy (assuming I lose this appeal) - probably with PetPlan.
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Will have to listen in on Thursday, it will be interesting to see what AXA say (assuming they do say something!)
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Good for you. I will have to locate radio 4 and listen in tomorrow.
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Wow - super speedy action. It's great to see that level of support emanating from social media groups.
I'll definitely tune in!
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Good on you for doing something about it. I really do hope that AXA do something about it. Please keep me informed as I think that we will have the same problem when our renewal comes through
Same here - thanks!
Inky has cost them about £1300 recently, and it's a life long condition, so potentially more blood tests and pills to come. They gave me a really difficult time when I claimed, as they didn't understand that if you have rescue dog, you (by definition) don't have a full medical history. They tried to tell me they wouldn't process the claim without it!! I eventually got the rescue concerned to write to them, despite the two vets involved and me trying to explain.....
(PS, please take a look at my link below.)
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Oh well done! That's a brilliant way to get attention. Let's hope it snowballs and makes them think again!
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Good for you also try Martins money tips he loves things like this. Good luck
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So, update...
BBC Radio 4's "You and Yours" (a consumer affairs programme which has apparently been going since 1970!) is featuring this Axa "issue" on their show on Thursday 5th Sept (it's on between 12 and 1pm just after the news). I spoke with them earlier (went into the studios behind Broadcasting House and sat in an empty studio while being interviewed remotely) and they're interviewing another person who's had a 470% increase, and had asked Axa to comment (no word yet).
The story will also be featured in Dog's Today magazine at some point!
Have also sent off a complaint letter to Axa.
We shall see what happens! Shall keep you all posted.
In the meantime, need to take out a new policy (assuming I lose this appeal) - probably with PetPlan.
I gathered it must be you as you mentioned 'a forum'
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I'll listen to it on catch up.
I had forgotten we're with AXA.
We renewed in May, Darwin was just 4yrs old.
We're just outside London, but just in the M25
We're paying £277 this year which is a increase of just £37
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My sister turned up with my niece and nephew right at 12pm >:D so will listen to it on catch up too. Sophie, have you seen the latest post by Dog's Today about the One Show?
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Not a lot of hope that they will row back.....
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If anyone would like to listen to the report, it's the first item on the show, available on iPlayer:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b039d4bg
I sat in the car in a carpark above a beach on the Lizard Peninsual in Cornwall with a wet sleepy dog in the back, listening to myself on the radio - very surreal! They also had Rachel from Dog's Today magazine and a guy who was from a vet's organisation.
Also just had an email from the researcher on the show - Axa didn't comment but said they'd look into my case. Will probably get a quicker response than via the normal complaints route....
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We have just received our renewal from AXA, the new monthly premium is £207.82 thats £2493 per year. There is no way we can afford it but as some of you are aware Albert has just had an operation to remove an area of cancer for his liver and is currently receiving chemotherapy. This means really that we will have to pay for the policy. Will definately be making a complaint. Sophie have you heard back from AXA yet?
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That is shocking :-\. What a horrific amount to have to pay, totally unbelievable that they can do this to someone with a seriously ill dog, knowing full well they can't go to another company.
I hope you get somewhere with your complaint :-\
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We have just received our renewal from AXA, the new monthly premium is £207.82 thats £2493 per year. There is no way we can afford it but as some of you are aware Albert has just had an operation to remove an area of cancer for his liver and is currently receiving chemotherapy. This means really that we will have to pay for the policy. Will definately be making a complaint. Sophie have you heard back from AXA yet?
Have PM'ed you - we're away in Cornwall, so haven't heard anything yet (but it's unlikely that there's a letter offering to reinstate my policy at the old level on my doorstep upon my return!).
This clearly shows that mine wasn't an anomaly - they're presumably doing this to anyone whose dog has a pre-existing condition, in order to get rid of us. Absolutely disgusting. But let's hope the complaints and the publicity will get us somewhere. I'm keeping an eye on the FB discussion on it, and will be pursuing it fully once I'm back home (next week).
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I'm lucky I think that all the animals here are with a different insurer to Axa - in future I'll be making sure I don't take out any policy with them even it if means paying a bit more for house/car/life etc I'm not sure I'd want to trust them with any sort of policy if this is how they conduct their business.
I'm really sorry that has happened to you it's a huge amount of money to have to pay :'(
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I'm lucky I think that all the animals here are with a different insurer to Axa - in future I'll be making sure I don't take out any policy with them even it if means paying a bit more for house/car/life etc I'm not sure I'd want to trust them with any sort of policy if this is how they conduct their business.
I'm really sorry that has happened to you it's a huge amount of money to have to pay :'(
I checked my house policy to make sure it wasn't with Axa. I never want to deal with that company ever again after this! Talk about losing customers' trust! I will tell everyone I know to boycott them too!!
FYI - just read this on the website for the ABI (Association of British Insurers, I think):
"The FOS [Financial Ombudsman Service] will take a complaint further only if you have already made a formal complaint to your insurer and received their reponse. The FOS does not take on cases that are outside of its jurisdiction, for example it will not take on a customer complaint about premium increases being too high." - appears to be outside of the Ombudsman's jurisdiction. There is a Code of Conduct, which I'm investigating at the moment! Putting premiums up 600-1000% must be outside of some kind of code of ethics!
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They are clearly deliberately trying to force people with ongoing claims to cancel their policies or are just trying to make money off you. I've had Archie's renewal through and we have never made a claim so the increase is just £1.46 a month. I really hope you get a result with this. It's despicable.