So, got a call from an adjudicator at the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) today to tell me that they are not upholding my claim, as they do not believe that Axa has discriminated against me or treated me unfairly. She said that my case wasn't unusual. Well, I can't imagine that there are hundreds of other people with 600% increases who haven't made some kind of public fuss or enquiry like me. There's only one other person in the FB group that's got a huge increase (some others are huge, but not 100%+ increases, let alone 600%+). I will get the full details in the post tomorrow, which will also have details on how to appeal this decision - ie, follow up with a more senior Ombudsman. She did mention that the Financial Control Authority (replaced the FSA) is looking into regulation of the insurance industry. Perhaps is the FOS wasn't so busy with millions of PPI mis-selling claims they might have come to a different conclusion...?
It totally ruined my day! It's not even really about the money now, as I've left Axa and am paying 20% more with PetPlan (and hopefully Henry will only need one more £160 check-up rather than a £3000 operation for his cataract - thank god!!), but the principle of it. They just cannot be allowed to get away with this!
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE everyone leave Axa! Not just for their pet insurance either. I mean check all your insurance companies to see if they are underwritten by them and then CHANGE INSURERS! I will advise everyone I know to tell everyone they know - this company is unscrupulous and should not be allowed to do business in this country if this is how they treat customers.
I am absolutely determined to get some positive result for this - partly for others who are less financially able to deal with the consequences as I am (thankfully) and partly because it has just made me so angry (as you can probably tell!).
Watchdog's clearly useless, so I will probably try national newspapers (I imagine the Daily Mail would love a story like this, although I was thinking more along the lines of the Times or Telegraph). Anyone got any contacts?