PDSA insurance gone up over £400 this year

[pinkmarshmallow]

Anyone else had their renewal and shocked at the increase this year?  My one dog (age 7) is insured by PDSA and the renewal quote has gone from £340 to £760!  He had a claim in February for amputation of one toe due to cancer.  Thankfully all successful and cancer all cut out.   

I was expecting a price increase but this much?  My other dog (age 9) has had yearly claims since he was diagnosed with IVDD at age 4 but never has his insurance (Kennel Club) gone up so steeply in one year.  I really wish I hadn’t changed from Petplan 2 years ago as now we have to stay with PDSA as he won’t be insured if any types of lumps are found in future.  Urgh! 

[MIN]

That's a shocker.   

[Jaysmumagain]

The other stark reminder in this is that those of us who believe we are responsible owners and want the best for our doggies are having the rug pulled from under us if we insure and make a claim.

Another reality is that wanting to change companies is also not an option as they then look into previous claims and set premiums accordingly.

I have over the years known of so many who put money away monthly rather than buy insurance.

[Mudmagnets]

You wouldn't think that a charity claiming to be there for pet owners and to have their animals interest at heart would support such a company that does this. Obviously the insurance comes through different company, but it doesn't look that good for the PDSA who are associated with them does it. 

[bizzylizzy]

Seems like a vicious circle though, the more the vets charge and, some not all ☝️, prescribe unnecessary test/ medication, the more the insurance has to pay out. On the other hand, when the vets know you have insurance, the more likely they are to pile on. My vet doesn’t know we’re insured and when the clinic asked before Humphrey’s operation, I lied . 
There doesn’t seem to be a straightforward solution but its an awful state of affairs and not just peculiar to UK

[Mudmagnets]

Seems like a vicious circle though, the more the vets charge and, some not all ☝️, prescribe unnecessary test/ medication, the more the insurance has to pay out. On the other hand, when the vets know you have insurance, the more likely they are to pile on. My vet doesn’t know we’re insured and when the clinic asked before Humphrey’s operation, I lied . 
There doesn’t seem to be a straightforward solution but its an awful state of affairs and not just peculiar to UK

Know when they're on to a good thing, don't they 

[pinkmarshmallow]

Thought I?d update all of you on this year?s renewal increase with PDSA!  It?s gone up 450 again for 20205/2026.  Im gobsmacked and questioning this (again).  No claim this year for Snoopy.  Although he is 8 years old now.  Still, cant believe the increase of the 2 years Ive been with them ? and cant leave as I feel if I do, I?ll need to claim  .   Love to all cockers x

[ElaineH]

We gave up on insurance some time ago and rely on some set-aside funds for whatever is necessary. So far it's been fine but then we've never been faced with huge bills for extreme care. We're fortunate as we have the funds available but we couldn't put up with increased yearly costs without  any claims, plus an increasing excess payment every year and felt it just wasn't value for money. I appreciate that we're in a good position financially and not everyone is able to take on the possible bills that could ensue.

[vixen]

Looking at my own options when I renew my dogs insurance policies, I have found an increasing number of companies are expecting owners to pay a certain percentage of the claim as well as a fixed excess.  The amount of excess has risen greatly too.
I am at the point of wondering if I insure them both next year.  They are both young, 3 and 4 and apart from a cut paw that needed stitching they havent needed treatment.  With my previous two dogs, one did get her moneys worth as she had thyroid medication monthly plus hydrotherapy for her arthritis, treatment for an open wound when a grass seed exploded through her skin  but the other girl never had to claim.  WHen they both got to 12 the premiums rose so dramatically (?100 a month for each dog) that I had to stop.  If I hadnt insured them at all and had saved the money each month  I would have had enough to pay for Marleys treatment.
I am a cautious person though and I like the security of knowing that if they ever needed it they could have the best treatment possible.
I do think todays vets rely too much on tests and technology. If it isnt obvious to the vet immediately, its straight to blood tests and further tests which often are inconclusive but cost the owner several hundred pounds.  My old vet seemed to have more knowledge and he managed to diagnose most problems without having to do blood tests first.  Most of his operations were 100 and before he retired I remember taking Marley as she had been bitten by another dog.  The consultation, an antibiotic injection and a course of antibiotics cost 10!  Just a consultation at my present vet costs 45 and they have a big markup on medication.
This past year my present dogs have been insured, they are young and premiums are lowish but I have also been putting money into an account for when I stop insuring them thus I will have a buffer fund if they do need treatment.
Just realized that for my new insure quotes I have been saying that my present dogs have no existing conditions and just read my previous posting about this 

??-I started my quotes innocently  stating they had no pre existing conditions to declare and all the quotes came out considerably cheaper than my renewal quote.
THEN I looked a little closer at the pre existing clause and it doesnt just mean on going health problems/conditions but accidents too  .
 
pre existing conditions could mean any illness or accident that your pet has been diagnosed with or received treatment for in the past, even if they have made a full recovery.

I was really surprised at this as my dogs havent needed to go to the vets for health problems but Ned did cut his paw badly as it went into the webbing so he needed to have stitches.  Now I find that this comes under the pre existing conditions clause and if I had taken out a policy saying he didnt have any it could be seen as fraud.  I am just amazed and quite angry really as accidents do happen.  I also read that if you ask your vets advise about something it is noted on your records even if there is no treatment or follow up and could count against you.