Halifax insurance peeps

Bromley86

I did a test quote last week for our girl and the premiums would have increased a lot if we were starting a new policy now.

Just wondering if that's the same for anyone else with a Halifax policy? It's possible that our claims over the past year have changed the risk profile for our girl's breed in this area, but it's also possible (even likely) that it's a general price increase.

In our case there's been a 45% increase in new policy premiums this year to last.

suki1964

Pet insurances have increased dramatically. Trouble is if you have claimed for anything that then can become an existing condition and new insurers may decide not to cover it - so you are stuck.

I cancelled my insurance for my cocker. two reasons - a) hes a healthy young dog right now and the things he sees the vet for arent covered (jags and worming) and b) vet fees here are a lot lot cheaper then I was paying where I used to live. The pup I was fostering last year needed major surgery, long stay in the vets and a special diet for a week after - and it came to less then I paid for neutering my cocker.

So I save 20 pound a month in a savings account for any treatment he may need in the future ( I still pay for the jags and wormers and minor bits and pieces)

Bromley86

You're just the sort of person I need to convert to (in your case back to) insurance .

We've claimed £1,300 on our girl this year and will be claiming £6,000 next (with a possible further £6k for the other hip the following year). No way am I changing insurers!

As this has been our first puppy and as I was feeling aggrieved at having to pay insurance when we first started, I'm a total convert to always insuring.

Still, if you're facing those low vet costs, then I can see why you might self-insure. I seem to remember that you're off the mainland, which I'd (incorrectly, it seems) have thought would count the other way.

suki1964

Bromley86 wrote: »

You're just the sort of person I need to convert to (in your case back to) insurance .

We've claimed £1,300 on our girl this year and will be claiming £6,000 next (with a possible further £6k for the other hip the following year). No way am I changing insurers!

As this has been our first puppy and as I was feeling aggrieved at having to pay insurance when we first started, I'm a total convert to always insuring.

Still, if you're facing those low vet costs, then I can see why you might self-insure. I seem to remember that you're off the mainland, which I'd (incorrectly, it seems) have thought would count the other way.

Nope, its cos Im in the middle of farming country that vet fees are so cheap. I dont have a fancy vet surgery - domestic pets waiting area is in fact the corridor and Ive seen larger public loos then my vets domestic animals exam room

Many minor complaints I talk to the vet over the phone instead of taking him in and I just go in and pick up the prescription with no charge for consult.

Fortunately my lad is fit and healthy, he comes from an excellent breeder and both parents had good hip and eye scores so there shouldnt be any breed health problems. Also living in a very rural area hes less chance of being run over, we dont get the nasty grass seeds that bury themselves in the ears costing a fortune to remove and all in all his lifestyle is very low risk. When I first got him and lived in London yes I had him insured BUT same as you I saw the premiums double and decided it was a too much to be paying esp as most fees weren't above the excess so in effect I was paying both ways.

My last lad wasn't insured either. And he had a major heart problem which cost us a few bob in his later years - but prolly no more then 10 years of premiums would have cost tbh. I prefer to have money in savings earning interest then to be paying premiums for insurance which picks and chooses what it pays out for. And if they had offered us a heart transplant for him at the cost of thousands, I would have re mortgaged the house if needed

However I too would advise people to seriously look at insurance for their pets, esp if they aren't able to save a regular amount each month and not touch it

SuiDreams

My Halifax Premiums reduced by about £1 a dog with this months renewal, but we've never made a claim and the dogs are only 2 & 3.

Bromley86

Lucky you Sui! Our premium increased by 20% or £2.50/month. I thought that was very fair, but was a bit surprised when the rep I spoke to about another matter said, "it would be unethical of us to increase your premium just because you had claimed."

Suki. Ah, I knew you were out of the way somewhere. So are we, but it's still (just) commuter belt so it doesn't have ther real country feel.

Because of the inevitable guilt that comes with doggy problems, I feel the need to mention that our breeder was K.C. Accredited and the parents had excellent hip scores. Because I'm pretty honest, I should also mention that it was a business breeder rather than someone who does it for the love of it, so we fell down on that .

suki1964

Bromley86 wrote: »

Lucky you Sui! Our premium increased by 20% or £2.50/month. I thought that was very fair, but was a bit surprised when the rep I spoke to about another matter said, "it would be unethical of us to increase your premium just because you had claimed."

Suki. Ah, I knew you were out of the way somewhere. So are we, but it's still (just) commuter belt so it doesn't have ther real country feel.

Because of the inevitable guilt that comes with doggy problems, I feel the need to mention that our breeder was K.C. Accredited and the parents had excellent hip scores. Because I'm pretty honest, I should also mention that it was a business breeder rather than someone who does it for the love of it, so we fell down on that .

Ah I lived in commuter belt before I left England - way too expensive.

And my first cocker was commercially bred - and had all the health problems that come with that don't beat yourself up, you wont be the first caught and you wont be the last. Just be thankful that you can afford via insurance to give your dog the best care possible and use your new knowledge to educate others to why sourcing a pup from a reputable breeder is so important