Anyone with Vetsmedicover Insurance?

Runningbackwards_2

Hello - just wondering if anyone is with Vetsmedicover insurance? We have just received a renewal notice from current insurers and it has risen by over £100 since last year, and I really cannot afford it. I don't want to leave her (chihuahua) uninsured, but want to make sure we have lifetime cover. Reading the company website they seem good, but I have not heard of them before. Any first hand experience would be much appreciated, good or (hopefully not) bad. Just worried it seems too good to be true!

She is 3 years old, no ongoing health problems, so moving insurers should not be a problem.

Thanks.

Runningbackwards_2

BUMP :j

Just bumping this in case someone on the forum this evening can offer any insight/advice?

Thanks

hethmar

Hi, there is a huge sticky at the top of the Pet board about insurance.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/108056

hethmar

Id never heard of this set up. Im not sure who underwrites them but the company only seems to have been formed a few months ago. I would be concerned how much the premiums will jump after the first year of trading (a lot of us got caught with M and S when they first started pet insurance - brilliant premium, no excess and then bang, 2 years later, change of underwriter and premiums doubled and excess was added).

Ive had a quick look at their website and it sounds great. A set price for dogs and cats, no matter age, breed or postcode. Hmm.
The one thing I already dont like the look of is the fact you have to ring them for the go ahead BEFORE your pet is treated (except in an emergency). Im not sure why you would need to do this every time?

Have a look here:

http://www.pet-insurance-discount.co.uk/vetsmedicover-launches-unique-lifetime-pet-insurance-policy.html

OnAndUp

Just had a look at this and I agree it does SOUND great!

Being naturally suspicious though.....it seems a bit too good to be true? I would want some sort of guarantee (in writing) that they are not going to put up their monthly premiums and what exactly happens to the premium when the pet reaches over 8 yrs. Also the bit hethmar mentioned about needing their permission for treatment?

I have to say though if it was genuine and they will pay out no problem etc. it would be a good deal. I will be watching these with interest.

Ps. Just to add the underwriter is White Horse Insurance (Ireland) - never heard of them personally but that's not to say they aren't good?

http://www.whitehorseinsurance.com/about/

hethmar

Yes the underwriters apparently have a tie in with Thomas Cook. BUT as we know from the M and S experience, underwriters can quickly change if they arent making enough profit! And isnt Ireland in a bit of financial trouble at the mo?

The insurers seem to be encouraging people to leave good reviews. How they can have these when the company has only been going a couple of months seems a bit odd? And once they get a LOT of people hooked will they still offer the same quick response to phone calls? I wouldnt like to be standing in a vets with a poorly dog and not being able to get through for confirmation that I can go ahead with treatment.

headpin

OnAndUp wrote: »

Just had a look at this and I agree it does SOUND great!

Being naturally suspicious though.....it seems a bit too good to be true? I would want some sort of guarantee (in writing) that they are not going to put up their monthly premiums and what exactly happens to the premium when the pet reaches over 8 yrs. Also the bit hethmar mentioned about needing their permission for treatment?

I have to say though if it was genuine and they will pay out no problem etc. it would be a good deal. I will be watching these with interest.

Ps. Just to add the underwriter is White Horse Insurance (Ireland) - never heard of them personally but that's not to say they aren't good?

http://www.whitehorseinsurance.com/about/

From memory White Horse Insurance have a lot of involvement in the travel insurance market and associated activities.

Runningbackwards_2

Hi - Thanks for the replies - as I suspected they do not seem to have any track record to go by really due to being so newly formed - I had hoped someone might have been with them and had experience of how they handled a claim. I feel it seems too good to be true....... It appears that insurance is such a minefield. I have been with NFU happily for years, and due to age and existing conditions cannot think about changing the older dogs' insurance, but an increase of 50% in one year for a young, healthy dog seems excessive :( Such a shame as they have been a great company, but money is tight, and if the other dogs' premiums will rise by a similar percentage I need to save where I can, but not at the expense of decent cover:(

Decisions decisions....

cjmumto2

Have you tried calling your previous insurance company to tell them as they have put the rate up by such a ridiculous amount you will not be renewing? They will normally want to keep you and let you continue at the same rate. I have heard good reviews from Tesco insurance.

hethmar

NFU are definitely one of the better insurers. Im surprised they have increased the premium that much!

moomin5

If you've not already perhaps worth giving NFU a call as our premiums rose a fair bit this year and when we called it turned out a few things were incorrect, possibly were default values as it looked like they'd changed their system, like the dogs were down as £500 market value yet their rescues so we only paid £100 so when we corrected these our premium dropped to more reasonable price.