Sainsburys Pet Insurance

Olokia · 22 June 2011 at 6:11PM

In February, my cat developed skin problems and had to have several tests to find out that it was a flea allergy. I had been with Sainsburys Pet Insurance for about a month before she got the problems.

I sent a claim for £880 on the 24th February and then waited a couple of months before contacting them because I heard it can take a while some times.

So in April I phone them and ask how my claim is. They said they need more history and I explain that she is a rescue cat that I got in December so she doesn't have any more history than what was given. I am a bit annoyed that they hadn't bothered contacting me to say they needed more information but whatever. I tell my vet to give the history to Sainsburys and explain that she is a rescue cat so that is the whole history.

I checked with my vet a couple of days later and they say that the sent it off and I believe them because they are an excellent veterinary place. Sainsburys say that they never received the history and so I ask my vets to send it again.

So far my vet has sent it 4 times, the last two times addressed specifically to the person I was dealing with on the phone (I had asked the insurance people to phone my vet themselves).

I phoned again today. Guess what? They still don't have the history!

I am getting fed up with Sainsburys and if my cat didn't have a pre-existing condition then I would move straight away and I will definitely do that with my other cat when her insurance comes up for renewal in September!

I just wish that Sainsburys would stop losing the paperwork or whatever it is they are doing and blaming it on my vet.

£880 is a lot of money and as soon as Sainsburys get paid, I have another lot of money (£300) to claim back on a continuation but I can't continue until the first lot is completed.

Argh!

fid1892 · 23 June 2011 at 9:50AM

Interesting read - particularly as I have my dog insured with Sainsbury's (luckily haven't needed to claim yet).

Would it be worthwhile paying the extra and sending it special delivery ? I believe it costs just over £5, but is guaranteed a morning dleivery and a trackable signature

fluffnutter · 23 June 2011 at 11:01AM

Can you fax it?

Olokia · 23 June 2011 at 4:17PM

So far the history has been faxed and emailed as that is what sainsburys asked for

My vet has been sending off the details themselves but I think I may ask if I can do it myself and just send it in every day until they accept that they have it.

Edit: Just rang my vet and they are sending it by post so I will wait until end of next week and if it is still not resolved then I will have to do the above

gunsandbanjos · 23 June 2011 at 4:36PM

fid1892 wrote: »

Interesting read - particularly as I have my dog insured with Sainsbury's (luckily haven't needed to claim yet).

My cat is insured with Sainsburys, had to claim a few months ago. All went really smoothly with no problems at all.

Olokia · 23 June 2011 at 5:01PM

gunsandbanjos wrote: »

My cat is insured with Sainsburys, had to claim a few months ago. All went really smoothly with no problems at all.

I just think that they don't like the fact they have to pay £880 after 1 month of insurance.

I wish they would stop playing around and do what they are supposed to do. Insurance is like gambling and they lost and they should just pay up.

gunsandbanjos · 23 June 2011 at 6:32PM

Olokia wrote: »

I just think that they don't like the fact they have to pay £880 after 1 month of insurance.

I wish they would stop playing around and do what they are supposed to do. Insurance is like gambling and they lost and they should just pay up.

Possibly, wouldn't like to speculate. Was merely posting my positive experience for the other poster.

Wannabedebtfree · 23 June 2011 at 6:46PM

I'm also with Sainsbury's for my dog insurance since September.

I rang them last month and said that my dog was poorly and that I may be claiming. The girl said she'd put a note on the computer and sent me a claim form. I filled in my bit, the vet did their bit. I sent off the form and vet papers on the 1st and had a cheque on the 10th.

This was for £2000, I really can't complain about them, only sympathise.

narabanekeater · 24 June 2011 at 8:49AM

perhaps send it by recorded post that way they have to sign for it

Olokia · 4 July 2011 at 11:43AM

Well after my vet sent the paperwork by post, they FINALLY received it. I got the call last Thursday as they had a couple of questions and then on Saturday, a cheque for £802 landed on my mat. :j:j:j

So it took 4 months for them to pay me. I hope I don't have a bigger vet bill to pay as the £1200 wasn't very nice to my bank balance.

Really annoying as Sainsburys are the cheapest for my two cats (and one of them has to stay with sainsburys now) and I'm getting a dog soon and the quote was cheapest for him as well.