Halifax pet insurance ending

Bromley86

Be nice if it's true, but it'd be a massive loss-making venture (100% certainty that people will claim substantially more than they pay in premiums). Just make certain that any money you send is recorded signed for to a Halifax office.

And, thinking about it, once you have the docs call the Halifax main switchboard to confirm the contact number is one of theirs and then call that number to confirm the policy exists. Not that I'm a suspicious sort .

selbylass

Hi,
I recieved my decision from the Ombudsman yesterday. Halifax have offered to provide our 8 year old Yorkshire Terrier, Billy-Bob, with a new insurance policy. Because they cannot reinstate Billy-Bob's old policy (as it no longer exists) the new policy will be as close to the original 'Halifax eXtra' policy as is possible, and the cost will be in line with the last years premium. They will also pay £200.00 compensation in recognition of distress and inconvienience caused.

For us it was never about the compensation. We had been offered a 'goodwill' payment earlier this year but refused to acknowledge it. Instead we sent our complaint and all policy marketing and 6 years worth of vet history and policy documents (I'm a hoarder!)to the Ombudsman.

In March, the Ombudsman, upheld an earlier complaint making the 'provisional' decision that Halifax should 'top-up' pre-existing condition expenses that are not covered by new policies. Unfortunately, this was no good to us. Billy-Bob has a slow heart rate and because it is classed as a systemic condition it rules out most vet claims, thus making him non-insurable. We therefore require a full insurance policy if we are not to be disadvantaged. From the offer proposed by Halifax, via the Ombudsman, it would appear they are starting to listen and are realising they can't treat people the way they have. Keep fighting!

If like us, you'd rather have the peace of mind of a policy that covers ALL your pet's conditions and not a lump sum payment; then demand the policy. The Ombudsman has given his final decision and Halifax have to comply.
Good luck and best wishes to you all.

simmys66

Got a new policy offer today from Halifax. Offering to cover my Yorkshire Terrier + his existing condition. Downside is Halifax do want me to return the "Good Will" Payment that was issued to me less any Vet bills obtained during the past 12 months, no offer of compensation or payment for all the hassle caused. Not made a decision yet as I am not happy about paying back a "Good Will Payment" made in full and final settlement to my last Pet Policy.

Bromley86

What more do you want? They've offered to continue cover but want the return of the money they were paying you because they had ceased cover.

Some people.

rhoosters

Have been offered a new policy but would have to pay 20% of any claim, as my dog is over 6, plus the excess on the policy, is this fair? Previous policy did not have this clause!!!

Bromley86

Previous policy did not have this clause!!!

It kinda did, in that any insurance company can (and often do) increase excess/premiums (M&S etc.) or require you to pay a percentage as your animals get older.

Broadly though, 20% for a dog >6 years seems harsh. But then you have to remember you're not in a normal insurance market and that Halifax will be losing money on every single policy it offers.

I underlined that because I don't think it's clear to everyone that only people with animals that have significant exclusions, who are therefore uninsurable elsewhere, will stay with Halifax. I.e. check Halifax will cover preexisting conditions if your pet has any or move if your pet doesn't.

rhoosters

Thanks for your response, my pet has been insured by another company since Halifax cancelled on us, but excluded any neurological condition (poor thing only has mild epilepsy!!!), but dont think I have a choice will have to agree to pay the 20% as cant risk her not being covered if this ever gets more serious. We never made a claim as it is only her medication and annual blood tests, so manageable by us - but informed them just in case. Just seems so unfair!!!

Alan_Stevenson

Has anyone else had money taken from their account from a company called Premium Credit, initiated and engaged by BDML to provide a credit agreement for customers who had Halifax pet insurance. I dont understand, I was informed the Halifax insurance was stopping so I found an alternative, then noticed a premium double the previous ammount had been taken from my account.

I am now recieving threatening letters from this company after I instructed the Halifax to stop the DD and reclaim the money as the transaction was neither authorised nor solicited by me. Have BDML got the right to just give out my data protected details including bank account details for a service I did not conciously sign up for.
I am reluctant to respond to Premium Credit until I know the situation as they are saying I should get a solicitor and they want £439.43. Surely this can not be considered a renewal, I engaged the Halifax directly, what have they done to me?

Bromley86

Ignoring whether or not they are allowed to hand out your details, as that's not really the issue here (getting your money back is, after which this won't happen again). (EDIT: Actually, having read the terms of my last pre-withdrawal Halifax renewal, I suspect they are allowed to hand out your details, but IANAL).

Looking at my pre-withdrawal 2010 renewal, you'd only (potentially!) be in trouble if you make monthly payments, as they shouldn't have automatically renewed you if you make annual ones:

We will automatically invite your renewal with our most competitive insurer. If you do not want us to do this then please tell us. Before your renewal date we will send your renewal documentation detailing the premium payable and the T&C. If you pay the premium by monthly installments your policy will automatically renew with the most competitive insurer, unless we hear from you. If you do now want your policy to renew, you should write to us.

(emphasis added)

Added to that, the letter I got from Halifax recently says "we're now writing to offer you a brand new Halifax Pet Cover Plus policy for Poppy". Again, emphasis added, but it's clearly not a renewal and should therefore not be activated without your actual agreement. Perhpas your offer was different though, as I'd previously cancelled Poppy's Halifax policy when I switched.

BTW, that letter does mention Premium Credit Limited and says the payments will appear on my statement as PC-Pet Cover.

Contact number in that letter is 0844 826 3604.