Mixed breed dog wrongly described as pedigree over years of policy renewals

mrsamberdog

I have had a  mixed breed rescue dog since November 2013 , insured over that period by Sainsbury’s Bank . 

At each  policy renewal he has been wrongly described as a Staffordshire Bull terrier mix . Eventually my vet provided a statement to the effect that his breed was that of terrier mixed breed up to 10 kg. At no time on claim forms was he misdescribed. 

(My dog weighs 7.5 kg. ) 

The latest policy once more refers to him as a Staffordshire Bull terrier. 

I contacted the insurer to discuss this .
 I was told over the phone that they could see I had made 6 phone calls over a number of years to correct the error  , yet my record was still showing him as the wrong breed . 

They confirmed that this error on their part proportionately raised the level of premiums over the last 10 years . 

The new premium payable from November 14th was then immediately reduced from a quote of £188.00 per month to £133.00 per month . An immediate saving of £ 660.00. per annum. 

I received confirmation of this via the Pet Portal . This was done by a Policy Team agent who was open  and honest regarding the error . 

I then raised the issue of partial and  proportionate refund of yearly premiums being made retrospectively. 

Their Customer Service Team contacted me to take full details . I was told that the present underwriters of the policy took over the business in 2020 . So in actuality any refund may or indeed 

not be forthcoming for charges before that takeover date . 

I’m familiar with cases where a pet owner finds themselves  in the opposite position to my own , and that the matter has been resolved  in their favour by the Insurance Ombudsman . 

Has anyone had the same problem as this one ? 

35har1old

mrsamberdog said:

I have had a  mixed breed rescue dog since November 2013 , insured over that period by Sainsbury’s Bank . 

At each  policy renewal he has been wrongly described as a Staffordshire Bull terrier mix . Eventually my vet provided a statement to the effect that his breed was that of terrier mixed breed up to 10 kg. At no time on claim forms was he misdescribed. 

(My dog weighs 7.5 kg. ) 

The latest policy once more refers to him as a Staffordshire Bull terrier. 

I contacted the insurer to discuss this .
 I was told over the phone that they could see I had made 6 phone calls over a number of years to correct the error  , yet my record was still showing him as the wrong breed . 

They confirmed that this error on their part proportionately raised the level of premiums over the last 10 years . 

The new premium payable from November 14th was then immediately reduced from a quote of £188.00 per month to £133.00 per month . An immediate saving of £ 660.00. per annum. 

I received confirmation of this via the Pet Portal . This was done by a Policy Team agent who was open  and honest regarding the error . 

I then raised the issue of partial and  proportionate refund of yearly premiums being made retrospectively. 

Their Customer Service Team contacted me to take full details . I was told that the present underwriters of the policy took over the business in 2020 . So in actuality any refund may or indeed 

not be forthcoming for charges before that takeover date . 

I’m familiar with cases where a pet owner finds themselves  in the opposite position to my own , and that the matter has been resolved  in their favour by the Insurance Ombudsman . 

Has anyone had the same problem as this one ? 

What sort of cover does the large fee provide?