My dog has been insured by VetsMediCover for 3 years now. The underwriter seems to change every year but so far the service has been fine and the policy renewal terms reasonable (generally inflationary increases). However, this year I have received my policy renewal details and the monthly premium has increased from £35 per month to £72 per month. Yes - it has more than doubled.
This essentially renders the "lifetime" policy useless as it seems VetsMediCover, or Elite Insurance Company as the underwriters in this case, will simply increase their renewal premiums indiscriminately.
There is nothing unusual about my dog. He has a long standing skin condition but he is a normal boxer dog. The increase will place me under great financial strain one way or the other.
If the company fail to budge on this then I will take up the increase with the financialombudsman.
BEWARE. If they are doing this with existing customers they will undoubtedly do this with new customers once you are a year or two in and your pet has pre-existing conditions meaning that you are essentially tied to this policy.
I am disgusted.
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Our dog has gone from £44 to £75 to £120 in 2 years. We pay extra for his breed as many insurers won't cover Cane Corso's. The the underwriters changed 2 years ago they will no longer cover the breed, had they cancelled our policy at the time we would have been better off, he has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia and arthritis after the 2nd hike and can't afford to change in case he needs a hip replacement at £8000. It is a shame they don't look at the dog instead of the breed. The claims so far haven't been great and he was insured for 3 years prior with them with no claims.
Prior to this our Dane was covered and they were great he had huge claims with out the massive hikes. Which I would have understood.
I've had similar experience. my dog has na allergy affecting his skin. My 2nd renewal is due and Ive had a leeter saying Elite Ins. are no longer offering pet insurane, they've offered an alternative with a new insurance co, withour lifetime cover for the allergy and at double the premium. I will now be left struggling either with extortionate premiums &/or expensive vets bills for the rest of my dogs life.
We have had a call from the broker today delivering the news that our premium has now increased to £103 monthly from £76 and they will no longer cover chronic conditions with the lifetime cover of £10,000. They will only cover those conditions at £3000. Our dog has hip and elbow problems and in the future may need medication. We have always been satisfied and recommended them. They will cover illness and other medical conditions at the £10,000 but what happens if it becomes chronic they again will no longer honour the £10,000 policy we signed up for in February 2012 I expect. I cannot be dealing with this kind of underhanded behaviour. Always been loyal and paid premiums on time. Have posted a review today feeling so disappointed and disgusted with them see its not on yet.
I have similar problem. My dog has been insured by VetsMediCover for 5 years now. Until now the service has been fine and the policy renewal terms reasonable. However, this year I have received my policy renewal details and the monthly premium has increased from £52 per month to £111 per month! Yes - it has more than doubled. Also they offer policy limit of £3,000 in total over my dog lifetime for his neurological condition. My dog had neurological condition and needed few treatmets. Unfortunately he may need it again in his life and he is just 5 years old. The increase will place me under great financial strain. If the company fail to budge on this then I will take up the terms with the financial ombudsman. BEWARE. If they are doing this with existing customers they will undoubtedly do this with new customers once you are a year or two in and your pet has pre-existing conditions meaning that you are essentially tied to this policy. I am disgusted. FIND ANOTHER INSURANCE COMPANY FOR YOUR PET