This companies service level is very very bad, extremely so!. Just take a look at the other reviews below they pretty much sum up the level of service you can expect. My advice would be to get your insurance from another provider.
Do not judge this company by the service level you get when taking out a policy. At that time they are very attentive and bend over backwards to gain your custom. However, when you make a claim and really need the good service they are lacking.
In my experience they continually use delaying tactics in order to draw out the claims procedure. I can't remember the number of times they have told me that the volume of claims or the workload is so high that they are behind and will deal with my claim as soon as possible. Surely, if that's the case then the obvious answer would be to employee more staff, pay overtime or take some other action to reduce the backlog. If business is that good then they should be able to afford it. When it comes to you paying your premium I bet they wouldn't accept excuses like that for late payment!.
Whilst they do actually answer the phone quite promptly and will tell you what is going on with your claim. You never get through to someone who can actually make a difference. I seems the call centre staff are mainly there to make excuses for the back-room staff dealing with the claims or payments.
If you send an email requesting information or help they do not always reply. For instance I sent an email asking if they had received my claim form but got no reply until I sent a recorded delivery letter. Also, I email a request for confirmation of the amount they had assessed the claim to be and when it would be paid but got no reply.
I can't understand why I didn't get an acknowledgement that my claim had been received until I actually asked for one in writing (time wasting I guess). I can't understand why they took more than two weeks from receiving my claim to actually review it (more time wasting). I can't understand why reviewing it took so long (over a week time wasting again) and then once complete it had to be sent up the hierarchy to be signed off (another time wasting exercise). At that stage you think you're getting somewhere but NO!. Instructions then have to be given to the payments department who then take another two weeks to set up a payment which then takes another 3-5 days to get to your account. All in all this company is very frustrating to deal with and is clearly expert in time wasting and delaying tactics.
In my view most claimants want to get what they are due under the contract promptly, they don't want to be out of pocket having to borrow money in order to get by until they are paid by the insurance company.
Also, a couple of things to bear in mind when deciding which company you go with:
1. Premiums for this company start very low with a young dog making it look very competitive. But once they have you hooked they ramp up the premiums year by year (as do other insurers) till eventually you've been suckered into paying one of the highest premiums in the market.
2. The standard excess is one of the highest in the market (if not the highest), currently £244 + 20% of the remaining balance of any claim.
Clearly, I've lost all trust in this company providing an acceptable level of service. So I will be looking else where for my pet insurance.
Miniature Schnauzer
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Absolute disgrace as an insurance company but I believe they are part of the E and L group of companies which says it all. I have been waiting on settlement for my dogs veterinary fees for over three months - nothing complicated and all I get told is - payment is imminent! NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!!! I haven't even cancelled my dogs policy for fear of them not settling.
Avoid this cheap, useless company like the plague - pay a pound or two more a month and have satisfaction and peace of mind.
Pet-insurance-co-uk YOU STINK!!!!!
I have to agree with all you say. When my dog became ill I was so relieved to have insurance. Two months later and being told that the claim is with payments and check your e-mails. My stress levels are so high it will be me who needs medical attention. I wonder if they pay the interest incurred on the money borrowed to pay the bill. What can you do?
I have to agree with all you say. When my dog became ill I was so relieved to have insurance. Two months later and being told that the claim is with payments and check your e-mails. My stress levels are so high it will be me who needs medical attention. I wonder if they pay the interest incurred on the money borrowed to pay the bill. What can you do?
I am tied to this company due to one of my two dogs who are 7yrs old having a lifelong illness, if anyone know another insurance company that will accept us please let me know.