Elderly cat breathing difficulties when purring

[Ain't Nobody Here]

This is how my dog insurance premiums have gone up since I changed to Tesco:

 

2005 - £7.22

2006 - £8.80

2007 - £11.79

2008 - £15.53

2009 - £18.77

 

This includes a 5% internet discount and a £120 excess (which, from memory, meant a lower monthly premium).

 

I have made one claim. They had to fork out the princely sum of £16.33. I can't really cancel now as I won't be able to claim for treatment arising from my dog's accident last month.

 

How can they justify such increases? Do you think it's worth writing a letter of complaint?

 

Oh, and I got my car insurance renewal yesterday too. It's £11.17 per month. How on earth can it cost more to insure a mongrel than a car ?

[Egluntyne]

It doesn't make sense does it? Worth a try I'd say.

[Groovychook]

That seems a bit steep! I'd definitely query how they can justify such a huge increase!

[A chickychickychick-ENN!!]

Hell yeah. Go for it. And tell Martin's Money Tips. Nothing like a bit of consumer pressure!

[Space Chick]

We had the same with Henry, his monthly premium is now £24, with a £60 excess and was £18 last year. Mine is Halifax not Tesco.

 

I feel like they have me over a barrel, as at his age I don't want to cancel but its damn expensive

 

Nothing ventured nothing gained ANH, but I doubt you'll get far, particularly as you have an outstanding claim.

[missuscluck]

I make it my mission to complain about premiums going up and tell whoever it is that I am going to move to someone else. Usually does the trick. Go for it. Nothing to loose.

[Chucky Mama]

You've got nothing to loose. Some go up enormously when dog's reach a certain age but this looks like they have been making crafty increases every year.

[PapaJuliet]

I have an annual travel insurance policy and I thought the renewal quote was a bit high this year.

 

I went onto their web-site and put in the same details and the quote was about half the renewal quote, despite the 10% "loyalty" discount.

 

When I phoned up to complain I was told that was just the way it was so I said I did NOT want them to renew my policy... so I went onto their web-site and signed up as a new customer at half the cost.

 

PJ

[Olly]

It does seem like a big hike, but a couple of thoughts ...

 

Insurance prices fluctuate according to whether it's a 'hard' or 'soft' market, i.e are there lots of people selling insurance and not many buyers, or only a few people providing insurance and a lot of people wanting it. That's a rather simplistic overview, of course, and I don't know what the market is like for pet insurers, but I know that the insurance market is 'hardening' generally at the moment.

 

Insurance companies typically make quite a lot of their income by collecting in the premiums and then investing them until they need them to pay claims. At the moment, investment income is a lot less than it used to be - so premiums have to go up to make up the difference.

 

The price you're quoted will depend on a number of things - where you live, whether or not you have a pedigree dog, and your claims history. Underwriters have to guess, sorry predict, whether you're likely to make a claim during the next year - and as Riley is currently undergoing treatment, their prediction will be that there is a high probability of another claim.

 

It's definitely worth giving them a ring though- get some quotes from other providers and tell them what you've been quoted, although undoubtedly the other providers won't offer exactly the same terms, making a direct comparison much more difficult. Or you could work out what Riley's treatment would have cost you if you didn't have insurance ... it won't reduce the premium but it might make you feel better about the cost!

[ubereglu]

Go for it!

[Valkyrie]

Yes indeedy - Tesco are a little tardy when paying out when needed and will try to wriggle out too (neighbour is not happy with them either) - go get 'em girl.