Arrrrh bloomin insurance companies *Rant Alert*

[OFG]

I have just added the new pony to my Pet Plan insurance policy. Docs arrived and I was checking through them when I realised that I still have my 36 year old in Group 3. I retired him back in February and didn't think to amend my policy to Group 1 for him.

Just phoned PP to down grade him and have been told I can't do that until renewal as the insurance contract is for a year.

Bottom line - I am allowed to upgrade at any time during the contract year and they will adjust premium (read, take more money off me) but when i want to down grade and potentially get a rebate they can't (read, won't) do that as the contract is for the year.

Is it just me that thinks this is out and out robbery? It's my money and I am now paying for something that I don't use.

Rant over (for now............. )

 

[Bertolie]

Think its the same with most contracts. I can upgrade my phone contract at anytime but cant downgrade it until my contract is up for renewal. How they make their money I suppose.

 

[ossy]

I can see how that is annoying but its the same for most contracts really its not just insurance companies. My mobile phone contract is the same can upgrade at any time during the contract term but can't downgrade my package untill end of the contract.

 

[AmyMay]

Do you pay by direct debit?

 

[Holly Hocks]

I had the same thing with Petplan and I downgraded my mare this year as she is out of work - to be honest it only saved me about £2 per month - it really didn't make much difference at all.

 

[ladyt25]

I find that odd - no reason why you shouldn't be able to change him down a level in my opinion. We would do it where I worked providing it wasn't for someone who hunted for the winter on one class of use and then wanted to change it in the summer to tghe lower class of use! A genuine oversight like yours and we wouldn't have had an issue.

 

[Square]

I have done this a few times with a few of my horses and not had a problem even half way through the contract, they just send out a new one with what i have changed.

 

[Wagtail]

It's amazing how companies change the rules to suit themselves. You can set up all kinds of agreements online for example, credit cards, broadband, telephone, you name it. All can be done hassle free online, and even in someone elses name (I am always having to set things up for my husband who can't be bothered). But then when it comes to downgrade or cancel, suddenly you have to do it over the phone or in writing! The phonecall always entails a half hour call to their no-help line being passed onto the wrong departments before being left on hold and finally cut off.

 

[OFG]

Do you pay by direct debit?

Yes. which makes it even more annoying as they have happily adjusted my monthly payments to take into account the new addition to the policy for the last 4 / 5 months of it but it's not company policy to do it the other way.

I am going to enquire with E&L if they will take on my old boy next year. Only reason I have stayed with PP is he has been with them for several years now and when I tried to insure him with the NFU they didn't want to know due to his age. Apart from a bit of arthritus all round and him going blind he's really healthy and looking great.

Ageism is what it is

 

[Wagtail]

Yes. which makes it even more annoying as they have happily adjusted my monthly payments to take into account the new addition to the policy for the last 4 / 5 months of it but it's not company policy to do it the other way.

I am going to enquire with E&L if they will take on my old boy next year. Only reason I have stayed with PP is he has been with them for several years now and when I tried to insure him with the NFU they didn't want to know due to his age. Apart from a bit of arthritus all round and him going blind he's really healthy and looking great.

Ageism is what it is

I really would urge you not to go with E & L, they are terrible. May as well throw your money in the bin.

 

[Welly]

I am always changing my NFU policy and the monthly payments always change. Can I ask why you have your old boy insured. At 36 they won't cover colic or any thing age related and at that age you would have to consider any treatment at all. Put the money in the bank and save it, also I agree with wagtail be very careful with E&L.

 

[kittykatcat]

You can change your policy up or down at any point in the year with the NFU, although that's not helpful for you....I have one horse with E&L, had a £2500 sarcoid claim, and I have to say they were brilliant. They will catch you out if you don't READ (like most people don't) your policy docs, but as long as you stick to the timelines that they stipulate, there is no reason why they wouldn't pay out a claim.

 

[tedster]

I have just added the new pony to my Pet Plan insurance policy. Docs arrived and I was checking through them when I realised that I still have my 36 year old in Group 3. I retired him back in February and didn't think to amend my policy to Group 1 for him.

Just phoned PP to down grade him and have been told I can't do that until renewal as the insurance contract is for a year.

Bottom line - I am allowed to upgrade at any time during the contract year and they will adjust premium (read, take more money off me) but when i want to down grade and potentially get a rebate they can't (read, won't) do that as the contract is for the year.

Is it just me that thinks this is out and out robbery? It's my money and I am now paying for something that I don't use.

Rant over (for now............. )

On a Veteran Plan it wont make any difference to your premium if you downgrade to retired horses as its a set plan.. I know because I have a veteran insured and it didnt make the slightest difference to the premium

 

[HeatherAnn]

I mean this in a nice way but how can you be angry with the insurance company when you admitted it is your own fault? " I retired him back in February and didn't think to amend my policy to Group 1 for him."
I know insurance companies are annoying but you should have remembered. It is irritating that you can't change your policy in your favour but at the end of the day they are a business and can't just allow people to change their policy in a way that will make them lose money.

 

[OFG]

I mean this in a nice way but how can you be angry with the insurance company when you admitted it is your own fault? " I retired him back in February and didn't think to amend my policy to Group 1 for him."
I know insurance companies are annoying but you should have remembered. It is irritating that you can't change your policy in your favour but at the end of the day they are a business and can't just allow people to change their policy in a way that will make them lose money.

I'm annoyed because they are quite happy for me to upgrade my policy and take more money from me but can't possibly amend the policy to reflect a downgrade and give money back.

Just because I forgot to amend the policy when I retired him I don't see that is 'my fault'. I didn't forget to change the usage group when I renewed the insurance it was that I forgot to change when his work type changed.

Yes insurance companies are a business out to make money but what happened to customer service?

Welly - earlier in the year he was still in work hacking out regularly hence being insured. Last year he was also out doing VHS shows etc so needed him covered for that too.

When I renew it will be for 3rd party liability only, depending on what cover an insurance company will offer. I am rubbish at saving so paying insurance is my way of ensuring I have back up should the worst happen.

 

[Horsey_dreams]

Its annoying but its your responsibility to read the small print and ensure the cover is correct for you. They send all the info, what more can they do?

 

[phoebe.and.bonnie]

Can I just say as long as you read things carefully and have a bit of time and energy for the occasional battle, E&L insurance does do the job. Most vets won't accept payment from them directly but they have always paid out to me in full when I have claimed. You just have to be prepared to stick to your guns - e.g. they initially refuses to pay for my mare's hospitalisation costs whilst her treatment was ongoing, arguing that she could have been at home for the treatment... but when vet/I explained that she had to be kept in sterile environment to reduce chances of joint infection they did eventually pay out. Had same thing with vet-recommended joint supplements but they did pay out with a bit of persuasion!

 

[hairycob]

If you are looking at 3rd party only look at BHS Gold Membership - £62.

 

[YasandCrystal]

I really would urge you not to go with E & L, they are terrible. May as well throw your money in the bin.

^^^ This absolutely you would be better off uninsured!

 

[Tinseltoes]

I really would urge you not to go with E & L, they are terrible. May as well throw your money in the bin.

No theyre not.Ive been with E&L for 6 years and when I had a claim it was dealt with within 3 days and I got my payment within 2 weeks.
Ive heard bad things about pet plan and NFU and several others!!!!!

 

[LaurenM]

I'm with amtrust for one of my horses - never had a problem changing the policy. My other horse is with Scottish equestrian but not had any reason to make any amendments yet.