Four Counties Brokers/Rural Insurance

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Leaping

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I went with Rural Insurance via Four Counties brokers last year after using the H&H insurance comparison tool. The people I spoke to at Four Counties were really helpful. For the first time ever I also had to make a claim, which again they were very helpful with and the payment was prompt.

So I happily renewed with them this year. However unfortunately I am now trying to make another claim, its been 6weeks since the claim form was completed and I seem to be getting nowhere. I have tried calling them (have limited times of the day when I can make calls) but it always seems that the equine team are out of the office. I have tried emailing them and occasionally get a response, often asking for more information from the vets (which the vets say they have sent - just simple vet report) and when I ask what other detail they are after I get no reply. I don't even know if they are questioning the claim or not as communication is minimal.

Should I go to Rural Insurance directly (rather than via the broker as I am currently doing)? Has anyone else had any issues with Four Counties or Rural?

How long do you expect to wait after a claim has gone in for payment? I am now two vets bills out of pocket and more looming.
 
If you are getting nowhere then I would be tempted to email them again stating that you'll be lodging a complaint with the Financial Ombudsman. IME with slow and lazy insurance companies, you suddenly find a cheque on your doormat the following day once you've mentioned the Ombudsman!
 
Had huge problems with 4 counties when making a claim with Towergate.............lots of excuses, calls not returned etc.

So in the end went directly to Towergate, who were outstanding and didn't mind me dealing directly with them.

4 counties are very attentive when they are selling you something............but afterwards not so good.
 
Thank you - I have had a response from them but will bear in mind the ombudsman if it dwindles on again, and will contact Rural directly if 4 Counties become impossible again.

Agree they were fab when wanting to buy,and last year they were excellent too.
 
At Horse and Hound Compare we strive to ensure that all providers on our panels provide exceptional service and treat our customers fairly. We are sorry to learn of your recent experience. If you can contact us using the below link to provide us with your policy details we would like to follow up your concerns raised with the providers in question.

https://www.horseandhoundcompare.co.uk/insurance/contactus/

Thank You,

Horse & Hound Compare
 
HHCompare said:
At Horse and Hound Compare we strive to ensure that all providers on our panels provide exceptional service and treat our customers fairly. We are sorry to learn of your recent experience. If you can contact us using the below link to provide us with your policy details we would like to follow up your concerns raised with the providers in question.

https://www.horseandhoundcompare.co.uk/insurance/contactus/

Thank You,

Horse & Hound Compare
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Just found this thread after doing an online search. Long story but this underwriter has basically just conned me out of £500. I took out a policy with them via H&H compare in June. They subsequently contacted me to inform I didn't actually qualify for the policy (horse required 5 stage which for this particular one, I do not have). They advised me to get a vetting done. When I decided to instead go with another insurer, they became utterly uncontactable, via telephone and email. Finally this week they got back to me and the refund is being issued, BUT, I have to wait 'up to six months' for it to be processed. And I paid over £800, and they are refunding £220. I have raised a complaint with the FSA and having seen this thread, now logged this at the above link. Just thought I would add this in case anyone does a Google search. Avoid at all costs - or the costs will be very, very dear. As I have found. Literally disgusted that an insurance underwriter can behave in this manner. I will do my utmost to ensure they do not get away with it. Horrific experience, from start to finish.
 
Must admit, I am also having a nightmare with them .. apparently a computer glitch in either 2015 meant that although I thought I had set up a credit agreement with them - it has only come to light now that in fact no payments were made to them by the credit agency .. they are trying to recoup all the monies .. as they believe I am still liable - and no comments about checking my bank account - I prefer not to do this and therefore didn't realise that the payments weren't going out .. I'm referring this to the Ombudsman .. But just wondering if anyone else was hit by this computer glitch?! To my view, they should have fail safe mechanisms in place that should have identified this quickly and not three years after the effect!
 
I have had my insurance through Four Counties brokers since 2012. Originally they insured through Rural Insurance but now it is NCI Equine Insurance. For the first 3 years I paid monthly through a credit agency and since then I have paid the 1 yearly amount. Have had no trouble at all and they were really fast when it came to paying out the claim (in 2 parts) put in last year. It was a kick injury to the shoulder initially treated by vet in May followed by 2 further yard visits and then 2 trips to the vet hospital the first in July involving a scan, removal of a floating bone fragment and a few days in hospital and the second in August involving a further scan and paring down excess bone growth on the scapula. Therefore 2 separate claim forms (to NCI Equine Insurance) relating to the same on-going issue (May to August). In my case both Four Counties and NCI were extremely helpful both over the phone and by email while I was making the claim and I received the 2 cheques within 3 weeks of the forms being submitted. And, even more surprising, there are no exclusions on this year's policy.
 
I was with them for 18 months but never claimed, cancelled the policy as sold the horse and they charged me a £70 admin fee. When I cancelled a policy with Scottish Equstrian they gave me a refund... says a lot really
 
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