Insurance coast increase - any alternative suggestions please?

Old Bat

Old Bat

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For some years now I have had 3 or 4 ponies, trailer, lorry and tractor insured with the NFU. One pony policy is up for renewal, it also contains the tack and the trailer. Last year the cost was around £630, this year's quote is over £900. On questioning, NFU say that the rise is due to increased vet fees. I have pointed out to them the number of policies I have and politely suggested that if they couldn't offer a discount I would remove them and find another company. Guess what the reply was? No discount. Are they bothered about losing the business? No. Can anyone recommend another company please?!
 
Indie is with shearwater who I believe do trailer and car cover as well. Their customer service is fantastic and they are often the cheapest (or have been for me so far every year!)
 
I also use south essex. I find tack cover isn't really worth it! I cover saddles on house insurance as it covers both accidental damage and its new for old. Most horse ins companies deduct as % for each year of its age (or used to)
house insurance would also cover if all rugs etc were stolen
 
Hmm, ordinarily NFU are pretty good at discounting (cause the rest of the insurance companes problems!!). However, if they do not wish to keep your policy for any reason then they maybe will not be soo keen to discount. They can be very odd though and their tactics seem to differ from office to office. Firstly, have you had any claims?

Are the horses on one policy or separate? If separate have you asked of they can put them on the same policy to save money (ie size discount)?

If this all fails then shop around. I used to work for an equine insurer and their cover is pretty much on a par with NFU. You can go via a couple of websites to get a quote through them or you can go through an insurance broker (they don't deal direct). Websites are insuremyhorse.co.uk or Towergate Lloyd and Whyte. They will both offer the same policy (Towergate) and you can put mulitple horse and your trailer on one policy. They do not however offer (as yet) an extended veteran type policy.

You may also want to try KBIS and SEIB (South Essex) as they both offer decent policies. Others to try are AIMS and also Brit Insurance (I think they too though may only be accesible via a broker). You could contact Julie Andrews insurance brokers and she will shop around for you?
 
PS Ladyt25, I have had claims in the past but only on one of the three currently insured and that wasn't a major episode. Have had 2 major lamenesses in the past, though, on different ponies and one was a maximum on vets fees and hospital and PTS. Would this affect their attitude to other animals?
 
In theory it shouldn't affect the policies that are claim free - you should still be able to ask for a discount on those. However, if the others are running at a loss to them (they will work on a loss ratio basis and generally calculate this over a 3 or 5 year period. Essentially if your policy is running at a loss to them - ie they have paid out more on claims than you have paid them in premium, they are not going to be wanting to offer you discounts on those policies.
 
Like you I received an outrageous renewal quote from NFU - the actual premiums had gone up 37% and without their "mutual bonus" it would have been 54% - and I've only made two claims in nearly 17 years with the last one (about £700) being 3 years ago! So much for their slogan "we reward loyalty".
I did some internet searching and I've now gone to KBIS. The premiums (for two horses) are only £5 a month more than my old NFU ones.
 
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