Insurance Emporium

[ihatework]

Heads up!
A couple of years ago I took a bit of a gamble and switched a few of my animals to The Insurance Emporium.
Formerly known as E&L ???
The premiums have all been exceptionally reasonable so I’ve done it prepared that they might be tricky and to accept the risk.

Last year I had a claim on a horse
This year I’ve had a claim on a dog.

Literally perfect service. Easy forms. Automated receipt notifications. No daft questions/follow up. Paid without quibble within a fortnight.

Seriously impressed.

 

[shortstuff99]

Yep I've had them pay me 11k in vet bills last year and no quibble!

 

[Michen]

I have also had a perfect experience with them- multiple claims on Bear. Quick to pay, great online system, responsive.

Best company I've ever used.

They've even REDUCED Boggle's insurance by 83p this year

 

[Birker2020]

Are there no 'get out' clauses in the small print?

I used E&L in 1995 and on the death of my horse after three weeks in hospital in 1997 they told us we could choose between hospitalisation or insured cost of the horse. Someone else on the forum also encountered this as it was mentioned in the last few days.

 

[Xmasha]

Glad youve had a good experience, but i wouldnt touch them with a barge pole. I used them a few years ago, had my trailer stolen and it took over 6 months to get paid. Awful service.

 

[Unhappy Hacker]

Just to echo - they're the only company that provided me with a reasonable quote and they paid out £4.5k vet bill with no issues. They also removed an exclusion after receiving a couple of letters from my vet. Haven't renewed yet since the £4.5k claim so fingers crossed for the renewal price.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

Agree with the positive reviews, they paid out a £3k claim on Lymphangitis when Cellulitis was already an exclusion due to prior vet history.. They could easily have wiggled out of this claim as the two diagnosis are essentally clinically the same. They were reasonable, easily contactable and paid out very quickly.

 

[ycbm]

Are there no 'get out' clauses in the small print?

I used E&L in 1995 and on the death of my horse after three weeks in hospital in 1997 they told us we could choose between hospitalisation or insured cost of the horse. Someone else on the forum also encountered this as it was mentioned in the last few days.

They've changed a lot since then.

A friend was paid out LoU in 2020 for neck arthritis on her word that the horse was unrideable.

I get the impression they're no worse than any other insurance company these days.
.

 

[poiuytrewq]

They have been great/ish for me too.
Over the years on various horses I’ve claimed a lot on vets fees.
Most recently I’m claiming for an unknown condition and each time they pay an invoice for investigations I get an email saying they are reviewing on a invoice by invoice basis and may not continue to pay but so far *touch wood* they have paid out. I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t been totally hassle free, it’s all been quite slow. I sent the last invoice two weeks ago and haven’t even had a acknowledgment email yet. They usually get paid within 6 weeks say, at first I was paying my vet and they would pay me so that she wasn’t waiting. I can no longer afford to do that so it’s a little more stressful waiting!
They won’t pre-authorise so things like agreeing to a bone scan were a bit scary (they did pay it!) and ideally I’d like to be able to call and say can we go ahead with x treatment before taking the risk. That said the premiums are so low comparatively that I still use them. Their customer service manager is fab.

 

[Birker2020]

If I still have Lari I might get a quote from them on renewal then.

It sounds as if they may be a good alternative, £95 seems such a lot that I'm paying for my insurance at the moment but I've not insured for years so I suspect I might be out of touch with such things.

 

[Caol Ila]

Might investigate. The renewal quote for my two horses on NFU is a bit painful.

 

[ycbm]

Just be aware that on the quote I got a 17% contribution to any claim is standard, where with other providers you can opt for that to reduce the premium.
.

 

[Melody Grey]

I have very high praises to sing on the equine side, though currently struggling with a dog claim with animal friends which I believe is E&L. Not an issue with the actual claim, just the incompetence of staff in managing basic information like address changes etc.

 

[Melody Grey]

Just be aware that on the quote I got a 17% contribution to any claim is standard, where with other providers you can opt for that to reduce the premium.
.

Yes, this is the case with E&L though I was speaking to an insurance co-ordinator at my vets yesterday who thought ‘insurance emporium’ policies specifically might not have the co-payment? So worth checking out if it bothers you- my policies were bought direct from E&L and do have the 17% copayment though I’m happy with that for such lower premiums. It gives me affordable treatment options I wouldn’t otherwise have been able to consider.

 

[Uliy]

They paid me for my horses fractured leg with no issues - the only small thing was that they initially deducted the cost of livery at the hospital, for which I pay extra, but that was resolved quickly when I emailed back quoting the correct part of my schedule.

However, my renewal did not include the 17% on top of the excess.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Just be aware that on the quote I got a 17% contribution to any claim is standard, where with other providers you can opt for that to reduce the premium.
.

Yes I see that, this must be a new thing actually. Mine is £160 excess which is far preferable!

 

[Caol Ila]

It's less than NFU. My friend got mega cheap insurance for two horses with Harry Hall, but I've just had a look, and it seems to be for external/accidental injuries only, and you can add colic. Seems like it doesn't cover a lot of things.

 

[[59668]]

OP this has been my experience too. No trouble, fast and full payouts...

 

[Wannabedressagequeen]

Positive experiences here too - ongoing claim for remedial farriery is paid every month with no hassle.

 

[WaterySun852]

If I still have Lari I might get a quote from them on renewal then.

That sounds ominous ?

 

[Birker2020]

That sounds ominous ?

I've not sat on him again since he nearly threw me off although this was due to a painful saddle fit.

The pro rider has only started riding him again this morning, third time sat on since Oct, second time ridden and I don't know how she's got on. I just have it in my head the saddle will hurt him again when I get on.

I dearly love the horse now so it will be a huge blow if things don't work out.

 

[nagblagger]

Just be aware, they automatically used my credit card details to renew my insurance, even though i had phoned to cancel renewal and had paid annually so they shouldn't have saved my details. After a few emails and a telephone call to a more senior person, i had an apology and the monies were repaid promptly.

 

[Wizpop]

Have to say I had a bit of a wobble after I’d paid my premium and the found out they were related to E&L!! But very impressed- had to claim for two horses and absolutely no quibble on either-easy to deal with and am still insured with them - would recommend.

 

[monte1]

I also have had a positive experience with them, I had to claim for a hoof resection on my horse and they have been helpful, communication has been good and paid all invoices promptly.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

With such low premiums it absolutely baffles me as to how they make any money?!

My premium was £27pcm, with the £11,000 paid out by them mentioned in a comment up thread, thats 407 other peoples premiums just to recoup that money!

 

[Nasicus]

It's less than NFU. My friend got mega cheap insurance for two horses with Harry Hall, but I've just had a look, and it seems to be for external/accidental injuries only, and you can add colic. Seems like it doesn't cover a lot of things.

I have my field ornament and unbacked youngster on the HH accident/external injuries policy, £75 a year, bargain really for them.
The ridden one is with NFU, bizarrely enough at £54pcm they offered the best value cover, £5000 and only something like £165 excess? Others wanted £100+ for the same level of cover. It's gone mental overall though, I remember it costing £25 - £30 pcm a few years ago.

 

[milliepops]

are people having to pay their vets and then claim? My vets have historically not been prepared to deal direct with E&L and their linked companies. It makes my life vastly simpler to have my insurers pay the vets direct so have always gone with other insurers.

 

[Melody Grey]

are people having to pay their vets and then claim? My vets have historically not been prepared to deal direct with E&L and their linked companies. It makes my life vastly simpler to have my insurers pay the vets direct so have always gone with other insurers.

My referral practise is happy to work with them, so always been easy for me. I had to pay for remedial farriery myself and claim it back, but that was fairly straight forward.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

are people having to pay their vets and then claim? My vets have historically not been prepared to deal direct with E&L and their linked companies. It makes my life vastly simpler to have my insurers pay the vets direct so have always gone with other insurers.

My vets dealt with them directly, although I made it clear that if there were any issues I had the money waiting to be paid to them.

 

[bouncing_ball]

If I still have Lari I might get a quote from them on renewal then.

It sounds as if they may be a good alternative, £95 seems such a lot that I'm paying for my insurance at the moment but I've not insured for years so I suspect I might be out of touch with such things.

Why might you not still have Lari? I thought things were progressing well?