Insurance Question - Renewal/Change to Terms

[SWE]

Question about insurance re-newals...

In March last year, my horses insurance automatically renewed. I got an email with my new price and was happy so let it roll on. What I didn't realise (stupidly) is they changed the policy, and I now have to pay a percentage of the vets fees on top of my excess. I have just had a vets bill for about £450 - my excess is £250, and with paying 17% of the remaining balance myself, its barely worth claiming, and tbh, if I had realised at the time, I wouldn't have gone for it.

My question is - is there any chance of me cancelling this years insurance on the basis I didn't spot the change to the terms, haven't claimed (providing I don't...), and would I be entitled to have my previous payments refunded?

Might be a stupid question as it's 9 months down the line now and if i'd have logged into my account at the time, I would have seen this change.... but worth an ask!!

Thanks

 

[shortstuff99]

You can cancel your insurance but you won't get anything refunded as it is past the 21 days cooling off period and it is "your" fault that you didn't spot it. Plus they did provide you the service.

Feel free to correct if I'm wrong

 

[Sossigpoker]

You don't have a statutory right to cancel but you can ask your insurance company if they'd let you amd refund the premiums. I'd be surprised if they did though.

 

[KJ94]

Are you with the insurance emporium? As I had this exact same issue, I had a big 6k claim a few years ago and they paid out instantly and were a delight to deal with (this was before they introduced the 17% thing) and now I’m in two minds on wether to stay with them or change, so following to see what people think also!

 

[SWE]

Are you with the insurance emporium? As I had this exact same issue, I had a big 6k claim a few years ago and they paid out instantly and were a delight to deal with (this was before they introduced the 17% thing) and now I’m in two minds on wether to stay with them or change, so following to see what people think also!

Yes it is. Obviously a new thing they have introduced. Very annoying!

 

[KJ94]

Yes it is. Obviously a new thing they have introduced. Very annoying!

I know it’s tricky! If the vet bill does get big and paying 17% off it makes you wonder if you’d be better with another insurance (not sure if paying a % is normal or not?) but then they have been fab and really easy to deal with for years and very affordable for the amount they cover.

 

[Shooting Star]

Insurers are supposed to clearly summarise key changes to your policy so if they did but you didn’t read them then it’s unlikely you’ll be able to get a refund. If they didn’t tell you about the change or buried it in the small print then it’s much more likely the ombudsman would take your side if the insurers declined your request and you asked the ombudsman to rule on your case.

 

[rextherobber]

Is it definitely the excess and the 17%, not just the excess on most claims, but 17% on the vet fees?

 

[shortstuff99]

Not just insurance emporium that do this now, most insurance companies have the excess and then a percentage of the vets fees to pay.

 

[Red-1]

Not just insurance emporium that do this now, most insurance companies have the excess and then a percentage of the vets fees to pay.

I guess this will encourage people to only do what is necessary rather than throw everything at it, because they are insured.

I have certainly felt my vets encourage me to max out insurance claims before, they were taken over by a big chain of vets and I'm not sure it was always totally to the horse's benefit. I was insured but asked what they would advise if I wasn't. It gave me more practical solutions!

 

[w1bbler]

Question about insurance re-newals...

In March last year, my horses insurance automatically renewed. I got an email with my new price and was happy so let it roll on. What I didn't realise (stupidly) is they changed the policy, and I now have to pay a percentage of the vets fees on top of my excess. I have just had a vets bill for about £450 - my excess is £250, and with paying 17% of the remaining balance myself, its barely worth claiming, and tbh, if I had realised at the time, I wouldn't have gone for it.

My question is - is there any chance of me cancelling this years insurance on the basis I didn't spot the change to the terms, haven't claimed (providing I don't...), and would I be entitled to have my previous payments refunded?

Might be a stupid question as it's 9 months down the line now and if i'd have logged into my account at the time, I would have seen this change.... but worth an ask!!

Thanks

Be aware if you do change companies that whatever your recent vet visit was for is now a pre existing condition &will be excluded.
Also if your horses value is over £5k any new company may require a vetting certificate.