Animal Friends - WARNING

A warning for everyone insured with, or considering insuring with, Animal Friends (or should that be Animal Fiends).

I won't go into the boring detail, but essentially my dog Bo experienced a stomach problem for about 3 weeks in August and September, where he would vomit bile as soon as his stomach emptied, several times a week. I got him an examination at the vet which cost over £400, and I put in a claim with AF. With all the deductions the claim was only about £300 anyway, a fraction of what I've already paid in.

AF rejected the claim on the basis of a 'pre-existing condition'. He has never had anything like this in his life. He has been seen twice by the vet for the usual brief episodes of sickness all dogs get (the result of eating something he shouldn't off the beach) and for loose stools when he was a puppy (which I resolved two years ago by changing his diet).

I had the top cover - Superior Plus - and had been paying for four years without a claim. When I researched on the web I found AF are apparently notorious for doing this kind of thing - taking your money for years then fabricating excuses when you make a claim.

I don't know whether they're all like this but I've now cancelled my insurance (AF don't even have the common decency to acknowledge emails) and I won't be getting any more as it's just a rip off. Any treatment I'll just pay for myself (as opposed for paying it myself AND paying a huge annual premium).

On the upside here are some recent photos of my boy. He's grown a bit since I posted last, he's about 21Kg now and he's just turned 4.

I can sincerely feel your anger having had a claim rejected by Petplan recently.

You may not think it worthwhile but the financial ombudsman offers a completely free service and will investigate your grievance. In our case they ruled against us but in your case they may uphold your claim.

Cheers, Ian, I did think about the ombudsman but for the sake of £300 it's not worth the hassle to me. I'll consider it a lesson leaned, but at the same time I can see that this bad practice on behalf of Animal Fiends could cause real problems for people, especially if the claim was for thousands, hence the warning.

My friend took them to court as they wouldn't pay out! Never go near them, I think it's best to put money aside each month instead of paying out for insurance!

Exactly, that's the best way. It's not like Bo would ever go without, his needs are No. 1 in this house!

Jenc wrote:My friend took them to court as they wouldn't pay out! Never go near them, I think it's best to put money aside each month instead of paying out for insurance!

that works for some, but some people can't put aside enough to cover, say, a sudden emergency.

A lady i speak to over the park has a BT & he was attacked by a doberman, then a little while after contracted Giardia & tgen developed bloat all before 2 years old. By the time all bills were in, the cost was nearly £5000. She says she couldn't possibly have afforded that without insurance. It's a risk you take, I suppose.