Hi Just to give you an update. I still haven't had any reponse from Halifax but the photographer from Metro & Daily Mail have been and I've emailed copies of everything to the relevant people from the above. Metro are waiting for the Halifax to get back to them on a point they seemed to be unprepaired for. I hope there isn't something I've missed; I have a feeling they are now scrutinising for loopholes.

Wow, they are big increases. I know the guy in claims at Halifax said premium increases were directly related to the risks, i.e claims history, postcode and average prices vets in the area charged. Billy's claims were fairly small (about £400 p.a.) and we live in a very rural area. Maybe that's why mine seem so reasonable. I really hope you keep your cover and M&S don't do to you what Halifax & Loyds TSB have done.

I've just opened a letter from Agria (the underwriters). They've explained that there are 3 parties involved. I/we bought the policy fom Halifax, they 'introduced' clients to BDML, BDML were then allowed to arrange pet insurance policies using the Halifax brand BDML entered into a separate arrangement with Agria to providing the underwriting capacity for the Halifax scheme and I quote, "for new policies added and existing policies renewing during a 3 year period starting in September 2008. When Halifax made the decision to withdraw they also withdrew permission for BDML to issue new pet insurance contracts and renew existing contracts using the Halifax brand name. As a consequence there was nolonger a sheme for Agria to underwrite but we continue to meet our obligations to BDML and in turn to Halifax customers to underwrite individual customer's policies until their current years insurance runs out." He goes on, "With no direct connection to Halifax, we have not been made aware of the reason why Halifax have withdrawn from the market other than what has been put in a range of FAQ's "Halifax constantly reviews its insurance products to make sure they remain competative and following thses reviews it has decided to withdraw from the pet insurance market". I also understand that Halifax have said they want to concentrate on their core products." He notes from the copy of the letter I sent him from BDML (to me informing me of the withdrawal, etc) that it states that Agria decided not to offer renewal terms to Halifax customers and explains ."The reasons why we cannot offer renewal is because there is no longer a scheme for us to underwrite and with no direct connection with Halifax, we have no authority to issue insurance contracts using their brand or directly offer insurance to their customers. I would like to confirm that Halifax did not contact us with the view to continue to offer insurance for their customers." He goes on to give me a name & number. Is he saying if Halifax gave their permission they could offer alternative/similar policies without the Halifax brand?

Hi Surfer01, I don't know what to say to you. Billy was 18 months old when we took out this policy. It was rated one of the best on the market at the time, by an independent market researcher, and I never for one second throughout the 6 years would have thought Halifax, a big bank, would have done what they have. I have a 14 month old bitch but I'm insuring her with petplan. It's more expensive than others but it's the only one I can find that 'guarantees in writing' life-time of the pet.

I didn't send it to admin. Maybe you haven't got mine then. Do you want me to sendit again to admin? Billy's policy premiums: Feb 2006-2007 £151.22 + £50 excess Feb 2007-2008 £153.71 + £50 excess Feb 2008-2009 £166.71 + £50 excess Feb 2009-2010 £199.34 + £60 excess Feb 2010-2011 £231.01 + £100 excess Feb 2011-2012 £363.25 + £75 excess + 20% costs.

No. I've had the policy 6 years but I put the last post as an addition to the about the 20% costs before I read yours about previous costs. I'm going through thev papers and I'll post them in a minute. Your other question about M&S rates: no I haven't seen it. Guessing mine wasn't so bad then?

I replied to your email but it bounced back. I sent it again (after slightly changing the address) and it's showing as sent!

The premium also went up from £231.00 (with a excess of £100) in Feb 2010-11 to £363.23 (with excess £75 + 20% costs) even though the claims in 2010-11 year only came to: £288.47 less the £100 excess.

Hi, the 20% was only introduced last year it was listed as a significant change on my policy and they sent a enclosure with my documents telling me why they had introduced 'co-insurance'; basically because Billy had reached 6 years or older. All Feb 2010 - present claims have had the 20% applied.

Sorry to be a pain - but I didn't think it could get any worse! Took Billy to see his Vet & she is going to do me a prediction of Billy's future medication costs in association with his Bradycardia. She also put my mind at rest regarding any possible future diseases/illnesses being discarded by an alternative Insurance provider because they might argue they're indirectly related; but that's not really relevant. She noticed Billy's hair on his back is thining and feels this, a long with a couple of other minor symptoms, could indicate a serious underlying cause. Now, Billy is a very highly strung little dog (ever since his experience at Chestergates when they did all the tests and he came home looking like something out of a vivisection lab) and unfortunately she had to muzzle him while a nurse held him down to take blood from his carotid vein in his neck. He seemed OK until we were on our way home and he had two massive grand mal seizures; one after the other. We rushed him straight back and she gave him diazepam. This was at 5:30pm. He's been okay since and appears settled now but I was left with a hefty vet bill of £165.00 and now I'll have two more 'pre-existing' conditions that showed signs before I could take out another policy. The excess on is current policy is £75.00 plus 20% of the costs of any new condition (Halifax only brought the 20% in last renewal but I let that one go). Should I put in a claim to Halifax? His policy would have been up for renewal on 10th Feb.

Okay..., Just had the conversation with the woman from BDML. Basically it was a courtesy call thanking us for the letter of complaint and to inform us that she has replied with the appropriate complaints procedure and addresses for Halifax and Agria as well as information on the Financial Ombudsman. I told her I'd already written to them and she asked f they'd replied. I told her 'No' but I only posted the letters Thursday. Taking into account that I know these calls are recorded; I believe she was as helpful as she could have been. I told her I didn't understand why I was instructed to write to BDML (who are the Administrators) and Agria (the underwriters) because when we chose the policy it was marketed as a Halifax policy and therefore surely they are responsible. Her reply was hesitant and I got the impression she was trying to be as honest as she could on a recorded line. Basically, she told me; ‘That’s the problem Halifax has left us (BDML) with. We have people with policies that have certain specific benefits unique to the policies that were marketed and sold by Halifax. By withdrawing, from pet insurance, Halifax has made it so we cannot renew the policies and underwriters will not agree to cover pre-existing conditions under what would have to be new policies because the Halifax have withdrawn their product’. I told her we were going to take court action against the Halifax and she replied, “I understand.” Now to take Billy-Bob to the Vet!

Yes, definately. Thank you.

Hi Bankfodder & thank you for your very quick response. Yes, I'm also very disappointed because I know there are others on a least one other forum. But from the searches I've done, and the information I've found on the web, I think this has been going on for a while (and I must live in a bubble because I was totally oblivious). Our pet policy must be one of the last to renew, and given they only gave 28 days notice to renewal date, it doesn't give people chance to fight it before their pets cover runs out. Plus the way they've done it, will have watered down the response effect, leaving people feeling isolated - like me. I'll let you know how the conversation goes with the woman who calls from BDML and also the vet consult, later today. Thank you, D.

Hi, I've just had a call from a lady in BDML complaints regarding the letter I sent on Thursday about Billy's Halifax Policy (still no contact from Halifax). She won't speak to me until she has had permission from my husband (I originally put the policy in his name & he's back at 3:00pm) so she's going to call back then. I have a feeling she's either going to try to fob us off with 'excuses' or maybe offer 'a goodwill gesture'. What do I do? I don't want to appear unco-operative but I don't want to be bought off either. I'd already booked Billy in to see his vet at 4:45pm today. Many thanks, D.

Hi Bankfodder, Thank you for all your advice; it's very much appreciated and I am in the process of trying to follow it. I'm trying to make contact with others in my situation and I've directed them here (I think). It appears some people were informed months ago that the Halifax was withdrawing from Pet Insurance and Halifax/ or BDML have only been notifying people 3-4 weeks prior to renewal due date (in my case last week). That means there's been a watered down effect, with regard to customer response, and probably why there was no 'public outcry'. I guess some people will have just quietly accepted it and gone elsewhere, and others have probably either already accepted a 'goodwill payment', or have gone down the route of the Financial Ombudsman. Guess we'll know soon enough. Meantime, I'll be getting on with your suggestions. Again, many thanks.