Halifax Pet Insurance

[Clamped2011]

I have now written to BDML, Agria, the OFT, the FSA and Trading Standards. I'm not expecting any of them to do anything but at least I've tried.

 

No response from Halifax yet. They have 2 more days before I write them a letter before action.

[BankFodder]

The important thing is that you have written. Unfortunately - a huge number of people who have been affected, will not even write.

 

You need to start gathering as much evidence as you can relating to the way the policy was sold - the claims which were made for it - etc.

 

You must have all your evidence collected and organised before you actually launch the claim.

[Clamped2011]

I've just found out that the proposed increase in the small claims limit is definitely going ahead. The limit's increasing to £10,000, presumably in April.

 

Here is the document confirming it: - http://www.justice.gov.uk/downloads/consultations/solving-disputes-in-cc-response.pdf

 

As my case is going to be for well over £5,000 and I can't afford to risk having to pay Halifax's legal fees if I lose, I'm going to postpone my case until the new limit comes into effect. In the meantime I'll continue collecting evidence.

[BankFodder]

Well spotted, thank you.

 

yes, definitely worth waiting. We can help you prepare a really solid case. we might even right a brusque letter to the Halifax and explain why we are delaying the issue of the proceedings in order to take advantage of the increased small claim s limits.

[citizenB]

Can we confirm the April date, please ?

[BankFodder]

Date hasn't been published yet - so far as I know

[honeybee13]

It's certainly a well-kept secret. I've just looked on all sorts of websites and it just says April 2012. You'd think they'd know with a couple of months to go.

 

HB

[BankFodder]

It would also be interesting to know if it applies only to new claims, or to unallocated claims - or whether one apply for reallocation

[citizenB]

Date hasn't been published yet - so far as I know

 

It would also be interesting to know if it applies only to new claims, or to unallocated claims - or whether one apply for reallocation

 

I was going to refer to it in the Newsletter.. so a date would be good

[Clamped2011]

This morning I received a reply from Agria. As expected, they said the problem was caused by Halifax withdrawing from the pet insurance market and not allowing Agria to continue offering policies to their customers.

 

They also informed me that they had forwarded my letter to BDML to deal with but that they have a new complaints procedure for this issue whereby any complaints not resolved by BDML will be referred to Halifax.

[BankFodder]

As expected - as you say. All useful additions to the file.

 

has any one responded to your appeal for evidence?

[Clamped2011]

As expected - as you say. All useful additions to the file.

 

has any one responded to your appeal for evidence?

 

Not yet.

[citizenB]

Ok, Sarah, I am going to move your posts into a thread of their own.. I will private message the link to you in a few moments.

[citizenB]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?338435-Halifax-Policy-discontinued-on-Valentines-Day-Help-Please-!!

 

New thread started for sarahjt

[Clamped2011]

Today I received a reply from BDML and Trading Standards.

 

The letter from Trading Standards just said I should contact Consumer Direct as TS can't help with individual complaints. Considering that I'd made it very clear in my letter that I didn't expect them to help me personally and that I was contacting them as this is a nationwide problem, I can only conclude that they just don't care.

 

BDML just sent me a holding letter saying they'd investigate and didn't give a timeframe. They're still investigating another, unrelated, complaint that I made in November, so I'll be very surprised if I get a final response before the new small claims limit comes into effect in April.

[sarahjt]

This morning I received a reply from Agria. As expected, they said the problem was caused by Halifax withdrawing from the pet insurance market and not allowing Agria to continue offering policies to their customers.

 

They also informed me that they had forwarded my letter to BDML to deal with but that they have a new complaints procedure for this issue whereby any complaints not resolved by BDML will be referred to Halifax.

 

 

Was the reply from agria a written reply? would be interested to have a copy to read this out to the lady from the Halifax that blammed Agria, saying they would not take on these current policies.

x

[Clamped2011]

Was the reply from agria a written reply?

 

Yes, it was. There's a copy of the relevant part on your thread. Will that be suitable for what you need, or shall I email you a scan of the letter?

[citizenB]

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?342338-Halifax-have-offered-a-measly-£1-000-refused

 

trishsid has her own thread now, linked above, if anyone would like to help. trishsid, I have sent you a messge with this link as well

Edited March 15, 2012 by citizenB

[Clamped2011]

Today I received a final response from BDML regarding my complaint. Their letter quoted Agria's letter almost word for word and said there was nothing they could do as Halifax had withdrawn permission for BDML to issue insurance in their name. However, the author then contradicted herself and said that if I was unhappy with Agria's decision to cease cover, I should write to Agria!

 

I've also had a response from the FSA. They've taken more interest than I expected and have asked me to make another complaint to them, this time addressed to the team who investigate breaches of the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations.

 

Two of my other cats are also insured with Halifax and I got their cancellation letters last week. In the letters it said that I should call BDML if I wanted to take out the replacement policy and that if I did nothing, my policies would end in April. A couple of days later I was very surprised to receive a letter from Premium Credit informing me that they had set up a direct debit for my new policy and asking me to sign a credit agreement. I complained to them that they shouldn't be taking any money from me given that a) I'd not asked for the policy, and b) I'd not signed the credit agreement. They replied saying that they didn't need a signed agreement to be able to take the money and that they'd received my bank details from BDML, who'd asked them to set up the new policy.

 

I find it interesting that I received a letter from Premium Credit regarding only one of my cats - the one who's never had any claims. The 2 cats who've had claims didn't get a new, unwanted policy set up for them. Knowing what BDML are like, I'm wondering whether they did this deliberately. I would be very interested to hear whether anyone else has had a Petwise policy set up fo them without their permission and if so, whether the pet has had any claims on their Halifax policy.

[gordonhutchison]

Been with Petplan for years, they're really good