Over 100% Premium Increase Following Claim

I have held a policy with VetsMediCover for 2 years and, until recntly would agree with other comments regarding the excellent policy and service of the company.
Unfortunately I had to made a claim in 2012 for a major operation for my dog. The cost was less than half the £10,000 allowed per annum, the money was promptly and efficiently paid out within 2 weeks of the claim. However, a month before my next premium was due, I received a letter to say that to take into account my claim's history my premium will rise from the proposed £336 per annum to £720 per annum, an increase well over 100%. This is an impossible high rise to budget for, particularly for a pensioner in her 80s.
What I did find scary is that when I spoke to one of the renewal team they did not seem to be aware that they were pricing many of their clients out of insurance cover and those are likely to be those that most need it.
Very few of us make unnecessary claims for our pets and I am willing to pay an higher excess to keep premiums manageable, vet cost now are usually well over the exisiting excess and I never claim.
Pet Insurance Companies should find out what their clients prefer from insurance over, a £10,000 fee allowance is of little use if the premium rises too high for clients to afford. Less cover on complementary therapy and a choice on excess would allow clients to get the most important treatments covered.