Lloyds Pet Healthcare policy

I chose this policy some years ago because of Lloyds 'Lifelong Protection' promise, ie I believed that Lloyds would not refuse to insure my dog when he reached a particular age. As my dog aged it became clear this was meaningless and 'Lifelong Protection' does not correspond to any normal English usage of the term. Technically Lloyds did not refuse to renew but they were only prepared to do so at an unrealistic and prohibitively expensive premium. This bore little relation to inflation or other insurer's rates. It seems that the ability to manipulate premiums gives insurers the option of backing out of any agreement they no longer like.

AVOID LLOYDS TSB PET INSURANCE!! I've been insuring my dog with Lloyds since I got her at 10 weeks old 10 years ago. The first claim of £183 was when she was around 9 months and I ended up getting £183 (£233 minus the excess) for a skin biopsy and some antibiotics. "Great" I thought, as they settled the claim immediately.

HOWEVER, 3 years on I got a renewal through and decided to look around and found that they were actually offering it £40 cheaper online. So I called them and asked them why, as an existing customer, they were trying to fleece me. They advised me to take out the policy online. Fine... 3 years later (aged 8) and there's a need to make a claim.

So I submit the claim form for £800 and get told "NO!". The reason why: well she'd chewed the pad of one of her paws 6 years prior when she was 2. Apparently that was "an existing skin condition". I argued that as I'd been insuring her for the last 3 years and at no time during the automatic renewals had they asked me if she'd sufferd any illness, that I should be covered under "continuous cover". They came back saying that I was right, but as the "skin complaint" had occurred less than 3 years prior to the renewal (2 years and 11 months to be exact!), that they wouldn't pay out. However, had I allowed them to fleece me and just let them renew automaticaly year on year, then she would've been covered under "continuos cover".

I've since paid out £400 for an ear infection - undoubtedly NOT skin related and £350 for pain relief for her back legs, but am so affected by the stress that they inflict when trying to make a claim that I haven't even had the heart to submit a claim. AVOID!!!

I have been with Lloyds Pet Insurance for 5 years (the age of my cat).I have just realised the policy has doubled in price since last year, I have never made a claim and when I queried it I was told all policies have increased due to there being a new underwriter. I cancelled my policy immediately - most definitely not good value.

Will always try and get out of paying a claim. Watch your renewal quote sky rocket if you do. They know they can charge what they like if you have an animal with an existing illness because no other insurance company will cover you. I've just had the Financial Ombusmen intervene successfully on my behalf. I would never insure with them again

i cancelled 2 pet insurances with them in nov 2009 months later they are still asking for money i have spent 4 hrs on the phone trying to trace the persons name on the letter they keep sending but that has been impossible i have spoken to 4 different persons on the phone they all say we know you cancelled in nov and this will be the end of the matter but these letters for money keep arriving i will never use lloyds insurance again

I have been with Lloyds Pet Insurance for many years and have never had a problen until recently. My monthly premium has increased slightly each year due to my dog getting older and claims that have been made, which is fair and you would expect that. However, my dog has turned 12 this year and my premium has gone from £283 a year to £698 a year, thats from £23 a month to £58 a month. Like most people I never bothered to check the premiums, my fault entirely but you dont expect an increase of more than double. On contacting them they just said that they were due for a price increase blaming it on the underwriters. They know they have me as there aren't many insurance companies that will insure a 12yr old dog with ongoing health problems. Would recommend them for younger animals but be prepared for large price hikes when the animals get old.

My cat developed a health problem sometime after the policy was taken out. It will be an ongoing health issue for him. The first claim was made and paid with no problem in January 07. When he had another bad time at the end of 2008 I claimed again. This condition is not listed as an exclusion on the certificate but they will not pay out for the second claim as it is the same condition as paid for before and it seems each condition is only covered for 12 months.