We have been with Sainsburys for 5 years and this year they doubled our premium to £650 per year. Asked for this to be investigated - it took AXA over 12 days despite promising it would be 5 working days. No change
This is outrageous - we have a retired police dog - a Springer Spaniel and although we have claimed on the policy it amounts to less than 10% of what we have spent on premiums.
We can't go elsewhere for he has existing conditions - amounting to around £80 per year of drugs.
I advise you put your money into your own seperate account and don't let the insurers have your money.

I have an 8 year old Labrador and my renewal in February did increase by £50. I have found the Customer Services to be excellent. My only gripe is with the delay in receipt of the Claim - maybe due to the Postal Service though. I found (once received) that my claim and any queries were dealt with promptly and efficiently. I for one cannot really complain about them in my experience.

Im quite discusted with the premium increases that seem incorrect but i cannot prove it, and my views are confirmed by other comments on thiis site.

The pet insurance industry doesn't seem to be too concerned with customer retention.

There appears to be no such thing as a no claims discount, and they'll usually undercut their standard renewal price by having a continuous 10-20% reduction for new online business.

Car breakdown recovery companies appear to operate the same way.

Go figure...

I have used Sainsburys PetCare insurance for some years now and have just received my renewal quote. My policy went DOWN by & '£2.50 a month last year, credited to Axa coming on board. It has almost doubled this year!!!!! The helpline advised that some member's premiums have TREBLED this year. Either Axa went into the deal ignorant of the costs, or they obtained the work by getting the contract cheaply, knowing full well that the can re-coup their losses by huge hikes when they've got their feet under the table! - either way, surely they cannot work like that? I cannot change my insurance as I am now involved in an ongoing claim for treatment which my dog will need for life - but that is what insurance is. (Incidentally, my claim was ongoing last year when my premium was reduced so I know that isn't the reason for MY increase). I plan to write in with my concerns and send a copy of the letter to the insurance ombudsman and I do hope that others will do the same. A company such as Sainsburys surely has enough clout to say "enough" to Axa, and maybe even consider their clients, and find another underwriter? Please, if we all stand up for our rights, we might all have a loud enough voice which cannot be ignored. Thanks in advance, and let's hope we can all be saved from this unfair increase.

Have had one cat (3-4 years old, in London) insured for a year. First year's premium was 67.34, around 20% less than the previous year's Tesco insurance. Recent renewal was 117.34: a nice, round 50 increase. Ridiculous, and cancelled.

Didn't have to make a claim in that time, so can't comment on anything other than the premium.

What I really want to do is let the public know what really is happening. Anyone out there willing to take this further and get it Aired so people are aware - let me know. Enough complaints and we can do it, our pets need us to get this sorted

I took out Sainsbury's pet insurance as soon as we bought our dog which was over 2 years ago. I haven't made any claims and paid by monthly direct debit which was up to date. When my last renewal came through my premiums had increased by £20 per month making the total premium payable over £30. I was unable to sort out the problem and felt I had paid 2 years premiums for nothing.

Sainsburys PetCare Pet Insurance are helpful, competitively price when comparing against other companies, particularly as they cover higher costs. I have had 2 cats insured with them for 7 years and have found them helpful and prompt. Covered the full costs for cancer surgery and the eventual putting down and cremation 1 year later of 1 cat. I don't understand why the quote for my 2 new kittens, living at the same address, from the same litter, should be £10 more for the male than the female!

I have 3 animals insured with Sainsbury's PetCare, and I have been very disappointed with the service over the last claim. I have written and faxed a letter of complaint and asked for a telephone call, but I have received no response.

I have friends that have claimed on their pet insurance and I can assure you that their premium didn't increase that much, maybe a couple of pounds at the most. So I would definitely not recommend Sainsburys PetCare insurance. You would be better of paying the higher premium with petplan to start with. If they had paid out the maximum £6500, what would my premium have increased to?

Our last remaining male Afghan has been insured with Sainsbury Petcare Pet Insurance (Axa) for a number of years. He has now reached the ripe old age of 15 and we have just had his renewal notice in. It has gone up from £19 per month to a staggering £60. I am told Axa have recently changed the way they work out premiums, and the main increase is due to the fact that he is male!! Needless to say we have relunctantly cancelled the policy.
Think again if you have a male dog.

I have been with Sainsbury's PetCare Pet Insurance since my dog was 1 year old. I have rarely made a claim, and now he is seven it is difficult to change companies, as many do not take on older pets. Recently my dog had an ear infection; something he had three years ago. I sent in my claim, and two weeks on I am still awaiting payment. I know I have to pay £50 excess, so the claim is only for approx £40. They are happy taking my £22 per month, but are not happy when I have to make a claim.

Sainsburys PetCare Pet Insurance: Working in a vets I know of several pet insurance companies and the pro's and cons. However shopping in Sainsbury's I came across their leaflet and liked what I saw. After comparing with Pet Pan (as a nurse I can get a discount with them) I felt Sainburys offered the better deal (i.e. It still worked out cheaper with Sainsbury's). Pet plan offers cover for life which is a reassuring plan especially compared to those that cover for only 12 months. Sainsburys pay upto a maximum of £6,000 per medical condition. I felt that this was a very good amount to have covering one condition (having a good idea re: veterinary costs esp referrals!) many companies only pay £1,000-£3,000 per condition. Sainsburys has no time limit just maximum pay limit (again some companies only pay this amount within the year). This is all well and good but how good are they when you actually use them. Well unfortunately I have experience of this after our dog Jimmy got hold a load of Ibuprofen 400mg! As a result of the treatment, which worked I'm happy to say, my bill came to over £400. My excess was £60 (about normal for my area) Sainsbury's paid up promptly and kept me informed by letter re: its progress. Finally as a pleasant suprise I was not penalised at renewal time as I was expecting (not that I'm a cynic!). It cost me the same as the year before. So I really cannot fault them... yet