When is E&L not E&L?

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Bob Russell — Wed, 26 May 2010 15:33:10 GMT

I suspect that as we are not the client/insured that we cannot take any action other than carefully directing clients to consider their choices carefully.

It would be good fun for us all to send suitable cases to Watchdog - I am sure that if they received enough correspondence from vets they would jump at the chance for a Rogue Traders type expose. As long as we do not break confidentiality rules I cannot see this being a problem. We can always get permission from owners if it gets to that point!

I have a case on the go at the moment, a cat in acute heart failure. He has been referred to our cardiologist so I am waiting to be told by E&L that it is a hereditory condition or pre-existing or the cat is the wrong colour, has the incorrect type of tail carriage or some similar nonsense and therefore not covered.

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Alex Gough — Wed, 26 May 2010 12:02:47 GMT

Maybe we should consider gathering a number of cases and put them all to the FSA.

alex

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Bob Russell — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:54:59 GMT

It is amazing that, in this over-regulated world an insurance company that appears to take pride in not paying claims can survive even if it has to 'disguise' itself.

It shows how poor the FSA/ombudsmen system is. Why it should be the threat of further action ti the ombudsman that is required to get a fair 'pay-out' escapes me.

This is despite an almost united veterinary profession against them and their behaviour. You do have to admire their cheek!!!

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Niall Taylor — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:26:26 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

Answer: When it is Breeders Choice. Or dog-breeds.com!!!

Don't let your clients be fooled by this. We have had several of these policies issued with puppies. It is not Dog Breeders Insurance but an E&L special. As is our policy we suggest googling E&L reviews before taking out a policy. We do not give specific recommendations on individual policies but there is nothing wrong with suggesting google!!![/quote]

I believe this is an old E&L trick. In the past I have known them to trade as L&E and Edinburgh and London. I tell clients to be suspicious of any insurance company with an E or an L prominent in the name. Obviously they've cottoned on to this give-away aswell though!

Niall

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Rob Loxley — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:38:43 GMT

or http://www.pet-insurance.co.uk/

on whose website you have to search hard to find "Pet-insurance.co.uk is a scheme administered and underwritten by Equine & Livestock Insurance Co. Ltd"
Seems like E&L've cottoned on to their bad reputation...

[quote user="Bob Russell"]It is not Dog Breeders Insurance[/quote]
Hasn't DBI been merged into Petplan?

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Bob Russell — Tue, 25 May 2010 13:31:29 GMT

We do the same but this policy/company is not clearly identifiable as an E&L policy. I am sure the similarities in naming is purely coincidental and not a ploy to hide their identity!

Re: When is E&L not E&L?

Camilla Edwards — Tue, 25 May 2010 11:57:39 GMT

I try and guide people to www.insureyourpet.co.uk which is where people who have pet insurance can rank their company on a scale of +10 to -10... of course petplan have a top place ranking of + 7.91, and E&L are in last place with - 6.97! The website has some good information about lifetime policies etc.

I'm not sure either where the boundaries lie about what advice to give, because people always ask, but this website does have some help about making a decision so I figure that's ok?