Medibank Pet Insurance

I have been with medibank pet insurance for almost 7 years. A few weeks ago I had to rush my beloved cat to the emergency vets as it turned out her small intestines spontaneously telescoped and she went in for surgery to have that section of intestines removed. I was on emergency care, because you never know when something like this can suddenly happen. $5500 later, I put in my claims to medibank desperate for the money I had borrowed to be paid off, only to receive a letter, after chasing it up for 3 weeks, that nothing, not a cent would be paid. Even though the entire this is itemized, not a single thing is to be covered because apparently this emergency was not the right kind of emergency. Waste of time and money.

Another year, another massive Premium increase. Why? Because we made a little claim? Ear infection around 200 AUD claim. Our dog is very healthy, only 4 years old. We signed up since he was a puppy and this is how you get treated. Our premium increased from 85 to 106 AUD per month! And we have also our private health insurance membership with them. When does it stop? What is the insurance for if you pay your vet visits basically yourself on top of the premium a year after???

Don't get fooled like us, their lure you in with good prices and then they spit on your loyalty and increase the premium every year as they please.

When you call them about the unfair increase, they just basically letting your know that you can't go anywhere else as your dog have now a pre existing condition (ear infection).

I will try to warn people on as many review pages as possible and will contact ombudsman as it is almost criminal.

I really wanted to give a shout out to Rafael who had done all her best in providing the best customer service to my dog and I. She heard my story and felt that she needed to give all she has got to get my long pending claim for my pet's vet bill processed, as I was on the verge of cancelling my pet's insurance.

The claims portal is easy to use and the statements are easily understandable. Our vet seems to understand what information is required and we have not had to supply further evidence of our claim. We've had a good experience with our claims to date.

To anyone who has pets and are considering pet insurance or who currently use Medibank Pet Insurance, I want to share my story. After paying monthly pet insurance payments to medibank for over 8 years and having the usual policy increases each year, I received the policy for this year for Tashi my dog who will turn 13 next week. Medibank has increased the monthly payments by 28% taking the annual premium from$680 to $935 because they can. No other reason, they review the policy risk factors each year and although no claims were made and no circumstances changed except that my dog is a year older, they can forget the 8 years of payments made and up the premium 28%. This is not highlighted to you when you take out the policy. I have paid out thousands over the 8 years to no avail and will now not renew the policy.
I just wanted you to be aware of my experience and avoid Medicare and perhaps check whatever policies you may have because as the time draws near that you may actually need to make a claim you will be shafted. Better to set up your own Pet Fund and put your premiums away for the day you need it, I wish I had....

I have three dogs and we’ve been covered by Medibank since we rescued them eight years ago. We haven’t claimed in years and this year our premiums increased by 40% without any explanation. When I called to cancel our policies, they refused to accept my cancellation and insisted that I put my premiums on hold (promised I wouldn’t have any premiums deducted going forward) while they had an opportunity to investigate and put a better offer to me. I reluctantly agreed and heard nothing from them. Two weeks later my premium was deducted ! I had to call three times and beg to be let to cancel my policy before they agreed to cancel my policy, and refunded my premium (I kept being told it had to be escalated to management and would receive a call back, I never did). One operator tried to advise me my cancellation had been ineffective and I was required to pay premiums for 12 months going forward ! Various breaches of the Insurance Contracts Act and outrageous behaviour that they refused to accept my cancellation which is unconscionable in so many ways and a breach of my policy which allows me to cancel at any time. As a lawyer who practises in insurance law, I found this a horribly difficult experience and I can’t imagine how someone who doesn’t have my background would find this.

Our 6y/o beagle , Samwise the Brave ingested some unknown substance before Easter . This resulted in a catastrophic gastrointestinal event . Pancreatitis, bloody vomits and diarrhoea.Aspirate Pneumonia and finally mega esophagus and an esophageal stricture...The only way we were able to keep saying ‘yes’
to the vets treatment plans was Bessie’s we took out Medibank pet insurance when Samwise was a puppy .... We cannot recommend this product enough ... our beagle is alive because of the expert Vetinary care we could keep saying ‘yes’ to .... Thankyou

Ive been a member with MBP pet insurance for a few years and have been lucky enough not tot have to claim. Spoke to Rafael tonight about how I do this for a claim I need to make. She was kind and knowledgeable and helpful.

June 17th 2019 Update: Best pet insurance around

I've recently have had many & high cost vet bills. Medibank's pet insurance has been an absolute life saver. Claims paid fast & refunds were better than expected & easy to submit. A big thank you to Medibank Pet Insurance.

I have been with MBP pet insurance for about 4 years. They have been brilliant, have always been extremely easy to deal with and have always settled my claims within days of me lodging. Very satisfied customer and highly recommend them to anyone who is looking at pet insurance options.

Premiums are through the roof because dog growing older even though his only claim is vaccination annually. no major illness. You're what's wrong with insurance. Hayne should be on you next. You're a transparent money grab org.

My elderly father took out emergency pet insurance cover with Medibank as he has been a member for more than 30 years. Our dog was taken ill and took a turn for the worse late on Saturday when our vet was closed. She was taken to an Emergency Vet Hospital who admitted her, ran a barrage of tests and diagnosed hemorrhagic gastroenteritis I had a bill for $2040 for an overnight stay and drip, plus tests. My claim was knocked back as they didn't cover gastro even though it could have been fatal. I am on a pension as is my father, luckily I had access to my super funds. I am canceling the insurance as I can't see the point when they will not pay out on what is obviously an emergency

I’ve just received my renewal of almost an extra $17 a month!!!! This is absolutely outrageous! I can go to another company and get it $20-25 cheaper per MONTH. I know what I’ll be doing, and going to another provider! I don’t understand why it’s so much as I have not made a claim in years!

Medibank will increase the monthly premium if your dog gets sick and older(which is inevitable).
I started with around $45 pm which went up to $66 pm and now its now $93 pm due to the dog ageing and falling sick. They of course, send you a notice but what choice do you have if your dog has an ongoing problem? Also the excess is deducted on every different condition and medicines. Also they do not pay for dental issues.
Choose wisely!

I have just received my renewal and am very angry that because my dog has turned 8 they have increased the premium by just short of 40%. The premium is jumping from $81.83 per month to a staggering $114.30 per month. My pet has been on this plan (Silver Paws) since he was 8 weeks old. I shall be reporting this to the ombudsman as it is disgraceful behaviour and sheer profiteering by the company for their shareholders and no consideration to their clients. I am now a senior and to pay this premium will have an adverse impact on my standard of living.

I phoned up to add a new puppy to existing insurance. Staff were very friendly and made it as easy and fast as possible, while still running through all the legal requirements. Explanations were simple and she even helped to coordinate fortnightly payments on the same day for both dogs.

Medibank Private Pet insurance were efficient and easy to deal with when we made 2 separate claims recently, they kept us up to date on the claim and paid the refund quickly without delay.

I’ve been with Medibank for over 6 years now and with an epileptic dog it has been a godsend! I’ve always received my claims back quickly and without any hassle.

My dog had just turned 8. His policy increased from $77 per month to $108. The explanation was that as he is now 8 he MAY get sick more often, MAY need more Veterinary care, MAY cost more to keep him healthy. Apparently the premium increase is based on his location (He's not a used car you know), gender and breed. This has not changed since last renewal. Nor did he have a claim. Yes, they can give me cheaper cover. Yes it covers a lot less. Hmmm. The reason I got the policy was the cover level. I could understand a 10% increase, but this is sheer greed. They know that pet owners want to make sure their loved companions will get the care they need when they need it most. So they exploit it. I wonder how much their re-insurance went up last 12 months? 40%? I doubt it. Now that I am also a "senior citizen" in the eyes of Medibank, thank goodness they don't insure me. I would be in a world of trouble.

They jump my premium more than 1.5 times right after my dog turned nine just disgusting way to treat customer. Alternatively cut my eligibility from 80 to 60 and still 10 percent jump in premium

I've been a medibank member myself since 2004 so thought they would be a professional insurer for my two cats. They are healthy young cats so have never claimed until one of them recently contracted an eye infection as a result of cat flu. $170 later at the vets I happily put my first ever claim in. They weren't interested although I thought I was covered for accident and illness - not this illness apparently. I'm not going to waste anymore money paying for something I'm not actually covered for - peace of mind when it comes to my cat's health. Now I worry how they might try and wriggle out of any claims for my own health insurance!! Might be time to move on......