Just popped back to say that Petguard were not interested in considering a lump sum settlement in my case, due to the fact that my dog has not required any actual veterinary treatment (as in expensive operations) for this condition since the policy with them expired. Ironically he cracked a claw this week, but we have been able to avoid the vet with some Loxicom and bathing!

Well I have today actually drafted a letter to them. I took on board the comments several of you have made and increased the figure, which they will probably think is totally ludicrous. However, I decided that there has to be a starting point and although it sounds a large amount, if my dog had another few years over his lifetime like the last one he was insured with Petguard, then it would cost them more than that. Hopefully if they don't agree they will come back and be prepared to negotiate.

Thank you, I will go back through the vet's invoices for the last year I was insured with Petguard, which total some £2,000. Trouble is that I am a bit concerned they will want to know how much has been spent on that condition in the subsequent eighteen months, which is of course very little. As previously mentioned, this isn't because the condition has gone away, we have just been very lucky in that the nails have come away on their own and thankfully he hasn't needed surgery to remove them. Glad you got a good result and thanks again.

Thank you for the replies, will have to have a good think about it. It is so hard to come up with a "reasonable figure" isn't it? I don't want to be greedy, but then I also don't want to end up a few years down the line with enormous vet bills that have in no way been covered. Is this a negotiable thing? If I suggest a figure and they don't agree with it, are they likely go come back with an offer? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Thanks for the advice. So if I asked them for say £2,000, which was the cost in the last year of being insured with Peguard, hopefully they wouldn't consider that I was being greedy. I didn't think they would consider paying out anything like this amount. Does that sound an extortionate figure to ask for?

I phoned them today and was told that there is no time limit on submitting a claim for a lump sum settlement. I really don't know how to work out what figure to put though. My dog has an ongoing condition that cost over £2,000 in operations during the last year of him being insured with Petguard, but in the last 18 months he hasn't actually had to undergo any more operations. He got very close on three occasions, but thankfully the nails came away on their own at the last gasp just when we were getting ready to take him in. I have bought some anti-inflammatory medication and antibiotics from the vet, but that is about all. However, he is only 6 years old and there is no cure for the condition he has (SLO) and so there is always the chance that more operations will be needed going forward - next year we could be looking at another £2,000+, who knows. I am just not sure how to work out a suitable figure. I would be very grateful for any advice on how others worked out a reasonable figure. Obviously I am not asking for any actual figures or personal information, just some idea of what formula to use. I mean do you think they are prepared to pay out a couple of thousand pounds, or are we just talking a few hundred? If it is only a few hundred pounds, then I suppose I would be better off just leaving it as it is. Many thanks to you all. P.S. Yes I did have the compensation cheque. Have to say I was quite amazed that the FOS got such a result, I certainly didn't think it would happen!

I accepted the offer made through the FOS of Thistle covering any future claims for my dog's ongoing condition. I can't recall seeing anything about a lump sum payment. How do you go about claiming this? Is it too late now?

I get occasional emails from the FOS, last one received in September: "I write to inform you of the progress made on your complaint. As discussed previously, your complaint is still under review and we will hopefully be able to progress your case shortly. I will update you once I have further information and your case can then be reviewed. I would like to thank you for your co-operation at this time." Hopefully they will arrive at a decision fairly soon.

Thanks for posting all of that TINK660. I totally agree with you about the "lifetime cover" - it does specifically say that and so if that wasn't 100% what they meant, then they should not have used this at all in their literature as it was totally misleading and definitely influenced my decision to go with them. I had a telephone call this week from the lady at the FOS who is handling my case, just to say that no decision has been made yet as due to all of the media attention this subject had received there is a lot involved:???: Apparently they have to update you every so often on how your claim is progressing!

Thanks for your detailed reply Fidel, I tried your link to BBC Sussex Breakfast and went forward to 1:40 on each day of this week, but unfortunately couldn't find your interview - when exactly was it? I had a letter from the Adjudicator at FOS today, just saying the following, quote: I write to inform you of the progress made on your complaint. At present, I am currently awaiting further information from UK Insurance. As soon as I have received the information in question, I will contact you as soon as I have made an opinion on your complaint. I would like to thank you for your co-operation at this time I don't think it is looking good!

Fidel, no the FOS haven't contacted me saying that. My complaint is currently with adjudicator and I am waiting to hear what they decide. Today my dogs problem has flared up again and one of his claws is bleeding from the nail bed, which will probably result in him having to undergo yet another operation, but this time I will be paying the bill in full:-x I will be interested to hear how TINK660 gets on with Petguard/JLT. I simply cannot understand how they had the audacity to just start up again offering pet insurance after letting so many people down - it is totally disgusting. Please keep posting; the Petguard people seem to have been overlooked compared to the coverage that Halifax/Lloyds customers are getting.

I am in the same position as you TINK660, still waiting to hear from the adjudicator, but not really holding out much hope. When I last heard from Petguard/JLT they actually stated that anything further to do with this should be directed to NIG as they were the actual underwriters and they decided to pull out of pet insurance, not Petguard. However, the way Petguard handled it was absolutely awful, they just seemed to bury their head in the sand. Please keep posting as to how you get on. Thanks.

This is what I keep saying on various forums - we were the first ones to be affected by this and yet the Petguard fiasco didn't get any publicity. Is it just that Halifax / Lloyds have far more pet insurance customers? I am still waiting for a response from the FOS adjudicator!

Hi BankFodder Thanks for your response. Is it very complicated taking County Court action against an insurance company? Must admit I haven't got the first idea how to go about this and would appreciate any advice. I was told by the FOS that the adjudicator would be contacting me in about 10 weeks with a decision and that was in early November, so they are running very late:x I am not expecting any positive news from them, undoubtedly I will get the brush off! Thanks

Thanks for replying BankFodder. If you look at this thread - post number 64, 66 and 68 all relate compensation offers from Halifax: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3507585&page=4 To be quite honest, I wouldn't call £1,390, £2,500 and £1,030 bonbons! At least it is something to put away in readiness.