Companion Club renewals

Your questions answered

How do I renew?

You'll automatically receive a renewal reminder by post before your Companion Club subscription runs out, which will outline the ways you can renew.

It's easiest and quickest for you to renew your Companion Club subscription by completing the form attached to your renewal reminder letter. Please do not call us to renew or check if we have received your postal renewal.  We have limited resources and want to be able to help you as effectively as we can.  

Is this process the same for exempted dogs?

The process for renewing your Companion Club subscription is exactly the same if you have an exempted dog. You'll automatically receive a renewal reminder by post before your Companion Club subscription runs out, which will outline the ways you can renew.

It's easiest and quickest for you to renew your Companion Club subscription by completing the form attached to your renewal reminder letter. Please do not call us to renew or check if we have received your postal renewal.  We have limited resources and want to be able to help you as effectively as we can.  

You'll then receive a confirmation letter confirming your renewal once we've processed the payment. You must keep this confirmation letter as this is used as your proof of another year of third party public liability insurance cover. 

How do I get a new proof of insurance?

You'll automatically receive a confirmation letter confirming your renewal once we've processed the payment. You must keep this confirmation letter as this is used as your proof of another year of third party public liability insurance cover.

As our third party public liability insurance extends to cover you as a private individual and any dogs that are your pets, we do not need the details of your dog for them to be covered. Your renewal confirmation letter confirms that you are covered through our third party public liability insurance, and your policy number and policy start date. This is all that you are required to prove as an owner of an exempted dog.

How do I get a certificate of insurance?

We have previously sent certificates of insurance to owners of exempted dogs, however, we have confirmed with DEFRA that this is no longer required. They have also confirmed that the police are aware of this so they should not ask you for a certificate of insurance. They may however ask you for proof of insurance for which you can refer to your renewal confirmation letter which is sent out once you've renewed your Companion Club subscription. If the police do ask you for a certificate of insurance, please ask them to contact DEFRA for confirmation that this is not required.

As our third party public liability insurance extends to cover you as a private individual and any dogs that are your pets, we do not need the details of your dog for them to be covered. Your confirmation letter confirms that you are covered through our third party public liability insurance, and your policy number and policy start date. This is all that you are required to prove as an owner of an exempted dog.

Can I get a confirmation email?

We're not able to provide confirmation emails for renewals at this time. We're working hard to update our renewals process so that Companions are able to renew online. We're hopeful that this will be available soon, and certainly by the time you renew next year.

Why can't I renew online?

Our systems are not able to process online renewals at this time. We're working hard to update our renewals process so that Companions are able to renew online. We're hopeful that this will be available soon, and certainly by the time you renew next year.

How long will it take to renew?

Our team is experiencing very high demand at the moment, so we expect it to take 3-4 weeks for your form to be processed and for you to receive your renewal confirmation letter. We suggest that you renew as soon as you are reminded to so that we can ensure you have continuous cover.  We really appreciate your patience during this time.  We will be working tirelessly to process your kind renewals as swiftly as possible!

I pay by direct debit, how do I get a renewed proof of insurance?

If you have paid for your Companion Club subscription and require proof of insurance for exemption purposes, please email companions@dogstrust.org.uk.  Please note we cannot issue any proof until your payment is received, so please do not send this request until your payment is clear.