Owners have claimed a record £657 million in pet insurance claims in 2015. This is the equivalent of £1.8 million every day, according to figures published today form the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
Figures show that there were 911,000 pet insurance claims were made, up nine percent on 2014. The average claim was £720 with the majority being for vet bills. Pet insures dealt with 686,000 claims for dogs and 193,000 claims for cats.
Some of the more unusual pet insurance claims handled include:
- Removal of a sock eaten by a dog.
- Treating a dog who swallowed a whole kebab stick.
- A python who needed treatment for anorexia at a cost of £200
- Removing a tumour from a polecat, which cost £333.
- A cat needed treatment for injuries suffered after falling from a fourth-floor window at a cost of £1,954.*
Mark Shepherd, general insurance manager at the ABI, said: “The record levels of claims handled by pet insurers highlights that owning a pet can be costly as well as rewarding. While it is good to see more pet policies in force, too many of the nation’s pet owners still don’t have any cover in place.
“The cost of getting quality veterinary treatment can quickly run into thousands of pounds, particularly with a greater range of medical treatments for pets now available. Pet insurance gives you peace of mind that you won’t have to deny your pet life-saving treatment because the veterinary bills are too expensive.
“Even with record claim levels last year, pet insurance remains very competitive, so you can choose from a wide range of products that offer different levels of cover depending on their needs. You should think carefully how you would cope without pet insurance if your pet fell dangerously ill or had a serious accident.”
* Asda Money, March 2016
