1.8 Million Pet Insurance Claims Per Year

Pet Insurer Sainsbury's has reported today on research identifying an estimated 1.8 million pet insurance claims are made in the UK against veterinary treatment for cats and dogs every year.

The company reports a further 18,000 claims are also made for other reasons including when the animal is lost or stolen. However Sainsbury's also reports that the 75% of uninsured cat and dog owners pay out for an estimated 5.5 million veterinary treatments.

According to Sainsbury Finance, the most common pet insurance claim is for skin tumours, followed by general poor health where the cat or dog is said to be "just not his/herself". In 2007 the company says it dealt with pet insurance claims covering well over 200 different categories.

Of the new report Claire Moyles, Pet Insurance Manager, Sainsbury’s said:

"Our analysis demonstrates that pet insurance isn't just a nice to have product. Events in which you may find yourself needing to claim are more common than you may wish to consider."