£1.8 billion of UK vet bills uninsured

 

21/01/2005

 

Collectively animal-loving Brits are being forced to borrow £1.8 billion* every year to cover the cost of emergency treatments for their pets.

 

According to a recent study** two-thirds (67%) of pet owners don’t have insurance on their furry friends although just one non-routine trip to the vet costs approximately £350, leaving them at risk of crippling medical bills.

 

The survey of 1,800 owners of dogs and cats by Churchill Insurance found that 34 per cent of pet owners had already been caught short – pushing them into debt and forcing them to take out loans.

 

Julie Owens, Head of Churchill Pet Insurance commented: "Despite pet insurance costing so little and three quarters (77%) of pet owners having to make regular unplanned trips to the vet, two thirds (67%) are still not covered."

 

"Most pet owners see their cat or dog as an extra member of the family so it’s hard to imagine why they are leaving themselves exposed in this way.

There’s a simple solution to this problem – they need to get insurance to cover against non-routine veterinary treatment".

The majority of pet owners are so committed to their moggies and pooches health that they will stop at nothing to get them the treatment they deserve.

 

Two fifths (44%) admit that they wouldn’t have enough money to pay for the next non-routine trip to the vet. Half (51%) of the uninsured pet owners said they would be forced to sacrifice one or more of the following:

  • put a stop on their social life
  • reign in their shopping
  • sacrifice their holiday
  • take money destined for a home improvement
  • sell their car

*£1.8bn = 28% (YouGov research) of pet owners who borrowed money/raided savings to pay for unplanned vet treatment as they did not have cover at the time x 18.9m (mintel) cat/dog owners x £350 average claim cost (Churchill)

**Research amongst 3967 UK adults (1799 owners of dogs and/or cats) carried out by YouGov between 4 and 10 January 2005.

 

For more information please contact:

 

Greg Dawson
Churchill Insurance
020 8285 3277
pressoffice@churchill.com