Defaqto: Dogs overtake cats for pet insurance

Posted : 07-12-2006

The number of dog owners who have taken out pet insurance cover outweighs that of cat owners, new research has found.

According to data collection and research company Defaqto, 32 per cent of dogs in the UK are insured in comparison with 17 per cent of cats.

However, Defaqto also discovered that in the mid-1990s, cats overtook dogs in the pet ownership stakes, a fact attributed to lifestyle changes such as longer working hours and therefore less time to devote to pet care.

Consequently, less people are taking out pet insurance policies although they "recognise there is a risk", commented Brian Brown, head of the Insight team at Defaqto.

"Many owners, particularly of cats and non-pedigree dogs, have never experienced a large veterinary claim and therefore do not necessarily perceive a need for cover," he added.

Yet pet insurance could provide a useful financial aid should a pet be involved in an accident or fall ill, resulting in potentially costly veterinary bills.

According to InsureYourPet.co.uk, people are more likely to claim on pet insurance than that of household or car cover.

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