932,000 pet insurance claims made in the UK in 2016

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Apr 14 2017 | 6:42 PM IST
A bearded dragon with an abscess, and a Burmese python with anorexia were among a record number of pets treated in the UK under insurance policies last year.
The bearded dragon, a kind of lizard, had its sore jaw treated at a cost of 410 pounds.
The food-resistant python proved even more expensive, costing 790 pounds to treat, the BBC reported.
They were both among 932,000 pet insurance claims made in 2016, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI).
The total amount paid out to policy-holders was 706 million pounds, a seven per cent increase on 2015 and also a record high.
The average cost of a claim is now 757 pounds, a five per cent rise on 2015.
"There is no NHS for pets, and the cost of getting quality veterinary treatment can quickly run into thousands of pounds, particularly with rising veterinary costs and a greater range of medical treatments for pets now available," said Rebecca Hollingsworth, general insurance policy adviser at the ABI.
However most pet owners do not bother with insurance. Only 30 per cent of dog owners and 16 per cent of cat owners pay for an annual policy, the report said.

Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content

*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Apr 14 2017 | 6:42 PM IST

Next Story