We’ve looked into the changing attitudes towards pet insurance and the ever evolving needs of customers across the UK. Uncovering what’s important to cat and dog owners when looking for cover for their 4-legged friends.
Our 2,000 person survey – coupled with our own data – provides insights into the cost of pet insurance policies, cost of veterinary treatment, popularity of breeds, where our cats and dogs come from, which conditions lead to the most expensive claims, how pre-existing conditions affect pet insurance coverage and how many people would consider switching. Finally we’ve looked at satisfaction levels within pet insurance and renewal pricing – exploring at what level of increase pet owners look to shop around or even cancel cover entirely.
Key stats
Stuck with providers
Once a pet suffers a condition then as an owner you will normally need to stay with your existing insurer to ensure that coverage for that condition continues. Unfortunately this can result in increased premiums each year. There are now providers, including Scratch & Patch, which look to offer consumers choice of switching pet insurance provider by covering their pet’s pre-existing conditions.
Of our respondents who didn’t have cover for their pets pre-existing conditions, 69% said they would consider taking out insurance to include this.
While 78% of respondents who were covered for pre-existing conditions said they would consider switching insurer if those conditions could be covered under their new provider.
The research also discovered that in order for cat and dog owners to consider switching pet insurance policies, the new insurance would need to be on average £47.40 less per year than their current renewal premium.
Would consider taking out insurance to include cover for pre-existing conditions
Would consider switching if pre-existing conditions could be covered
Reduction on the renewal price for people to switch
The name of the UK's pets
Looking at our data and the survey responses we’ve been able to work out the most popular pet names in the UK. Using over 27,000 pet names Bella comes out as the most popular name for 2020, with Luna coming a very close second.
1. Bella
2. Luna
3. Lola
4. Poppy
5. Hugo