Business Insurance Online :: News
SHARE

Share this news item!

Record Highs in UK Pet Insurance Payouts Reflect Rising Vet Costs

Record Highs in UK Pet Insurance Payouts Reflect Rising Vet Costs

Record Highs in UK Pet Insurance Payouts Reflect Rising Vet Costs?w=400
The landscape of pet insurance in the UK has marked another milestone, with payouts reaching an unprecedented £1.23 billion ($2.36 billion) last year.
This 4% increase over the previous year is attributed to soaring veterinary fees, reflecting broader inflation trends in the industry.

The number of pet owners securing insurance has also hit a high, with a 3% rise bringing the total to 4.6 million policies. Concurrently, claims surged to 1.8 million, equating to approximately 4900 claims per day, doubling the figures seen a decade ago.

Dogs constitute the largest portion of claims, with £933 million ($1.79 billion) filed, trailed by cats at £232 million ($445 million), and other pets making up £61 million ($117 million). The average cost per claim has modestly increased by 3% to £685 ($1315), revealing the growing financial burden on pet owners as the Office for National Statistics reported a 9.1% inflation in veterinary and related services.

For instance, expenses for treating pets that consume harmful substances like chocolate or raisins have soared to around £4000 ($7680). This highlights the critical importance of comprehensive insurance coverage in safeguarding pet welfare during potentially expensive health emergencies.

According to Jonathan Purvis, a policy adviser at the Association of British Insurers (ABI), these developments underscore a positive trend of pet owners making informed financial choices to protect their pets and themselves amidst rising costs.

This surge in coverage and claims indicates a growing awareness and responsible approach among pet "pawrents," who aim to alleviate stress at critical moments by ensuring financial preparedness against unforeseen veterinary expenses.

Published:Tuesday, 3rd Jun 2025
Source: Paige Estritori

Share this news item:

Insurance News

Young Driver Left Uncovered Due to Policy Misstep Young Driver Left Uncovered Due to Policy Misstep
05 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

A policyholder faces a denied claim after inadvertently excluding his newly licensed 21-year-old son from his car insurance policy, highlighting a common oversight in age-specific exclusions. Following a collision involving his son, who recently earned his licence, Hollard Insurance declined the claim based on policy terms that excluded drivers under 25, unless accompanied by a qualified adult. - read more
NSW Floods Highlight Critical Insurability Crisis NSW Floods Highlight Critical Insurability Crisis
05 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

Recently, New South Wales has been severely affected by major floods, with damages to around 10,000 homes and businesses. The Insurance Council of Australia has already received over 6,000 claims from the Mid North Coast and Hunter regions, while countless families face displacement as their homes become uninhabitable. - read more
Ride-Share Driver Prevails in Insurance Dispute Over Vehicle Use Ride-Share Driver Prevails in Insurance Dispute Over Vehicle Use
04 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

A ride-share driver recently won a significant claim dispute against an insurer that initially denied his claim following a traffic accident. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) sided with the driver, determining that Auto & General could not prove he misrepresented his vehicle use when purchasing his insurance policy. - read more
Streamlining Life Insurance: New Digital Questionnaire Initiative Launched Streamlining Life Insurance: New Digital Questionnaire Initiative Launched
04 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

In a groundbreaking development for the Australian life insurance sector, a new digital initiative promises to simplify the process of providing medical information for life insurance applications. The collaboration between Acenda, formerly known as MLC Life, and EQ Pathology introduces “smart” digital questionnaires to streamline data collection. - read more
Record Highs in UK Pet Insurance Payouts Reflect Rising Vet Costs Record Highs in UK Pet Insurance Payouts Reflect Rising Vet Costs
03 Jun 2025: Paige Estritori

The landscape of pet insurance in the UK has marked another milestone, with payouts reaching an unprecedented £1.23 billion ($2.36 billion) last year. This 4% increase over the previous year is attributed to soaring veterinary fees, reflecting broader inflation trends in the industry. - read more


Business Insurance Articles

Understanding Liability Insurance: A Guide for Small Business Owners Understanding Liability Insurance: A Guide for Small Business Owners
Liability insurance is a type of coverage that protects businesses from financial losses due to claims of injury, harm, or damages made by third parties. This insurance is crucial for covering legal costs and compensation that might arise from such claims. - read more
Navigating Cyber Threats: Essential Cyber Insurance for Your Start-up Navigating Cyber Threats: Essential Cyber Insurance for Your Start-up
Starting a new business venture is an exciting endeavor, but amid the myriad decisions start-up founders face, one must not overlook the importance of insurance. In today's digital-first world, the potential for cyber threats is a reality that can no longer be ignored by businesses of any size or sector, especially start-ups aiming to secure their future. - read more
The Top 5 Insurance Policies Every Australian Start-up Needs The Top 5 Insurance Policies Every Australian Start-up Needs
When embarking on the entrepreneurial journey of a start-up, it's imperative to safeguard the nascent enterprise with a reliable insurance safety net. Insurance acts as a vital shield, protecting the hard work and innovation of new businesses against unforeseen events and liabilities which can arise in the unpredictable world of start-ups. - read more
Essential Tips to Reduce Your Business Insurance Premiums in Australia Essential Tips to Reduce Your Business Insurance Premiums in Australia
As a business owner in Australia, protecting your venture with adequate insurance is a non-negotiable aspect of risk management. The right business insurance acts as a safety net, guarding against unforeseen events that could otherwise derail your hard-earned progress. However, it's not uncommon for insurance premiums to dig deep into your cash reserves, challenging the balance between protection and profitability. - read more
How to Choose the Right Insurance for Your Australian Retail Business How to Choose the Right Insurance for Your Australian Retail Business
Running a retail business can be a risky endeavor. While you can minimize some of those risks with careful planning and management, you cannot eliminate them entirely. This is where insurance comes in. Having the right kind and amount of insurance coverage can make all the difference in protecting your business from financial loss, should the unthinkable happen. - read more
Common Insurance Mistakes Small Business Owners Should Avoid Common Insurance Mistakes Small Business Owners Should Avoid
Running a small business in Australia comes with its unique set of challenges and risks. One crucial aspect that every small business owner must consider is liability insurance. Liability insurance is designed to protect businesses from various claims and lawsuits that can arise in the course of their operations. Whether it's a customer slipping and falling in a store or a disgruntled employee filing a lawsuit, having the right insurance can provide a financial safety net. - read more
Assessing the Insurance needs of your Australian Labour Hire firm Assessing the Insurance needs of your Australian Labour Hire firm
As a labour hire firm, it is important to assess your insurance needs to protect your business from the risks it faces. Assessing your insurance needs involves identifying potential risks specific to your industry and taking steps to mitigate them. With the right coverage, you can protect your employees, clients, and business assets from unforeseeable circumstances, which could otherwise result in costly lawsuits or accidents. - read more
Essential Insurance Coverages You Need to Protect Your Small Business Essential Insurance Coverages You Need to Protect Your Small Business
Insurance is a vital component for any small business. It acts as a safety net, helping to protect your enterprise from unexpected financial losses. Whether you run a retail shop, a consultancy, or a manufacturing unit, having the right insurance coverages can make the difference between thriving and merely surviving. - read more
Must-Have Insurance Policies for Australian SMEs in 2025 Must-Have Insurance Policies for Australian SMEs in 2025
In today's rapidly evolving business environment, insurance has become an essential component for the survival and success of small to medium enterprises (SMEs). As businesses navigate through uncertainties, unexpected events can pose significant threats. Insurance not only provides a safety net but also conveys a sense of stability and trust to partners and customers. - read more
Avoiding Underinsurance: How to Adequately Cover Your Growing Business Avoiding Underinsurance: How to Adequately Cover Your Growing Business
When it comes to protecting the vitality and financial health of a growing business, insurance is a keystone. Yet, amidst the day-to-day hustle of driving your business forward, it's surprisingly easy to overlook the adequacy of your insurance policies - a misstep that can lead to the perilous state of underinsurance. In this article, we will delve into the essential knowledge and strategies to ensure your business is sufficiently covered, shielding it from unexpected setbacks and losses. - read more


Your free business insurance quote comparison starts here!
Business Name:
Postcode:

All quotes are provided free (via our secure server) and without obligation. We respect your privacy.

Knowledgebase
Actuary:
A professional who analyzes the financial costs of risk and uncertainty using mathematics, statistics, and financial theory.