Esure takes lead in pet insurance appeal

Thursday, 04 December 2008 12:00

Esure is urging dog-owners not to ditch pet insurance as it emerged some had missed mortgage repayments to fork out for vets bills.

A survey by the insurer, which provides pet insurance policies, found high vet bills had forced a fifth of dog owners to use their credit card and 14 per cent to dip into their savings to pay for unexpected treatment.

And four per cent had been forced to default on a mortgage repayment.

While pet insurance might not seem the most essential item during difficult economic times, Esure said, it could avoid people facing a hefty and unexpected vets bill.

And it is encouraging people to take out a policy because its survey also found only 31 per cent of pet owners had insurance and a quarter of those with cover were considering cancelling it.

Mike Pickard, head of pet insurance at esure, said: "It's crucial for dog owners to have either pet insurance or savings to cover potentially thousands of pounds worth of vet bills.

"Sickness, injury and long-term illnesses can affect any breed or size of dog but with some more susceptible than others, owners should plan for all eventualities when it comes to their dogs' health."

• Tags:
• product news