More and more money is being spent by families on our pets. This is due to the growing consumerist trend both with ourselves and with our animals. Today we will see that, also, the demand for pet insurance is increasing.
What do the most recent studies say?
Animal Associations carry out annual reports on different aspects that affect our pets:
- Asociación Madrileña de Veterinarios de Animales de Compañía (AMVAC): the fixed costs of dogs exceed two euros per day, while the cost of a cat is close to one and a half euros. This, if no eventuality occurs that causes additional expenses (illness, extra veterinary expenses…).
- National Association of Pet Food Manufacturers (ANFAAC): half of the families in Spain have a pet.
Are our pets insured?
The latter association, ANFAAC, states that only 1% of our animals have specific insurance.
This does not mean that they are not insured, but it is possible that we may find gaps that we are unaware of, and that we may have problems in the event of an accident.
This is very different in other countries in our environment, such as the United Kingdom or France, where 25% of animals have specific insurance for them.
However, experts point out, due to a higher level of awareness of pets, which in many cases are considered part of the family, there is a tendency for this insurance to grow.
Why pet insurance?
The Spanish Insurance Companies’ Association, UNESPA, points out the most frequent examples in which the owner of an animal could receive a claim:
- Not only bites to people, but also
- Causing pedestrian falls
- Causing accidents involving cyclists or even traffic accidents
- Damage to other people’s property
These are some assumptions for which, of course, the owner of the animal would be liable; he would have to assume the corresponding compensation.
Is it mandatory for my pet to have insurance?
This is a competence that is regulated on an autonomous basis, i.e. what happens in Catalonia does not necessarily have to be the same in Andalusia.
Nowadays, it is compulsory at a national level to have a Civil Liability insurance in the case of dangerous dogs. However, in Madrid and the Basque Country all dogs are obliged to have it, not only potentially dangerous dogs.
However, it is not essential to have a specific insurance for the animal since many home insurances cover the possible damages caused by the animal (with certain limitations, since we must check that our insurance does cover it).
What types of pet insurance are there?
Fundamentally, we could summarize it in two main groups:
- Liability coverage plus legal defense against possible recommendations: it may also include a telephone number for advice and information.
- Those that also cover veterinary assistance expenses, as well as additional guarantees such as: compensation in case of theft of the animal, or a capital to be used in the search for the animal, etc.
If you want us to offer you one of the best policies at national level, which insures thousands of dogs all over Spain and is tailor-made, contact us. Find the pet insurance you need.
