Research from Sainsbury’s suggests that some 1.8 million claims are made every year on pet insurance policies in respect of veterinary treatment for dogs and cats.
The study also reveals that around 18,000 claims are made for other reasons, such as when a pet is lost or stolen. Despite this level of claims, however, the company warns that up to 75% of cats and dogs are not insured, which costs their owners £5.5 million in veterinary treatments every year.

The most common claim the company receives for pet insurance is for tumours of the skin, with general ill health (where the pet is said to be “just not his or herself”) second and then lameness.