Owners of dogs and cats over two months old can now avail of Co-op Insurance’s new pet insurance, on top of the car, home, travel, and life policies they already offer – and it has none other than reality television star and rescue-dog owner Pete Wicks (pictured) to spread the good news.
Over 3.2 million households in the UK have got a pet since the start of the pandemic, according to the Pet Food Manufacturers Association. However, YouGov revealed 12% of them have come to regret the decision and considered leaving the unwanted pet at a rescue centre. That has become the sad reality for 160,000 pets who have been given up since 2020.
Interestingly, YouGov also found 91% of Brits looking for a pet would consider adopting from rescue centres if proven healthy enough.
To encourage potential pet owners to adopt and not shop, Co-op Insurance offers an introductory discount on policies for pets from a recognised animal charity or rescue centre: 7.5% for Co-op members and 2.5% for non-Co-op members.
“Deciding to adopt a pet from a rescue centre is so rewarding,” said Carl Sharples, head of sales and marketing at Co-op Insurance. “Since the pandemic, we’ve all seen how important rescue homes can be for animals, so we want to do what we can to make it easier for an animal to find a loving home.’’
The insurance also covers access to unlimited video consultations with qualified veterinary surgeons, open 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, with dental and farewell covers subject to terms and conditions.
Co-op Insurance has also teamed up with Wicks to launch the pet insurance - he has two French bulldogs of his own covered by the product.
“I’m delighted to be working with Co-op insurance on the launch of this new insurance cover. My dogs really are the most important thing to me: Peggy and Eric always have and continue to get me through tough times, so I find it crazy how some people don’t prioritise their health in the same way we would our own,” Wicks said. “Insurance is the best thing we can give our pets.’’
The new pet insurance product will be delivered with partner Markerstudy Broking, a division of the Markerstudy Group, which will provide end-to-end administration for the Co-op Insurance pet brand.
