Pet insurance only held by a quarter of owners Despite the UK's reputation as a nation of animal lovers, three quarters of people do not insure their pets, new figures show.



According to Debenhams Pet Insurance, making sure a pet is covered should be essential for owners and cover can include money for the loss or theft of an animal.

This is particularly important in light of recent data from the Metropolitan Police showing that there has been a 74 per cent rise in cases of dog-napping in London, with singer Lily Allen one high-profile victim.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are reported to be especially popular with thieves.

Diane Jackson, head of Debenhams Personal Finance, commented: "Pets are family members too. We insure our valuable possessions, we should be insuring our pets as well."

And with summer approaching, pet owners have been advised that making sure their pet is fully insured is just as important if they are going abroad as when they are in the UK.

Policies which cover pets abroad will reassure owners that if an accident happens at home or away, their animal will get the same treatment from insurers, Halifax Pet Insurance said.

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