Pet insurance, designed for domestic animals, is now an indispensable reality. From illness to third-party liability, to give you greater peace of mind and help them live better.
A business worth 532 million euros: this is the salient figure for the pet insurance market for dogs and cats, a substantial sum that bears witness to the growing love of animals in Italy. According to data from the Rapporto Italia 2016 compiled by Eurispes, almost half of Italians own one or more pets (43.3 per cent). The Eurispes survey reveals that the majority of owners (38.6 per cent) spend no more than 50 euros a month on feeding and grooming their animal; more than 35 per cent keep costs below 30 euros a month, while only 19 per cent spend up to 100 euros. Those who can afford to spend even more are in the minority: 4.3 per cent spend between 101 and 200 euros a month, 1.6 per cent up to 300 euros, and 1.4 per cent spend over 300 euros a month.
According to Facile.it, an Italian insurance comparison platform, insurance for dogs and cats is a product that is increasingly used and sought after. All of this seems to reflect not only people's love for their four-legged companions, but also a growing awareness that insurance cover can be a genuine help in day-to-day life with a pet. Pet insurance costs on average around 40–50 euros a year, though the price can also vary depending on the age of the insured animal and whether its breed is considered particularly at risk from a behavioural standpoint. Insuring a young Pit Bull, a Rottweiler or a lively and playful wolf-like dog, for example, can cost as much as 60 per cent more. Current insurance policies not only protect owners against damage to people or property that the animal may cause, but are also valid in the event of accidents involving the pet or debilitating illnesses. No dog can be insured unless it is registered on the canine registry, and cover does not apply if the animal is found to have been mistreated.
But what do Italy's leading insurers make of the pet insurance business? On this subject, UnipolSai explains: "UnipolSai decided to launch a product dedicated to pets following careful monitoring of what was happening in Italy with regard to the pet "phenomenon". Analysis of data from a recent survey (2016) revealed that there are over 60 million domestic animals in Italy. The families that have 'adopted' them regard their four-legged friend as a full member of the household, and devote care and attention to their health, diet and hygiene with a view to improving and prolonging their lives. As a result, spending on food and veterinary costs continues to rise: it has been found that, over the course of a single year (2014), the volume of spending on pet hygiene products grew by 14 per cent. In this social context, it is reasonable to expect that insurance spending too can and should find a fertile area for growth."
The new UnipolSai product dedicated to pets appears to be heading precisely in this direction. It is called "UnipolSai C@ne&G@tto" and is a unique product within the Italian insurance market, thanks to the innovative Unibox PETs device — a special SOS "button" that, clipped to the animal's collar, allows it to be located immediately, making it possible to receive real-time alerts or notifications directly on your mobile phone in the event that the animal runs away, goes missing, or causes damage to third parties when it is not with its owner.
UnipolSai continues: "The partnership with UniSalute (Gruppo Unipol) is fundamental; UniSalute will be the provider for assistance services and claims management relating to the 'Veterinary expenses for surgical procedures' cover. Through UniSalute it will be possible to access a network of affiliated veterinary clinics which, in addition to offering a high standard of quality, will allow the policyholder to avoid paying upfront, by guaranteeing direct payment for the service. The policy allows for up to five animals to be insured, whether dogs or cats, provided they are fitted with a microchip or identifying tattoo. For cats not fitted with a chip, throughout 2017 customers will be able to have one inserted at preferential rates at veterinary clinics affiliated with UniSalute, and subsequently, at the time of taking out the policy, will benefit from a reduction in the first premium instalment equal to the cost of the microchip.