The Recession Proof Pet

For Immediate Release - October 30, 2008

With the world wide economy in turmoil and our household budgets stretched to the maximum there simply is no spare cash left over for unexpected expenses such as veterinary bills. Animal Friends Insurance have several levels of cover ranging from just a few pounds per month to comprehensive full life time policies to help protect you against unforeseen medical expenses for ongoing conditions and to give you some peace of mind during these trying times.

The past few months have shown that pet owners are purchasing record numbers of insurance policies from Animal Friends over that of past years. We believe, as do many others, that this is partly due to the present uncertain times. British families fear they simply cannot take the chance of something unforeseen happening to their pets, resulting in a costly vet bill.

Across the country households have seen mortgage increases of £200 to as much as £400 a month as their fixed rate mortgage deals come to an end. Adding to this are the increasing numbers of business closures and escalating household fuel bills. So as the Citizens Advice Bureau increasingly reports record numbers of people coming to them with debt problems and all families having to cut back on meals out, luxury food items and even child care, it seems that these same families are making a big effort to purchase pet insurance as a precaution.

It is well known in the industry that more claims are made for pet related illness rather than accidents. Similarly insurers are reporting that they find claim ratios are 1 in 4 and often as high as 1 in 3 for pets requiring veterinary treatment each year. Another important fact is that veterinary fees are rising faster than inflation and pet insurance claims are made more frequently than other household or car insurance claims.

Some startling facts found by research done by a large supermarket is that 1.6 million pet owners have had to put down at least one pet dog or cat over the past five years because of not being able to cover a vet bill. To avoid this unnecessary heartache many are looking into getting lifelong policies for their pets.

David Green, spokesman for the RSPCA said: "The vast majority of responsible pet owners do get insurance. But people often do not appreciate the cost of vet treatment. People are out of touch with what it can cost. Insurance is a relatively small outlay in comparison."

Animal Friends Insurance is a not-for- profit organization, which means all of the net profits that are made from their Pet Insurance policies go directly to charities which help animals in need. The charities that they provide aid to are worldwide and include; Animal Asia, The Born Free Foundation, donkey and horse sanctuaries in Israel and the Gambia, as well as smaller charities such as Somerset and Dorset Rescue and Woodlands Animal Sanctuary.

In difficult financial times like these charitable donations are one of the first things to be hit with the media reporting a huge downturn in public funding for charities. Because of this sad fact Animal Friends has teamed up with The Mayhew Animal Home, one of the busiest animal sanctuaries in London, rescuing thousands of animals from cruelty and neglect each year, form cats and dogs to rabbits and many other animals. To help the Mayhew's important work, Animal Friends Insurance will be donating £5 for every policy sold when a pet insurance purchase is made right until the end of November 08, a buyer just has to give the promotional code MAY1 at the time of purchase to trigger the donation. So whether you phone Animal Friends Insurance to buy a policy - or buy online - mention the promotional code MAY1 and Animal Friends will earmark £5 towards this worthy cause on your behalf.

Deciding to get pet insurance through Animal Friends is two-fold; you get peace of mind from knowing you will be able to provide for the four-legged members of your family and you will also be contributing to charities around the world who together help many thousands of animals in need.

Further Information about Animal Friends Insurance

Animal Friends Insurance is a non-profit making insurance business, which donates 100% of its net profits to animal welfare charities worldwide. The company was founded in 1998 and offers competitively priced dog and cat insurance products. In 2005 Animal Friends Insurance's managing director, Elaine Fairfax, won the NatWest everywoman Award for achieving the most outstanding success in business. Animal Friends currently insures around 30,000 pets at a £5 million gross written premium

Animal Friends Insurance Services Limited, a company registered in England and Wales No. 3630812. Animal Friends is regulated by the Financial Services Authority, FSA Registration Number: 307858. This can be checked by visiting the FSA website www.fsa.gov.uk/register or by contacting the FSA on 0845 606 1234. Animal Friends and its Logos are protected by Trademark.

Profits from Animal Insurance Protect Endangered Gorillas in the Congo

Last December, Animal Friends Insurance chose to support the charity Gearing Up For Gorillas (G4G - www.g4g.co.uk), by helping with funding for vital projects to save the majestic mountain gorillas in the war torn Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). AFI report that they are already making a difference. Funding has enabled the feeding and care of three orphan baby gorillas at a sanctuary in Goma. Ndeze and Ndakasi are two mountain gorillas and Mapendo an eastern lowland gorilla.

G4G representative Linda Nunn commented, “The milk powder for baby gorillas is very expensive (especially at the moment with insecurity and travel issues), and the ranger/care givers have to go further to fetch forest food for them every day. They're obviously having to go further to quieter areas or pay local people to fetch it from afar for them and that all takes money. Funds from AFI will keep Ndeze, Ndakasi and Mapendo fed and looked after for some time.”

The UN has declared 2009 to be the official “Year of the Gorilla” to raise awareness of their plight and the efforts of rangers who risk their lives to protect them. Animal Friends is proud to support this cause and aims to assist in the campaign.

G4G works to assist park rangers who have limited resources and whose work place is one of the most dangerous in the world. Many rangers and their families have been living in trenches because of the war. Over the last decade, more than 100 rangers have been killed while on duty in DRC.

Five National Parks in DRC are classified as ‘World Heritage Sites – in Danger’. These five sites are the last refuge for many of the worlds endangered and threatened species. In eastern DRC, the Virunga National Park is home to around half of the last remaining mountain gorillas. The gorillas are under intense threat – as are the brave rangers who work there. In January, ranger Safari Kakule was attacked and killed. AFI has started to provide funding to directly help these courageous rangers.

Animal Friends Insurance can help protect your pet against the rising costs of pet insurance - you can buy pet insurance online quickly and easily, and they have a range of policies to suit every need and budget. As an ethical insurer, Animal Friends Insurance is the only UK pet insurance company which donates one hundred percent of its net profits to helping animal charities and welfare organisations all over the world.

More Information:
Christopher Fairfax, Marketing Director Animal Friends Insurance - Tel. +44 (0) 844 557 1255
E-mail: chrisf@animalfriends.co.uk Web: http://www.animalfriends.org.uk/affiliate/idevaffiliate.php?id=136_0_4_9
Animal Friends Insurance, London Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire, SP4 7RT

Linda Nunn, Tel. +44 (0)1725 553149 and +44 (0)7801 531205
E-mail: linda@g4g.co.uk Web: www.g4g.co.uk
Gearing Up For Gorillas, 87 Chapel Farm Cottage, Gussage St Andrew, Blandford, DT11 8DL

LOOKING FOR PET INSURANCE? CLICK ON LOGO

Please note, all details on any of the Insurance industry Press Releases displayed on this site are provided by insurance companies, organisations, Government departments and media and jml Property Services does not take any responsibilty for their content or accuracy.

Return to Pet Insurance

Return to Fact Files & Information Index

Return to Press Releases from the insurance industry

The Recession Proof Pet

Further Information about Animal Friends Insurance

See Also:

LOOKING FOR PET INSURANCE? CLICK ON LOGO