Pet insurance improves welfare by reducing financial barriers to veterinary care. Increasing uptake, particularly in lower-income households, is a welfare priority.
Pet insurance is a welfare tool that converts the high and unpredictable cost of veterinary care into a manageable monthly expense. Its low uptake - particularly among lower-income pet owners - creates a welfare access gap where pets most likely to need care receive least. Increasing insurance uptake and supporting charity veterinary services are complementary strategies for addressing this inequality.