Pet insurance access determines whether welfare-optimal treatment is financially feasible. Improving insurance access reduces inequality in companion animal welfare.
Companion animals whose owners cannot afford treatment face welfare harms from untreated conditions that insured pets would receive care for. Insurance access inequality creates a two-tier welfare system where quality of care is determined by owner income rather than animal need. Addressing this through affordable insurance products, charitable provision, and payment plans improves welfare equity across the companion animal population.