L&G to underwrite pet insurance from 2016

Legal & General (L&G) is planning to underwrite risks for all new pet insurance policies from 1 January 2016.

Since 2012 L&G has arranged pet insurance cover for dogs and cats through its direct distribution channel, online, via a direct call team and through price comparison sites.

The pet insurance policies were developed with specialist pet insurance providers; Ultimate Pet Partners.

Ultimate Pet Partners will continue to administer the pet policies that are offered by L&G.

The cover includes, Accident Only, Accident and Illness and Accident and Illness Plus.

L&G direct to consumer insurance business managing director John Hyde said: “Pet insurance, together with travel and our award winning Home insurance product, gives us a broad and competitive general insurance product range which offers choice to our customers across a number of distribution channels.

“Pet ownership continues to be popular in the UK with 24% of households currently owning a dog and 17% a cat.

“We have decided to develop our own underwriting capability which will allow us to grow our pet business over the next five years.

“Ultimate Pet Partners, have the expertise and understanding of this market, and are able to work with us to ensure customers are offered the quality of cover and service that they want which will ensure their pet receives the attention they need should they be unwell or have an accident.”