Reading is top hotspot for pet road accident claims

• Direct Line reveals pet owners in Reading make the highest number of dog and cat road accident claims
• More than 25 per cent of all pet road accident claims occur in just 10 hotspot locations
• Total cost of pet road accident claims exceeds £750k

Direct Line pet insurance has revealed that more than a quarter of the dog and cat road accident claims it settled last year occurred in just 10 locations.

Pet owners in the Berkshire town of Reading made the highest number of claims for dogs or cats injured in a road accident, followed by Redhill in Surrey and London.

Despite settling pet road accident claims in 104 of the UK’s 124 postcode locations last year, 27 per cent of the 815 claims closed occurred in the following ten hotspots:

1. Reading
2. Redhill
3. London
4. Guildford
5. Bristol
6. Glasgow
7. Edinburgh
8. Portsmouth
9. Southend
10. Hemel Hempstead
     

Adam Whiteley, head of Direct Line pet insurance, said: “Most people view their dog or cat as a part of the family and therefore it can be a traumatic experience for them if their pet is involved in a road traffic accident. By taking simple steps such as keeping their dog on a lead at all times and buying a reflective collar or jacket it’s possible to reduce the likelihood of a pet becoming involved in a road accident. Having the right insurance policy in place can provide them with additional peace of mind should their pet require treatment following a road accident. An insurance policy can also offer an owner third party protection should their pet cause damage to another person or their property.”

The total cost of pet road accident claims settled during 2011 was £752,245, with each claim costing an average of £923. The average cost of a claim involving a cat was £794, rising to £1,118 for a dog.

More than 60 per cent of settled claims involved a cat, with the most accident prone felines called Leo, Tigger and Billy. Dogs called Max, Charlie and Molly were most likely to be involved in an RTA.

- Ends -

Notes to editors

Research is based on 815 dog and cat road traffic accident claims settled by Direct Line between January and December 2011.

For further information please contact:

Mark Lester
PR Manager
Direct Line
Mark.lester@rbs.co.uk 
07917 598 585

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales no 1179980. U K Insurance Limited are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc, the number one car and home insurer in the UK (based on policies in force 2010) and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting