Market Research Report

Pet Insurance in North America, 4th Edition

cover Published by Packaged Facts
Published Product code 135887
Content info 196 Pages
Price

Introduction

Abstract

Now in its fourth edition, Packaged Facts' Pet Insurance in North America is the most comprehensive examination of the U.S. and Canadian pet insurance markets available and a must-have for any company interested in this dynamic industry. Although sales growth slowed due to the recession, revenues (measured as gross written premiums) remained in the double digits in 2009 while delivering a 2005-2009 compound annual growth rate of 21%. Packaged Facts expects the North American market for pet insurance to continue to chart strong annual increases over the next five years, with the high level of competitive activity helping to offset the slow economic recovery and ongoing challenge of communicating the value of pet health insurance to budget-watching consumers.

As of 2010, industry pioneer Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) continues to lead the market. However, both the U.S. and the Canadian pet insurance markets have experienced significant market share shifts during the past five years as more than a half dozen new companies have come onto the field. Each of these companies brings with it unique strengths, in some cases including potent co-marketing affiliations with powerful brands (e.g., PetPartners and the AKC, PurinaCare with its own famous name), and in other cases including important retail channel thrusts (e.g., PetFirst with Kroger and Petfinder.com, and Trupanion with Petco). The industry is also seeing more investment backing and large insurance companies coming into the market as underwriters, including Aon with Healthy Paws, Aetna with Pets Best, and Berkshire Hathaway with PurinaCare.

Based on primary research including interviews with every leading pet insurance provider in North America, this latest edition of Packaged Facts' groundbreaking 2003 report offers a road map for competing in this market both now and in the years ahead. All of the top players are profiled in depth, including VPI, Pethealth, Hartville (ASPCA), Western Financial/Petsecure, PetFirst, PetPartners (AKC), Vetinsurance/Trupanion, Pets Best, Embrace, Fetch (Petplan USA) and PurinaCare. Statistics provided include historical and projected market revenues, number of policies in force, and company shares (both U.S. and Canadian), along with profiles of pet owners and pet insurance purchasers, based on data from sources including Experian Simmons, The American Pet Products Association, and Packaged Facts own consumer surveys.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Executive Summary

  • Introduction
    • Scope of Report
    • Report Methodology
      • Market Analysis
      • Consumer Analysis
  • Market Size and Composition
    • North American Market Growth Continues
    • Looking Ahead
    • Figure 1-1: North American Pet Insurance Market Revenues: United States, Canada, Total, 2005, 2009, 2014 (in millions of U.S. dollars)
    • Number of Policies in Force
    • Veterinary Chanel Feels Recessionary Pinch But Retains Upward Curve
  • Competitive Overview
    • Top North American Marketers
    • Figure 1-2: Estimated Share of North American Pet Insurance Market by Company, 2005 vs. 2009 (percent)
    • Market Share Shifts
    • Competitive Trends
  • Consumer Trends
    • Pet Ownership Overview
    • Figure 1-3: Household Ownership Rates for Selected Pet-Owning Classifications, 2010 (percent of U.S. households)
    • Pet Owners and Insurance

Chapter 2: Market Trends

  • Introduction
    • Market Definition
      • Equine Insurance Excluded
    • Range of Coverage
    • Typical Restrictions
    • Gross Written Premiums and Conversion Rates
  • Market Size and Composition
    • North American Market Growth Continues
    • Table 2-1: North American Pet Insurance Market Revenues: United States, Canada, and North America, 2005-2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars)
    • Figure 2-1: Share of North American Pet Insurance Market: United States vs. Canada, 2002-2009 (percent)
    • Number of Policies in Force
    • Figure 2-2: North American Pet Insurance Market: Number of Pet Insurance Policies in Force, 2005-2009
    • Share of Policies by Animal Type
    • Figure 2-3: Share of U.S. Pet Insurance Market Revenues by Animal Type, 2009 (percent)
  • Market Outlook
    • Recession Takes a Toll
      • A Stuttering Recovery
      • Pet Owners Not Immune to Economic Downturn
    • Figure 2-4: Level of Agreement with Statement "I Am Spending Less on Pet Products These Days Because of the Economy," 2010 (percent of U.S. pet owners)
    • Table 2-2: Economic Outlook of U.S. Pet Owners: Now vs. Last 12 Months (percent)
    • Figure 2-5: Level of Agreement with Statement "I Anticipate Spending More on Pet Products Over the Next 12 Months," 2010 (percent of U.S. pet owners)
    • Table 2-3: Economic Outlook of U.S. Pet Owners: Now vs. Next 12 Months (percent)
    • Veterinary Chanel Feels Recessionary Pinch But Retains Upward Curve
    • Figure 2-6: Percentage of Dogs and Cats Given Medication and/or Drugs: 2000-2008 (percent)
    • Table 2-4: Veterinarian Visits, Expenses and Services Received, 2008 (number, percent and dollars)
    • Table 2-5: Average U.S. Household Expenditures on Veterinary Services, 1998-2008 (in dollars)
    • Veterinarians Lining Up Behind Pet Insurance
    • Figure 2-7: Percentage of Veterinarians Who Actively Recommend Pet Insurance, 1997-2009
    • Figure 2-8: Percentage of Veterinarians Who Would Like to See Wider Use of Pet insurance by Year of Veterinary School Graduation
    • Consumer Awareness/Trade Support/Media Coverage Up
    • North American Pet Health Insurance Month
    • Improving PR
    • North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA)
    • Schwarzenegger Axes California Pet Insurance Bill
    • Human/Animal Bond a Potent Force
    • Figure 2-9: "Consider My Pet(s) Part of the Family": By Percent of Pet, Dog/Cat, Dog and Cat Owners, February 2009 (percent)
    • Table 2-6: Mean Number of Veterinary Visits: By Human/Animal Bond Among Dog and Cat Households, 2006
    • Table 2-7: Mean Veterinary Expenditures: By Human/Animal Bond Among Dog and Cat Households, 2006 (in dollars)
    • Growing Populations of Dogs and Cats
    • Table 2-8: Number of Dogs and Cats in the United States: 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 (number in millions and percent)
    • Figure 2-10: Dog or Cat Ownership Rates by Age Bracket: 2003 vs. 2010 (percent of U.S. households)
    • Internet Popularity Among Pet Owners a Plus
    • Table 2-9: Level of Pet Owner Agreement with Statement: "I Use the Internet to Help Find and Choose Pet Products," February 2010 (percent)
    • Table 2-10: Level of Pet Owner Agreement with Statement: "I Buy Pet Products Online," February 2010 (percent)
    • Table 2-11: Selected Internet-Related Psychographics: Adults Overall vs. Dog or Cat Owners, 2010 (percent and index)
    • Impact of Aging Pet Population
    • Figure 2-11: Percentage of Dogs and Cats Age 6 and Over: 1996 vs. 2006 (percent)
    • Impact of Pet Overweight, Obesity
    • Table 2-12: Percentage and Number of Overweight and Obese Dogs and Cats, 2009
    • Increased Competition/Channel Expansion
    • Shift Away from Credit Usage Bodes Well
    • Table 2-13: Credit Card Ownership and Usage: By Frequency, 2005-2010 (percent)
    • Looking Ahead
    • Figure 2-12: Projected North American Pet Insurance Market Revenues: United States, Canada, and North America, 2009 vs. 2014 (in millions of U.S. dollars)

Chapter 3: Competitive Overview

  • Market Share Trends
    • Top North American Marketers
    • Figure 3-1: Estimated Share of North American Pet Insurance Market: By Company, 2005-2009 (percent)
    • Figure 3-2: Estimated Share of U.S. Pet Insurance Market: 10 Companies, 2009 (percent)
    • Figure 3-3: Estimated Share of U.S. Pet Insurance Market: By Company, 2005-2009 (percent)
    • Figure 3-4: Estimated Share of Canadian Pet Insurance Market: By Company, 2005-2009 (percent)
    • Market Share Shifts
    • Table 3-1: North American Marketers of Pet Insurance, October 2010
  • Competitive Trends
    • A New Ball Game
    • Figure 3-5: Cumulative Share of North American Pet Insurance Market Revenues: Over 5% Share Companies vs. Under 5% Share Companies, 2005-2009
    • Differentiation to the Fore
    • The Underwriting Advantage
    • Company Snapshot: PurinaCare Insurance Services, Inc.
    • Table 3-2: PurinaCare Monthly Ultimate Premiums Estimate, June 2008-November 2009 (in dollars)
    • Enter Healthy Paws - and Aon
    • Next Up: PetSafe
    • More International Cross-Over
    • Internet More Important Than Ever
    • The Company Benefits Thrust
    • Competition from Alternative Payment Options
      • CareCredit
      • Pet Assure
      • Banfield
      • Other
    • Looking Ahead

Chapter 4: Competitor Profiles

  • Competitor Profile: Embrace Pet Insurance
    • Background
    • Company Positioning
    • Recessionary Adjustments
  • Competitor Profile: Hartville Group, Inc
    • Company Overview
    • Types of Plans
    • Management Shakeup Yields Growth
    • Company Voluntarily Delists Stock
    • ASPCA Venture Going Strong
    • Illustration 4-1: ASPCA Pet Insurance Ad in Veterinary Practice News (June 2010)
    • Hartville Premiums Up in 2009
    • Figure 4-1: Hartville Group Gross Written Pet Insurance Premiums, 2001-2009 (in millions of dollars)
    • Number of Active Policies at Approximately 120,000
    • Figure 4-2: Hartville Group Number of Active Pet Insurance Policies, 2001-2009
    • Ongoing Strong Consumer Focus
    • Increased Focus on Veterinary, Company Benefits Channels
  • Competitor Profile: PetFirst Healthcare LLC
    • Company Overview
    • Company Strategy
      • Focus on Simplicity
      • More Choices
      • Ramping Up Online
    • The Kroger Connection
    • The Petfinder.com Connection
    • The Home Again Connection
    • Expansion in Company Benefits Arena
  • Competitor Profile: Pethealth, Inc.
    • Company Overview
    • Revenue Growth
    • Table 4-1: Pethealth Revenues, 2001-2009 (in millions of Canadian dollars)
    • Pet Insurance Operations
      • Brokers
      • Underwriting
      • U.K. Market Entry
      • EVE Online Claims Processing
    • North American Pet Insurance Performance
    • Table 4-2: Pethealth Pet Insurance North American Gross Written Premiums, 2001-2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars)
    • Table 4-3: Number of Pethealth Pet Insurance North American Policies in Force, 2001-2009
      • United States v. Canada
    • Table 4-4: Share of Pethealth Pet Insurance North American Gross Written Premiums: U.S. vs. Canada, 2005-2009 (percent)
    • Pet Insurance Programs and Marketing
    • Non-Insurance Operations
    • PetPoint Shelter Management Software
    • 24PetWatch Pet Registry Services
    • Petango.com
  • Competitor Profile: PetPartners, Inc.
    • Company Background
    • AKC and CFA Policy Types
    • AKC and CFA Program Marketing
    • Illustration 4-2: AKC Pet Insurance Ad in AKC Family Dog (April/May 2010)
    • Company Launches PetPartners "Gemstone Brand," Expands into Company Benefits Arena
    • New Partner Programs
  • Company Profile: Petplan USA (Fetch, Inc.)
    • Company Overview
    • The U.K. Connection
    • The HSUS Connection
    • Media Focus
    • Illustration 4-3: Promotional Banner for Fetch Magazine
    • Illustration 4-4: Petplan Print Ad: Bark Magazine (May/June 2009)
  • Competitor Profile: Pets Best Insurance Services
    • Company Overview
      • The AVMA GHLIT Partnership
    • Product Positioning
    • Illustration 4-5: Pets Best Ad in Animal Wellness (December/January 2010)
    • Channel Focus
    • Affinity Relationships
    • Illustration 4-6: ChaseHealthAdvance and Pets Best Joint Marketing Ad (May 2009)
  • Competitor Profile: Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.
    • Company Overview
      • Company Realigns with Focus on Consumer Advocacy
      • Commitment to Benefit Schedule
      • Belief in Indemnity Insurance
      • Adherence to Regulation
    • A New Product Roster
    • Emphasizing Wellness Care
    • 2009 Revenues of $184 Million
    • Table 4-5: Veterinary Pet Insurance Gross Written Premium 1998-2009 (in millions of dollars)
    • Advertising Spending and Themes
      • "That' s a Good Human" Campaign Launched
    • Illustration 4-7: VPI Print Ad: "That' s A Good Human" Campaign
    • Public Relations Mix "Fun Facts" with Pet Health Tips
    • Web-Based Marketing and Support
    • The Iams Connection
    • Veterinary Channel Remains VPI Focus
    • Industry Leader in Voluntary Benefits Arena
  • Competitor Profile: Vetinsurance International (Trupanion)
    • Company Background
    • Trade Approach
    • Trupanion Plus Petco
    • Consumer Approach
    • Illustration 4-8: Trupanion Trade Ad (Veterinary Practice News, June 2010)
    • Policy Changes
    • Trupanion Online
    • Cause Marketing
  • Competitor Profile: Western Financial Insurance Company
    • Company Background
      • Western Financial In
      • Petplan Out
    • Pet Insurance Brands and Channels
      • Most Recommended Brand in Veterinary Channel
      • Adoptsecure Offered in Shelter Channel
    • Premiums, Policies Continue Upward Trend
    • Table 4-6: Western Financial Pet Insurance Gross Written Premiums, 2003-2009 (in millions of U.S. dollars)
    • Table 4-7: Western Financial Pet Insurance Number of Active Policies, 2005-2009
    • Company Launches Value-Priced Option: Petset
    • Hbc Brand Launched in 2008
    • PurinaCare Canada
    • PC Financial Brand Targets Loblaw Supermarket Crowd
    • CAA Brand Reserved for Auto Club Members
    • Strategic Alliances
    • Public Relations and Cause Marketing

Chapter 5: Consumer Trends

  • Pet Ownership Overview
    • Methodology and Data Sources
    • 52% of Households Keep Pets
    • Figure 5-1: Household Ownership Rates for Selected Pet-Owning Classifications, 2010 (percent of U.S. households)
    • Table 5-1: Household Penetration Rates for Selected Dog- or Cat-Owning Classifications, 2005, 2007, and 2010 (percent of U.S. households)
    • Overall Demographics for Dog Owners
    • Regional Skews by Number of Dogs Owned
    • Overall Demographics for Cat Owners
    • Household Composition Skews by Number of Cats Owned
    • Table 5-2: Demographics for Dog Ownership, 2010 (percent, number of households, and index)
    • Table 5-3: Selected Demographics for Keeping One Pet Dog, 2010 (percent, number of households, and index)
    • Table 5-4: Selected Demographics for Keeping Two or More Pet Dogs, 2010 (percent, number of households, and index)
    • Table 5-5: Demographics for Cat Ownership, 2010 (percent, number of households, and index)
    • Table 5-6: Selected Demographics for Keeping One Pet Cat, 2010 (percent, number of households, and index)
    • Table 5-7: Selected Demographics for Keeping Two or More Pet Cats, 2010 (percent, number of households, and index)
  • Pet Owners and Insurance
    • APPA Consumer Surveys Show Rise in Pet Insurance Ownership Rates
    • 5% of Dog Owners With a HH Income of $60K+ Carry Pet Insurance
    • Figure 5-2: Prime Demographics for Purchasing of Dog Insurance, 2008 (percent of U.S. dog owners)
    • Cat Insurance Usage Rates Show Opposite Pattern by HH Income
    • Figure 5-3: Pet Insurance Ownership Patterns by Household Income: Dog Owners vs. Cat Owners, 2008 (percent of U.S. dog or cat owners)
    • Vets Are Most Important Source for Pet Insurance Awareness
    • Figure 5-4: Sources from Which Dog or Cat Owners Become Familiar with Pet Insurance, 2010 (percent)
    • 37% of Dog/Cat Owners Are Not Familiar with Pet Insurance Policies
    • Figure 5-5: Levels of Familiarity with Pet Policies Among Dog or Cat Owners Who Do Not Carry Insurance, 2010 (percent)
    • Top Reasons for Not Having Pet Insurance Policies
    • Figure 5-6: Reasons for Not Carrying Pet Insurance: Dog or Cat Owners, 2010 (percent)
    • Table 5-8: Demographic Characteristics for Purchasing of Dog Insurance, 2008 (percent of U.S. dog owners)
    • Table 5-9: Top Demographic Characteristics Favoring Purchasing of Cat Insurance, 2008 (percent of U.S. adults)

Appendix: Company Addresses

Pet Insurance in North America, 4th Edition published by Packaged Facts in November 1, 2010. This report consists of 196 Pages and the price starts from US $ 3300.

The contents of this page may be different from the latest version. Please contact us for details.

Press Release

Pet Insurance Market in North American Continues to See Growth

November 10th, 2010

Global Information, Inc. would like to present a new market research report, "Pet Insurance in North America, 4th Edition" by Packaged Facts.

According to the new report, "sales of pet insurance in the United States total $303 million in 2009, up 16% from $262 million in 2008, when sales rose 27%." In light of these projected growth rates, "despite the currently high level of market dynamism, our projection represents significant moderation over the 25%-35% rates we predicted in previous editions due to the lingering effects of the recessions," states David Lummis, Packaged Facts senior pet market analyst. "That said, the level of competitive activity is at an all-time high, and with so many irons in the first we are not ruling out a higher growth rate. However, such growth will depend on the ability of marketers to move from what appears to be a stage of market cannibalization to one of more uniform growth via an expanded overall consumer base."

Gross written premiums (GWPs), also known as "annualized premiums" or "earned premiums" are the primary tool for calculating market size in this report. GWPs are defined as the revenues expected to be received over the life of the contract when a non-life insurance company closes a contract to provide insurance against loss".

Currently, industry pioneer Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) continues to lead the market. The pet insurance industry as a whole is experiencing more support in terms of investment backing and more large insurance companies are entering the market as underwriters (i.e. Aetna with Pets Best, Berkshire Hathaway with PurinaCare, and Aon with Healthy Paws).

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