SuperValu expands into pet cover in bid to be ‘one-stop shop' for insurance
SuperValu Insurance is expanding into the
pet
market in an attempt to become a 'one-stop shop' for customers' cover as part of a strategic expansion of its insurance division.
'There are about 500,000 pet insurance policies in the country,' said Garry O'Sullivan, head of SuperValu Insurance , 'but that only covers about 30 per cent of the number of pets that are owned in Ireland'.
He noted a '70 per cent gap in pet owners that don't have
insurance
' with the numbers taking out policies having grown following the Covid-19 pandemic. He said the small number of pet insurance providers in the sector allows
SuperValu
to 'give an extra choice to consumers'.
SuperValu Insurance has partnered with global insurer Cover-More, with whom, Mr O'Sullivan said, they have 'tried to negotiate the best deals we can', which has allowed them to 'bring a best product to market'.
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The company is expecting the launch of pet insurance to increase its overall insurance policies by about 1,000 in its first year, adding to an existing customer base of about 60,000 following 'incremental growth year on year'.
The retailer's pet insurance offering will include lifetime cover for pets and vet fee cover for pets of up to €6,000, which SuperValu said is the 'highest level of veterinary cover currently available in the Irish market'.
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Pet insurance: Why owners must pay a price for peace of mind
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Mr O'Sullivan said bills for family pets 'can run up quite sizeably year on year' in cases where ongoing medical care is required.
'We cover all of that, so our product is well positioned to serve our customer,' he said.
SuperValu launched its first insurance policies, travel cover, in October 2014 before later expanding into car and home insurance in May 2015.
SuperValu made life and mortgage protection cover available last year and also offers a specialist learner driver insurance package.
'We want to be the one-stop shop for customers' insurance,' said Mr O'Sullivan.
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Pet insurance could save you a fortune, so know your options to care for your furry friend
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]
He said SuperValu 'will always look at opportunities to expand' into new insurance sectors based on interest from the customer base.
He did not comment on what specific sectors it is considering but said the company will be 'exploring other avenues in 2026 and 2027″.
As with all SuperValu insurance coverage, customers will be given a €40 shopping voucher when a new policy is purchased, which Mr O'Sullivan said is a reward for customer's loyalty to the brand. The cover will go beyond injury or illness and also provide access to a lost-and-found pet reward service.
Cover-More Europe's chief product officer, Jason Whelan, said the underwriter is 'excited to work with SuperValu Insurance to ensure their customers have access to lifetime cover for their cherished pets'.
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Irish Times
3 hours ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, July 1st: On good landlords, summer childcare and calling the tune
Sir, – Today's Irish Times features Rental Tenancies Board (RTB) investigations of bad landlords ('Policing Dublin's rental market: 'I paid about €400 to share a bed-bug infested room with four others', June 28th). This prompted me to write to tell the story of a good landlord who is now selling up, and his four tenants who face homelessness, due to the actions of an overzealous environmental health officer and over the top regulations. This landlord owns one property in Rathgar divided into four units and was bought to provide him with an income in retirement. He charges significantly less than current market rents, for example, €660 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and every Christmas gives the tenants wine and chocolates. He is registered with the RTB and pays taxes on his rents. His problem arose when an existing tenant became eligible for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and unlike many landlords, he was happy to sign the relevant forms to get her HAP. 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Irish Times
6 hours ago
- Irish Times
Divisions emerge between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil over college fees
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Irish Times
7 hours ago
- Irish Times
Cavan's Ray McAdam is elected Lord Mayor of Dublin
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