Pet Owners' Attitudes on Pet Insurance: A Questionnaire-base survey in Two Veterinary Specialty Hospitals in Tehran, Iran

Background: As the bond between humans and their pets strengthens, the demand for advanced veterinary care continues to rise. In developing regions such as Iran, this trend places increasing financial pressure on pet owners. Pet insurance could offer a viable solution to manage veterinary costs, but there is limited information on pet owners’ attitudes toward such insurance in Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the willingness and preferences of pet owners regarding pet insurance in two veterinary hospitals in Tehran. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among ۳۰۰ pet owners visiting two specialty veterinary hospitals in Tehran. The structured questionnaire gathered information on demographic characteristics, pet details, current veterinary expenditures, and attitudes toward insurance, including willingness to purchase, preferred premiums, and desired coverage. Both descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were applied to examine the data. Results: Most respondents were female (۷۲.۷%), aged ۳۰–۴۰ years (۴۱.۰%), and held a bachelor’s degree or higher (۵۵.۰%). Overall, ۸۷.۰% of participants expressed willingness to insure their pets. Higher willingness was observed among individuals with greater income and education levels (p < ۰.۰۵). The majority preferred an annual premium of ≤۵,۰۰۰,۰۰۰ IRR (~۱۰ USD), with a desired coverage level of ۸۰%. Surgery and emergency care were identified as the most valued coverage components. Conclusion: The findings reveal a strong, yet largely untapped, demand for pet insurance among Tehran’s pet owners. This highlights a significant market opportunity for insurers to develop affordable and high-value policies, particularly focusing on emergency and surgical care. Additionally, increasing public awareness and education regarding the benefits of pet insurance may further enhance its acceptance and adoption in Iran.

کلیدواژه ها:

Pet Insurance ، Veterinary Economics ، Owner Attitude ، Companion Animals ، Iran