It is likely that the pet insurance market will continue to grow over the next 12 months, one expert has predicted.

Head of marketing at Petplan Isabella von Mesterhazy explained that pet owners want their animals to live healthy and happy lives for as long as possible.

"With the increasing incidences of ongoing conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, cover for life policies continue to be the number one selling policies in the market," she commented.

Ms von Mesterhazy noted that this offers pet owners the most comprehensive cover available, which could make good financial sense in the current financial climate.

Research from Defaqto recently advised that not all pet insurance policies will provide cover for overseas travel, potentially leaving animals at risk once they have left the UK.

It found that 24 per cent of policies will not offer any overseas cover at all.