As veterinary medicine is increasingly employing expensive medical techniques and drugs, and owners have higher expectations for their pets' health care and standard of living than previously, the market for pet insurance has increased[as of?].
[2] The first pet insurance policy was written in 1890 in Sweden by Claes Virgin.
Virgin was the founder of Länsförsäkrings Alliance, at that time he focused on horses and livestock.
[4] As of 2009, Britain had the second-highest level of pet insurance in the world (23%),[5] behind only Sweden.
[citation needed] Insurance companies may limit coverage for pre-existing conditions, giving owners an incentive to insure even very young animals, which are not expected to incur high veterinary costs.