Car insurance customers 'have pet problems'

While many Brits love their cats, dogs and hamsters it may be time to draw a line under how much time they spend with their furry friends and leave the creatures at home while they are out on their daily duties.

Car insurance customers who like to travel with their on board often experience motoring problems, one expert has said.

According to the RAC, which provides roadside assistance, driving instruction, vehicle inspections and checks, legal and financial services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information to a range of customers, safety precautions are needed for these pets, just like human passengers.

The organisation's comment follow the publication of a study it carried out at the end of last year into the weird call-outs its patrols respond to.

According to this research, 71 per cent of RAC patrols attended a breakdown involving pets, wild animals or birds.

Dogs are frequent offenders, most commonly locking their the car hire customers and other motorists out of the vehicle, especially on petrol forecourts, by activating the locks with their paws.

Furthermore, 31 per cent of car hire customers and other motorists report encountering amorous couples on arrival at a breakdown scene.

One RAC member was mystified as to why they couldn't unlock their car. On arrival, the patrol had to break it gently that they had the wrong car.

Erik Nelson, spokesperson for the RAC, tried to explain why car hire customers and other motorists are intent on driving with their dogs.

He said: "People like taking their animals with them and it's understandable that you want to travel with the dog.

"71 per cent of patrols have attended a callout involving pets and birds. We sell all kinds of items to keep your pets when travelling with them, like doggy seat belts."

Though it may seem like a strange concept, animals in a vehicle must be treated like a human passenger if the motorist wishes to avoid having an accident.

RAC spokesperson Erik stressed the importance of this issue.

He said: "There is a safety aspect to it as well.

"Pets are like passengers in the vehicle, they need to be treated appropriately so they remain safe and you remain safe while driving."