Despite often having the most to lose if unable to work, self-employed people are more likely to have pet insurance than accident or income protection, according to new research by specialist accident and health insurer Combined Insurance.

At a time when the number of self-employed people working in the UK has risen from just over 3 million in 2003 to almost 4 million in 2006, the latest findings show that almost a quarter (23%) of self employed workers have pet insurance, yet just one in five (20%) have accident insurance.

Worse, perhaps, fewer than one in ten (8%) have income replacement protection to guard against an unforeseen loss of income.

Combined Insurance asked a GB representative sample of 2,000 people which insurance policies, if any, they currently have in place.

• Self-employed workers have the highest monthly commitments, standing at £1166 per month – compared with the national average £954 pcm. In addition, 30% of self-employed workers have nothing saved to guard against a loss of income.
• It’s not just the self-employed leaving themselves exposed. The latest findings reveal less than one in five (18%) of the UK’s total workforce have accident cover and just 7% have income replacement in place.
• The findings also show it is women, more so than men, who are the most vulnerable to an unexpected loss of income. As many as 84% have no accident cover and a further 94% have no form of income protection in place.
• Just 12% of Scots currently have any accident protection in place, and only 5% have any sort of income replacement insurance to finance their monthly commitments should they lose their income.

Nigel Brittle at Combined Insurance says: "In a country where approximately one in five workers are self employed, it is a concern that so many are more likely to financially protect their pets than they are themselves or their families. We know the average Briton could survive for just 17 days without an income, so it makes sense to take steps to guard against an unforeseen loss of earnings."

"For little more than the price of an average weekly take-away meal, people could have the peace of mind knowing that if the worst should happen, they and their family are able to make ends meet."