VPI Pet Insurance

Pet medications, x-rays, and hospitalization are just a few of the added costs that can suddenly arise if your pet becomes ill or injured. Will you be prepared to handle the extra bills?

Pet insurance coverage may be one option for owners who prefer to plan ahead for life's ups and downs. LoveToKnow Dogs recently had the opportunity to speak with Janelle Brannock, spokesperson for VPI pet Insurance. VPI is one of the oldest and largest pet health insurance companies in the USA, offering coverage for dogs, cats, and exotic birds. Our thanks to Janelle for taking time to talk with us about pet health insurance, and how it works.

On with the Interview

Janelle, how can having pet insurance be beneficial for dog owners?

Pet insurance is a way for pet owners to plan for the unexpected, to give them "peace of mind" knowing that their pet will be taken care of just in case the unexpected does happen. When your dog is sick or hurt, you can decide how you want to pursue treatment based on your heart, not your wallet.

How does a pet health policy work?

The way our plans work is that you pay for your pet's treatment up front, and then submit your claim to VPI. Your vet will actually help fill out the form. Then, once we receive your claims you will be sent a check for reimbursement, up to ninety percent of your plan's Benefit Schedule allowance, minus a $50.00 per incident deductible.

Is pet insurance coverage comparable to an HMO? Do you have to choose your vet from a list of approved providers, clinics, etc.?

No, it's not like an HMO. Our pet insurance is indemnity insurance. With VPI, you can go to any licensed veterinarian worldwide, which can be extremely beneficial if you travel with your pet.

Please tell us a bit about the different care plans that VPI has to offer.

VPI has a couple of different plans. Our Standard and Superior plans both cover the same conditions, treatments, etc., but our Superior plan offers higher benefits, which means the amount of reimbursement for your pet's veterinary care will be higher.

We also have two additional riders available that you can purchase to enhance your original base policy. The Vaccination & Routine Care Coverage rider applies to your dog's comprehensive physical examination, de-worming, spaying/neutering and more.

Our other rider is our Cancer rider. While our basic plans do cover cancer treatments, this rider doubles the benefits available, increasing the amount of reimbursement you can receive.

What can an owner expect to pay for coverage for their pet?

The average cost of our pet insurance is about a dollar a day. Figure $20.00-$30.00 a month on average, but the price does depend on a few factors, including:

• The type of pet you have.
• The state you live in.
• Your pet's age.
• The policy you purchase.
• Any additional riders you may purchase.

Is after-hours/emergency care covered by these plans?

VPI covers thousands of medical conditions and treatments, regardless if it's after-hours, or during regular business hours. We still cover up to ninety percent of your plan's Benefit Schedule allowance, minus your deductible.

What about breeders and multi-pet owners? Does each policy cover one specific pet, or are there policies available that cover multiple pets?

Each policy covers just one pet. However, we do offer a discount for multiple policies which can save pet owners five to ten percent on their coverage costs.

Thank you Janelle. I'm sure you've given our readers a lot of good information to help them plan for their pet health care needs.

You're very welcome.

Learn More

If the idea of pet insurance appeals to you and you'd like to learn more, visit VPI Pet Insurance's website.