Pet Insurance

Have you considered pet insurance for you dog? I get a lot of questions from clients and my eCourse students about pet insurance. Is it right for you? What do you need to consider?

The word "insurance" often evokes feelings of stress in many of us. Insurance companies seem to have confusing policies with a variety of rates and sometimes it is difficult to determine if we need it, what we need and if it is a good value. I'll try to help you determine if pet insurance is right for you.

First, let's step back and consider..."what is insurance?" Insurance is a form of risk management used to minimize the risk of financial loss. Pet insurance pays costs if your dog needs veterinary care.

The purpose of pet insurance is to ensure you can properly care for and treat your dog when an unexpected medical problem occurs. Pet insurance offers you the security of knowing that you can do the best you can for you dog without the burden of financial considerations. Financial concerns often cause dog owners to make a decision to euthanize their dogs when unexpected and unaffordable expenses take place.

So...how do you decide if pet insurance is right for you and your dog?

It really comes down to a financial decision. If your dog was unexpectedly hit by a car and required emergency veterinary care estimated at...say $2000.00, could you do it? If you could without a problem, then you probably don't need pet insurance.

If the $2000.00 expense (or more) would be a big burden or you would need to consider euthanasia because you could not afford the care, then I'd strongly consider pet insurance.

I find dog owners with pet insurance often feel relieved when something does happen. They don't have to make tough life-or-death decision about what happens to their dog.

They can try to do the best thing by treating their dog without the pressure of financial considerations. I actually find it a relief as well because I know I can do the best for their dog without compromising care.

There are different types of policies. What are some of the differences in policies?

Some policies pay only for medical problems or accidents; others will also pay for preventative health care such as spays, neuters, parasite control and vaccinations.

The amount of benefits you receive will affect the premium.

Some policies will cap the total sum they pay out in a year or have a cap on a particular disease or accident/event.

Most companies will require that you pay the bill and then they reimburse you.

The number of dog owners with pet insurance is growing. The number of companies offering insurance is also growing. In the U.S., approximately 2 to 3 % of pets now have health insurance, which is up from just 1% a few years ago. Pet insurance is very popular in other
countries such as the U.K. where more than half of all pets have pet insurance.

The largest pet insurance company in the U.S is Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI). For more information and a free quote, go to: Veterinary Pet Insurance.

My experiences with VPI have been very good and my clients have been very happy with their service.

The VPI website will give you basic information as well as estimates of your premiums for what you want and your specific pet. Policies are generally less expensive for puppies and premiums may increase for older dogs.

I hope this gives you a little more information about pet insurance and help you determine if it is right for you. Being able to afford medical care when they need it is critical to maintaining a healthy dog.

Pet Health Insurance

Your pet can't tell you when he's not feeling well-and even if you pick up signs of illness, he can't tell you where it hurts, or why.

So, just like every other concerned pet owner, you rely on your veterinarian to tell you exactly what's going on with your pet's health.

When your veterinarian provides you a diagnosis and recommends a treatment, are you financially prepared for the cost to help your ailing pet? Would it surprise you to learn that more and more veterinarians are suggesting pet health insurance as a financial healthcare solution?

In fact, nine out of 10 veterinarians surveyed recommend VPI Pet Insurance as their preferred pet health provider, according to a recent study conducted by ACI Research.

Committed To Pet Care

Why such a landslide ratio? Veterinarians strongly support VPI because they recognize the company's longstanding stability and commitment to pet owners.

Founded by veterinarians more than 25 years ago, VPI's mission is to "empower pet owners to make optimal healthcare decisions for their pets."

You can trust that VPI has your pet's best interest in mind: the company is supported by the independent Veterinary Advisory Board, which provides ongoing insight and guidance on pet health trends and practices in order to better serve your needs.

You might also find confidence that VPI employs 10 veterinarians and more than 60 veterinary technicians, each of whom take part in continuous education in order to keep up to date on veterinary advances.

While veterinarians can offer your pet the best healthcare, the majority hope that you'll be financially prepared to follow through with optimal treatment.

Indeed, 86 percent of those veterinarians surveyed indicated they'd like to see wider use of pet health insurance among pet owners, agreeing it gives their clients peace of mind.

The Value Of VPI Coverage

Dr. Belinda Lee of the Orange Veterinary Hospital in Orange, Calif., concurs. "I recommend VPI Pet Insurance to every new pet owner who comes through our hospital.

"I also point out the importance of getting health insurance for pets while they're young," she says. "I can't tell you how many pets have had to undergo huge exploratory surgeries later in life, and how thankful their owners were for having a VPI policy."

Samantha Gowen, a long-time client of Dr. Lee's, admits she'd go to great lengths to ensure her pets get the best healthcare possible. A pet owner for more than 18 years, she is all too aware of the hefty cost of veterinary care.

"I always dread seeing the bill," says Gowen, who waits in the hospital's lobby with her Lab-Dane mix, "but what choice do I have? My pets are part of the family, too." She relies on her VPI policy to reimburse a portion of her veterinary expenses.

The Trusted Authority

The trusting relationship between pet owner and veterinarian is built on compassion, understanding and confidence, notes Dr. Lee.

VPI Pet Insurance can help build that trust.

"I tell clients that VPI offers a financial solution," says Dr. Lee, who reiterates the importance of enrolling pets while they're healthy. "Don't wait until something happens, plan ahead."

Good words of advice for Gowen, who was relieved to learn that her dog's odd behavior was more than likely due to a strained muscle. "It's worth bringing her to the vet," she says, "just to make sure everything is okay."

Ninety-four percent of veterinarians surveyed consider VPI to be the leader in health insurance for pets, according to ACI Research. With nearly half a million of America's pet owners currently enrolled with a VPI policy, there's no doubt about whom the trusted pet health insurance provider is. That's why nine out of 10 veterinarians recommend VPI to their clients.