VPI Pet Insurance, the nation’s oldest and largest pet insurer, covers dogs, cats, and birds. Founded in 1982, Veterinary Pet Insurance covers cats, dogs, birds, and exotic pets. In addition to insurance for accidents, injuries, and illnesses, policy holders can also buy vaccination and routine care coverage (known as WellCare Protection coverage).

The company offers six different levels of coverage that reimburses you for accidents, illnesses, and routine preventative care, including X-rays, surgeries, prescriptions, lab fees, hospitalizations, vaccinations, dental care, spaying, and more. You can expect to pay up to $400/year with coverage up to $14,000 annually. The top-of-the-line plans covers 90% after a $50 deductible. Visit the site for a quote.

The six levels of Veterinary Pet Insurance coverage are:

• VPI Superior Plan & WellCare Premier—Best in class coverage

• VPI Superior Plan & WellCare Core—Exceptional coverage

• VPI Standard Plan & WellCare Premier—WellCare focused coverage

• VPI Standard Plan & WellCare Core—Basic coverage

• VPI Superior Plan—Quality medical coverage

• VPI Standard Plan—Medical coverage

VPI uses a benefits schedule which lists the reimbursement allowances available for each policy’s one-year term. The Superior Plan pays out more than the Standard Plan, but it costs more monthly (around $40). You pay for treatment at the time of service and submit a claim form. Then VPI will reimburse 90% of your eligible benefits schedule allowance after your $50 deductible.

Although VPI’s plans have a lot of fine print, policy holder testimonials indicate VPI has top-notch customer service. Call 888-899-4VPI to speak with a representative. You can also get a free quote for Veterinary Pet Insurance or enroll online.

VPI Pet Insurance Review

Rating: 7

Our review process starts with calling each of the insurance providers over the telephone and then, we gather quotes for these three pet profiles:

• A 2-year old male Yorkshire Terrier named Jax
• A 6-year old male Cocker Spaniel named Max
• An 8-year old female mixed breed cat named Fluffy

Claudia, a customer service representative from VPI, spoke to me for a half-hour today about the pet insurance they offer. She asked if they were spayed or neutered, and if they had any pre-existing conditions, as this would affect the estimate.

THE PLANS/QUOTES

All plans have a $50 deductible on each incident when your pet’s sick or injured, covering 90% of the maximum allowed for each particular diagnosis. VPI uses a benefits schedule, meaning each condition or diagnosis has a maximum reimbursement—a cap that you can receive back.

To show me the full range of premium costs, Claudia gave me quotes for one of the least expensive plans, Standard with CareGuard Core, and the most expensive, Superior with CareGuard Premiere and Enhanced Cancer coverage.

Standard (with CareGuard Core—routine care—an additional $12/month)

Covers all medical problems from colds to Cancer as long as it’s not pre-existing, hereditary, or from a birth defect. It offers the same coverage as Superior, except the maximum allowed for each diagnosis is half as much. The maximum annual benefit is $9,000.

Monthly Premiums:

• $27.50/month for the 2-year old Yorkshire Terrier
• $34.42/month for the 6-year old Cocker Spaniel
• $31.67/month for the 8-year old cat

Superior (with CareGuard Premier—enhanced routine care—an additional $22/month)

Provides the highest reimbursement for eligible expenses, such as accidental injuries, emergencies, and illnesses. This plan also includes Enhanced Cancer coverage (optional). The maximum annual benefit is $14,000.

Monthly Premiums:

• $50.33/month for the 2-year old Yorkshire Terrier
• $60.17/month for the 6-year old Cocker Spaniel
• $56.59/month for the 8-year old cat

THE DETAILS

Claudia told me they’ve been in business for 27 years. They’re the only company that will continue to insure pets throughout their lifetime even if they become high-risk. Also, they offer continuous coverage without requiring you to purchase an additional package. Other pet insurance companies consider a condition diagnosed in one year pre-existing when the policy renews—which gives them the right to deny coverage at that point, unless you buy the extra package. VPI doesn’t work that way.

For routine care, you can add CareGuard Core coverage to any package for $12/month. This provides $250 to reduce the costs of routine treatments. If you’d like enhanced routine coverage—including dental cleanings—you should add CareGuard Premiere for $22/month. This package provides $400 annually.

Your policy takes effect for accidents and illnesses 14 days after you enroll. You can expect reimbursement within 30 days of filing a claim, and if you are dissatisfied, you can cancel at any time.

CONCLUSIONS

Claudia was very friendly and eager to help. She used examples from her own pets—who have VPI policies—which made me feel comfortable with her knowledge.

That being said, VPI is not on the top of my list. In making my choice, I’ll consider the following pros and cons:

Pros:

• VPI is the oldest and largest pet health insurance provider in the US.
• You can visit any licensed veterinarian anywhere.
• There are no lifetime limits.
• The plans are highly flexible, allowing you to add routine care, enhanced routine care, and enhanced Cancer coverage.

Cons

• Pre-existing conditions, congenital disorders, hereditary disorders, and certain musculoskeletal, urinary tract, ocular, and endocrine disorders are excluded—as well as ACL damage in the 1^st 12 months, collapsed trachea, and histiocytosis. That’s a lot of exclusions!
• VPI’s benefits schedule specifies how much you can receive per incident, limiting your reimbursement.
• Due to all the exclusions and the benefits schedule, it’s hard to know in advance exactly what you can expect to receive in reimbursement.
• The claim process can be somewhat slow.
• The founder, Dr. Jack Stephens, left VPI after a large property insurance company purchased a considerable share. He’s since started a new company—Pets Best Insurance—that I consider to be superior.

To learn more about VPI’s plans, visit them online or call 1-888-899-4VPI (4874). Claudia’s extension is 6207.

Tags: Veterinary Pet Insurance, VPI