Facts and Myths About Pet Insurance

Myth: Pet insurance works the same as an HMO.

Fact: No, pet insurance and HMOs actually work very differently. With a VPI policy, you can:

See any licensed veterinarian worldwide versus seeing only certain doctors.
Pay at the time of service.
File a VPI claim for reimbursement versus using a medical card and number.

Myth: Pet insurance is more expensive than my own health insurance.

Fact: Pet insurance is much less expensive than human health insurance. Employers typically pay 80% to 90% of an employee’s health insurance. A government survey^* showed that small companies paid an average premium of $3,003.31 per employee for health insurance coverage. However, the average contribution by an employee was only $396.12. The average base VPI medical plan for a dog is between $22 and $28 per month, and between $15 and $18 per month for a cat. Optional CareGuard^SM coverage carries an additional monthly fee that varies by state based on availability.

^*Source: 2000 Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Survey

Myth: I should wait until my pet is older to purchase pet insurance.

Fact: It’s always better to enroll pets while they’re young—before pre-existing conditions develop, or an accident or illness occurs. VPI accepts applications for dogs and cats as young as six weeks old. Dogs and cats 10 years or older are not eligible for new enrollment.

Myth: Pet insurance is expensive.

Fact: Without VPI, you’re looking at possibly thousands of dollars in unexpected veterinary bills due to illness, accident and injury. In most cases, the average cost for a VPI base medical policy is between $22 and $28 per month for a dog and between $15 and $18 per month for a cat.

Myth: An indoor pet won’t have many health problems.

Fact: There is no such thing as a “pet-proofed” home. Potential hazards loom even in the best-protected homes. How many times has a pet been injured when they accidentally got out of the house or took a tumble down the stairs? Additionally, pets tend to hide many health problems, which is why it’s important to visit your veterinarian for routine checkups. Routine blood screening panels and urinalysis can detect hidden health problems. With pet insurance, you can be prepared for the unexpected.

Myth: I should wait to purchase pet insurance until my family talks it over.

Fact: VPI offers a 10-day, money-back guarantee. This offers you the opportunity to discuss it with your family without delaying the enrollment process.

Myth: Filing a claim is difficult.

Fact: It’s easy to file a claim. In fact, you can do it in three simple steps:

Pay for your pet’s treatment at the time of service.
Fax or mail our easy-to-use claim form along with your receipts.
After meeting your policy's deductible, you'll be reimbursed according to the plan benefit schedule or the invoice amount, whichever is less.

Completed claim forms and invoices can be submitted by:

Fax: (714) 989-5600
Mail: VPI Claims Department, P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA 92822-2344

If additional information is required to review a claim, VPI will send you a letter listing the medical record dates, laboratory reports or any specific medical history needed. As your pet’s owner, you have the authority to request this information from your veterinarian.

Myth: Instead of pet insurance, I can just start saving now for a pet illness or emergency.

Fact: Good intentions are great, but how many of us carry through? Besides, if an emergency occurs in the next few months and you’ve only saved a few dollars, you won’t have the money needed for treatments or surgery. Most pet families aren’t prepared to put aside that much money at one time for pet illnesses or accidents.

Myth: If pet insurance is so important, I would have already heard about it.

Fact: VPI is the nation’s oldest and largest provider and has served more than one million pet owners since 1982. Licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, our VPI family is growing every day because pet owners like you want the best protection for their pets.

Myth: I can’t afford to insure all of my pets.

Fact: We’re here to help. We offer a multiple pet discount that saves you 5% when enrolling two or three pets, and 10% when enrolling four or more pets. There’s also a convenient monthly payment plan to make it easier for you to provide coverage for all your pets.

Myth: Pet insurance is only for cats and dogs.

Fact: From chinchillas to parrots to guinea pigs to lizards, we cover many types of pets with the VPI Avian Plan and the VPI Exotic Pet Plan. These plans are available in all states and offer affordable coverage for lab fees, treatment, prescriptions, X-rays, surgery and more.

Myth: I can only enroll if I use a credit card.

Fact: For your convenience, you may use a credit card, debit card or pay by check. We also offer monthly and annual payment options.