Compare VPI Pet Insurance

Comparison Fact Sheet (Dogs and Cats)

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Company Info
Company Name Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI)
Also Known As  
Address P.O. Box 2344
Brea, CA 92822-2344
Phone 1-888-899-4VPI
Website www.petinsurance.com
Plans That Provide Both Accident and Illness Coverage VPI Medical Plan; VPI Major Medical Plan
States Covered All 50 states, including DC
Underwriter and AM Best Financial Strength Rating Insurance underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (in California) and National Casualty Company (in all other states)

Veterinary Pet Insurance Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 5/1/13.

National Casualty Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A+" and an Outlook of "Negative" as of 5/1/13.

For the most recent ratings go to: AM Best and enter the name of the underwriter in the box labeled 'Text'.
Year Company Started 1982

 

Policy Basics
Policy Term 12 months
Effective Date The Effective Date will be listed on the Declarations Page of your policy after you apply and are accepted.
Enrollment Age Pet must be at least 6 weeks of age and less than 10 years of age.
Cancellation Policy Ask for a current copy of their insurance policy so that you may review their cancellation policy
Waiting Period 14 days after the policy effective date for accidents and illness

12 months for cruciate injury

12 months for angular limb deformity and meniscal damage or rupture.
Waiting Period for Cruciate Injury 12 months after the policy effective date
Coverage When Travel Out of State or Country? Out of State Coverage - You WILL be covered while traveling to other states with your pet.

Out of Country Coverage - You WILL be covered when traveling to another country with your pet
Can the Price of the Policy Increase as my Pet Ages? Yes, the policy premium can increase as your pet ages. The premium may also increase due to inflation or other reasons.

Contact the company for more information on when and how your premium may increase.
Does Coverage Stop Due to Age? No
What Happens when the Policy Renews? Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual payout limit. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year.
Can the Price of the Policy Increase if a Claim is Filed? No
Choice of Vet? You can choose any licensed veterinarian worldwide, but you must live in the US permanently to purchase a policy
Money Back Guarantee? If you change your mind within 10 days they will refund your money in full as long as you have not filed a claim.
Surcharge for Visiting a Specialist or Emergency Clinic? No
Referral needed to Visit a Specialist? No
Pre-certification Required? No
Additional Requirements **See actual policy or call VPI for a complete list of the requirements you are expected to adhere to in order to maintain coverage.
Pet Insurance Policy Available for Pre-Purchase Review? Sample policy available online

 

What's Covered
Species Covered Dogs and Cats
Accident/Injury -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication.
Illness -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medication.
Behavioral Therapy Coverage [NO]
Alternative Therapy Coverage [INCLUDED] Alternative therapy must be performed by a licensed veterinarian. The medical condition the Alternative Therapy is used for must be listed in the benefit schedule to be covered.

Homeopathic remedies or medicines and nutritional supplements are not covered by the policy.

**See actual policy or call VPI for any additional limitations on Alternative Therapy Coverage.
Pre-existing Conditions Policy According to the Major Medical and Medical plan policies a "Pre-existing condition means any condition that began or was contracted, manifested, or incurred before the effective date of your policy, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated. A condition is not pre-existing if it was cured before the effective date of your policy and there has not been a recurrence or manifestation of the condition for at least six (6) months, unless it is a chronic condition. A chronic condition contracted, manifested, or incurred before the effective date of your policy is a pre-existing condition, whether or not the condition was discovered, diagnosed, or treated."

**See actual policy or call VPI for complete description of pre-existing conditions.
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage [LIMITED COVERAGE] Congenital/developmental defects are not covered.

Certain hereditary conditions are excluded.

With the VPI Major Medical Plan, coverage for a certain number of specified hereditary conditions becomes available after you've had the plan for one year. The monetary limits on this coverage are $250 annually toward diagnosis or medical treatment and $500 annually for surgical treatment.

**See actual policy or call VPI for complete description of their Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Policy.
Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions [INCLUDED] Continual coverage for chronic conditions is included in policy.

Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual payout limit. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year.
Chronic Conditions Policy Coverage for chronic conditions in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual payout limit. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year.

They do not cover chronic conditions that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period.

**See actual policy or call VPI for complete description of their Chronic Conditions Policy.
Cancer Coverage [LIMITED COVERAGE] Cancers listed in the benefit schedule are covered up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual payout limit. If the cancer is not on the schedule consider it is not covered.

They do not cover cancers that are pre-existing or that occur during the waiting period.

Cancers that are considered to be hereditary or genetic may not be covered.

(See 'Chronic Conditions Policy' section above)
Cancer Coverage Limits Coverage for eligible cancers in subsequent years is available up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment as long as you have not gone over the maximum annual payout limit. Benefit schedule allowances are reset every policy year.
Hip Dysplasia [LIMITED] With the VPI Major Medical Plan, coverage for hip dysplasia becomes available after you've had the plan for one year. The monetary limits on this coverage are $250 annually toward diagnosis or medical treatment and $500 annually for surgical treatment.

(See 'Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage' section above)
Prescription Drug Coverage [INCLUDED] Coverage for prescription drugs for covered medical conditions is included up to the benefit allowance for the diagnosis/treatment

**See actual policy or call VPI for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Pregnancy Coverage [NO]
Routine/Wellness Coverage [OPTIONAL] VPI offers two Routine/Wellness addons for an additional cost:
  1. CareGuard Core
  2. CareGuard Premier

Each benefit has reimbursement limits

Deductible does not apply to Wellness Coverage.

**See actual policy or call VPI for complete description of their Wellness Coverage
Vaccinations [OPTIONAL] - See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details
Spay/Neuter [OPTIONAL] - See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details
Dental Care (Routine) [OPTIONAL] Routine dental care is optional. You will need to purchase the Well Care Premier addon.
Dental Care (Illness/Accident) [LIMITED COVERAGE] Only the dental conditions listed in their benefit schedules are covered.

**See benefit schedule, actual policy or call VPI for full list of inclusions and exclusions.
Bilateral Conditions Policy ?
Coverage - Overview
(please read policy for full coverage details)		 Diagnostics and treatments of eligible illnesses and accidents. Diagnosis/treatment must be listed in the benefit schedule to be covered.

**See benefit schedule, actual policy or call VPI for full list of inclusions, exclusions, limitations and conditions.
What's not Covered - Overview
(partial listing, please read policy for full details)
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Conditions that occur during the waiting period
  • Congenital Conditions
  • Certain Hereditary Conditions
  • Conditions not listed in the benefit schedule
  • Orthodontics, endodontics and removal of deciduous teeth
  • Behavioral problems
  • Breeding or conditions related to breeding
  • Expression or removal of anal glands or anal sacculitis
  • Special diets, pet foods, vitamins, mineral supplements, boarding or transporting expenses and grooming costs
...See policy for a complete listing

 

How The Policy Works
Co-pay No Co-pay
Deductible Choose from $100, $250, and $500 annually

Deductible does not apply to the optional wellness benefits.
Flat Deductible vs % Deductible Flat
Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible Annual deductible
How is Reimbursement Determined Benefit Schedule - VPI uses a benefit schedule to determine how much you will be reimbursed per diagnosis/treatment per policy year. The benefit schedule allowances are reset each year.
Max Payout Annually VPI Major Medical Plan maximum annual payout is $14,000

VPI Medical Plan maximum annual payout is $7,000
Max Lifetime Payout VPI does not have a maximum lifetime payout
Max Payout per Incident VPI does not have a maximum payout per incident
Max Payout Based on Body System VPI does not have a maximum payout based on body system
Client Reimbursed or Vet Paid Directly You pay the veterinarian and then you are reimbursed after you file the claim.

 

Pricing
Approximate Monthly Costs Approximately $10.00 - $61.00 depending on plan, addons, species, etc.

 

Additional Info
Get A Quote Get A Quote
My Review VPI Review
What are Customers Saying? PetInsuranceReview.com
Better Business Bureau bbb.org
Additional Info  

*† The information in the above charts applies to VPI's Medical and Major Medical plans only. For information on other plans, please contact VPI.

**Disclaimer: These charts are created based on my research. While I do my best to stay current, information can change quickly. Also, terms and conditions can vary from state to state. Before buying a pet insurance plan, confirm all information by calling the company or reading the most current policy. We will not be held liable for errors or omissions. If you see something that is incorrect or needs clarifying, please let me know.

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