Premier Pet Insurance

You may not know it, but premier pet insurance has existed for decades. However, a change in market strategy has finally started to penetrate this market as pet insurance companies move from having veterinarians sell insurance to advertising insurance directly to consumers. According to 2002 figures from the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are more than 61 million dogs and 69 million cats in the U.S., with approximately 300 species of birds kept as pets. More than 60 percent of U.S. households own a cat or dog. More than 91 percent of pet owners take their dogs and cats to the veterinarian for vaccination and preventive care. In addition, avian care is increasing. In 1991, consumers spent $37.7 million on veterinary medical expenditures for birds, increasing to $140 million by 2002. Even companies seeking innovative, low-cost cheaper insurance pet ways to keep employees happy, are now often providing the additional perk of health insurance for pets. A new program from VPI helps pet owners obtain sophisticated veterinary treatment, with a group discount on Veterinary Pet Insurance plans. VPI plans are available in both payroll and non-payroll deduction forms, and offer additional discounts for multiple pets. The savings provide an extra benefit for pet-owning employees to help protect their pets. Currently, more than 900 companies offer Veterinary Pet Insurance as a voluntary employee benefit, including companies as varied as The Weather Channel, GMAC, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Chipotle Mexican Grill. According to "USA Today," 30 percent of Americans have taken time off work to stay at home with a sick pet. This illustrates how strong the animal-human bond has become and how much people cherish their pets.