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Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI)
P.O. Box 2488
Brea, CA 92822-2344
phone: (888) 899-4VPI
website: http://www.petinsurance.com
claim form
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Founded in 1980, VPI is the oldest and largest health
insurance plan for pets in the US.
VPI plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for medical problems and
conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional vaccination
and routine care coverage is also available.
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Most Helpful Reviews of VPI .
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6/10 VPI is OK --- consumers need to educate themselves, 11/24/2009
Reviewed By: denver, Recommend: Y
I've had a VPI policy for about 7 years and recently had to submit a claim for the 1st time. Submitting the claim was easy and they paid within about 2 weeks. I ended up getting about $3,000 of my $6,000 vet bills back.
Here are my thoughts -
1. I would have liked to get more than just 50% back from VPI. But I chose VPI and I chose a system that deals with standard and customary fees. I chose a certain vet to do the surgery and it's an expensive vet (Alameda East of Emergency Vets fames). I could have shopped around, but I chose not to.
2. As consumers, we are responsible for doing research and understanding the rules. I think VPI was very upfront about what they do and don't cover - I hope nobody out there signed up without reading the exclusions list or the reimbursement schedule. Don't shift the blame to VPI. It's your responsibility to take the time to understand what you are paying for and ask questions if you don't understand.
3. Do I wish I had a different insurance for my dog when this all happened? Yes, because I would have received an 80% reimbursement instead of 50%. So as a consumer, I will cancel my VPI policy and move to another company. But not before I read and understand all the rules.
4. Remember - just like human insurance companies - VPI is a for-profit company and their goal is to collect as much money as possible from consumers and give as little money as possible back when a claim is submitted. I am not saying it's "right" but it is what it is.
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9/10 Totally Satisfied, 2/15/2010
Reviewed By: Gloria Gunderson, Recommend: Y
Yes, I would recommend VPI to others and have.
First, I must agree with a few of the comments regarding coverage costs. I do feel that their (VPI) customer scale by which they gauge our reimbursement for Veterinary Services could be improved and more up-to-date with current cost structures. The actual costs incurred far exceed what is allowed by VPI and with the deductable it can be frustrating on what is actually reimbused, but, with that said, I am able to afford my premiums and if they did increase the payouts I may not be able to afford the monthly premiums. What I really look to VPI for is any emergency or unexpected surgery costs that can come-up and really put us in a bind financially. This is when I look to VPI for helping us cope with the costs. I can remember when we first signed-up our two dogs with VPI (approximately two years ago). Shortly after joining VPI one of our dogs got into some poison that was in the gardening shed. When we went to the vet I knew it was going to be very costly to save our dog and was quite stressed about how much it was going to cost, that is when my husband reminded me that we had VPI and I just cannot tell you how relieved I felt. VPI reimbursement us part of the costs and it was such a help, making it all worth it. We also appreciated how VPI reimubursed us in a very timely manner. When one of our dogs died unexpectedly VPI immediately removed the monthly cost and sent us a condolence letter regarding our loss. I could not have asked for more. They were very respectful and considerate.
Secondly, I have found staff to be responsive and very thoughtful when working with my claims. When I ask questions they are always warm and helpful,if they feel they cannot give me all the information I am seeking they will refer me on to other staff for more indepth information. My claims are processed in a timely and efficient manner. My overall experience has been good and I appreciate how the VPI staff interact with me whenever I need to contact them.
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9/10 No major gripes with VPI, 1/26/2010
Reviewed By: Kelly , Recommend: Y
We have our two 5 year old golden retrievers enrolled in the VPI superior plan.
Jack, who we have had since a puppy, has been enrolled since about 6 months of age. Chloe has only been enrolled for the year that we have had her.
Jack has had sooooo many health issues, it has been wellllll worth the money for his plan. He has chronic skin infections due to allergies (he's allergic to human dander, among other things), ear infections, hip dysplasia, mange, and has had pancreatitis. All of his illnesses except hip dysplasia (breed issue) are reimbursable, and believe me...we have used it. It even covered most of his allergy testing (skin test). We are now doing acupuncture treatments for his skin allergies, and it is covered as well (as long as a vet does it).
I will say, however, that their 'reasonable and customary" amounts are always less than what i have been charged by my vet.
My only complaint is that for our other dog, who we got as a 4 year old, few of her issues are covered because they were deemed "pre-existing conditions". We had to get her seen by a vet upon enrollment, and the vet indicated after examination that she had allergies and a few other issues that are now not to ever be covered. Those things were covered for Jack, because they weren't identified prior to enrollment. But we still keep her coverage just in case.
VPI has always paid what they said they would pay- sometimes i submit things thinking they won't get covered but they do. I have never had to argue with them about a claim or anything like that.
A $50 per incident deductible is nothing compared to a $500 vet bill. I have probably received about $1500 in reimbursements from them over the 5 years I have had a policy with them.
So overall I am satisfied, just a little annoyed at pre-existing conditions and that their view of a 'reasonable' fee is never what i am actually charged by my vet. Advice: get your dogs enrolled young before problems arise, so they are covered!
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Most Recent Reviews
9/10 Very Good Pet Insurance Company,
I've had VPI for over 6 years for my two dogs. Shakes will be 10 in Sep and Skippy will be 7 in Dec. I got VPI… read more
Added 8/12/2010 by: Irma
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9/10 Happy owner/Happy dog,
I had VPI for my cat, however was unable to continue the coverage due to the fact that the cat was often sick… read more
Added 8/12/2010 by: Jill
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7/10 VPI helps take the sting out of expensive vet bill,
VPI has reimbursed me some of the money I had to put out on a very sick dog. I have recommended VPI to… read more
Added 8/12/2010 by: Joia Natale
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7/10 Loss in healthy years, safe in sick,
I have both lines of coverage for my cat. It costs about 240 a year, I get about $150 back from them in… read more
Added 8/12/2010 by: Kim
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10/10 VPI is so helpful parents of furry ones,
I have been a VIP member now for over a year for my 2 cats Rosie and Lillie. They were a big help when I was… read more
Added 8/12/2010 by: Angel C. Woodall
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10/10 VPI is Great Pet Insurance,
I have had VPI for 7 years, and it has helped me out several times. I have two dogs and it gives me peace of… read more
Added 8/12/2010 by: Barbara Green
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10/10 Get Pet Insurance - it's vital!,
I've had VPI for about 5 years now on my German Shepherd Dog. I also (responsibly) breed my bitch and highly… read more
Added 8/11/2010 by: Amy Hughes
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