PHILADELPHIA, April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2010 National Pet Owners Survey, the total cost of veterinary care in America exceeded $12 billion this past year.  With rising veterinary care costs and advancing medical treatments for family pets, many Americans have begun to evaluate pet insurance as a way to minimize the potential financial burden caused by unexpected veterinary bills.  With Petplan, America's top rated pet insurer, reporting that one in every three pets requires unexpected veterinary care each year, it is important for pet parents to review in-depth the full offerings – and fine print – before selecting a pet insurance provider.  

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"Pet insurance can help to ensure that pets receive the best veterinary care possible as it mitigates the issue of cost," says Dr. Jules Benson, Vice President of Veterinary Services at Petplan.  "Between chronic conditions and unexpected illnesses or accidents, veterinary costs for the best pet healthcare can quickly become prohibitive.  Pet health insurance not only protects pets' health but also, protects the financial health of pet parents."

There are several American pet insurance providers, which offer vastly different options related to coverage and price point.  Before selecting a provider, Petplan recommends asking the following questions to help guide a pet parent's choice.  

• Are hereditary conditions covered?  Many pet insurers will not insure pets with hereditary conditions, which many purebreds have.  Currently, Petplan is the only U.S. pet insurance provider that covers all hereditary conditions as standard.

• Are there dollar limits per condition? Often pet insurance companies set maximum amounts that may be reimbursed per condition or medical event. It is important to know what those limits are and also, if there are annual limits for total care.  

• What is the rating of the underwriter behind the insurance policy? The financial health of the underwriter for any pet insurance policy is critical. For example, Petplan has an A+ rating with Allianz, the world's largest property and casualty insurer. It is crucial to ask this question to ensure that any future claim can and will be reimbursed.

To learn more about Petplan and how to find a pet insurance policy that works best for you and your pet, visit www.gopetplan.com. For independent reviews of all pet insurance providers and their respective policies, visit: www.petinsurancereview.com/.  

ABOUT PETPLAN

As America's top-rated pet insurance company, Petplan offers customizable policies to meet any coverage requirements and budget.  Petplan is the only insurer to cover all hereditary and congenital conditions for the life of the pet – without dollar limits per condition. For information, visit www.GoPetplan.com or call 1-866-467-3875.

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Jules Benson https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=97804

SOURCE Petplan