Reptile, Rat Owners Offered NY Vet Coverage

NU Online News Service Aug. 27, 11:59 a.m.EDT?New York State residents, worried aboutgastroenteritis germs attacking their gerbils or mouth rot manglingtheir boa constrictors, can now get health coverage for "exotic"pets, an insurer said.

Veterinary Pet Insurance Company of Brea, Calif. said two newplans are now available to help New York pet owners with the risingcosts of veterinary care.

The company said the VPI Superior Plan increases the benefitsand coverage for many medical problems and conditions in dogs andcats. The VPI Avian & Exotic Plan, covering birds and a varietyof exotic pets such as reptiles, rabbits and guinea pigs, isavailable in New York for the first time. Cobras and rattlesnakecoverage is is not offered.

"Pet owners want the best treatments available when their petsbecome ill or injured, but sophisticated treatments can be costly.The new VPI policies offer higher benefits that will help NewYorkers pay for the care their pets need," said Rebecca Lewis, vicepresident of marketing and communications for Veterinary PetInsurance.

Ms. Lewis said the firm is also the first insurer to offerhealth insurance coverage for the state's "birds and exoticpets."

The company said the VPI Superior Plan increases benefit payoutsfor many conditions and treatments such as radiation, chemotherapyand anesthesia.

The VPI Avian & Exotic Plan offers coverage for illnessesand injuries common to birds and exotic pets. Several optionalriders are also available.

The company said a vaccination and routine care coverage riderassists with the cost of an annual exam, vaccinations, spaying orneutering, prescription flea control and heartworm testing, with nodeductible.

A cancer rider further protects pets that develop cancer bydoubling the benefit payout for cancer treatments.

Veterinary Pet Insurance, founded in 1980, said it hasapproximately 350,000 policies in force covering dogs, cats, birdsand exotic pets for medical problems and conditions relating toaccidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional vaccination and routinecare coverage is also available.

Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company inCalifornia and in all other states by National Casualty Company.VPI's parent company is Veterinary Pet Services, Inc.