Veterinary Pet Insurance

VPI does not pay any claims. It is a scam. For seven years, I have paid over $600/year to insure my two dogs. They have rejected 95% of the claims and the remaining 5% they have paid a total of $96. The last claim concerned a routine yearly procedure done for the first time in seven years, teeth cleaning. They are asking me to send the records for the one dog from 2005 to the present. This is outrageous and abusive, as it is not an on going illness but a covered procedure which they claim it is covered, no questions asked. I am dropping these crooks and going for a respectable company. Beware of this scam!

I just cancelled my policy and since 2006, Veterinary Pet Insurance repeatedly denies claims. I don't understand what I am paying for. They said that there was a lapse in coverage for two years (2004 - 2006) yet one dog was covered. They both had automatic billing. During this time, they made changes with their software. A representative talked me into staying in 2006 even though my older dog had to go through a new process and now with a higher premium.

I'm very disappointed in the company and if I research on the web, I will probably find that it was acquired or brought in "Wall Street" type people in the past ten years, who decided that being ruthless and not paying claims was the best way to go to increased profitability. I think their motto is "Deny all claims, we don't care about your pets."

I'm now going to post my complaints with the BBB, Yelp, Angie's list, Consumer Affairs and the Attorney General and the State Insurance Commissioner. I just went online to cancel and it said I can't cancel because the term is not complete. This is just a canned response to everyone who tries to cancel!

I spoke with a Karen ** who went back and researched. She said that my policy had lapsed two years, from 2004 to 2006. This all started because I received a notice denying a claim for dermatitis because it was a pre-existing condition. I said that it's impossible because he's been covered for 14 years, since he was a puppy. She informed me that there was a lapse. I told her that I remember a small lapse about five years ago but just for a very short period of time. I had gotten a new credit card with a new expiration and hadn't updated. I have been a customer for 20 years and they usually would send a letter; so getting a new credit card every few years is expected. I told her that for years, VPI was very good to work with but not starting in 2006, with the coverage being dropped.

I have had VPI Pet Insurance for over six years now but when I filed a claim for veterinary services for the first time, they had me running around in circles. They have said twice now that they can't read the forms sent by the Vet's Office. I found this out on my own; they did not notify me. Now, they are denying a third claim that is unrelated to the other two forms. They gave me the same reason even though I already spoke with a supervisor and asked her to intervene. This is like a bad movie trying to get someone to resolve the Issue! I have spoken now with four different people on four different occasions to resolve this. What else can I do?

Unfortunately, I purchased VPI Pet Insurance for my golden retriever when he was a puppy; routine checks were all he needed until the age of five. When he had difficulty breathing and was diagnosed with a lung mass, an ER visit and subsequent surgery at a specialty hospital for a lung resection racked up an $8500 bill. We were not concerned with the cost over the life of our precious dog. However, VPI picked apart of our claim, and only reimbursed us $1700. We had to refinance our home to pay off the balance. We had just finished catching up with bills after my husband's recovery from cancer. It was a kick in the head from VPI. Don't buy this insurance.

We are Jewish and we think VPI PET Insurance tries to get rid of us as Jewish customers. We were cancelled more than once despite paying the premiums and without any explanation. VPI PET sends a letter (no signature or name), saying they would credit back our payment and try not enroll us again. When we insist on enrolling, they would register us, but few weeks later send us another cancellation letter.

We never encountered antisemitism from a business before, but in this case reluctantly conclude that this is the only reason we are being purged from their customer ranks. Other pet insurance companies agree to accept us as customers, so we feel VPI PET is discriminating against us. We are currently planning to consult with attorney to prevent them from doing it to other customers. At least, if they don't like us because we are Jewish, say it and we will work with another insurance company. Why send us these unsigned refusals to work with us?

I purchased what I thought was premium health insurance for my 14 year old mixed terrier, female. The charge was approx. $63 for (what I was advised on line) the first two months coverage. My dog went to the event to the vet on January 9, 2011 for not feeling well. She was diagnosed to have coronary heart disease but a determination was not made as yet until further tests were made the following week. A claim form was submitted to VPI.

My dog, Murphy, had to be euthanized on January 16, 2011 due to congestive heart disease. Again, forms were submitted by the vet to VPI. I called VPI to follow-up and was told (just a couple of days later) that since my dog was 14 years old, no benefits would be paid because she was over 10 years old and they only paid accidental insurance for dogs over 10. I was not advised this. Besides, the first and second visit costs of around $300; I incurred euthanasia costs of approximately $300. None of these costs were paid by VPI and they refused this. I am demanding they reimburse me my initial payment of $64 and end it all. I will never use VPI again. Please help.

We have had VPI Superior Plan Pet insurance for nearly 3 years for our 3-year old Golden doodle (Dolly). Every time we submit a claim, they deny for some reason or another. Here is our most recent issue: On Oct. 9, 2010, we noted some scabs or sores on Dolly, so we took her to the vet. He said these were likely hot spots and gave her a shot and told us to apply antibacterial ointment. The bill was $80.64. The letter we received denying service stated that the expense was denied because the injury or illness was contracted, manifested or incurred prior to the effective date of our policy. This is ridiculous. We have had the policy almost 3 years and she just got these sores. We have submitted multiple claims in the past few years and VPI is not paying when they should.

I had a policy from VPI on my golden retriever since we got him at 8 weeks of age. At age 5 in May, he almost died from a necrotizing pneumonia and required emergency surgery. VPI brags about their high pay backs from claims. Out of $8500 we paid to save our dog, VPI paid us $1700. We had to refinance our home to pay off the bills; interest rates on the credit cards were killing us. My husband is a cancer survivor and Rudy our golden retriever was his get well gift. We had to save him.

I have had this insurance since April 2009 and as of today, 29Jun10, these people have maybe paid me 300.00 on claims I have filed and I have filed over 5,000.00 with these people. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS INSURANCE TO ANYONE unless you have money to burn. Would not have purchased this insurance knowing that they would not pay anything to reimburse me for their monthly payments.

2 wks shy of turning 2 yrs old, my dobie developed what was originally determined by tests to be a fatty tumor. After taking him to a specialist due to breathing problems (it was located on his ribcage/chest) he was seen by the oncology department and tests were performed to determine the cause of breathing problems.

The vet bill was astronomical. I paid it and contacted VPI for coverage reimbursement. At first they didn't want to pay anything and tried to convince me I didn't have cancer coverage. After contacting them w/a copy of my policy containing double cancer coverage, they still tried to deny reimbursement by claiming it was pre-existing.

After including a letter from the oncologist stating this was a very quick aggressive cancer that was not pre-existing, VPI sent me a check for $30.00 which was to cover reimbursement on a $2000 vet bill. This was based off my double cancer coverage according to VPI representatives. I contacted the President of VPI and was told that due to my policy w/double cancer coverage, $30.00 was all I was entitled to as reimbursement because I had failed to provide proof that the cancer was not pre-existing or that my dog developed it during the policy terms.... both statements contradict each other but VPI just did not want to pay out on any claims.

This company is a rip-off and should be shut down. They made the process of losing a pet that much more difficult by having to even deal with them, but they had no problem taking my money 1x a month to pay for the policy.

Pet insurance needs to be regulated just like human insurance.... otherwise scam companies like VPI who has since changed their name, will continue to rape devoted pet owners.

We just cancelled our policy after our claim was denied. VPI takes your money and fails to follow through on payment of claims. Because our dog had symptoms of vomiting and bowel problems it was labeled gastroenteritis and was documented as pre existing. VPI told us that any condition our dog would have in the future would be denied if those symptoms were present! Absolutely disgusting company.

3 years. Bottom line is INSURANCE NEVER WANTS TO PAY!

We went to a trip to Miami and then we stayed at Doral area. The hotel has so big a room and my dog gets so excited and run around the room fast. Then he hit his leg with the table and then after day he is started to walk limping. That right hind leg hurt so I take him to the Doral vet. The X-ray showed that he has a sprain that was secondary to the patellar luxation. It is not true!

Then the doctor gave a shot and we went back to the hotel. So I think I had insurance to cover for accident and whatever happened. So I claimed my bill and it was $309. The VPI was denied my bill. They just said it is not covered for that case of sickness. Then I came back home to New Orleans and I took him to Airline Vet again. So the doctor there said he is just fine and to let time do the healing for a week and then everything will be ok. And it's true!

My dog now is in perfect health again, so there was nothing wrong with his leg. No more. Now, he is actually in good health since the second week of last month. It is not fare from VPI Pet Insurance that they do not respond to anything. If your dog gets really sick from the accident, they are doing nothing to help you. They lie big time. I need somebody who can stop VPI from cheating on people who love their pets as there family.

VPI never paid any vet bills of any kind. I got the insurance after getting my then two year old dog received a clean bill of health from a vet in Boca Raton, FL. I then applied for the insurance and received it. About a month later, the dog had to have surgery on his leg which cost $4000.00. VPI asked for different kinds of vet records over a period of a year, but each time I complied, they asked for more records. They asked for records going further back, which really wasn't that many, the dog was only two.

Finally, I went back to the dog's home state and got his old records from prior vets and faxed them in. Every time I faxed them in, I never heard from VPI. Several months would go by, then I would call, but they said they didn't receive the complete fax. The only time they called was when I stopped paying due to a credit card number being stolen, which happened twice, as it is south Florida.

I stopped paying premiums for over a year and receiving $0 for routine visits, annual visits, the surgery, nothing was paid. The last time I talked to them they told me that while one claim was open, no other claim could be processed. The only claim they would work on was the surgery, which they never had the right information and would never call back. They never made a ruling on the surgery.

I went with VPI on a friend's recommendation. Unfortunately, my experience is that they are a dishonorable corporation with atrocious customer service, that tries to figure out ways to not pay claims.

My dog has been insured with them for 7 years.. i moved and lost my credit card and totally forgot to call them... they claimed they sent me notice i never received to say that policy was canceled.. Now they are refusing to insure her as shes getting older and she has a mammal growth (while insured with them)... They don't care about your animals they just want your money...

When we insured out cat, she had 8 years of perfect health on record with the exception of some weight loss and a nail infection. Within a few months of initiating coverage on her, we were saddened to discover that she had a rare form of aggressive cancer. We incurred $1,290.25 in medical expenses treating her, in reliance on the 90% we believed we had from VPI vet. Unfortunately, our claims were denied twice by VPI vet, stating that they deemed her cancer to be a pre-existing condition and hence not covered by the policy. Our vet disputed this decision, calling VPI and explaining that there was no way to know how long the cancer had been present and that she did not exhibit any symptoms that could be tied conclusively to her cancer prior to the policy purchase date. VPI's only response was a second denial letter.

It took VPI 3 weeks and 3 different "notices" to us during the approval process. They kept asking us the same piece of information they apparently need and our vet kept sending it to them. We finally asked what EXACTLY were they looking for and they made a small issue into a big one. Our dog had a tiny lump on her mamary glands which does not affect her at all. The vet does not seem concerned by it at all. They had told her to remove the lump and give them the diagnosis! This was utterly ridiculous. No matter what the vet told them, they would not insure us unless the lump was removed! We decided to revoke our application from them and go with Pets Best Insurance. They took all of 2 hrs to approve us fully knowing about the lump and have much better plans and rates anyway!

or more a month for this dogs. I am so dissapointed. My pet clinic told me that he have a lot of his client complaining about them. We need to do something about this. I am serious about letting everyone know how bad this company.

and am now realizing how terrible their customer service is when something does happen. When I went to the Better Business Bureau to complain, I was really surprised to see an A+ rating - especially reading about people's bad experiences elsewhere on the internet. The BBB explained that the A+ rating is because they have not received any complaints so please, while posting here is helpful for people who are considering purchasing policies from the company, it does not actually force the company to change anything.

the Better Business Bureau is an organization that actually has the ability to pressure a company into improving because it is well recognized and while it can't force a company to do anything, a bad BBB rating is terrible for any company and most companies are desperate to avoid a bad BBB rating so they will actually care and try to change things if you complain to the BBB.

My Scottie Terrier Midnight has been insured with VPI since she was a puppy. Midnight is 10 years old and had never been sick once. Finally I took her to the vet for a check up in December 2007. Midnight had an irregular heart beat. Iwas referred to a specialist for further tests. Midnight was diagnosed with a form of heart disease, however the more concerning problem was the irregular heart beat.

A pacemaker operation could prolong her life I was told. I had the operation performed and it was a success. The vetrinary bill was over $4000.00. I have the VPI Superior Plan which VPI touts provides the best reimbursment. I was shocked when the only reimbursed me for $1800.00 Only after written complaints and filing a small claims action did they adjust the amount. in the dogs entire life this was her only claim. The insurance is a RIP OFF

Misleading Insurance Benefits quoted to members. Actual payout on eligible services---about approx. 3% or less. Misleading members! Thousands of dollars paid out to VPI for three dogs. Did not reimburse according to insurance plan.

I used to have VPI Pet Insurance until Jan/Feb 2007 and due to the delayed reimbursements on my claims (6-8 weeks!) I switched companies for my pet insurance and the reimbursement on my claims averages 2-3 weeks.

I did not get the reimbursement per diagnoses I felt was owed. VPI is very stingy and doesn't give adequate explanation. A lot of wasted money!

VPI seems to searches for ways to deny claims. Curly, who is a 13 year old pug, was diagnosed with a collapsing trachea in 2001. I have been advised that this condition is not life threatening. However, in June of this year Curly became gravely ill with a respiratory infection and the resulting veterinary bills topped $3,000. On top of that, there is ongoing medication for chronic bronchitis that costs me over $100 per month. I have had Curly insured for a number of years and VPI rejected the initial claim as well as my appeal.

Among the vets I took her too, one was a world renowned respiratory expert in Chicago. His considered opinion was possible aspirational pneumonia. Whatever the case, the antibiotics he prescribed promptly solved the problem. Two additional, though not as serious, flare-ups occurred in August and October. Again, both of these exacerbations were cleared with the prescribed antibiotics. I am happy to report that Curly is just fine at this writing. VPI contends Curly's problems are related to the collapsing trachea which in turn they consider congenital and therefore not covered. I contend that any dog can have pneumonia/respiratory infections and therefore it is the insurance company's dereliction of contract to reject coverage. The proof of infection lies in the fact that the appropriate antibiotics resolved each occurrence. I have documentation for each step of this process but in exasperation I gave up further pursuit at this time. Does anybody know any reasonable lawyers who would handle a lawsuit over this?

I've spent thousands of dollars in vet bills and $0 help from long time insurer, VPI.

My 2001 Jetta 1.8T Wolfsburg is the biggest piece of s! that I own. I could sit here and list every single complaint/problem I've had with this car, but after reading a few comments..they seem to be the same as everyone else. I wonder if there is a class action suit against VW for failure to give a damn about their products/consumers/safety of their consumers...If there is, please ADD me. The amount of money I've spent in car payments and service is incredibly outrageous for this car.

I recently purchased a 2000 VW Jetta and have had many a problems. I too just like Brent of Lehi UT was dealing with a dead car when it sat for more than a day. I had the battery replaced and the problem continued to happen. I took it to the local VW dealer to have them look at it and they concluded that the built in stereo amp wasn't shutting off and drawing off the battery killing it. The repair total for this would be $700. My VW only has 77k miles on it and this should be a defect on what has already been a huge headache. So Brent of Lehi, UT if you're out there have them check into the amp that runs the stereo system. Oh and by the way, without the amp, the stereo system will not work. So you have a radio with no sound.......... Kinda funny that they did it that way.

We got our 10 month lab from North Shore Animal on 10/28/2005. She still had one more immunization due after we adopted her. In November 2005, 2 weeks after we brought her to a vet by our house for shot and to get the preventive meds she needs like the heartworm and flea and tick medication. Vet did a complete check up and she told us she was in perfect health. Great teeth, great coat, she weighed around 57 pounds. He checked her ears and legs...Great Health. On the way out we paid the bill and got her meds.

Since this is our first dog, we took a phamplet off the vets counter advertising pet insurance...VPI PET INSURANCE. I told my husband we should take the superior plan (top of the line) it covered shots and medications minus a deductible and a percentage. I went online and filled out application, I was given a monthly quote for a dog her age and breed, about $29.92/Month with the exception of the first month where they charged 2 months up front. Around Christmas time 2005, our dog started shaking her head making her ears flap. My husband said he would take her to the vet the first chance he got and after the 14 day waiting period.

She had developed an ear infection from the snow getting in her ears and melting. He gave us ear cleaner and ear drops and charged us for the visit. We faxed the claim form and receipt to VPI PET INSURANCE. They denied our claim 2 months later. In the meantime, our dog had another appointment for a recheck of the ear. We faxed that claim form in with the receipt. The first claim we submitted was denied because they said it was a pre-existing condition and then a month later rejected the second claim for the same reason.

The third office and final vet visit was for a small infection/laceration on our dog's paw. Vet prescribed a cream, a soak and antibiotic. That claim was also faxed in and then rejected, this reason being that the 4 pages documenting the vet visit and receipts and check, one of these pages (although the amount total was the same on all pages) the dog's name was missing.

I immediately called VPI Pet Insurance and spoke to GINGER. I told her I was not happy with the treatment I was getting from VPI PET INSURANCE. The monthly charge was still coming out of my credit card but I was not receiving any paid benefits. I told her the first visit for the ear infection was not a pre-exisitng condition therefore that claim and the follow-up should be paid. The third visit with the refills of heartworm and flea/tick meds should have been paid also. I purchased the top of the line plan and got NOTHING reimbursed.

My dog had her ear lacerated and I could not stop the bleeding. Took her to the closest vet. Medicine, anesthesia and stitches totaled $428.54. I have a $50.00 deductible so why did I only get a check for $139.50? This is the first time I have ever used the insurance in 3 years. This bill was my entire social security check - I was expecting much more.

They billed a closed debit card that had been used two years previously on my Bank of America account without my authorization. They refused to credit the charge when I called and when I wrote. I received $30.00 on a $250.00 charge.

Almost lost $250. I spent 2 hours at the bank yelling at them for allowing such transactions to cross over closed accounts and closed unconnected debit cards. They issued a temporary credit to which I have never had a followup even after I wrote all levels of security customer service and CEO.

My dog severed an artery. VPI paid for a small laceration, a tiny portion of costs, and significantly below schedule of benefits.

Damage Resulting: $558.20 incurred, $107.00 paid

I applied for insurance coverage for my pet on July 7, 2002 about 7 pm. After I had paid up and completed my transaction I was advised that the waiting period was 14 days. I called Customer Service twice today to cancel my coverage as I was misinformed. On the first occasion I was told I could go back on the website and cancel my enrollment. The www.petinsurance.com website does not support this feature.

Second time I called back I was told that Veterinary Pets Service would respond within a few weeks. No specifics were advised. I insisted on speaking with a supervisor she refused to give me her or the supervisors name. Finally she put me through the Supervisors voice mail. I have left a message and waiting for a call back.

This company and others should be required to state the waiting period upfront so that customers can make their choice accordingly.

In August 2001, VetPet changed computer billing agencies for some reason, and my direct debiting of my pets' insurance policies didn't happen. Then, because of the 911 crisis, their billing agent had problems. Then I was being double billed. I contacted them and they said they were correcting it. I got another double billing. I called and told them I was mailing a check to fully pay both pets' insurance policies for the year. I also faxed them the information and requested them to stop automatically double billing me. This was in October, 2001. They acknowledged receipt of the full payment and noted that I wished direct debiting discontinued.

Then in December 2001, I got another double debiting in my checking account. After repeated phone calls, being told that my accounts weren't fully paid, they finally saw some of the notes they had made on my account, and said they would credit my account. They called me back last Friday 1/4/02 and said they were posting the credit, and I would see it on Monday, 1/7/02. On Monday, late in the day, I saw no credit in my checking account. I called, and again was told I wasn't paid up, etc. but then they saw the notes, and said it would be 3 to 5 days for the credit to be posted. I checked today, Thursday, 1/10/02, and still there is no credit. (Each time I also asked them to double check to see if the automatic debiting had been removed from my accounts. And each time they assured me that they had removed it.)