- The Most Comprehensive Insurance Program for Pet Owners Now Available for
California Pet Owners -
BOISE, Idaho, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Pets Best, insurance for pets and a
division of General Fire & Casualty Company, today announced that it will
begin providing comprehensive insurance plans for pet owners and their pet
family members. Initially, the company intends to offer its programs in 24
states, including California, and anticipates expanding into additional states
by the end of the year.
Founded by pet insurance pioneer, Jack Stephens D.V.M., the company's
insurance plans for pets are designed to provide the peace of mind that comes
when consumers want "simply the best." Pets Best offers its policyholders
generous benefits, reasonable premium options and the ability to use the
veterinarian of their choice.
Dr. Stephens draws on 33 years of veterinary experience and a lifelong
passion for animals in delivering this new innovative product. "My mission is
to provide pet owners with broader protection, straightforward claims
reimbursement and options to fit every budget. Pets Best's goal is to be
worthy as the best choice for pet insurance," said Dr. Stephens.
As a veterinarian and pet lover with eight dogs and two cats, Dr. Stephens
brings a unique perspective to the pet insurance industry. "I know all the
many problems that can unexpectedly happen to pets. In creating this new
product, I focused on what pet owners and their veterinarians wanted in price,
coverage and benefits," continued Dr. Stephens. "I knew from experience that
I could provide more benefits and higher reimbursement for pet care by
utilizing new automation for internal processing of claims, and passing along
the advantages to pet owners in a number of ways -- fewer coverage exclusions,
more coverage options, and higher limits to meet increasing veterinary care.
I have had a lifelong passion to help pets and providing pet insurance for the
unexpected health needs of pets is the best method. I wanted no hidden
schedules or complicated method of calculating the reimbursements for pet
care, simply by paying 80 percent of covered claims after the deductible."
Pets Best insurance plans provide for direct reimbursement to the pet
owner or to the veterinarian of their choice. Plans include:
* Pets First. The premier and highest per incident benefit plan for pet
owners.
* Pets Basic. An economical plan with the same coverage as Pets First
with lower per incident limits and higher deductibles, but at a lower
cost.
* Pets Accident. A simplified, inexpensive, specific accident-only plan.
* Pets Wellness. For an additional premium, pet owners can receive
wellness benefits with their Pets First and Pets Basic plans, which
includes coverage for spaying/neutering, teeth cleaning, vaccines and
annual pet health examinations. Also included in the wellness benefits
package are important diagnostic screens, such as EKGs, general health
screens, heartworm tests, feline leukemia tests, internal parasite tests
and much more.
Pets Best is entering a field with enormous growth potential. In the
U.S., the pet health insurance market is still virtually untapped, with only
five companies offering coverage. A 2002 report by Market Trends states that,
while consumer spending on veterinary services has increased by 83 percent
since 1996, less than one percent of the more than 136 million dogs and cats
in this country are covered by pet insurance. That figure is higher in other
parts of the world. In the United Kingdom, for instance, 14 percent of dogs
and five percent of cats are covered by about 60 insurers.
Dr. Stephens, who has the most experience in the industry, attributes the
lower market penetration in the United States to previous industry
restrictions on coverage limitations, too many coverage exclusions, and
complicated claims reimbursement processes as reasons why pet insurance has
not taken off in the U.S. Additionally, he believes there is a lack of
awareness of the many benefits pet insurance can provide pet owners. "More
competition and meeting pet owners expectations will be the driving force for
future growth," stated Dr. Stephens, who anticipates increased pet insurance
sales in the United States with the launching of his new pet insurance program
and his promotion of increased consumer awareness of program benefits.
About Pets Best
Pets Best, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is a division of General Fire &
Casualty Company, which specializes in agribusiness, livestock and
animal-related insurance products. The company provides comprehensive
insurance plans for pet owners whose pet is a family member. Its insurance
plans provide the peace of mind that comes when a pet owner wants "simply the
best." Pets Best takes pride in offering its policyholders high limits,
generous benefits and a variety of options for every budget. Pets Best knows
that making the statement, "Simply the best pet insurance," means it must live
up to its name each and every day, and with each and every interaction with
its policyholders.
Pets Best offers a generous 80 percent coverage of covered claims (after
the deductible), liberal wellness benefits, the ability to choose your own
veterinarian, and prompt claims settlement. Pets Best employees understand
pet insurance and the needs of pet owners, as Pets Best's founder, Dr. Jack
Stephens, pioneered the pet insurance industry in 1981, has over 30 years of
veterinary experience, and has instilled his passion and commitment to pet
insurance in each and every one of his employees. For more information, visit
http://www.petsbest.com or call 877-PETS BEST (738-7237).
(C)2006 Pets Best. All brand names and trademarks are properties of their
respective holders.
SOURCE Pets Best
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Related links:
http://www.petsbest.com
CONTACT:
Lisa Porter of Porter Creative Group,
+1-949-752-5891, lporter@portercreative.com, for Pets Best
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