VPI Pet Insurance reviews and complaints
The good, the bad, and the ugly - discover what customers are saying about VPI Pet Insurance
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On this page, you'll find a comprehensive collection of reviews and complaints from real customers who have used VPI Pet Insurance's products or services. Our reviews are authentic and unbiased, providing you with a complete picture of the company, its products or services, and their customer service.
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Rip Off
What used to be a great company now has a history of overcharging and under paying out on the benefits
A all inclusive policy costs about 415.00 dollars per year and had claims of about 1268.00 - they only covered 38 dollars of them
They deny claims, then ask for more documentation then deny again.
I have been with the company since my first dog - so well over 12 years and they were such a good company in the beginning.
Do the math -it doesn't add up - you pay more out in fees then you do in medical care
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Claims
This insurance company reimburses for medical expenses only if there is a diagnosis. I took my dog in for tests because she became sick, and we were in the process of going to several specialists to try and determine why she was sick. Well, VPI would not reimburse 90% of the medical tests we had done (terms of my policy) because the doctors had not yet determined the diagnosis. Then she died. So not only did I lose my best friend, but I'm out hundreds of dollars because VPI didn't stand behind the policy. I thought insurance companies covered medical expenses incurred when a dog is sick, but at VPI they need a diagnosis or they cover VERY LITTLE of the costs. That's why VPI is #7 of the top 10 pet health insurance companies.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
This company is a SCAM
I had my cat covered under the standard level of care since 2004. In Feb. 2012 I sadly had to put my cat to sleep at age 15. Her kidneys gave out on her over a two month period. The vet bills that I submitted totaled about $1, 500.00. VPI reimbursed me a total of $250.00.
The euthanasia and remains care alone totaled $243.00. VPI reimbursed me $39.60. They told me they were so sorry about my loss and that they valued me as a customer. It is my opinion that they only valued the money I paid each month for my policy. They clearly only thought my cat was worth $39.60.
They also now have a $50.00 copay for each incident! This is more than I pay to go to my medical doctor!
I WILL NEVER RECOMMEND THIS COMPANY! They do NOT care about your pet! They only care about your money!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Don't waste your money
Don't waste your money. I had this insurance co. for 7 years with the hopes that the reimbursements would get better. For example, my dog had a Lumpectomy that cost $1, 000.00 and VPI reimbursed $120.00. I complained and they said the reimbusements are based on the vet economy rates for the area. Who are they kidding. Save your $400.00 a year for the lowest policy and put it in the bank for when a vet bill happens. 7 yrs X $400.00 = $2, 800.00. Stupid me..
I agree this is NOT worth the premiums I paid for my 12 year old dog. she dog had an MRI cost $2500 reimbursement $800.
Failure to pay on claims
Had VPI pet insurance prior to learning of our puppy's medical issue. Had a clean bill of health as stated by our vet and it's doctors prior to our policy effective date. After months of tests and learning the issue to be dealt with we were faced with having surgery for our puppy. After a successful surgery we have a better puppy, a large bill, and best of all, a policy which is quite ineffective at covering much at all. It is so well written to exclude much more than it covers, there is simply no better way to explain it than saying it's absolutely worthless. VPI decidied to classify our puppy's medical condition as a "pre-existing" condition. Since surgery, we decided to cancel the policy. Just two days later we received a certified letter stating a medical misrepresentation. All coming from a company who is supposed to help you care for you pet. They are well versed in not paying out on legitamate claims and have the audacity to try and turn the tables on honest, policyholers. The fact of the matter is that it is simply more advantageous to just keep money set aside for expensive procedures than to pay into a insurance company who decides to take its policy holders for a ride. Please do yourself a favor - read the online comments and reviews about this dishonest company. It will take up a bit of your time, but well worth it to educate yourself and save some of your hard earned money.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Thank you for this information since I am looking into an insurance company for my puppy that I just adopted. My puppy also needs surgery and I was told 10 days free insurance by the rescue group and this other insurance company said it was a preexisting condition also and will not pay for anything.
dishonest policies
Sometimes they cover a condition, sometimes they don't, even for the exact same service. They charge you a deductible for each visit, even if it's for the same thing, like removing stitches from a previous surgery counts as a "new event." The ads they show are VERY misleading, in reality they cover very little. They find ways to delay and return claims, and the yearly wellness exam has to be scheduled at least one day later each year or they won't pay it. If the vet notifies you that "it's time for your yearly check-up" but you go in one day earlier than the previous year, they will deny it. I have had them for 4 years now for 2 pets and they have denied almost every claim for one reason or another. After adding up emergency vet expenses, like a broken leg or a tumor removal, and comparing it to the price of their premiums, I would have been much better off not having coverage at all. I am cancelling them and I recommend that everyone do the same, and tell their vets and everyone in their family that this company is misleading the public.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Why not look into other pet insurance companies? just because VPI has been around the longest doesnt mean they are the best. They have a lot of complaints about them all over the web it seems, meanwhile, there are other companies who are much better that I have read about, like Trupanion or petsbest. I have Trupanion for my dogs and we've never had a problem getting reimbursed and getting our claims approved within 3-5 days usually. They are also the only company that doesn't increase your premium every year your pet ages and they dont have benefit schedules or yearly cut off dates. worth checking them out..sorry to hear they haven't treated you well. http://www.trupanion.com
Won't reinstate my dog now that shes old
My dog was insured for 7 years with VPI. I moved and lost my credit card.. slipped my mind and come to find out after 7 years that they won't reinstate my dog now that shes old..they never called me.. I did mess up but i definitely didnt expect them to refuse to reinstate my dog.. I greatly discourage someone to go with VPI.
exclusions -policy
We just lost our beloved irish setter ti a fast moving cancer-it took her in less than a week from diagnosis. We have had vpi pet isnurance for ten years- their superior plan with the cancer rider. When she was diagnosed, we did everything we could to try to save her to the tune of $2200, thinking becuase she had the cancer rider it woulod be covered. We...
Read full review of VPI Pet Insurance and 2 commentsScam
I enrolled my 3 cats in VPI Pet Insurance and, after confirming their health history, was advised that I would be billed for 2 months per pet in advance. If I had a claim, all I would need to do would be to fax the claim form along with the vet's bill to VPI. Simple and easy. However, when I submitted my first claim for a paltry $67, their response took almost a month and then I was advised that the claim was denied and "under review." They requested that I send all medical records/charts, etc., etc. related to the cat for which I submitted the claim for the past year. I was amazed and insulted as I felt as though they were questioning the validity of the claim. I also found it interesting that they had no problem charging my credit card for the 2 months per cat downpayment plus monthly installments but, when I submitted a small claim, I was expected to provide a full accounting of this history of my cat's health. Again, this was only for a $67 claim! Total and complete rip off and misrepresentation of their services. I have since cancelled the insurance and am requesting a full refund which will probably be another battle. Instead, I will take the monthly premiums that I would have provided them and put it in the bank for any trips to the vet!
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
Good luck trying to cancel your policy
I submitted a cancellation to my policy to save a few bucks per month. I have gone through two rounds with my credit card disputing the automatic charge. Every time I cancel the policy VPI unilaterally reinstates it. What a hassle!
Would suggest that you post this comment on Pet InsuranceReview.com. There have been numerous complaints about this company. I have my pets enrolled in PetPlan, which is very highly rated. There have been a couple of glitches, but they are generally nice and reimburse very well.
Fraud
I am having trouble getting a response from VPI. Been over 2 months and not any word from them pertaining to my pug's two surgeries.. She had no pre-existing conditions, and her records reflect such. I can't even afford to get her third chemo treatment b/c they haven't paid.
I would suggest that based upon the substantial number of complaints, that the members of this forum go online at www.ic3.gov and file a fraud complaint. That is exactly what they are perpetuating is fraud, mail fraud, a violation of 18USC1341, in addition to other CIVIL statutes (Title 15, USC). Make a complaint to the Internet Crime complaint Center (IC3) and also make one with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC can impose civil penalties, while the IC3 can refer criminal matters to the FBI and US Postal Inspection Service. In addition, be sure to file similar complaints with the State of California Insurance Commission and the Better Business Bureau. The fraud relates to taking payments based upon a contract and not providing services. Be specific in your complaint and you must be sure that you articulate where the fraud is "i.e., my contract says 'xxxxx' is covered without pre-existing conditions. This was substantiated by medical records provided as proof. Despite this, VPI is refusing to pay, in violation of their contract." Don't just say "they only paid $XXX, and this isn't fair."
Hope this helps... this is fraud what they are doing... especially the charging of individuals after they cancel contracts and just taking folks' money. I hope they get sanctioned/fined.
Good luck.
The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.
I have submitted 2 claims to VPI since obtaining insurance in October of 2008. The company has had all of the necessary information relating to my claims for over 60 days. They initially submitted a temporary denial sighting their need to review past records. Today they are claiming a "pre-existing condition" on my policy stating that the veterinarian noted this on my pet's records.
The vet has no record of this notation, nor do I. It is evident that this company is fraudulently altering records in order to reject claims.
IT IS A TOTAL SCAM. Do NOT make the same mistake I made. I have since cancelled my policy.
I have VPI rip off insurance on 3 dogs. They have been giving me the run around on one of my dogs. She is 7 yrs old. After making me track down every note from every vet she has ever seen just to get the approval. They are now denying her claims. I have been dealing with this for over 3 months now! I was actually told on the phone by a customer service rep ( that in itself is a laguh) that because she had issues so soon after the policy was given that they are making it hard on me in hopes I will give up because they do not want to pay the claims! They are now making up conditions she does not even have to get out of paying. They are telling me I need to get a vet to write a letter stating she does not have the condition they are refering too.. which is a joke because she does not have it in the first place. DO NOT GET THIS UNLESS YOU HAVE NO JOB AND ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD TO SPEND ON THE PHONE GETTING THE RUN AROUND AND STILL NOT GET A CLAIM PAID. I think I have spent more money in time and effort than if I did not even have the VPI RIP OFF INSURANCE!
As with all insurance plans, people or animal. The first thing they do is deny your claim. That way they get rid of 90% of claims as most people accept it.
Fax insurance co a letter stating that you want your perfectly good claim paid right away, and if they refuse to pay the claim they owe you, you will sue them in your local small Claims Court. Because you paid for the policy where you live, the case will be done at your local Small Claims Court and the Insurance Co will be required to travel for the court date.
Usually your phone will ring right away, and the Claim Agent will tell you your check is in the mail.
We did this to VPI and they call first thing 8am in the morning, said they will mail the check, even though they had been sending us letters denying the claim. Once we told them we would sue them in our Small Claims Court, they decided to pay the claim, because they knew it was a claim and they would loose in court.
If they don't arrive at the court, the judge will review your case, and mostly likely you will win. If they do come to fight you in court, state your case with all your records, proof of monthly payments to your insurance plan, insurance plan, etc.
Then if the insurance company does not pay you, even though you won, you can call the Small Claims Court to file a Rit of Execution, where you will ask the court what to file, to get the money removed from their bank account and given to you. It may be different in different states, so call your Local Small Claims Court.
Claim denied
I submitted a claim for $636.50 to VPI Pet Insurance along with their required forms for work performed on my dog for a liver problem. Forty Five days letter I received a form denial letter stating that they received my claim form but not the required supporting documents. They could not have received one without the other. I now see in Reader's Digest (O8) that this is one of many tactics employed by this company to deny or stall legitimate claims. DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND READ THE ARTICLE AND AVOID DOING ANY BUSINESS WITH THIS COMPANY. I only did so because I saw their literature in my vet's office. After discussing this with my vet all of the Company's literature has been pulled from his office.
PI was a much better insurance for pets before Nationwide took them over. I have been with them for 4 years, I never had surgery with neither of my dogs . I currently had one of them require exams and surgery and after submitted a bill for $2200.00 and I didn't even submitted the additional $700.00, they told me nothing was covered. I canceled my both policy that was just renew 4 months ago. Its just not worth getting insurance for your pets . I now will go to Banfield in Petsmart. Its not an insurance but a plan that covers a few things and 20% off in additional services, better than what Nationwide gave me. I take back all the good things I said in the past about this company. JUST DON'T LET THEM FOOL YOU.!
the important thing to included when submitting claims in the doctors written detailed diagnosis and treatment with your paid receipt. Just keep on them. Keep copies of everything, track of who you spoke with, when, and the dates that you called. Ask to speak to a supervisor and as to why it's taking so long to review the claim (if you provided everything they needed) I'm sorry you're having this problem. you're better off saving money and using care credit. VPI is a scam. total scam. I adopted two rescue Chihuahuas since my dog Pookie died and I will never VPI pet insurance again.
Cespookie
I, too have VPI insurance and going thru the same thing, What do you do? Im stuck, i keep calling them and they tell me it is being reviewed 1500. on my boy Charlee, he got pancretitus, and almosr died and i, truly trusting vpi, assured they would pay, let him stay in hospital, they saved his life, now im going thru this... Do i take it to Small claims court, because this is not right. Animals can not speak up for themselves and, we, take out a policy, trusting that they will take care of our fur babies, then have to fight to get them to pay any claim. This is so Wrong. Please give me advice on what to do. Ill never have Vpi insurance again, I want my fur babies under an insurance that takes care of them, not one that is going to have to be fought day in and day out. Any advice will be truly appreciated. Help.!
CORRECTION TO DATE I MISPRINTED
got the claims submitted and yesterday2/8/2011, I received three “we regret to inform you" letters from VPI. They are not paying me anything. **
SEE STORY ABOVE FROM: CESPOOKIE
Pookie died on 12/29/2010 after a long battle with congestive heart failure. before Pookie died I tried to contact the "president" of the company but I only got as far as Gail Nelson the company "liaison", I demanded they review all the recent claims I submitted and they mysteriously, found they do owe me back some money. They sent the a few checks but not much. Just days after Pookie died I officially cancelled my policy in writing and informed Gail that I still have some claims to submit but due to the recent passing of Pookie i was very very upset, I would get those to her as soon as I was capable. I got the claims submitted and yesterday2/8/10, I received three “we regret to inform you" letters from VPI. They are not paying me anything. **
By the way to "Stealth Pilot” shut your stupid face up! You're an idiot. VPI is a complete scam and are robbing people of their money. It is not an administrative error, or a dinosaur fax machine. THEY RECEIVED THE CLAIMS AND DENIED PEOPLE. Moran.**
Anyway, I have reached out to an attorney who practices bad faith in the insurance industry. I WILL BE FILING A LAWSUIT I still owe care credit $4, 800.00 thanks VPI insurance - thanks for absolutely NOTHING! NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY PET INSURANCE. **Everyone do yourself a favor and put your monthly premium in a savings account, you are much better off than paying and wasting money on an insurance company like this.**
OH AND ONE LAST NOTE... ... coincidentally, they mentioned on their website that they no longer offer the VPI Superior Plan (with the extra Core Care Coverage ) up to $14, 000 coverage and $50 deductible - which is the Insurance coverage I had for Pookie. RIP MY BABY 08/14/1998-12/29/2010
I am currently doing research to start my own company, Pet Claims Resolved. I use to work in the industry and I know how insurance companies are with the claims and there is no one to go to for an unbiased opinion on a denied claim. Currently the public turns to the Better Business Bureau, Attorney General, the insurance company that denied your claim in the first place or a lawyer. I would be the middle person before any of these actions took place. I believe that it is time that we need an unbiased consulting company to be the voice of the consumer. Would you agree? Susan
Cespookie..I am with you. My dog got a fractured leg and had to have surgery along with a stay in the hospital. The bill was about $3700.00...I received my claim back today for paymet of only $973.00. I am on the Superior plan and according to my paperwork I am afforded up to $4500.00 per single incident in a years time frame. They also state that they pay up 90% of all hospital cost. According to what I am getting back this is definately a scam. I am game for a class action suit. I also will be filing a small claims tomorrow morning,
FIREBIRD
Washington State
whos interested in a class action lawsuit? i've had VPI in insurance for about 7 years. My dog is now 12 1/2 and we're up to paying $67.00 month for her insurance. Two years ago she had heart failure and almost died. they hospitalized her several times and put her on a bunch of medications. VPI paid a pretty good portion on most of the expensive claim, but now, my dog is sick again and she been in and out of the hospital and her medications have been an ongoing basis for her condition. I started submiiting claims again from 01/2009- 10/2010 and they literally sent me checks for $5.00, .06 cents, and .01 cent! ARE YOU KIDDING ME .01 cent? AFTER ALL THAT I HAVE PAID IN INSURANCE PREMIUM THIS IS WHAT I GET? Also some medications to treat congestive heart failure are very expensove so the VET wrote a presecription so i can ordered throught VetRxDirect. VPI denied my claim because my dogs name wasn't on the online invoice!
My dog is dying. I've giving everything VPI needed. My medical papers are a pile high trust me on this. i've spent close to $18, 000k in two years and this is how they repay me? I'm going to look for a lawyer.
Cespookie
05/20/2010 VPI = DENIALS.
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. I told Gary, the supervisor at VPI that those are symptoms, not a disease and he would not work with me. Our dog could have cancer or something else very serious but VPI is not in the business of quality customer service. They sure don't have a problem taking the yearly premium up front! They never asked for previous records that go back two years. They just wanted current info for our 3 year old dog. After they accepted the policy and we took our dog in for tests, they denied, denied, and dug up records back 3 years. Bottom line is INSURANCE NEVER WANTS TO PAY!
Well my dog is still not cured we don't know what is wrong. Our vet would like to do more tests to find out a more specific condition but nothing will be covered on VPI because of the pre existing policies. Canceled policy ASAP. Save your money yearly in an account instead of paying their premiums, plus the reimbursement rate is a joke!
2 scotties
BAD BAD ! VPI PET INSURANCE IS BAD ! is never good company for any pets. After my dog had accident so i take to DORAL VET FL. and then the doctor write the VPI claim form as your dog sick so after I send the cliam form then the VPI say it is not coverage ! for your dog we do not respond for that. They are both Vet clinic and VPI is cheating on people.
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