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Pet health insurance is catching on in the U.S.©Associated PressJuly 8, 2002 NAPLES -- Marco Islanders Horst and Peggy Stoehr had no pet insurance for their miniature schnauzer Liebling when she suffered a stroke in 1999. Instead, they have absorbed the $6,000 of medical costs associated with her treatment themselves. They have since purchased pet insurance for their other miniature schnauzer, Maggie. By doing so, if anything happens to Maggie, they will be able to avoid hefty additional medical costs to care for her. Rhona Sutter founded the Naples-based Pet Protect pet insurance company in 1997. A former Lloyd's of London broker, Sutter was surprised to find that pet insurance was not as booming a business in the United States as in the United Kingdom. Now, however, pet insurance is coming more into vogue in the United States, Sutter says, and her company sells insurance in 30 states, including Hawaii and Alaska. There are many pet insurance agencies nationwide, although Sutter's is the only agency in Naples. The reason for the increase is obvious, Sutter said: Veterinary medicine is advancing, and people are better able to provide for their pets. But with better care comes higher costs. "You do more for your animal now," Sutter said, "and the costs can be very expensive, so it's just like insuring yourself." The insurance offered through Pet Protect does not cover routine veterinary costs, such as vaccinations and preventive treatment, but does cover disease and emergency medical care. Any cat or dog under 12 is eligible; beyond age 12, restrictions apply. Pet Protect offers two plans, the Best Budget Plan and the Classic Plan. The former covers vet fees for accidents, illnesses and diseases. The latter plan covers vet fees for accidents, illnesses and diseases, plus benefits to compensate an owner for the death of his pet from accident or illness, boarding fees if the owner is hospitalized, loss by theft, and advertising and reward costs if the pet is stolen. A quote finder on the company's Web site computes pet premiums based on age, breed and past history. For example, the cost to insure a 5-year-old miniature schnauzer with no pre-existing medical conditions would be $12 a month on the Best Budget Plan and $20 a month on the Classic Plan. "Our company's motto is "Insurance for your pet, assurance for you,' " Sutter said. On the Web:
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From the Times state desk
From the state wire
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