Petplan Revolutionizes Pet Insurance (Again)

Newtown Square, PA (PRWEB) September 26, 2016

It's been a dog's age since Petplan sold its first insurance policy in 2006. On the event of its 70th anniversary -- or 10th, in human years -- the company has re-launched its pet insurance products in the United States and Canada with market-leading innovations made possible by a new underwriting partner, XL Specialty Insurance Company, an XL Catlin insurance company.

Innovation is nothing new for Petplan, which led the pack by becoming the first provider to insure pets of any age, with no policy exclusions for hereditary and chronic conditions (1), or premium increases based on an individual pet's claims. These features have since largely become industry standards in today's rapidly-growing pet insurance marketplace.

Petplan's new product represents the industry's first fully customizable pet insurance plan – meaning pet parents can create a plan that works for their budget, and gets their pet the coverage they need, during a time when veterinary costs are at a record high.

"More than ever, pet parents want to ensure that their pets can receive the medical care they deserve," says Petplan co-CEO and co-founder Chris Ashton. "Our goal was to put those treatment options within reach for everyone."

New plan features include:

• A broader range of annual limits from $5,000 all the way up to UNLIMITED
• Greater choice of deductibles, with the option of an ANNUAL DEDUCTIBLE
• 24/7 access to expert veterinary advice through a partnership with PetCoach

All this in addition to the features pet parents have relied on over the years including:

• Protection for any injury or illness (2), including non-routine dental care and cancer, with no riders
• Coverage for exam fees for unexpected veterinary care visits (3)
• Paperless claims submissions through the Petplan mobile app
• 24/7 service through the in-house, customer experience center
• Expert pet health content in fetch! magazine

The amount of dollars spent on veterinary care has risen sharply over the last decade. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) estimates that Americans will spend $15.92 billion on veterinary care this year -- a 69 percent increase over the $9.4 billion spent in 2006.

Rising costs are due, in part, to the availability of more sophisticated treatment options. Modalities such as MRI, surgery and chemotherapy have become widely available. With today's cutting-edge treatment options such as cold laser, gamma knife and stem cell therapy, veterinarians can treat and cure more conditions, less invasively, than ever before.

The American pet insurance market has grown in direct response. According to figures from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), over 1.4 million pets were insured in the U.S. at the end of 2015, and that number is growing at 12 percent annually. In 2006, there were just six pet insurance providers; today, they count 12.

"We're delighted to partner with Petplan," says XL Specialty Insurance Company's Chris Bressette, Senior Vice President and Head of North America Programs at XL Catlin. "We look forward to working with them to significantly grow the market by providing pet owners with innovative coverage and dedicated and attentive claims service."

To learn more about Petplan's pet insurance products, visit Petplan.com.

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ABOUT PETPLAN

Petplan was founded by Chris & Natasha Ashton, pet parents and Wharton MBAs, after their own cat Bodey became sick, resulting in a veterinary bill for over $5,000. Petplan is more than a pet insurance provider. We're dedicated to giving pet parents the support, resources and tools they need to keep their pets not just surviving--but thriving--into old age. Simply put, we aim to be the kind of company that will make our pets proud. For the third consecutive year, Petplan was listed among the top 50 of Forbes' annual ranking of America's Most Promising Companies – a list of 100 privately held, high-growth companies with bright futures. Petplan is the only pet insurance provider to have been included on Inc. Magazine's list of 500 fastest-growing, privately held companies in America.

Petplan's fully customizable cat and dog insurance policies provide comprehensive coverage for all hereditary and chronic conditions for the life of the pet as standard for as long as you maintain insurance with Petplan. Policy restrictions may apply.

Petplan policies are underwritten in the US by XL Specialty Insurance Company and in Canada, by XL Specialty Insurance Company-Canadian Branch. The company is rated A+ by S &P. Coverages may not be available in all jurisdictions. For more information about Petplan pet insurance, visit http://www.petplan.com or call 1-866-467-3875.

1. Policy restrictions apply. Pre-existing conditions not covered.
2. Policy restrictions apply. Pre-existing conditions not covered.
3. Routine or preventive treatment not covered.

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