In my article several weeks ago, I discussed some of the factors of veterinary medicine that make pet insurance worth looking into for your pet.

Due to the high level of care that can be provided no matter what ails your pet, pet insurance can give any pet owner a peace of mind that they will be able to maintain the best healthcare for their pet.

Important facts about pet insurance:

Just as with human medical insurance, there are different companies to choose from as well as different policy plans from which to pick. Again, it comes down to what you want to spend and what you want the policy to cover.

There are policies that help to cover everything from routine visits such as vaccinations to expensive treatments for cancer.

In order to help educate pet owners who may not have known that pet insurance is available, I contacted VPI Pet Insurance, the nation's oldest and largest provider of health insurance for pets, to point out some of the key facts one should consider. However, to get more detailed information about the specifics, see www.petinsurance.com or give VPI Pet Insurance a call at (800) 872-7387.

1. VPI Pet insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for thousands of medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries.

2. Policy premiums are based on the species, age of the pet, state of residence and the plan selected.

3. With VPI Pet Insurance, policyholders are able to visit any licensed veterinarian, anywhere in the world, including board certified veterinary specialists.

4. VPI Pet Insurance also provides an optional Cancer Rider for dogs and cats.

5. Enrolling a pet in a VPI policy is easy and only takes a few minutes online or over the phone. VPI policies are available in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

6. Pet insurance allows veterinarians to practice the highest quality medicine based on the best recommendations for the pet, and not the amount the owner can afford.

7. VPI insures pets as young as six weeks, with no maximum age cutoff.

8. VPI does not pay veterinarians for recommending any policy or the company.

9. VPI offers discounts for enrolling multiple pets.

10. About 1,500 companies throughout the nation offer VPI Pet Insurance as a voluntary benefit.

The cost varies not only by what you want covered but also the age of your pet and whether any pre-existing problems are present. With pet insurance come premiums and deductibles, just as with human medical insurance. Be sure to get straightforward answers to all of your questions and review the policy in writing.

Overall, pet medical insurance is worth exploring as an option to allow you to provide quality healthcare for your pet. With pets living longer and our having access to every level of care possible, pet insurance is likely to become a more common aspect of every pet's life. For more information, stop by your local veterinarian's office or go online.