Veterinary pet insurance typically covers pets for injuries and illnesses. As the cost of veterinary care is rising all across the United States, more and more pet parents opt for pet insurance to make sure they can afford better health care for their furry friends. There has been tremendous progress in the quality of pet insurance plans in recent years. Some plans now offer coverage for wellness care, hereditary and congenital (birth defects) conditions, and even alternative therapies and behavioral issues.
 
Many pet owners believe that pet insurance works similar to human health insurance. That is not correct. Pet insurance is actually a form of property insurance and has fewer regulations and requirements for coverage. There is no Obama Care in pet insurance and there are currently no plans that cover pre-existing condition. In other words, be extra careful to make sure you know what you are buying.
 
Most companies reimburse the owner after the pet has received care and the owner submits a claim to the insurance company. However, recently some companies started to offer direct payments to the veterinarians.
 
Number of insurance companies that offer pet insurance has also been growing fast, with over 20 companies in the United States focusing on pet insurance only; and major insurers such as GEICO and Progressive entering the market.
 
Top pet insurance companies according to consumersadvocate.org are:
 

Healthy Paws PetPlan Trupanion Embrace