A good starting point is to ask experts in your area for names of insurance companies of good reputation. A veterinarian, animal trainer, breeder or owner of a local pet store are a good source for this information. Once you have a list of potential insurers, seeking additional information about these companies on the Internet. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a good source of information, including an overall grade and a comparison of the industry. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) is the oldest insurance company and has about 71% of U.S. Market Insurance Company. Other major companies are the American Kennel Club (AKC) an insurance company, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) an insurance company.
Insurance companies either pay a percentage of your veterinary bill or they pay a fixed amount based on a benefit schedule. The benefit schedule is uniform across the U.S. so it does not take into consideration the cost of living in different areas. An owner in California is probably going to be charged more than someone in Kansas for the same service.
The optimal insurance package covers the conditions or injuries most likely to affect your pet. Your veterinarian will know the types of ailments that pets in your area are most susceptible as well as those common in that breed. Other considerations include the stage in your pet's life (young pets have different health concerns than older pets), whether your pet lives indoors or outdoors (outdoor pets are more susceptible to accidents), and how well you know your pet's history (the previous living circumstances of an adopted pet may be unknown).