Pets Best Insurance Launches Payroll Deduction Option for Pet Owners

U.S. employers recognize value of offering pet insurance coverage to workers 

BOISE, Idaho– Pets Best Insurance, a leading nationwide pet insurance agency, announced today the company has launched a new payroll deduction service to provide pet owners across the United States with an easier way to pay for pet coverage plans offered by their employers. To meet the growing demand for pet insurance coverage among American families, companies of all sizes can add Pets Best Insurance as a voluntary benefit for their employees. Pet coverage plans are also available for employer discount programs. The free employer sign-up process takes about 10 minutes, with no minimum participation or employer contribution requirements. With the addition of the automatic payroll deduction service, employees are no longer required to pay for their coverage plans with credit or debit cards. “Pet insurance is consistently among the most requested voluntary benefits in the U.S.¹,” said Dr. Jack Stephens, president and founder of Pets Best Insurance. “Employers across the nation are recognizing the value of providing pet insurance as a benefit. For many companies, these types of benefits can play a significant role in recruiting and retaining highly skilled employees.” Pet owners account for 62 percent of all U.S. households, and total spending for veterinary care is expected to exceed $14 billion in 2013, according to recent data from the American Pet Products Association². Alta California Regional Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services to individuals with developmental disabilities, began offering Pets Best Insurance as a voluntary benefit to its employees in 2008. Jennifer Crick, the organization’s director of human resources, said the addition of Pets Best Insurance has bolstered the nonprofit’s employee recruitment efforts. “When I meet with potential employees, many of them are particularly interested in the pet insurance options we offer,” Crick said. “They like the fact that an employer would care so much to offer something that can be so valuable to pet owners.” As part of the increasingly popular employer program, Pets Best Insurance offers discounts in most states. Companies with more than 20 employees may be eligible to provide their workers with a 5 percent discount, and individual customers who purchase coverage for multiple pets may also be eligible for an additional 5 percent discount. “Complex veterinary procedures can cost thousands of dollars, representing a significant financial burden for families,” Dr. Stephens said. “Our goal as a company is to help provide pet owners with peace of mind by offering a wide variety of affordable coverage options.” For employers, adding Pets Best Insurance as a voluntary benefit is quick, free and easy with complimentary communications tools provided to educate employees. For more information about the employer program, please visit www.petsbest.com/employers. About Pets Best Insurance Dr. Jack L. Stephens, president of Pets Best Insurance, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first pet insurance policy ever to famous television dog, Lassie. Pets Best Insurance is the only veterinarian founded and operated pet insurance company in the United States. Dr. Stephens is always available to answer questions regarding veterinarian medicine, pet health and pet insurance. Visit petsbest.com for more information. Pet insurance plans offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware Insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an insurance organization composed of Independence Holding Company, a public company traded on the New York Stock Exchange, and its operating subsidiaries. The IHC Group has been providing life, health and stop loss insurance solutions for nearly 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: www.ihcgroup.com. In states in which Independence American Insurance Company’s new policy form has not yet received regulatory approval, Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut will underwrite policies. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. To determine the underwriter in your state, please call Pets Best at 1-866-929-3807.

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1. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/12/employers-pitch-in-for-pet-health-care/?page=all 2. http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp