For Subscribers

Furry Friends More companies are offering health insurance for pets.

By Jacquelyn Lynn

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

As veterinary treatment becomes more sophisticated, the cost ofmedical care for pets is rising. Many people are purchasing petinsurance, and a growing number of companies are including it intheir voluntary insurance offerings to employees.

Pet insurance covers the cost of animal care in much the sameway that a major medical policy covers people's health-carecosts. Bill Gorman, group sales manager for Veterinary PetInsurance Co. in Brea, California, says VPI's basic policyhas a $50 deductible, then pays 90 percent up to a specificschedule.

Gorman says an increasing number of pet owners are looking totheir employers to provide this as a benefit available with a groupdiscount, even though they pay the entire cost themselves. "Inthe surveys we've done, pet insurance was the third mostrequested product by employees," Gorman says.

To be eligible for group rates with VPI, you must have at least100 employees. If you have fewer employees, you may still qualifyfor group discounts by participating in a plan through aprofessional service or association (either a payroll servicescompany, employee leasing company or industry group to which youbelong) that has an agreement with VPI. Check VPI's websitefor a list of participating organizations, or talk to the agent whohandles your voluntary insurance products.

Jacquelyn Lynn is a freelance businesswriter in Orlando, Florida.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

After a 12-Year-Old's Side Hustle Made Over $4,000 in 1 Day, He and His Dad Grew the Business to Nearly $50,000 a Month: 'It Takes Commitment'

Madden Forrest and his father, Steven, turned their passion for football into a lucrative business.

Side Hustle

Use This AI-Powered Platform to Turn Your Side Hustle into a Scalable Business

Turn a side hustle into something sustainable with Sellful's ERP White Label plan.

Innovation

Why This CEO Cut a $500,000 Per Month Product — And What Every Founder Can Learn From It

In a noisy supplement market filled with hype, Jeff Byers is proving that trust, transparency and a back-to-basics approach to wellness are the future.

Leadership

Lead From the Top: 5 Core Responsibilities of a CEO

Knowing exactly what the chief executive's role entails is critical for steering a company to success.

Business News

Is AI the Reason for Your Layoff? New York Becomes the First State to Require Companies to Disclose If So.

It's the first official statewide move towards understanding AI's effect on the labor market.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.