Since 1982, when 2,400 policies were sold by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), including Hollywood superstar Lassie, VPI has now issued more than a million policies. Being one of the oldest animal insurance companies in the country, VPI represents a picture of the growing trend of pet owners trying to manage rising health care costs for their pets. The average cost of a policy in 1982 was approximately $33. Now that's more likely a monthly cost.

In a recent survey on annual vet care spending, 22 percent of pet owners said they spent approximately $1,000, with an additional 19 percent exceeding that amount.

From a few pioneers in pet health insurance, the field of competitors has grown enough to warrant the comparison-shopper websites, specifically for pet health insurance.

Health insurance for dogs and cats starts as low as $6 per month and can climb to $30 and beyond, depending on the extent of coverage. The less expensive plans typically cover accidental injury to 80%, with some level of deductible. At this level, illness is not covered.

As you step up in coverage, much like human health insurance, the deductible decreases, and illness and ultimately routine preventives are coverage. Some premium policies go so far as to cover your loss of money for having to cancel a vacation, due to pet illness. The policies can get very elaborate, as can the payments.

Here is a sample of companies, premiums and coverage taken from www.petinsurance review.com.

Company

Monthly premium

What Is Covered

Pets Best

$5.75

$200 deductible. Cover accidents to 80%. No illness coverage

Pets Health

$8.99

$100 deductible. Covers accidents to 80%. No illness coverage. All breeds eligible!

Petcare

$9.95

$50 deductible; Up to $2000 for selected accidents. = No illness coverage

VPI

$13+

$50 deductible. Pays 90% of approved claim per Stand= ard benefit schedule.

Pet Protect

$19.95- $39.95/ year

Not insurance, but a membership plan where participa= ting veterinarians & animal hospitals offer 10 - 25% discount to members

Pets Best

$20.75

$200 deductible. Cover accidents and illnesses to 80% Optional wellness coverage for additional fee.

VPI

$21+

$50 deductible. Pays 90% of approved claim per Superior benefit schedule. Additional cancer prot= ection available.

Pets Health

$30.50

Covers accidents and illnesses; spaying and neuterin= g; essential preventive care, rabies vaccination, free lost pet recovery tag= and an annual physical exam.

Pet First Healthcare

$34.95

$50 deductible for accidents and illnesses. Covers accidents and illnesses; wellness and preventative care to $220; advertis= ing & reward to $250; Kennel fees to $500; loss of pet to $250; trip cancellation due to surgery to $500

Pet First Healthcare

$41.95

$50 deductible for accidents and illnesses. Covers accidents and illnesses; advertising & reward to $400; Kennel fees to $500; loss of pet to $500; trip cancellation due to surgery to $500; buri= al or cremation to $100

Pet Partners Inc.

$62.25

$125 deductible annually; 20% c= opay. Includes wellness coverage, annual checkup, vaccinations, heartworm testi= ng and prevention; parasite control, annual dental cleaning and spay/neuter.=

Pets Health

$76.79

$100 deductible. Covers accidents and illnesses to 8= 0%; spaying and neutering; essential preventive care, rabies vaccination, free lost pet recovery tag; annual physical exam and dental cleaning; coverage= for some chronic and long-term conditions that may have arisen in the previous policy year.

As a pet owner, you really have to look at healthcare costs, and how much you want to spend to protect the life of your pet.