Mayer's insurance company is Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest pet insurer, and others include PetHealthand the Hartville Group. Policies for pets work much like those for people, though preexisting conditions usually aren't covered, and you typically pay bills upfront and are reimbursed by the insurance company. How much you'll pay generally depends on the level of coverage, the deductible you choose and the age of your pet. The older the animal, the more you'll pay; many insurers won't even cover pets after they're 10 years old.