Conshohocken-based NSM Insurance Group, the national leader of industry-specific insurance program administration, announced today that it has launched a new pet health insurance program, 4Paws Insurance. NSM currently has the program running in 12 states and expects to add Pennsylvania within the next month.
The North American Pet Health Insurance Association estimates less than 1% of the more than 163 million dogs and cats in the U.S. are currently insured; that number is projected to double within the next five years. While penetration rates will remain low, the Freedonia Group expects that rising spending on veterinary procedures and an increase in consumer awareness will motivate more pet owners to select insurance coverage to help mitigate pets’ medical costs. This substantial opportunity is what led NSM Insurance Group to partner with Sandy Boucher to develop a new product under the 4Paws Insurance brand.
Boucher is a seasoned insurance professional with over 25 years of experience in the human and pet healthcare sectors. She has spent the last eight years focused exclusively on the pet insurance industry, and has found success by combining her insurance expertise with her love of animals. With the support of NSM Insurance Group, Boucher has led the development and launch of 4Paws Insurance. She is also working as part of an executive team with over 23 years of combined experience in the pet insurance industry. The team’s experience, coupled with their access to NSM’s resources, has given the program a solid foundation upon which to distinguish itself among competitors.
“We have invested significant time into researching and understanding what pet owners want from an insurance carrier and we have designed our entire company around those needs,” says Boucher. “Consumers will find that our product stands out in the marketplace because it was designed with the needs of their 4-legged family members and budgets in mind.”
As with all of NSM’s niche insurance programs, providing unparalleled customer service will be a cornerstone of the program. The 4Paws pet insurance plans are also customizable, offering coverage for accidents and/or illnesses; as well as a number of low annual deductibles, reimbursement levels and preventative care coverage options. Customers will also be able to seek treatment from any licensed veterinarian in the U.S., its territories and Canada, and exams fees are covered by the policies. Policies can be purchased online at 4pawsins.com or over the phone at 877-28-4PAWS.
“It is expected that consumer spending on pet health products and services will top $31 billion this year, and pet insurance will be the fastest growing sector,” Geof McKernan, CEO of NSM Insurance Group explains. “When we seek a new niche to serve, NSM looks for markets that offer renewable and sustainable growth. We see that in pet insurance and we are pleased to have been able to leverage Sandy and her team’s industry expertise and product knowledge to develop this new program to add to our portfolio.”