VPI to open new Denver claim center

DENVER, COLO. — Veterinary Pet Insurance is opening a new claims-processing center in Denver, slated to be fully operational by the end of May.

"Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) has experienced tremendous growth over the last several years, and our current facilities are filled to capacity," says Louis Caron, VPI's chief financial officer, of the company's Brea, Calif., offices.

After four months of evaluating sites nationwide, VPI selected Denver, identified by the National Association of Certified Veterinary Technicians, as the city with the largest trained technician base and availability. The Colorado Boulevard site in downtown Denver will employ 25 claim specialists, adding to the almost 400 current VPI employees, and is expected to help handle more than 1 million claims this year.

"VPI claims processing requires staff that has training and experience in veterinary medicine, and Denver has a higher percentage of available veterinary technicians and other qualified candidates as compared to other metropolitan areas," Caron says.

Company officials are working with local veterinary technician associations and the media to publicize the new center and employment opportunities, says Curtis Steinhoff, VPI director of communications, strategy and veterinary marketing. But the facility will not seek out staff from local veterinary hospitals and practices, Caron says.

"Denver's available talent pool is so large that our operations should not impact the local veterinary community's ability to also hire trained staff," he says.

Celebrating its 25th year in business, VPI also hopes to expand its customer-service and sales departments, Steinhoff says.