So I did a search of this topic after it was suggested (don't know why I didn't think of that in the first place) and have to chime in.
I'm also thinking about getting VPI pet insurance for my future owned chin(s). Having read some of the other threads I don't entirely agree with the general consensus that it isn't worth it. I had a guinea pig for 4.5 years before he passed away and he ended up costing me almost $4K (USD) in vet bills due to multiple unexpected health problems. Paying $50-$100 a year in pet insurance would have been a very small sacrifice in order to have $4000 in vet bills covered. Of course the companies won't cover pre-existing conditions (usually, though the pet insurance for my dogs does), but if you get the insurance at the time you get your pet before it is ever diagnosed with problems, then you will have that reliable coverage later on if/when problems do arise.
I have PetPlan Insurance for my dog and my mother's dog; it has paid for itself 3x over. They have honored every claim and been timely (I hear Pets Best is also good here in the US as well). I wish I could use PetPlan for my future chinchillas, but in the US they don't cover exotics, only VPI does.
I do see how if someone owns a lot of animals (such as breeder, rescue, or someone with just a LOT of pets) pet insurance wouldn't be worth it monetarily, since the premiums would compound and the amount paid into it probably wouldn't come close to any future pay out. But for the person with just 2-3 pets, Pet Insurance seems pretty smart to me.
CareCredit is alright, but now I'm paying a fortune of interest on top of vet bills...all coming out of my pocket. If a pet insurance sends me a reimbursement check though, what money am out? Just the pittance I paid in the premium, nothing more. And yes, savings are good too, but it may not be enough, and I still wouldn't get the reimbursement the insurance provides.
I guess my main concern is: Does VPI regularly honor its claims for exotic pets? That's the answer I want to know. Because my current pet insurance (which I know honors claims because of my own experience) won't cover an exotic, which is why I would consider VPI.