As a pet owner, taking care of your animal requires more than just feeding and providing for the pet’s basic needs. From ensuring that your pet eats high-quality food to exercising them every day, there’s a lot of responsibility to being a pet owner.
Part of this responsibility lies in taking your pet to the vet for regular checkups and when they are ill or have been injured. In Canada, several pet insurance companies provide policies that can help you reduce your veterinary expenses.
Pet insurance is the best way to be prepared for anything that could happen to the animals in your charge. However, it’s hard to determine which pet insurance plan in Canada is best for your budget. Keep reading for our breakdown of seven Canada insurance plans for pets and our reviews of each.
A Quick Look Our Top Picks in 2023
Comparing 7 Canada Pet Insurance Plans
1. Fetch by the Dodo – Best Overall
Fetch by the Dodo is one of Canada’s top pet insurance providers. They are also our best overall pick for the seven best Canada pet insurance plans for 2023. You can choose your deductible option, which ranges from $250 to $500, making it one of the least expensive on our list. The average monthly cost per plan is $35 for dogs and $25 for cats. Reimbursement options range from 70% to 90%. While some of the insurance companies on our list refuse to cover breed-specific conditions, Fetch is not one of them. Other coverage they offer includes vet exams, holistic care, emergency visits, comprehensive dental care, and cancer treatment. They also cover imaging, x-rays, and more.
One of the best things about Fetch is that you can stay with your current vet if you don’t want to switch. Fetch also pays up to $1,000 for Telehealth services. With annual coverage options from $5,000 to unlimited, it’s no wonder Fetch is number one with many pet parents. They also advertise and offer rewards for lost or stolen pets. However, the company doesn’t cover wellness exams or pre-existing conditions and offers no multi-pet discount. They do, however, have excellent customer service.
2. Trupanion Pet Insurance – Best Value
Trupanion Pet Insurance offers comprehensive coverage with up to a 90% reimbursement rate, with deductibles that range from $0 to $1,000, making it easy for pet parents to find something that fits their budget. While many providers refuse to pay the vet directly, Trupanion has no problem doing that for their clients. Your vet does need to be a part of the Vet Direct program through the provider, and this will save you tons of paperwork and valuable time that you could be spending with your pet.
This provider has no payout limit and won’t raise your rates if you have too many claims. Trupanion doesn’t increase rates as your pet ages, which is unique compared to other providers. The fact that the company offers 24/7 customer service every day of the year shows they care about their clients and their pets.
Routine care is only covered with an add-on policy, and Trupanion has longer waiting periods and is a bit more expensive than other options on our list.
3. Peppermint Pet Insurance
Peppermint Pet Insurance has no age restrictions and is a Canadian-based company. For example, you can call and get a quote and get the same coverage for your two-year-old dog as you would for your 12-year-old dog. There are four insurance plans to choose from, and you’ll receive quotes and deductibles after you fill out the form asking for your information.
The four plans are Lite, Base, Plus, and Prime. The Lite plan has a $100 deductible and covers accidents only, with a $1,500 benefit limit and 80% coverage. The Base, Plus, and Prime plans are for accidents and illnesses, with 80% coverage and a $100 yearly deductible.
They offer multi-pet discounts and have no breed restrictions like many pet insurance providers. With the premium plans, you will get more coverage for behavioral therapy. According to customer reviews, claims are easy to set up and even easier to send in.
While this is an excellent company for coverage, they don’t cover all medications or flea treatment. They also have no customization of reimbursement levels, which puts off some pet owners.
4. Spot Pet Insurance
Spot Pet Insurance offers affordable, flexible insurance plans that you can customize. The plans have different deductibles, reimbursement rates, and annual limits that are available if you call and get a quote. This company doesn’t exclude older pets from its accident policies either. However, they can only be enrolled in the accident-only plan, but that’s still better than some other providers.
Spot has plans with unlimited annual coverage and other policies that offer $5,0000 to $20,000 options. There are options to add additional coverage for an extra fee. Spot covers microchipping, which some other providers don’t.
One of the best things about Spot is that their claims process is paperless and super simple. You don’t have to have a signature from your vet, and you’re reimbursed by direct deposit.
The drawbacks for this provider include 14-day waiting periods for accidents, no dental coverage, and no injury coverage for older pets. The company also has no 24/7 customer service.
5. Sonnet Pet Insurance
Sonnet Pet Insurance not only has customizable pet insurance but also offers home and auto insurance for Canadian families. They have flexible payment options and are known for their competitive prices. They also have the distinction of being Canada’s first fully online insurance company.
They cover up to 80% of your pet’s vet bill and offer comprehensive coverage for many other conditions. Yearly, they will cover up to $2,500 per illness and $2,500 per accident. While many pet insurance companies offer no dental coverage, Spot will cover up to $300 per year. The only stipulation is that the dental issue has to be a result of an accident or injury to your pet’s teeth. Sonnet provides some coverage for annual checkups, cleanings, and problems with teeth and gums.
You can expect the company to pay up to $350 yearly for your pet’s mental issues. Deductibles are set according to whether your pet is a cat or dog and the pet’s age. Sadly, this insurance isn’t available in every province or location, and they don’t cover pre-existing conditions. There are also long waiting periods for some conditions.
6. Petsecure Pet Insurance
Petsecure Pet Insurance has coverage starting at $1,000 per accident or illness. This provider has been around for over 30 years, so they know quite a bit about pet insurance and are a company that people trust. Petsecure is Canadian-owned and operated and has four plans to choose from. All of their policies include dental coverage and have a high reimbursement rate of 80%.
There are no age limits for enrollment, and they offer a multi-pet discount of 10% if you’re ensuring three pets or more. Petsecure’s wellness package is pricey compared to other companies. They also have a slow claims process, according to user reviews. Of course, as with other insurance companies, Petsecure doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or conditions that can be foreseen, either.
7. Pets Plus Us Pet Insurance
Pets Plus Us Pet Insurance is a new insurance company in Canada. It allows you to choose your reimbursement rate, how much coverage you want annually, and how much you will pay. When you join their 4Life Guarantee program, your pet is covered for life as the policy automatically renews yearly. The company covers acupuncture, which many companies don’t. Customizations are allowed, and you can stay with your regular vet if you so choose.
They have 24/7 customer service and a 24/7 poison helpline just in case your pet gets into something that could hurt them. They have a slow claims process, don’t cover pre-existing conditions, and offer no discounts for multiple pets. Their deductible options are based on your pet’s age, which some pet parents dislike.
Buyer’s Guide: How to Compare Pet Insurance Plans in Canada
What to Look for in Pet Insurance Plans in Canada
During our research, we looked at various criteria to find you the best pet insurance plans in Canada. From policy coverage to the ability to customize your plan to meet your needs, we searched for the best of each. We’ll discuss each of the parameters we used in the sections below.
Policy Coverage
The most important thing to look for when choosing pet insurance is policy coverage. After all, there is no point in paying for pet insurance that doesn’t provide adequate coverage when you need it the most. The insurance providers on our list provide that coverage at affordable prices, so they should fit into almost everyone’s budget.
It’s important to note that most of these providers offer accident and illness insurance. However, some will provide accident-only coverage instead. Most of these companies also have the option for you to add on additional coverage, and many have customization options, which we will discuss below.
You need a policy that will address the unique needs of your pet. Sit down and determine what you need to keep your pet healthy, then talk to a company representative to see if they provide the coverage before making a final decision.
Customer Service & Reputation
If your pet is injured, has been in an accident, or is sick, you shouldn’t have to fight with a customer service agent to get information. That information should be readily available and at your fingertips whenever you need it.
Generally, the reputation of the insurance providers on our list is excellent. Customer service is one of their top priorities, and the reviews from satisfied pet owners attest to that fact. For the most part, the providers we included in our list are available by phone or online in chats. There are even more than a few that are available to answer questions 24/7, 365 days a year.
Claim Repayment
Some providers will pay your vet directly if you so choose, while others require you to submit your claim, and then they will reimburse you for what your insurance covers.
It’s important to note that these claims aren’t paid out instantly. In most cases, it’ll take a few days to approve your claim after it’s submitted, then a few more days for the money to be paid out. In most cases, it’s deposited directly into your bank account, while some send checks to your house.
Price of Policy
If you’re like most people today, you’re on a budget, so the price of the pet insurance policy you choose will depend heavily on the monthly premiums and how much the deductible will be. You can find out more about the price of your policy by going to the websites and putting in your information and the information of your pet or pets.
It is also possible to get 5% to 10% discounts or more from many of the companies on our list if you have multiple pets on the same policy, so look for discounts where you can get so that you can get a pet insurance policy that covers your needs and still stays within your budget.
Plan Customization
Many providers will allow you to customize your plan to suit your needs. Most have options where you can choose your own deductible and your reimbursement level, which will also change the amount of your monthly premium. You may not need a comprehensive plan with multiple customization options if you have a young, healthy pet. However, a provider that offers several ways to customize your policy is invaluable to pet parents with older pets. Older animals typically require more visits to the veterinarian, and you can save money by purchasing an add-on policy that covers veterinary exams, blood testing, and X-rays.
FAQ
Do I Need Pet Insurance?
While it’s not illegal to not have pet insurance in Canada, you must consider your pet’s long-term health. Whether you have a dog or cat, your pet may be hit by a car or fall severely ill. Pets need more care as they get older, and all of this will come out of your pocket without pet insurance to fall back on.
It’s estimated that the average cost of owning and taking care of a pet in 2021 in Canada is around $2,430 a year, not including vet visits or the pet getting sick or injured. Besides, no pet owner should ever have to choose between paying a bill and having their pet treated at the vet. So, in our opinion, pet insurance is necessary for pet owners.
Why Did My Pet Insurance Company Not Make the List?
Even though we did careful research into the best Canadian pet insurance plans for 2023, we didn’t review companies that didn’t meet our criteria. Maybe your insurance company didn’t fit into the parameters we set for our research, but that in no way means that your pet insurance company isn’t doing its job.
If your company makes you happy, fits your budget, and checks all the boxes when it comes to your pet’s needs, then that is the best company for you. However, if you decide you need to change insurance companies for whatever reason, the companies on our list are the best, in our opinion.
What Determines How Much Your Pet Insurance Costs?
At least five factors will determine how much you’ll pay for pet insurance in Canada.
What the Users Say
Most customers loved their pet insurance plans. Many of the reviews we read were from customers thanking themselves for purchasing the pet insurance because they would have been in trouble when something happened to their pet. According to one user, “paying out of pocket would have been a nightmare.”
Most of the negative reviews we read were based on denied claims, late repayments of claims, and a misunderstanding between the user and the insurance company regarding the chosen plan.
We found that waiting periods confused customers the most, so make sure you read the fine print, and if you have questions, ask a service representative.
Which Pet Insurance Provider Is Best for You?
While we’ve put together a list of what we found to be the top seven pet insurance plans for Canada for 2023, choosing the right plan isn’t a simple task.
We think it’s best to do your research, then narrow your choices down to the providers you feel will give you the best coverage at the most affordable price. From there, read the reviews on the company’s website and reviews on any social media sites you can find. Requesting a custom quote can also help you narrow down your possibilities. Although it may take some time to go through all your favorite insurers, it’ll be worth it in the end.
Conclusion
While pet insurance isn’t necessary to keep your pet healthy and happy, it is undoubtedly a luxury you’ll be glad you invested in if the worst should happen. For example, the few dollars you pay in monthly premiums will certainly be offset if your pet has to have surgery, which can cost you thousands of dollars. If you don’t have pet insurance to cover part of that surgery, then all the money to pay for it will have to come out of your pocket, with no hope of reimbursement in sight.
A good pet insurance policy will ensure that your pet is well taken care of should an accident or illness happen and give you the peace of mind of knowing you’re taking care of your furry family member the best way you know how.
Featured Image Credit: Christin Lola, Shutterstock
