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Did You Know?
5,534 pet owners requested and received a free no-obligation quote from one of the above companies in the last 30 days.
Compare the Best Canadian Pet Insurance Companies
Use the table below to compare the cost and plan details of the best pet insurance companies that operate in Canada.
| Company | Monthly Cost | Star Rating | BBB Rating | Accident Waiting Period | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $45-$90 | 4.3 | A+ | up to 15 days | Compare Plans |
| $34-$75 | 4.5 | A- | 14 days | Compare Plans |
| $53-$123 | 4.2 | A+ | 48 hours | Compare Plans |
| $18-$44 | 4.8 | N/R | 14 days | Compare Plans |
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The Top Pet Insurance Companies in Canada
There are several pet insurance companies in Canada. While premiums vary from insurer to insurer, they all offer similar coverage for pets.
- Fetch: Our Pick for Comprehensive Coverage
- Spot: Most Customizable Coverage
- Trupanion: Our Pick for Unlimited Lifetime Payouts
- ASPCA: Our Pick for Older Pets
Why Trust Us?
Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best pet insurance companies
35
Companies ReviewedOur team reviewed over 35 pet insurance companies, collecting and comparing data on monthly premiums, customizable coverage selections and more.
1000
Quotes CollectedWe’ve collected more than 1,000 sample quotes from pet insurance companies for a variety of age ranges, species and breeds to give readers an accurate view of pricing and how competitors stack up in terms of rates. We update our pages regularly to reflect accurate cost information.
42
Rating FactorsOur comprehensive rating system scores providers based on 42 data points in eight key rating factors: monthly pricing, plan options, covered treatments, coverage customizations, customer care, industry reputation, age limits and waiting periods.
5
Veterinary ProfessionalsWe’ve consulted several veterinary professionals to confirm the accuracy of our pet care information and pricing.
Fetch Pet Insurance
Our Pick for Special Perks
4.5
- Deductibles: $100-$500
- Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
- Reimbursem*nt rates: 70%-90%
Pros & Cons
Pros Covers non-routine veterinary exam fees Reduces annual premiums by up to 30% when you don’t file a claim for 12 months Provides a generous $1,000 annual reimbursem*nt for behavioral issues Cons Doesn’t offer a multi-pet discount like most other providers Requires annual medical and dental check-ups to maintain coverage
Plans and Coverage
The company includes dental coverage for every tooth, behavioral treatments and breed-specific conditions in its standard plan. It also takes care of all exam fees related to injuries and illnesses, such as ultrasounds and diagnostic testing. You can adjust the annual coverage limit to be $5,000, $15,000 or unlimited. Yearly deductibles can be set at $250, $300 or $500, and reimbursem*nt rates range from 70% to 90%.
Coverage is not available in New Brunswick and Quebec.
Wellness Plan: Fetch Wellness + has three plan options: Essentials, Advantage and Prime, with coverage of up to $735 per year. Each of the plans covers an annual exam, vaccines, heartworm, flea and tick prevention, heartworm testing, dental cleaning, spaying/neutering, blood and fecal tests and urinalysis. The Advantage plan also covers microchipping and anal gland expression. The Prime plan covers all of what’s included in the Advantage plan, plus behavioral exams, an activity monitor and a health certificate.
Cost
Fetch aims to provide complete transparency around pricing for their pet insurance plans. According to its website, here are the average monthly premiums for dog and cat insurance in Canada:
- Dogs: C$50
- Cats: C$30
Spot Pet Insurance
Most Customizable Coverage
- Deductibles: $100-$500
- Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
- Reimbursem*nt rates: 70%-90%
Pros & Cons
Pros Offers seven annual coverage limits, ranging from $2,500 to unlimited Provides affordable accident-only coverage plans Includes coverage for exam fees and microchipping in standard policies Cons Does not provide customer service on weekends Will not cover prescription pet food
Plans and Coverage
Spot has four pet insurance plans available for Canadian pet parents. The Level 1 plan offers accident-only coverage on injuries, swallowed objects and toxic ingestions and is only available over the phone.
Levels 2 through 4 offer accident-and-illness coverage, including conditions such as cancer, diabetes, hip dysplasia, heart disease and behavioral issues. The only difference among the accident-and-illness plans is the annual limit — $5,000, $10,000 or unlimited.
Preventative Care Plans: Additionally, Spot provides two preventative care plans for extra coverage on routine care costs, such as dental cleanings, wellness exams, vaccinations, fecal tests and deworming. You can purchase the Routine Plan with a total of $260 of annual coverage or the Advanced Plan with a total of $530.
Cost
All sample premiums in this article are for 4-year-old medium mixed breed male dogs and cats in Vancouver, Canada. We requested quotes for each provider’s base plan, using its minimum coverage options (highest deductible, lowest annual coverage limit and lowest reimbursem*nt rate) for our low-end quote and its maximum coverage options for our high-end quote.
Sample monthly premiums for Lemonade pet insurance:
- Dogs: C$56.87 – C$108.63
- Cats: C$36.12 – C$69.78
Trupanion
Our Pick for Unlimited Lifetime Payouts
4.2
- Deductibles: $100-$500
- Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
- Reimbursem*nt rates: 70%-90%
Pros & Cons
Pros Pays qualifying claims directly to the veterinarian at checkout to eliminate the reimbursem*nt model Offers 24/7 customer service and preapprovals Provides unlimited lifetime coverage and no payout limits Cons Has no preventive care add-on option Does not enroll new pets over the age of 14
Plans and Coverage
Trupanion helps reduce the stress around being able to afford unexpected vet bills with one comprehensive accident-and-illness policy. It covers diagnostic testing, prescription medication, surgery, hospitalization, supplements and even prosthetics.
Trupanion pays 90% of your unexpected veterinary bills and offers a wide range of deductible options from $0 to $1,000. Pet owners with specific needs can add up to two riders that extend their plan’s coverage.
- Recovery and Complementary Care Rider: Covers additional alternative treatments.
- Pet Owner Assistance: Covers liability, advertising, boarding and end-of-life fees under circ*mstances outside of your vet’s office.
Cost
Sample monthly premiums for Trupanion insurance:
- Dogs: C$128.46 – C$570.95
- Cats: C$$58.37 – C$245.56
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Our Pick for Older pets
4.8
Our Rating
Cost: 5/5
Plan options: 5/5
Custom coverage levels: 4.3/5
Covered treatments: 5.7/5
Customer experience: 4.3/5
Waiting periods: 4.5/5
Reputation: 4/5
Eligible age limit: 5/5
Annual Limits$3k-$10kDeductibles$200-$500Reimbursem*nt Rates70%-90%
MONTHLY COST$18-$44
Pros and Cons
Pros Provides uncommon coverage for things like microchipping and vet exam fees Offers three coverage types: accident-and-illness, accident-only and preventative care Has an online comparison tool for looking at competitor plans and pricing side-by-side with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Cons $10,000 is the max annual coverage limit posted online- other may be available by phone Has a waiting period of 14 days for accidents, which is longer than some competitors
Why We Picked ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
We featured the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA Pet Health Insurance ) Pet Health Insurance for its impressive reputation, long-standing industry experience and comprehensive coverage. Born out of a strategic partnership between ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group in 2006, ASPCA’s pet health insurance is one of the oldest in the industry.
Standout feature: In a relatively young industry, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance stands out for partnering with Crum & Foster Pet Insurance Group, which was founded in 1997.
Customer Experience
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance was among the most popular providers in our survey — 134 out of 1,000 pet owners have a policy with the company. Nearly half of those respondents chose ASPCA Pet Health Insurance due to its coverage, but others noted positive customer reviews and low plan costs.
While 73% of respondents with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance have filed a claim, many noted issues with the process. Respondents reported long waiting periods for reimbursem*nts, receiving less money than expected and frustrating customer service. However, 44% of those pet owners have not had a claim denied, and 40% saw reimbursem*nt within one to two weeks.
Cost of Pet Insurance in Canada
Pet insurance cost in Canada can vary by company, location and the type of services offered and requested. Whether you live in Ontario, Alberta or Quebec, based on sample premiums we obtained from insurers, the average premium for pet insurance in Canada is $29 a month for cat insurance and $39 a month for dog insurance.
While this may seem like a high and unnecessary monthly expense, it’s actually quite affordable when you consider the high cost of emergency vet bills. The cost of annual wellness checks and vaccinations are from $50 to $200 annually.
Emergency visits for unexpected illnesses or injuries can really become costly. According to Square One, Canadians spend approximately $6.6 billion a year on their pets. Surprisingly enough, less than 5% of Canadians carry a pet insurance policy on their furry friends. Many pet owners don’t realize the value of pet insurance until a medical emergency pops up with their pet, and they have no pet insurance. PetSecure, which is the largest pet insurance company in Canada, charges about $520 annually for a medium-level pet insurance policy.
How Does Pet Insurance Work In Canada?
The pet insurance company may offer a variety of insurance packages with each one offering different levels of coverage. You pay a monthly or annual premium for the insurance. The premium is based on the animal, age, location, gender, breed and the amount of coverage. You’re required to pay a deductible, which is the amount you must pay each year before the insurance pays as well as a co-pay amount.
Say, for instance, you chose an insurance policy with a $500 deductible and a 20% co-pay. If your vet bill is $2,000, you will be required to pay $300 ($2,000 – $500 = $1,500 X .20%). Pet insurance policies not only pay for emergency illnesses and accidents, they also provide coverage for more advanced health care such as chemotherapy and MRI, as well as alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic care. Additionally, you may be able to purchase routine care coverage for standard vet visits.
What To Look for in Pet Insurance Options
Before choosing a pet insurance company, it’s important to do your research and not only know what each company offers but also which policy best fits your needs. Getting the cheapest pet insurance is not as important as getting the one that fits your pocketbook and your pet’s needs. Here are some things to look at prior to purchasing a pet insurance policy.
- Enrollment requirements: Some companies require a pet to be within a certain age group and to have a physical examination prior to or within a certain time frame after enrollment.
- What is covered: Some policies cover both accident and illness while others may only cover accidents. Make sure you know what you’re getting.
- What treatments are covered: Some policies will pay for wellness checks as well as emergency visits while others are only for emergencies. Are the exam fees covered? Will they provide continual coverage if needed? Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
- Payout limits: Make sure you find out if there is a maximum limit of what they’ll pay for treatment and how much that limit might be.
- Deductible amount: Find out what deductibles they offer. The difference of a 10% and a 30% deductible on a $10,000 bill is $1,000 or $3,000.
- Pre-existing conditions: Does the company pay for pre-existing conditions? If they do, find out how much they’ll pay and what types they’ll pay for. Some companies will let a certain amount of time expire (often two years) and then cover an ailment again.
- Exclusions: Many insurance companies will exclude certain illnesses or conditions. For instance, treatment for hip dysplasia may not be covered on animals that are prone to developing this illness.
- Level of reimbursem*nt: Find out if there is a limit on how much they’ll reimburse you for on a bill. Some reimburse you a percentage of your bill while others will only reimburse you for a percentage of what they feel is a “reasonable cost” for that expense. Find out what their limit is prior to purchasing the policy.
Getting a pet insurance policy is a great way to protect your pet from the unexpected, and also a way to ensure they get the quality of care they need to stay healthy for a long time.
The Bottom Line: Is Canadian Pet Insurance Right For You?
Yes, pet insurance is worth it for most Canadian pet parents. It allows you to budget for your furry friend’s care and have peace of mind that there will not be financial repercussions later.
The best pet insurance provider for you depends on your needs. If you want ultimate coverage at the cost of high insurance premiums, consider Trupanion. If you would rather fine tune a policy to your unique situation, Spot is a great place to start. In any case, we recommend gathering quotes from at least three providers before making a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance in Canada
Simply take your pet to any licensed veterinarian and submit your claim. Depending on your provider, you can submit your claim through its mobile app, online member center, or through the mail. Then, you’ll wait for your provider to approve the claim. Once approved, it will reimburse you for the allocated amount in your pet insurance policy through direct deposit or check.
No, pet insurance plans won’t cover all expenses at the vet’s office. However, insurance will typically cover accidents and illnesses that aren’t pre-existing. Some policies will even offer wellness and preventative care add-ons that add additional benefits to your policy, like wellness exams and vaccines.
Depending on what type of plan you choose, your pet health insurance plan will cover different things. Accident-only plans provide medical coverage for accidental injuries, such as broken bones, sprains and prescription medications. Accident-and-illness plans try to extend that coverage to include cancer treatments, digestive illness, hip dysplasia and similar issues.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Pet Insurance Companies
We review each pet insurance company based on factors most important to pet parents like you. To inform our reviews, we surveyed 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. Our process includes in-depth industry research about each provider, such as comparing coverage options, gathering quotes online to determine pricing and reading reviews to assess customer service.
We then score each provider on a 100-point scale and divide the final score by 20 to calculate an overall rating out of 5.0 stars. Here are more details about the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:
- Monthly pricing (25%): To assess pricing, we collect sample quotes for medium-mixed breed and purebred dogs and cats, ranging from four years old to one year old. Providers earn the most points in this category for offering affordable coverage and a multi-pet discount.
- Plans (15%): The best pet insurance companies offer a range of plans to give customers the option to choose the coverage that is best for their pet. Companies offering accident and illness plans, accident-only plans, and wellness or preventive care add-ons earn full points in this category. We also look at coverage limits and award the most points for policies with unlimited coverage.
- Covered treatments (15%): According to our survey of pet owners, coverage is one of the most important factors when shopping for pet insurance. Companies with a breadth of included treatments and unique coverages receive more points in this category than providers with more standard or general policies.
- Customization options (10%): Customizing your pet insurance policy can help lower your cost. Providers that offer more annual limit, deductible and reimbursem*nt rate options earn the highest scores in this category.
- Customer care (10%): Respondents to our survey also valued customer service when comparing pet insurance providers. We score each company based on its website accessibility and overall usability, customer service availability, mobile apps, money-back guarantees and veterinarian telehealth options, awarding points to insurers with more customer experience offerings.
- Industry reputation (10%): We review up-to-date ratings and accreditation information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and score companies based on years of industry experience and state availability.
- Waiting periods (10%): Companies with shorter accident, illness and orthopedic waiting periods between the time you sign up for coverage and your policy starts score higher in this category.
- Eligible age (5%): Some companies do not offer policies for pets over a certain age. For this category, we deduct points from providers that have age limits for covered pets.
We use our rating system to compare each company we review and determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.
Mike MillerSenior Writer
Mike Miller is a writer with a decade of experience producing product and service content to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Mike has a bachelor’s degree in creative advertising. In his spare time, Mike enjoys riding and fixing motorcycles, reading a good book and spending time with his wife and two cats.
Sabrina LopezSenior Editor
Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.
