Most pet insurance providers offer the following 3 coverage options.
Accident only – The cheapest pet insurance plans usually cover accidents only, though a few low-cost plans also offer some basic illness coverage.
Accident plus illness – Most accident and illness plans cover surgery and in-hospital treatment; some cover diagnostic testing, prescription medications, and treatment of hereditary conditions; and a few cover extras, such as:
- Advertising/reward for missing pets
- Boarding fees for pets when owners are hospitalized
- Vacation cancellation due to serious pet illness
Accident and illness plans don't cover pre-existing conditions.
Accident, illness, and routine/preventative/wellness care – These more expensive plans may also include many extras such as:
- Alternative/complementary therapies
- Annual medical checkups
- Cremation/burial
- Dental treatments and cleanings
- Euthanasia
- Flea/tick/heartworm testing and prevention
- Microchipping
- Prescription food
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Spay-neuter surgery
- Treatment of chronic conditions
- Vaccinations
The following summaries provide a comparison of Canadian pet insurers (see Comparison of U.S. Pet Insurance Providers for information on American companies). Monthly premiums are approximate, rounded to the nearest dollar. Premiums, deductibles, and copay (percentage paid by the pet owner) may vary based on a pet’s:
- Age – Most companies increase premiums with age.
- Species – Starting prices are usually for cats; dogs cost a little more to insure.
- Breed – Purebreds that are prone to hereditary conditions are usually more expensive to insure.
- Location – Premiums may be higher in some regions.
- Deductible – The larger the deductible, the smaller the monthly premiums.
Premiums and customer ratings may have changed slightly since the time of this writing.
Hbc Pet Insurance - Hbc.com
Hbc covers basic accident and illness, as well as alternative therapies and medical devices, but not routine or preventative care.
- Average customer rating: 9 out of 10 (there have been just 2 reviews of this insurer on PetInsuranceReview.com thus far, so it's difficult to draw conclusions)
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $13-$44+, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $150-$500
- Copay: 20%+
- Maximum payout: $1,000-$4,000 per incident; $2,000-unlimited yearly
- Maximum enrollment age: No limit
Vetinsurance Brokers Canada/Trupanion – Vetinsurance.com
The majority of reviewers have had positive things to say about Vetinsurance’s customer service and speed of payment, and the company is recommended by many veterinarians. Vetinsurance plans cover illness and accident, including surgery, diagnostic tests, and medications. Unlike many pet insurance providers, plans don’t exclude congenital or hereditary conditions.
- Average customer rating: 8.4 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $10-$60+; don't increase with pet's age
- Deductible: $0%-$1,000
- Copay: 10%
- Maximum payout: $20,000 lifetime-unlimited, depending on region
- Maximum enrollment age: 13 years
PetFirst Healthcare – Petfirsthealthcare.ca
Although a few customers have had bad experiences with this company, the vast majoriy say that they received great service and had no problem getting their claims reimbursed.
- Average customer rating: 8 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $20-$60+, depending on the plan
- Deductible: $50-$450; may increase as pets age
- Copay: 10%-20%+
- Maximum payout: Up to $20,000 lifetime
- Maximum enrollment age: Unlimited
Petsecure – Petsecure.com
Petsecure is Canada’s largest pet insurance company. Petsecure's basic coverage is broader than most, including dental treatment, cancer treatment, and hip dysplasia, and says it will process claims within 5 business days. Plans are customizable and preventative/routine care can be added.
- Average customer rating: 7.7 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $13-$60+
- Deductible: $200-$450; may increase as pets age
- Copay: 15%-25%
- Maximum payout: Up to $12,000 per year
- Maximum enrollment age: Unlimited
PurinaCare Canada – PurinaCare.ca
PurinaCare covers accidents and illnesses, including hereditary conditions. Higher-priced plans also cover preventative care.
- Average customer rating: 5.5 out of 10 (only 2 customers have reviewed this provider, so no conclusions should be drawn from this; PurinaCare U.S. is rated very highly at 8.5)
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $12-$70+
- Deductible: $100-$1,000
- Copay: 20%
- Maximum payout: $20,000 annual limit
- Maximum enrollment age: Unlimited
PC Financial Pet Insurance (President’s Choice) – PCInsurance.ca
PC Financial charges no set-up fees and offers a number of free extras, including compensation for cancelling holidays due to serious pet illness, emergency boarding fees for pets if owners are hospitalized, advertising/reward costs for lost pets, and compensation for loss of pets due to eligible accidents or illnesses.
- Average customer rating: 4.9 out of 10 (reviews are polarized, with some respondents citing positive experiences and others failing to get claims covered or complaining of poor customer service)
- Monthly premiums: Approximately $10-$50; don’t increase with pet’s age
- Deductible: $100
- Copay: 20%
- Maximum payout: $1,500-$5,000 depending on plan
- Maximum enrollment age: Unlimited
Pethealth Inc. – PetCareInsurance.com
Pethealth insurance brands include QuickCare, PetCare, UnionPlus, ShelterCare, CherryBlue, Union Plus Pet Insurance, EVE, Petpoint, and 24PetWatch. Reviews of Pethealth on the Pet Insurance Review website are quite polarized, with some clients saying that they’ve had very positive experiences with the company and others complaining of rejected claims and poor customer service. The cheaper plans exclude recurring illnesses.
- Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 10
- Monthly premiums: Cats approximately $14-$37, dogs approximately $16-$55 (more for certain breeds)
- Deductible: $50-$250
- Copay: 0-30%
- Maximum payout: Illnesses up to $72,000 dogs/$60,000 cats (lifetime); accidents unlimited (lifetime); $2,500-$5,000 per incident; up to $6,000 per body system for dogs and $5,000 for cats
- Maximum enrollment age: Cats 10 years; dogs 8 years (6 for select breeds); no upper limit on senior plans or accident-only
CAA Pet Insurance – CAAPets.com
Available to BCAA/CAA members only, CAA Pet Insurance covers accident and illness but not routine care. All plans include hereditary conditions advertising/reward for lost pets, holiday cancellation due to severe pet illness, and accidental pet death benefits. More expensive plans also include coverage for property damage or harm to other pets caused by the insured pet. The company states that claims are processed in 5 business days, on average.
- Average customer rating: Not available
- Monthly premiums: $11-$47; don’t increase as pets age
- Deductible: $50 per incident, $50-$500 annual, depending on plan
- Copay: 0%-20%, depending on plan
- Maximum payout: $2,000-$4,500 per incident
- Maximum enrolment age: cats 10; dogs 8
Ontario SPCA Pet Insurance – OSPCAInsurance.ca
Ontario SPCA Insurance (Ontario only) covers all accidents, illnesses, examination fees, alternative therapies, prescription foods and medications, emergency boarding fees, trip cancellation, lost pet recovery assistance, euthanasia, and cremation.
- Average customer rating: Not available
- Monthly premiums: $18-$50
- Deductible: 0-$300
- Copay: 0%-25%
- Maximum payout: $1,000-unlimited annual; no per-incidence limits
- Maximum enrollment age: 10 years
*This list was last updated December 12, 2011. Premiums, co-pays, maximums, and average customer ratings may have changed slightly since the last update.
References:
- Insurance company websites
- Insurance-Canada.ca. (n.d.). “Directory of Pet Insurance Online Quote Providers.”
- PetinsuranceReview.com
- PetInsuranceReviews.org
- Pet Insurance University - a Vet’s Guide to Pet Insurance (detailed reviews by a veterinarian)
Jennifer Copley - Jennifer Copley, BFA, BEd, has a diverse base of expertise that includes research, writing, education, pet care, and various other ...
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