There are quite a few good pet insurance providers in Canada, but some stand out above the rest for their extensive coverage, low premiums, and overall flexibility. As a pet owner, I constantly keep up with the latest options and make my recommendations below based on my years of experience.
I recommend Trupanion if you're looking for the most extensive coverage for your pet and quick claim-approval times. Trupanion's packages cover your pet for hereditary and congenital conditions, and they also offer unique lifetime deductibles per condition, which can reduce your expense if your pet has recurrent medical conditions.
What Is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is a type of health care policy for your pet that reimburses you for qualifying medical expenses. Solid pet insurance can help in the event of an emergency or unexpected accident and can save your finances in the long term.
Pet insurance providers use a reimbursement-based model for payouts where you get paid back a percentage of the total medical bill – after deductibles. How much you get back depends on your premium but you can usually expect between 70% and 90% reimbursed.
Monthly premiums in Canada start at $25/month for cats and $35/month for dogs but keep in mind most insurance providers don’t cover pre-existing conditions.
Without further ado, here are the best pet insurance providers Canada has to offer:
The Best Pet Insurance In Canada
- Trupanion: Frequent travelers looking for quick approval periods and coverage when traveling abroad
- Petsecure: Short waiting period before your insurance kicks in
- FetchPet: Dental care and uncommon treatments like acupuncture and hydrotherapy
- Pets Plus Us: Customizable deductibles and payment plans
- Healthy Paws: Comprehensive coverage for hereditary and chronic conditions
1. Trupanion – Best Overall
Founded in 1998, Trupanion is a Seattle-based pet insurance provider. Trupanion offers insurance coverage in Canada, the US, and Puerto Rico, and is one of the few pet insurance providers to offer comprehensive coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions.
Trupanion offers a very unique lifetime offer where you can sign up and pay a lifetime deductible per condition, and never worry about paying a deductible for that condition anymore. Trupanion covers up to 90% of eligible expenses and is partnered with licensed veterinarians across North America.
For those reasons, Trupanion is our top recommendation if you’re a frequent traveler looking to keep your pet safe at all times.
Features
- Approves claims within 1 day
- No annual caps on payouts
- Coverage works at any licensed veterinarian
- Full coverage in Canada, the US, and Puerto Rico
- 4.3/5 Excellent Trustpilot rating
- Covers hip dysplasia
- 90% coverage on eligible expenses
- No payout limit
Cons
- Doesn’t cover routine veterinary visits or preventative care
- Doesn’t cover hereditary or breed-specific medical conditions
Best for
Frequent travelers looking for quick approval periods and coverage when traveling abroad.
2. Petsecure – Best For Short Waiting Periods
Petsecure is one of Canada’s oldest and most established pet insurance providers. Petsecure was launched in 1989 and it offers comprehensive coverage for cats and dogs of all breeds and ages.
Petsecure offers four plans: Secure Coverage 1, 2, 3, and 4. All plans include routine dental care and up 80% coverage on eligible expenses. Petsecure has a very short waiting period of just 48 hours so your pet is secured almost as soon as you sign them up.
Even though Petsecure is only available for Canadian citizens, it extends coverage to the US as well. To qualify for Petsecure, your pet must live in Canada for at least six months each year. Additionally, your pet must receive an annual Comprehensive Exam, at no cost, designed to spot any potential medical condition it may develop in the short and long term.
Features
- 80% coverage on eligible expenses
- Choose from four plans: Secure Coverage 1, 2, 3, and 4
- No age limits on any of their plans
- Covers diagnostics, x-rays
- $1,000-$5,000 coverage per accident & condition per year
- $200-$400 dental insurance coverage per year
Cons
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or optional treatments
- Coverage within Canada
- Doesn’t cover food or special diets
- Doesn’t cover spaying, neutering, or pregnancy
Best for
Short waiting period before your insurance kicks in.
3. FetchPet – Best For Full Coverage In Canada And The US
Launched in 2003 by Chris and Natasha Aston, FetchPet is a New York-based pet insurance provider with branches in Canada. FetchPet began as a more affordable option for pet owners looking to protect their pets. As of 2023, FetchPet covers more than 325,000 cats and dogs.
FetchPet has an extensive offering of plans where that cover exam fees, dental care, as well as uncommon treatments like acupuncture and hydrotherapy. With FetchPet you can visit any licensed veterinarian in Canada and the US, and there are no enrollment or extra fees if you want to cancel.
The waiting period when you sign up your pet to FetchPet is 15 days – coverage starts immediately after. Reimbursement for your veterinary expenses starts at 90% and approval times for payouts are 1-2 business days.
Features
- Full coverage in Canada and the US
- No enrollment fee, you can cancel at anytime
- Transparent pricing – compare directly with other insurances in the area
- Excellent 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating
- Fetch Forward
- Highly customizable plans
Cons
- Doesn’t cover routine vet visits or preventive care
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
- DOesn’t cover grooming or cosmetic procedures
Best for
Dental care and uncommon treatments like acupuncture and hydrotherapy.
4. Pets Plus Us – Best For Customizable Plans
Launched in 2012, Pets Plus Us is an Ontario-based pet insurance company and one of the most flexible options for Canadians. With Pets Plus Us, you can customize your coverage and choose the deductibles and payment plans that best suit your pets’ needs.
Pets Plus Us offers lifetime coverage with their 4Life Guarantee, which covers your pet year after year for its entire lifetime. You can request a free quote at any time by filling out an online application for your pet.
Similarly to Trupanion, Pets Plus Us offers a one-time annual deductible that you can pay at the start of the year, and save up on a lot of fees if your pet ends up needing treatment for that year. If you don’t make any claim in that year, you’ll get reimbursed for the annual deductible.
Features
- Customizable premiums with payouts ranging from 70%-90%
- Discount, age-based deductibles
- Accident & Illness coverage ranges from $7,500-$15,000 annually depending on your plan
- 24/7 emergency services (PetHelpFone)
- 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline
- $1,000 Emergency Medical Coverage in case of life-threatening injuries while lost
- Complimentary subscription to Modern Dog & Modern Cat magazine
Cons
- Doesn’t cover dental care or reproductive health
- You need to sign up for Flex Care to qualify for wellness and preventative care
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing health conditions
- Only available within Canada
Best for
Customizable deductibles and payment plans.
5. Healthy Paws – Best For No Payout Limits
Healthy Paws is a non-profit foundation dedicated to animal protection and care for sick and homeless pets. Healthy Paws offers a simple insurance plan that covers emergency care, accidents, and illnesses, including genetic conditions and cancer.
Healthy Paws doesn’t have caps or annual payout limits, and claims are processed within 2 days. Reimbursements can go as high as 90% on qualifying vet bills, and there are no age limits to sign up your pet. As of 2023, Healthy Paws protects more than 570,000 pets in North America.
One of Healthy Paws' best features is the claim process. To make a claim, you just have to take a picture of your vet bill and submit it through the mobile app. You can then track the status of the claim and receive reimbursement in as little as 2 days
Features
- No limits on annual or lifetime payouts
- Claims processed in 1-2 business days
- Partnered with all licensed veterinarians
- Excellent reviews and a 4.4/5 score on Trustpilot
- Get reimbursed for up to 90% of your vet bills with no caps
- Coverage includes emergencies plus hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions
- Customizable premiums and deductible options
Cons
- Covers your pet up until their 14th birthday
- Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions
- Doesn’t cover preventative care or regular vet appointments
Best for
Comprehensive coverage for hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions.
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Sign Up Your Pet For An Insurance Plan
Signing up your pet for an insurance plan can be very easy. You can get started by filling out an online application and following it up with a physical examination. Some insurance providers also require your pet’s full veterinary medical records before approving an insurance policy.
Waiting Time
After the reviewing process, you’ll receive a notification when your application is approved. Keep in mind that your pet’s insurance doesn’t kick in immediately – rather, there is a waiting period that ranges from 15 days up to a month before your pet qualifies and you can get reimbursed for any claim.
Monthly Fees & Premiums
The premiums of your pet’s insurance will depend on factors like:
- Gender
- Breed
- Age at enrollment
- Veterinary care in your region
- Pre-existing conditions
- Deductible
- Annual coverage
- Reimbursement
In Canada, the average premiums for cats and dogs are $25 and $35 respectively. In general, we recommend signing up for a plan when your pet is young and healthy to keep premiums down, especially If your pet breed is prone to developing medical complications.
Reimbursement
Pet insurance companies use a reimbursement-based model for payouts. If your pet needs to visit the vet for any of the qualifying expenses or treatments, this is how you can get reimbursed:
- Take your pet to a licensed veterinarian
- Make sure your pet insurance covers you for all the necessary expenses
- Pay in full the vet visit
- Submit a claim with your insurance provider
Depending on your insurance policy, you can get between 70%-90% of the total vet bill reimbursed – after deductibles. How much you get, and how long it takes to get it, depends on your specific insurance provider, but payout is usually completed within 1-2 business days.
Pros & Cons Of Pet Insurance In Canada
Pros:
- Quick payouts
- Customizable premiums
- Get reimbursed on qualifying purchases for 80%-90% percent of the medical bill
- Comprehensive dental care and illness coverage
Cons:
- No (or very limited) coverage for pre-existing conditions
- 15-30 day waiting time before insurance kicks in
Types Of Pet Insurance In Canada
#1 Accident-Only Coverage
Accident-only pet insurance covers broken bones, injury-related vet visits, and torn ligaments, among other emergencies related to physical injuries or sudden trauma.
#2 Illness Coverage
Illness-only pet insurance covers your pet in case it contracts a disease or certain illnesses, plus the costs associated with veterinary treatment and certain illnesses. Keep in mind that pet insurers don’t usually cover pre-existing conditions, and there usually is a waiting period before your pet’s insurance kicks in.
#3 Wellness Coverage
This is a type of pet insurance that covers expected expenses like annual exams, vaccinations, preventative care like flea treatment, neutering, and routine dental care.
How To Choose A Pet Insurance In Canada
Insurance Deductible
Pet insurance companies reimburse you for qualifying expenses or treatments that your pet needs. However, like with regular insurance for people, you have to pay a deductible before your pet’s insurance kicks in.
Deductibles usually come in two forms: annual and per-incident. Annual deductibles are generally higher than per-incident deductibles, but you only pay them once every year. Per-incident deductibles are paid whenever your pet needs any kind of treatment, usually a couple of times every year.
Keep in mind that the higher the deductible, the lower your policy premiums.
Payouts
Payouts are how much the insurance company is contractually obligated to pay whenever your pet needs treatment. Pet insurance companies usually pay a percentage of the total bill – the higher the percentage, the higher the premium –, or pay up to an annual limit.
A good starting point for percentual payments is 80%-90%; if you’d rather the company cover the whole fee, you should consider an annual limit instead. Keep in mind annual limits are relatively low and may end up costing you more in the long run.
Pre-Existing Conditions
It’s very rare for pet insurance companies in Canada to offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. For this reason, it’s important that you do extra research if you have a pet breed that is prone to developing congenital or hereditary problems like hip dysplasia.
Keep in mind that even if the companies do cover pre-existing conditions, premiums may be higher to compensate. Even considering this, getting insurance for your pet is worth it.
Travel Insurance
If you travel often with your pet, you may want to look into an insurance provider that covers your pet when you’re traveling abroad. A couple of the options we listed here work in Canada and the US, but most insurance companies work only in Canada. Keep in mind some insurance providers work only with licensed veterinarians.
Telemedicine
Telemedicine can be very handy in case of emergencies when there’s no time to go to the vet. All the insurance providers listed here have excellent customer support and you can call them or reach out at any time.
Pet Insurance FAQs
Can you get pet insurance in Canada?
Yes – there are plenty of pet insurance companies available for Canadians. Some, like Trupanion and FetchPet, offer unlimited coverage in Canada and the US. All companies listed here offer a wide selection of plans to choose from and low premiums.
What does pet insurance cover in Canada
In Canada, pet insurance usually covers illnesses, diagnostic tests, accidents, emergency care, and hospitalization, surgery, and prescriptions. Some insurance providers also cover breed-specific medical issues and advertising & rewards in case your pet goes missing.
What’s better pet insurance or wellness plans?
It depends – insurance and wellness plans are designed to cover your pet for very distinct scenarios. Pet insurance covers your pet in case of unexpected situations like treatments and medication for illnesses. A wellness plan on the other hand – also known as routine wellness care – covers regular exam fees like vaccinations and preventative care.
All the companies listed here offer pet insurance and cover unexpected expenses that you can’t plan for; the expenses that are likely to affect your finances long-term.
What is the average cost of pet insurance in Canada?
The average monthly premiums in Canada are around $25 for cats and $35 for dogs. Keep in mind that monthly premiums depend on many factors and can be more expensive depending on the age of your pet, pre-existing conditions, and breed.
