Best Pet Insurance in Canada
Based on In-Depth Reviews

Best pet insurance for chronically-sick pets

Screenshot Fetchpet.com, June 2023

Of the pet insurance plans we reviewed, Fetch by the Dodo scored the highest for covering chronically sick pets. Unlike most other providers, exam fees are covered for sick visits. No pet insurance policy we reviewed truly covered pre-existing conditions, but Fetch does the next best thing. It covers several hereditary conditions common to certain breeds, such as hip dysplasia in German shepherds. While routine cleanings are not covered, Fetch's policy does include dental care for your pet’s teeth in the event of illness or accident. [ https://www.fetchpet.com/pet-insurance-coverage ]

Of our quotes, Fetch's $5,000 annual coverage limit was in the mid-range of companies we reviewed, while the monthly price was the lowest we encountered. Other companies not appearing in this review offer deductibles as high as $1000. We also appreciate that pet exam fees are covered for sick visits under Fetch’s plans. Nutritional supplements are also covered with Fetch. We loved the wide-ranging coverage Fetch offers.

We also like that Fetch does not prefer one vet over another. The company does not have a network, so Canadian pet owners can select their preferred veterinary care provider.

Best pet insurance for cats

Screenshot Petsecure.com, June 2023

We selected Petsecure Pet Insurance as the most feline-friendly of the companies we considered due to the price for the cat coverage. It's important to note that the average veterinary costs for cats are much lower than those incurred by dogs. So cat owners might consider choosing a lower annual limit to their benefits, simply because it's unlikely they'll encounter as many expensive vet bills as dog owners. Petsecure's most popular cat plan costs $21.80 per month and offers a $2,200 cap on coverage per year, which will be more than enough for most cats. (Those needing more coverage should consider Pet Plus, which offers limits from $7,500 to $15,000.)

Petsecure reimburses covered costs at a rate of 80%. The policy covers accident and sick visits to the vet—another standout feature. We selected Petsecure as an excellent option for cats in part because of the extras the policy offers. These include routine dental care, lost pet advertising and reward reimbursement, boarding fees (up to $25/day) and reimbursement for cremation or burial. Petsecure is a good option for most cat owners, though people with older cats or cats that require significant medical care may need to choose higher-limit  policies for their feline friends.

Best Pet Insurance for Puppies

Screenshot Mypeppermint.ca, June 2023

In our survey, we chose Peppermint Pet Insurance as our best pet insurance for puppies. We liked Peppermint's low $100 annual deductible, which is tied for the lowest deductible of the companies we reviewed. Peppermint's Lite plan is a stripped-down option, offering $1,500 in accident coverage for only $12 monthly. Customers can select from increasing total coverages of $3,000, $5,000, and $10,000 on the companies' tiered plans for between $33 and $80 per month. The non-Lite plans also feature up to $350 per year toward alternative therapy, behavior therapy or medical devices. We also like that Peppermint Insurance doesn't restrict customers to in-network vets.

Peppermint is a good option for your puppy because the low deductible and cheaper plan may be attractive as you take on the expense of a new pup. Still, keep an eye on the price as your dog ages. Peppermint's annual deductible increases to $200 when your dog turns five and maxes out at $500 when your dog hits double digits. Peppermint does not offer the 24/7 phone benefits that some competitors do. Still, the low annual deductible and super cheap Lite Plan make it worthy of consideration for Canadian puppy parents.

Best Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets

Screenshot Petsplusus.com, June 2023

PetsPlusUs is the best policy for people with multiple pets due to its multi-pet discount of up to 15% and wide selection of plans. To be clear, each animal will require a separate policy in keeping with industry expectations. The quotes we pulled were for a policy that reimburses at a rate of 70%, though this option is customizable. Likewise, the company offers multiple options such as accident-only, accident-plus illness and wellness plans. The company also offers 24/7 support from veterinary nurses on the CompassionCare Line and 24/7 pet poison control. 

PetsPlusUs does have a few drawbacks. It was one of the more expensive companies we reviewed. A plan with 70% reimbursement and an annual limit of $7,500 would cost about $66 monthly. The PetsPlusUs website was not as forthcoming with coverage details as some of its competitors. We called the support line and were unable to speak with a representative. Still, the selection of plans, reasonable annual limits and 15% multi-pet discount make the company worthy of consideration.
 

Best for no payout limits

Screenshot Trupanion.com, June 2023

It’s easy not to sweat the small stuff.  But what if your pet needs emergency surgery or chemotherapy to cure an aggressive cancer? As far as  big vet bills are concerned, most pet owners are rightfully anxious. That’s why Trupanion makes our Best Of list of pet insurance companies. No matter how much treatment your pet needs or how large your vet bills are, Trupanion’s single, comprehensive plan, which covers both accidents and illnesses, will take care of it all (provided the condition is covered under your contract and you have met your deductible.) The plan offers unlimited lifetime benefits and contains no annual or per-condition limits. The best benefit offered by Trupanion, in our estimation, is peace of mind for pet owners.

Trupanion is one of few pet insurers that pays veterinarians directly and doesn’t require pet parents to file claims. You pay your vet the copay you owe and Trupanion covers the rest of the bill with no additional effort on your part. So you don’t have to worry about coming up with a lot of cash then waiting for a claim to be paid. That feature can be a real lifesaver if you don’t have the savings to cover a large bill. 

In addition, under Trupanion’s simplified plan structure, all procedures are subject to a very modest 10% copay. You do, however, have the option of customizing your annual deductible. As with any insurance plan, choosing a higher deductible can lower your monthly payments and make pet insurance more affordable.

So you’re probably thinking by now, all that sounds great—but expensive. It’s true that Trupanion coverage costs a bit more than coverage under competitive plans: coverage for our hypothetical mixed breed pup was quoted at $46.81. But you have to weigh that fact against the unlimited benefits your pet can receive over its lifetime. The extra peace of mind you enjoy knowing your pet is very well protected may be worth an extra few bucks.