Pet insurance is an important consideration for pet owners in Canada, as it can help cover unexpected veterinary expenses and ensure that your pet receives the care they need. With so many options available, it can be difficult to determine which pet insurance plan is the best fit for you and your furry friend. In this blog post, we will explore the top pet insurance options in Canada based on information from various sources.
Top Pet Insurance Options in Canada
- Healthy Paws – This pet insurance company is rated as the best overall pet insurance provider by Forbes Advisor1. Healthy Paws offers unlimited annual coverage with reimbursement choices of 70%, 80%, or 90%. They also have no maximum annual or lifetime pay-outs and most claims are processed within two days. Direct vet payments may be possible, and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, they do not offer a routine wellness option.
- Pet Secure – Pet Secure is one of the top pet insurance companies in Canada, offering four different plans with different yearly amount limits3. Each plan covers the same things, including dental care, emergency care, medications, cremation/burial, medical devices, x-rays, diagnostics, surgeries, boarding/kennel fees, behavioral therapy, and alternative treatments. They also offer up to 80% reimbursement, including exam fees and taxes, for all age groups.
- Pets Plus Us – Pets Plus Us is another leading pet insurance provider in Canada5. They offer a “Best Friend” plan that covers up to 80% of unexpected veterinary costs, with no payout limits per incident or per lifetime. This company also offers direct payment to veterinarians in Canada, so pet owners do not have to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement.
- Trupanion – Trupanion is a popular choice for Canadian pet owners, as there are no yearly or visit limits on any Trupanion claims3. They offer one simple plan that covers 90% of actual veterinary costs for eligible claims once the deductible for that condition is met. They also offer direct payment to veterinarians in Canada.
- PC Pet Insurance – PC Pet Insurance is a good option for pet owners who are looking for affordable coverage2. They offer three different plans with varying levels of coverage, including accident-only coverage, accident and illness coverage, and accident and illness coverage with wellness benefits. They also offer a 10% discount for insuring multiple pets.
How to Choose Pet Insurance
When choosing a pet insurance provider, there are several factors to consider, including:
- Cost: Pet insurance premiums can vary widely depending on the provider, the level of coverage, and your pet’s age, breed, and health history. It’s important to compare costs and choose a plan that fits your budget.
- Coverage: Different pet insurance plans cover different things, so it’s important to choose a plan that covers the services and treatments your pet is most likely to need. Some plans may cover routine care, like vaccinations and check-ups, while others may only cover accidents and illnesses.
- Exclusions: It’s important to read the fine print carefully to make sure you understand what is and is not covered by your pet insurance policy. Some policies may have exclusions for pre-existing conditions, hereditary conditions, or certain breeds.
- Customer Service: Look for a pet insurance provider with good customer service, including easy claims processing and responsive support.
- Reputation: Research the reputation of the pet insurance provider you are considering, including reading reviews from other pet owners and checking their rating with organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
Senior Dog Insurance
If you have a senior dog, it’s important to consider getting pet insurance to help manage the costs of veterinary care. While not all pet insurance companies offer the same coverage for the same price, there are several options to choose from. Here are some of the best pet insurance companies for senior dogs based on maximum age limits, premiums, and customer satisfaction
- Spot Pet Insurance: Best overall
- Embrace: Best for savings
- Healthy Paws: Affordable unlimited coverage
- Figo: Best for wide-ranging coverage
- Pumpkin Pet Insurance: Best for pre-existing conditions
- AKC Pet Insurance: Best for quick coverage
- ASPCA Pet Insurance: Best on a budget
When choosing a pet insurance plan for your senior dog, consider companies without upper age limits, and pay attention to the types of policies available, reimbursement rates, deductibles, and maximum annual coverage limits. It’s also worth noting that pet insurance for a senior dog will be more expensive than it would be for a younger adult dog, and pet insurance generally doesn’t cover any pre-existing conditions that may have already come to light in your senior dog’s older years. However, it could help to treat future conditions, including accidents and illnesses, depending on the type of policy you choose
Conclusion
Pet insurance can be a valuable safeguard for your furry family members, helping to cover unexpected veterinary expenses and ensuring that your pet receives the care they need. When choosing a pet insurance provider, it’s important to consider factors like cost, coverage, exclusions, customer service, and reputation. Based on our research, some of the top pet insurance options in Canada include Healthy Paws, Pet Secure, Pets Plus Us, Trupanion, and PC Pet Insurance.