Those of us who own pets love them as though they were members of our own family, and we do everything possible to ensure they lead happy and healthy lives. We provide them with nutritious food, give them plenty of exercise, and spoil them with toys and treats. But what happens if they fall ill and need emergency care? Even worse, what if costly medical intervention is required to treat your pet and you’re strapped for cash? If you’re a pet owner, it’s a situation you hope to never find yourself in.
We are fortunate to have a public health care system in Canada. Basic health care services in Ontario are provided to all Ontarians who meet the eligibility requirements. Unfortunately, that privilege doesn’t extend to pets.
The good news is that there’s a niche in the insurance industry that caters to pets. You can obtain an insurance plan exclusively for your pet, giving you peace of mind and comfort that they’ll receive the best care if an emergency strikes.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
While pet insurance policies vary based on the provider, coverage typically extends to these three areas:
- Accidents: This includes emergency care and treatment costs due to a severe accident, such as being struck by a car.
- Illness: Covers treatment related to an illness, including the cost of hospitalization, diagnostic tests, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Wellness care: This category encompasses routine care costs for your pet, such as vaccinations and annual checkups.
Your pet’s insurance policy will list each type of coverage and provide details on what kind of treatments are covered. It’ll also specify your deductible, co-insurance amounts (the portion of the total claim amount you’re responsible for paying), and coverage limit.
Best Pet Insurance In Ontario
Here is a brief overview of some of the best pet insurance plans in Ontario:
| Animals Covered | Coverage Available | Coverage Limit | Coverage Payout | Deductibles | |
 | - Cats - Dogs | - Accident - Illness - Hospitalization - Surgery - Diagnostics - Prescription medications - Alternative therapies - Exams - Drugs - Hereditary conditions | $7,500 – $15,000 $5,000 $250 – $1250 | 70% – 90% of veterinarian bills | Annual, based on pet’s age |
 | - Cats - Dogs | - Accident - Illness - Diagnostics - Hospitalization - Surgery - Prescription - Medications - Dental treatments - Alternative therapies - Medical devices - Behavioural therapy | $1,000 unlimited annually for both accidents and illnesses | 80% of veterinarian bills | Annual, based on pet’s age |
 | - Cats - Dogs | - Accident - Illness - Diagnostics - Exams - Prescription medications - Imaging and ultrasound - Dental treatments - Surgery - Rehabilitation - Holistic therapies | $2,500 unlimited annually | 70% – 90% of veterinarian bills | Annual or per condition |
 | - Cats - Dogs | - Accident - Illness - Hereditary and congenital conditions - Unidentified issues - Surgery - Hospitalization - Prescription medications - Prosthetic devices - Alternative therapies - Rehabilitation | Unlimited | 90% of veterinarian bills | Per condition |
 | - Cats - Dogs | - Accident - Illness - Dental - Alternative treatments - Behavioural therapy - Medical devices - Holiday cancellation - Prescription food - Lost pet ads and reward funding - Boarding kennel costs | Dependent on plan level. | Dependent on plan level. | Dependent on age of pet, type of animal, and plan level. |
Petplan
Petplan has been around for several decades and is considered one of Canada’s most reputable pet insurance providers. It offers 24/7 customer service, a handy app for mobile claims submission, and flexible plan customization. They also provide coverage in the United States, which means you can bring your pet along on a trip south of the border.
- The coverage limit starts at $2,500, with an unlimited tier also available.
- 70% – 90% coverage for veterinarian bills.
- The plans cover accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, exams, prescription medications, imaging and ultrasound, dental treatments, surgery, rehabilitation, holistic therapies, and more.
- No age limit restrictions to enroll your pet.
- No wellness coverage
- Monthly premiums range from $16 – $60.
Pets Plus Us
Pets Plus Us is a newer player in the pet insurance industry and provides a range of insurance options to meet a wide variety of pet needs. Pet owners can choose between plans that cover accidents and illnesses or accidents only, and tackle a stand-alone wellness plan if they wish.
- The coverage limit ranges from $5,000 – $15,000, depending on the plan.
- 70% – 90% for veterinarian bills.
- The plans cover accidents, illnesses, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostics, prescription medications, alternative therapies, exams, drugs, hereditary conditions.
- Stand-alone, highly customizable wellness plan that covers dental treatments, annual exams, vaccinations, and more.
- Blue Ribbon Benefits package offers additional products and services such as a 24/7 help phone, pet concierge, and emergency medical coverage.
- Coverage for treatment done in the United States.
- Monthly premiums range from $19 – $89.
- No age limit restrictions to enroll your pet.
Petsecure
Started in 1989, Petsecure is a leading pet insurance provider in Canada. The company offers four insurance plans with varying levels of coverage. It provides a flexible annual wellness care package, as well.
- The coverage starts at $1,000, with an unlimited tier also available.
- 80% coverage for veterinarian bills.
- The plans cover accidents, illnesses, diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery, prescription medications, dental treatments, alternative therapies, medical devices, behavioural therapy.
- Additional benefits include boarding kennel fees, lost pet advertising help, and holiday trip cancellation coverage.
- Wellness care option includes coverage for vaccinations, annual exams, flea prevention, blood profile, etc.
- Monthly premiums vary based on plan, breed, and location.
- No age limit restrictions to enroll your pet.
- 10% discount offered for registering three or more animals.
Trupanion
One of the largest pet insurance providers in Canada, Trupanion offers high-quality insurance plans that should satisfy the needs of most pet owners. They have an excellent reputation and one of the most generous reimbursement rates of all pet insurance companies.
- Unlimited coverage – no cap on the number of treatments for your pet.
- 90% coverage for veterinarian bills.
- The plans cover accidents, illnesses, hereditary and congenital conditions, unidentified issues, surgery, hospitalization, prescription medications, prosthetic devices, alternative therapies, rehabilitation.
- Direct billing service for your veterinarian.
- No customization – only one comprehensive plan is available.
- Monthly premiums vary widely based on multiple factors, as only one general plan is available.
- No wellness program is offered.
- Enrollment is restricted to pets under 14 years of age.
Cost Of Pet Insurance In Ontario
Here are three crucial factors that impact the cost of your pet’s insurance policy:
Pet Age
Though many insurers have no enrollment restrictions based on age, expect to pay higher monthly premiums for an older pet. As with humans, pets are more likely to experience health issues as they age, which is why it’s wise to acquire insurance while your pet is still young.
Pet Breed
Dogs and cats vary in their health risk profile – certain breeds are more susceptible to chronic health problems than others. You may face greater difficulty finding a suitable insurance policy for a pet that’s prone to certain hereditary illnesses, as insurers’ policies may exclude coverage for those breeds. With fewer options, you may have no choice but to commit to a higher premium.
Coverage Amount
Deciding what level of coverage you want for your pet dramatically impacts the cost of monthly premiums. Pet insurance companies offer multiple tiers of coverage, ranging from basic, no-frills plans to comprehensive plans that incorporate wellness care and unlimited medical treatment.
Features To Consider When Buying Pet Insurance
Here are some critical factors to consider when shopping for pet insurance:
Deductibles
A deductible is a predetermined amount charged by insurance companies that you must pay before your reimbursement is processed. Deductibles affect the cost of your monthly premium: a low deductible results in higher premiums, and a high deductible results in lower premiums.
Pet insurance companies will typically charge you a deductible in one of the following three ways:
- Annually – You pay one deductible for treatment of any conditions during the year.
- Per condition (lifetime) – You pay a one-time deductible for treatment of each condition.
- Per condition (annual) – You pay a one-time deductible for treatment of any condition on a yearly basis.
Co-Insurance
Co-insurance is the portion of your claim that you’re responsible for paying after the deductible amount has been settled. In general, the higher your co-insurance, the lower your monthly premiums and vice versa. Of course, higher co-insurance means more out-of-pocket expenses for you, so you’ll need to figure out the optimal co-insurance amount for your budget.
Pre-Existing Conditions
A pre-existing condition refers to any chronic health problem your pet is afflicted with before you enroll them in an insurance plan. Pet insurers won’t cover you for any medical costs you incur due to your pet’s pre-existing condition.
Breed Exclusion
Certain pet insurance providers have policies in place that restrict coverage based on breed. Others levy higher premiums based on the risks associated with a particular breed. This is because certain breeds are predisposed to more health issues, usually due to their genetic profile. For example, purebred dogs are more likely to develop inherited disorders, while mixed breed dogs are less prone to them.
Coverage Limits
The amount of coverage you’re seeking is a critical factor to consider, as it can significantly impact your finances. Suppose your pet becomes seriously ill or injured, and you hold a basic, inexpensive insurance policy. In that case, you could find yourself stuck with a colossal medical bill.
Coverage limits typically start as low as $1,000, and some plans provide unlimited lifetime coverage. There’s a wide range of coverage levels you can choose from to accommodate your budget.
Coverage Conditions
Before signing the dotted line, ensure you agree with the terms and conditions of the contract. For example, your insurer may require your pet to undergo a physical evaluation to check for any pre-existing conditions before accepting their enrollment. Certain pet insurance companies won’t readily accept older pets, as well, so do your research before applying. Also, be sure to find out if there’s a waiting period before coverage officially begins and what the maximum wait time is for insurance payouts.
Final Thoughts
Being a pet owner can be a fun and fulfilling experience. But, it also entails a great deal of responsibility, particularly when it comes to your pet’s health. Ensuring your pet receives routine wellness care and adequate medical treatment can significantly increase their quality of life – and one of the ways you can accomplish this is through a sensible pet insurance plan.
