Pet insurance in Canada

Having a pet in your life is an exciting adventure! Between training, pet-proofing your home and integrating your new pet into your lifestyle, it can be both exhilarating and exhausting. One stress you want to avoid is unexpected vet bills. While accidents do happen, the majority of vet visits are illness related.

The Most Common Illnesses For Dogs in North America in 2021*

• Otitis / Ear infection
• Gastroenteritis
• Diarrhea
• Skin Conditions (Infections, Allergies, Mass)
• Urinary Tract Infection
• Vomiting / Emesis
• Allergies
• Arthritis
• Dermatitis
• Cruciate
• Disease Lameness

The Most Common Illnesses For Cats in North America in 2021*

• Urinary Tract Infection
• Diabetes
• Gastroenteritis
• Otitis / Ear Infection
• Diarrhea
• Kidney Disease / Renal Failure
• Upper Respiratory Infection
• Vomiting / Emesis
• Conjunctivitis / Eye Condition
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Hyperthyroidism

Is Pet Insurance Worth it in Canada?

The costs of vet bills are rising in Canada, in part because of rising pharmaceuticals prices and the expensive costs for the latest technologies and medical equipment.

According to the 2022 Cost of Care survey by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association**, the average cost of preventative veterinary care in the first year of a puppy’s life can cost $1,825 and as they get older you could spend $1,438 per year. For a kitten, you could spend $1,651 on veterinary care in the first year of their life and as they get older you could find yourself spending $1,250 annually. Keep in mind this doesn’t include the cost of unexpected illnesses and accidents.

A pet insurance policy is a great way to help you avoid unexpected costs. It can provide peace of mind knowing that, should your pet become ill or have an accident, you can focus on the right medical attention rather than a big hit to your budget.

Take a look at some of the claims Pets Plus Us helped to cover in 2022.

How Much is Pet Insurance in Canada?

Based on Pets Plus Us data, the average cost of pet insurance for a dog is $889 annually or $74 monthly and the average cost of pet insurance for a cat is $440 annually or $36.66 monthly.

When you compare the annual costs of premiums against the claim info above, it's easy to see why many pet parents decide pet insurance is right for them.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Our Accident & Illness plans cover eligible exam fees, illness, accidents, hospitalization, surgery, hereditary conditions, diagnostics, prescription medications, alternative therapies and behavioural therapies.

Plans also include other additional benefits, such as: boarding costs should you be hospitalized and unable to take care of your pet; and holiday trip cancellation if your pet has a medical emergency while you’re on vacation.

For full coverage details, you can read our user guide.

At Pets Plus Us, our coverage options are flexible, so that you can choose a plan that fits your needs the best. Some features of our insurance include:

• “Guaranteed 4life” – once you’re enrolled for coverage, your benefits are guaranteed to renew each year, for your pet’s life.
• No breed exclusions – we cover every breed, and health conditions associated with the breed (so long as they aren’t pre-existing when your coverage starts).
• We’re honest about what’s covered – we look at your pet’s health records so that we can be very clear about what’s covered, and what’s not. We don’t want you having any surprises later on.
• An annual deductible – once you’ve satisfied your deductible for the year, you won’t have to meet it again. Even if you have another claim. If you don’t have a claim in the year, you don’t pay the deductible.
• Coverage at any age – no pet is too old for coverage. Though we do recommend starting your policy as early as possible – because there will likely be fewer pre-existing conditions

Our goal is to help provide peace of mind to pet parents. We’re a company of pet lovers and we love speaking with pet parents about their furry family members. Call our Customer Care Centre, 1-800-364-8422 to learn more about pet insurance! You can also visit our website for more information.