What is the Best Pet Insurance in BC for 2024?

Did you know that over 20.3% of all pets in Canada are owned by families in British Columbia? But while owning a pet brings immeasurable joy, it also comes with financial responsibilities and the costs can be quite high when you don't have a good pet insurance in BC.

This is where having the best pet insurance becomes a valuable safeguard, particularly in a place like BC where the weather can be harsh, posing unique risks to our pets.

That's why we bring you this pawsome article that will give you all the juice about pet insurance in BC, from pricing and coverage to discounts, pros, cons, and more. You could use our comparator at the top of this page to get quotes from the best pet insurances in BC.

Our 2024 ranking of best pet insurances in BC

We know that searching for the perfect coverage can be as challenging as teaching a cat to fetch, with all those policies, figures, and options to navigate. But don't worry, we've fetched all the information you need and put it in one handy guide. Therefore, we've rounded up the best pet insurance options in British Columbia just for you.

So take a look at the best pet insurances in BC, what they offer, and help you pick the one that suits you the best.

Trupanion Pet Insurance: Generous reimbursement

Trupanion is a well-established player since 1998 and it offers unlimited coverage with an impressive reimbursement rate of 90%. What's more, there are no per incident, annual, or lifetime payout limits to worry about.

Whether you prefer a deductible of $0 or up to $1,000, you can find a monthly cost that fits your budget. Trupanion pet insurance's standout feature is its lifetime per condition deductible. You only pay when your pet develops a new condition.

Trupanion covers alternative medicine and therapies which include treatments from bone marrow transplants to stem cell therapy. Their focus is on essential medical expenses, so wellness coverage is not included, and exam fees are considered standard administrative expenses and therefore excluded.

Let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of Trupanion.

What does Trupanion cover? Here's what's covered under this policy.

• Hereditary conditions
• Undiagnosed issues
• Congenital conditions
• Diagnostic tests
• Surgeries
• Hospital stays
• Medications
• Veterinary supplements
• Herbal therapy
• Breed-specific conditions

It's important to understand what Trupanion pet insurance doesn't cover.

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Fetch Pet insurance: Tailor-made policy for every budget

Fetch by The Dodo is a reputed company that has been providing coverage since 2007 and what sets Fetch pet insurance apart is its customisation options.

Their annual maximum of $15,000 provides protection for most pet-related issues. Customers can choose deductibles of $250, $300, and $500, coverage of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, and reimbursement of 70%, 80%, or 90%.

Fetch provides extensive dental coverage, pet owner assistance, providing guidance and support when you need it most. It includes lost pet advertising and boarding during medical emergencies.

Let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of Fetch Pet Insurance.

What does Fetch cover? Here's what's covered under this policy.

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Desjardins Pet Insurance: Comprehensive coverage

Underwritten by Petline Insurance, Desjardins Pet Insurance offers reliable and trusted protection.

With three distinct plans available, Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw, Desjardins caters to diverse pet owners. The Silver Paw and Gold Paw plans are particularly notable for their extensive coverage of dental care and cleanings.

The cost of Desjardins pet insurance varies depending on the chosen plan, with an average monthly price ranging from $37 for dogs and $26 for cats on the basic policy, to $136 for dogs and $87 for cats on the more comprehensive coverage options.

Pet owners with three or more furry companions can take advantage of a valuable 10% discount on their monthly premiums.

Let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of Desjardins Pet Insurance.

What does Desjardins Pet insurance cover? Here's what's covered under this policy.

• X-rays
• Hospitalisation
• Veterinary diagnostics and treatment
• Prescription drugs
• Surgery
• MRIs
• Chemotherapy
• Preventive care coverage
• Dental care
• Behavioural therapy (add-on)
• Alternative therapy (add-on)

Let's see what it doesn't cover.

PetsPlusUs Pet Insurance: Policy with valuable affiliates

A well-established pet insurance company, PetsPlusUs enters its 10th year in 2023. PetsPlusUs Pet Insurance stands apart through exclusive member discounts via partnerships with Costco and CAA.

Costco Pet Insurance offers a 15% discount for Executive Members and 10% for Gold Star and Business Members.

PetsPlusUs offers three plans, with the flexibility to add wellness benefits through the optional Flex Care policy, and with the absence of special waiting periods. Their accident and illness plan provides coverage of $7,500 or $15,000, while the accident insurance plan offers $5,000.

For the accident and illness plan, you can choose reimbursement of 70%, 80%, or 90%. The accident insurance plan offers a fixed reimbursement of 80%.

Let's take a look at the pros and cons of PetPlusUs.

What does PetsPlusUs cover?

It's important to know what it doesn't cover. PetsPlusUs' Accident & Illness Pet Insurance policy does not cover pre-existing conditions, dental care, reproductive health, experimental treatments, wellness/preventative care (unless Flex Care plan is added).

The Accident Insurance policy does not cover illnesses, routine preventive care, pre-existing conditions, non-accident-related issues, or accidents within the initial 48-hour waiting period.

Furkin Pet Insurance: Unrestricted long-term coverage

Furkin is a trusted and comprehensive choice for Canadian pet owners who prioritise reliable coverage. It stands out by offering unlimited 'per condition' benefits, allowing you to utilise your annual coverage for multiple illnesses or accidents throughout the year.

With Furkin's Lifetime Coverage, there are no caps on eligible conditions. Automatic annual renewals guarantee continuous coverage year after year, providing long-term protection.

The policy offers a generous $20,000 annual maximum benefit with no per incident or per illness limits. Furkin also provides access to a 24/7 Telehealth hotline staffed by veterinary nurses.

Let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of Furkin.

What does Furkin cover? Well, here's what's covered under this policy.

• Alternative Therapies
• Anaesthesia and Surgery
• Dental Injuries
• Diagnostics
• Emergency Care
• Exam Fees
• Prescription Medications
• Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
• Hospitalisation
• Medical Procedures
• Lost Pet Advertising and Reward
• Boarding Fees
• Holiday Trip Cancellation
• Prescription Foods
• Euthanasia Costs

Now that you know what the Furkin pet insurance covers, it's important to know what it doesn't.

How much is pet insurance BC?

The cost of pet insurance in Canada BC will vary depending on several factors such as your animal, their age, what is covered, your reimbursement rate, the deductible and the annual payout limit.

The most basic and cheapest pet insurance in BC starts at around $24 per month for a cat and $40 per month for a dog. The best pet insurance in BC, Canada can cost upwards of $400 for larger and rarer breeds such as Great Danes. However, the average monthly charge for pet insurance in BC is about $50.

The cost will be more depending on how comprehensive the coverage is. For instance, a comprehensive Vancouver pet insurance will cost somewhere between $58 and $100 a month.

Most insurers provide coverage nationally, so the price of pet insurance in British Columbia should be similar to that of pet insurance in Ontario or Quebec pet insurance, for example. Differences can exist, though, between rural, suburban and rural areas because pet ownership in different places comes with different levels of risk. Cat insurance is, however, typically less expensive than insurance for dogs.

Is pet insurance more expensive in BC?

No. Pet insurance is a private service, so it doesn’t change from province to province. All pet insurance companies offer coverage to anyone living anywhere in Canada, and often even include the U.S. Therefore pet insurance in BC will be no more expensive than Alberta pet insurance or Nova Scotia pet insurance — though the pets themselves might be quite different!

Eight tips to get the cheapest pet insurance in BC

Now that you have an idea of the different pet insurance options and the price ranges, you're probably wondering how to get the cheapest pet insurance. So, here are eight tips to help you find the most cost-effective pet insurance options in British Columbia.

1. Consider accident-only coverage plans as they offer a budget-friendly option
2. Evaluate your pet's specific requirements and customise your policy terms to pay only for the coverage you need
3. Lower your premiums by selecting higher deductibles and lower reimbursement rates. Adjusting these factors can significantly impact the cost of pet insurance
4. Take advantage of available discounts offered by pet insurance providers. Look for multi-pet discounts ranging from 5% to 10%
5. Consider bundling your pet insurance policy with other insurance types, such as renters insurance, to qualify for additional discounts
6. Check if membership clubs like Costco offer exclusive savings on pet insurance rates (almost 15% in some cases)
7. Enrol your pet at a young age to benefit from lower premiums. Insurance rates are typically lower for puppies and younger dogs
8. Keep your pet healthy as some providers offer diminishing deductibles as a reward for maintaining your pet's good health

How does pet insurance BC work?

Like in the rest of Canada, BC pet insurance supports pet owners by reducing the financial strain of unexpected veterinary costs for their animals. The comparison tool above can help you choose the best pet insurance in BC for your companion, so you can relax knowing that you have the tools to offer your pet the care they need when the time comes.

Once you’ve chosen the best policy for you and your pet, the insurance provider will calculate a premium (based on several factors such as animal, age and breed) that you will pay each month.

Pet insurers do not usually pay the vet directly, which means you will have to pay for any costs yourself and then be reimbursed by the provider. Rates of reimbursement are typically between 80% and 100%.

Although paying out of pocket may not be ideal, being reimbursed means you don’t have to go through the added stress of finding a vet that partners with your insurer. Any licensed vet clinic or animal hospital will do. Some providers also offer a 24-hour helpline that you can call for advice or help to find a vet.

To make sure you’re covered, remember to request and keep all the receipts and documentation from the vet as insurance companies almost always ask you for all the paperwork associated with your claim.

What does pet insurance BC cover?

Pet health insurance in BC covers a variety of emergency and long-term conditions for your pet, be it a cat, dog, bird or other. The availability of the treatments and the amount reimbursed will depend on your policy’s coverage.

Accident and illness coverage

If your pet has an accident or becomes unwell, most insurance policies will cover the costs of:

• X-rays
• Short stays for monitoring
• Emergency diagnosis
• Prescriptions
• Any surgery they may need
• MRI and other scans
• Chemotherapy

Preventative care coverage

Prevention is always preferable (and cheaper in the long run). However, only the best pet insurance in BC will cover these kinds of treatments, such as:

• Annual examinations
• Vaccines
• Flea treatments
• Urinalysis and fecal analysis
• Parasitic treatment

Pet insurance does not typically cover routine veterinary expenses, but some insurance providers offer more comprehensive policy add-ons that cover common, planned procedures.

Is pet insurance BC worth it?

Some say that rather than getting pet insurance, you can put money aside every month and save for an unexpected medical emergency for your pet. Yes, if you have a young, healthy animal who will only need to see the vet for routine visits, then it is possible you could pay for these by putting aside some money from your paycheck.

Pet insurance bc for a young pet

Jan, 27, from Victoria, has a Chow Chow puppy called Vick. Jan is currently earning well in his job as a software engineer, and Vick is healthy, young and unlikely to have any problems. If Jan can put aside $50 a month for a Pet insurance Victoria BC he will probably be able to cover routine costs like:

Procedures	Cost
Vet visits	$109
Vaccines	$115
Dental treatment	$531
Parasite treatment	$178

Pet insurance bc for an older pet

Let's take another example for contrast. Maggie, 45, lives in Nanaimo. She has a Pug, Burberry, who she loves very much but who is starting to feel the weight of his age a bit at 12 years old. Let's look at some of the costs that Maggie might have to pay as she looks after Burberry:

Procedures	Cost
Arthritis treatment	$300+/year
Cancer treatment	$4,000+
Ligament repair	up to $5,000 per knee
Antibiotics	10c -50c / pill

Although Jan’s veterinary costs are overshadowed by Maggie’s, they may both do well to secure pet insurance for their dogs. Jan can afford to put some money aside, but if his Chow Chow has a long-term health problem, his savings may not cover his furry friend’s needs.

Maggie’s canine companion would also benefit from pet insurance so Maggie can have the peace of mind of knowing that her dog is protected and that she can afford to give Burberry the care he needs.

How to protect your pet from winter in BC?

Like most of Canada, winter in British Columbia can be a real challenge for pets and pet owners. Here are some pointers for keeping your pet safe and healthy:

• When getting camping gear ready for winter, make sure your pet isn’t hiding inside.
• Keep all your pets indoors during cold weather. If left outside in the cold, even huskies can suffer. If you must keep an animal outside, ensure they have shelter that is off the ground and provides protection from harsh weather. And keep their drinking water ice-free.
• Use pet-safe antifreeze (propylene glycol) in your car, instead of ethylene glycol, which can kill a pet with only 1 tablespoon.
• Clean your pet's paw pads after walking on sidewalks or roads to remove salt, which irritates their skin.
• If you de-ice the sidewalk yourself, make sure to use a pet-friendly product, as opposed to regular salt.

What should I consider when choosing pet insurance BC?

Pet owners in BC have many options when it comes to pet insurance to protect their four-legged family members and prevent an unpleasant financial surprise. Here are the main factors to consider when choosing the best pet insurance for you:

• Size: Larger animals tend to be more expensive to insure.
• Age: Younger the animal, the cheaper the premium and overall insurance will be.
• Breed: Some breeds are more expensive to insure than others. For example, dog insurance for Great Danes costs significantly more than cat insurance for an American Shorthair.
• Gender: Male animals are more expensive than female animals. Also, spayed females have the lowest premiums in cats and dogs.
• Deductible: Higher the deductible, the cheaper the premium.
• Add-ons: You can buy additional coverage such as wellness plans or preventive medicine.

Now that you have a fair idea of pet insurance, how it works, pros and cons, you could get best pet insurance quotes in no time from our parters by using the comparator below:

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