Costco Pet Insurance Canada: Review 2024
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Costco Pet Insurance offers two flexible pet insurance plans: An Accident and Illness with coverage options of $7,500 or $15,000, and a budget-friendly Accident-only plan with $5,000 coverage. With features like a 24/7 pet health hotline, coverage for breed-specific hereditary conditions, and shorter waiting periods than many other insurers, Costco Pet Insurance offers comprehensive protection. You can also add routine, preventive, and dental care with an affordable add-on. Costco members get up to a 15% discount, making it an excellent choice for those seeking affordable accident-only coverage and also for others who need more extensive benefits for their pets.
Costco Pet Insurance Canada: Key Takeaways
- Pets covered: Dogs, cats
- Plans: Accident and Illness, and Accident only
- Annual Coverage Options: $5,000, $7,500, $15,000
- Reimbursement rate: 70%, 80%, or 90% for Accident and Illness, 80% fixed for Accident only plan
- Annual deductible: $100 for Accident-only, $100, $200, or $300 for Accident and Illness
- Discounts: 15% for Executive members, 10% for Gold Star and Business members
Compare Canada's best pet insurance plans
Our Costco Pet Insurance Canada Review
Costco Pet Insurance offered through Pets Plus Us, provides two plans: Accident and Illness, and Accident-only (one of the few providers to offer this plan). The Accident and Illness Plan covers up to $7,500 or $15,000 annually for emergencies, diagnostics, and alternative therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy, plus hereditary and behavioural conditions, medical devices, and prescription food.
The Accident-Only Plan is a budget-friendly option with a $5,000 annual limit for emergency and accident-related expenses. You can customize your plan with flexible reimbursement rates (70%, 80%, or 90% for Accident and Illness; 80% fixed for Accident-Only). The deductibles range from $100 to $300 for the Accident and Illness Plan, while it's fixed at $100 for Accident-only.
Costco Pet Insurance also offers free Blue Ribbon Benefits, including a subscription to Modern Dog or Modern Cat magazine, 24/7 PetHelpFone, a Pet Poison Helpline, and emergency medical coverage for life-threatening injuries while your pet is lost.
While routine and preventive care are not covered in the standard plans, you can add them using the Flex Care add-on at an affordable rate. Among the drawbacks is the lack of an unlimited plan, unlike providers like Trupanion Pet Insurance or Desjardins Pet Insurance both of which offer unlimited coverage with extensive dental care.
The premiums are nominal for the coverage it offers, as your pet ages the deductibles increase leading to higher out-of-pocket costs. However, Costco members can save up to 15% on premiums helping you manage the higher premiums. As a Costco member, you also get your first month of pet insurance coverage complimentary.
Costco Pet Insurance is great for young, active pets needing affordable accident coverage and for those seeking comprehensive, customizable plans with extensive benefits and shorter waiting periods.
If you think Costco Pet Insurance is the right choice, you can get a free personalized quote.
What are the pros and cons of Costco Pet Insurance?
Pros of Costco Pet Insurance
Cons of Costco Pet Insurance
- Insurance from Pets Plus Us, a trust pet insurance brand
- Flexible reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90% (Accident and Illness)
- Breed-specific hereditary conditions covered
- Affordable accident-only plan with 80% reimbursement
- Up to 15% discount for insuring multiple pets
- 24/7 access to PetHelpFone
- 48-hour waiting period for accidents (A big plus mentioned in several Costco Pet Insurance reviews)
- 15% discount off premiums for Costco Executive Members
- 10% discount for Gold Star and Business Members
- The first month complimentary for all Costco Members
- Quotes are easily available online through Pets Plus Us
- You need to be a Costco member
- Preventive, routine, and dental care needs Flex Care add-on
- Age-based deductible increasing as your pet gets older
- No unlimited coverage option
Compare quotes and options before choosing pet insurance with Costco. A little shopping around can help you to save money and find the coverage that fits your needs. Use our free tool below to compare pet insurance quotes online and get the best deals.
Compare the best pet insurance plans on the market!
What does Costco Pet Insurance cover?
| Coverage | Accident and Illness Plan | Accident Only Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Illness | ||
| Injuries and accidents | ||
| Hospitalization | ||
| Surgery | ||
| Hereditary conditions | ||
| Diagnostics (Consultations and exams) | ||
| Prescription medications | ||
| Alternative therapies | ||
| Behavioural therapies | ||
| Boarding if you are hospitalized | $1,000 per incident | $1,000 per incident |
| Holiday trip cancellation | $1,000 per incident | $1,000 per incident |
| Lost pet advertising and reward | $1,000 per incident | $1,000 per incident |
| Euthanasia, cremation, or burial | $1,000 per incident (includes $50 tribute donation) | $1,000 per incident (includes $50 tribute donation) |
Both plans come with free Blue Ribbon Benefits which include:
- PetHelpFoneTM: 24/7 emergency service
- Compassionate Care Line: Professional in-house counsellor
- Pet Poison Helpline®: 24/7 animal poison control service
- Subscription to Modern Dog or Modern Cat magazine
- Emergency Medical Coverage for life-threatening injuries while your pet is lost
Additional Coverage - Flex Care Add-on
You can enhance your coverage with the optional Flex Care add-on, which includes:
- Dental treatments
- Annual exams and vaccinations
- Treatment for conditions excluded under your Accident & Illness policy
- Anal gland expression at a veterinary practice
- Comprehensive blood profiles including collection
This add-on ensures your pet receives routine and preventive care.
Watch out!
The Flex Care add-on can be purchased only with the Accident and Illness Plan. The accident-only plan does not have this option.
Take a look at the full coverage and exclusions of Costco Pet Insurance (through Pets Plus Us) right here.
How much is Costco Pet Insurance?
Here are the Costco Pet Insurance rates for a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever in Toronto. We obtained this quote online on June 27, 2024.
| Plan Coverage | Accident-only plan | Accident & Illness plan | Accident & Illness plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Coverage | $5,000 | $7,500 | $15,000 |
| Reimbursement | 80% | 80% | 90% |
| Annual Deductible | $100 | $200 | $300 |
| Monthly Premium | $23.17* | $90.14* | $133.10* |
*The monthly premiums mentioned above are before taxes and Costco Pet Insurance Canada discounts.
Pet insurance costs vary based on your pet's age, gender, health condition, and your Costco membership. You must get a personalized quote to get the exact premium and coverage. You can get a free pet insurance quote right here.
Is Costco pet insurance good?
The best way to know if Costco pet insurance is good for you is to compare coverage options. Let's look at a comparison of Costco vs policies offered by other companies like Fetch Pet Insurance and Trupanion Canada.
Costco pet insurance vs Trupanion vs Fetch
| Feature | Costco Pet Insurance (via Pets Plus Us) | Trupanion | Fetch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans Offered | Accident & Illness Accident Only | One comprehensive plan | One comprehensive plan |
| Annual coverage options | $7,500 or $15,000 (Accident & Illness) $5,000 (Accident Only) | Unlimited coverage | $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 |
| Reimbursement Options | 70%, 80%, or 90% (Accident & Illness) 80% (Accident Only) | 90% | 70%, 80%, or 90% |
| Deductible Options | $100-$700 (age-based) | Customizable from $0 to $1,000 (per condition) | $250, $300, or $500 (age-based) |
| Waiting Periods | 48 hours for accidents 14 days for illnesses | 5 days for injuries 30 days for illnesses | 15 days for accident and illness |
| Discounts | Up to 15% for Costco members Multi-pet discount of up to 15% | None | 10% for active-duty military or veterans, AARP members Healthy Pet Credit up to 30% |
You can use our free tool below to compare pet insurance coverage from Canada's best providers. Get free personalized quotes in seconds.
Compare the best pet insurance plans on the market!
What is the waiting period for Costco Pet Insurance?
- 48-hour waiting period for accidents
- 14-day waiting period for illnesses
- Additional benefits (holiday trip cancellation, lost pet advertising, cremation or burial) start after 48 hours
- No special waiting periods for cruciate ligament injuries or intervertebral disc disease
What does Costco Pet Insurance not cover?
| What's Not Covered | Accident and Illness Plan | Accident-Only Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions | Not covered unless Flex Care plan is added | |
| Elective procedures | Not covered unless Flex Care plan is added | |
| Dental care | Not covered unless Flex Care plan is added | |
| Reproductive health | Not covered unless Flex Care plan is added | |
| Experimental treatments | Not covered unless Flex Care plan is added | |
| Wellness or preventative care | Not covered unless Flex Care plan is added | |
| Conditions arising within waiting periods | Conditions that arise within the 48-hour waiting period for accidents and 14-day waiting period for illnesses | Accidents that occur within the 48-hour waiting period |
| Illnesses | ||
| Non-accident related treatments |
How do I buy a pet insurance plan from Costco?
You can easily purchase a Costco pet insurance plan online. Simply visit the Costco website for your province, click on the "Get a quote" button, and enter your pet's details. Choose your reimbursement and deductible options, then complete the payment process. It’s quick and takes less than two minutes.
How do I contact Costco Pet Insurance?
For any details regarding Costco pet insurance including coverage or policy information or to get a quote, you can call 1.855.887.7387.
Good to know
Apart from Costco Pet Insurance, Pets Plus Us also offers BCAA Pet Insurance, CAA, and 24PetWatch Pet Insurance. While the coverage offered might largely be the same, the discounts may vary based on the membership.
How do I file a pet insurance claim with Costco?
To file a Costco pet insurance claim (via Pets Plus Us), complete the appropriate claim form based on your reimbursement purpose. You can submit and track all your claims information easily through the Pets Plus Us portal with your login details. For further assistance, you can also contact:
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone: 1-800-364-8422
- Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm ET
How to cancel Costco pet health insurance?
You can cancel your pet insurance policy anytime by sending a written request via email, fax, or regular mail. Include your name, your pet's name, and your policy number. If you've pre-paid your premiums, you'll receive a refund for the unused portion.
Cancellation takes effect on the date your request is received. If your pet has passed away, the policy can be backdated to the date of their passing. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Costco Customer Success team at 1.855.887.7387 or write to [email protected].
