Desjardins Pet Insurance 2025: Complete Guide to Coverage & Savings

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Desjardins Coverages

Desjardins offers three main plans—Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw—distinguished primarily by annual limits, dental coverage, and the inclusion of wellness and alternative therapies, along with an 80% reimbursement rate after a deductible that varies by species and age.

The Gold Paw plan stands out with unlimited accident and illness coverage, substantial preventive care reimbursement, and broad coverage for alternative, behavioral, and medical device expenses, while Bronze Paw and Silver Paw remain more restrictive with annual limits and limited extras.

A clear strength is the transparent structure of per-incident annual caps and tiered deductible options, making the offer easy to compare and customize.

However, the absence of lifetime reimbursement for chronic conditions, exclusions on hereditary/pre-existing issues, and lack of any included assistance or teleconsultation services limit its appeal for complex or high-touch cases.

Desjardins is best suited for pet owners seeking straightforward major medical coverage with the option to add or exclude certain benefits, but its preventive and alternative coverage excels only in the highest tier.

Compare all Desjardins Paw plans side by side to find the best value for your pet and budget.

Important Plan Details

All plans require an annual exam to maintain eligibility, with additional lab testing required for senior pets at enrollment.

Dental coverage for Bronze Paw is available only via an optional rider and covers up to $500/year.

Preventive care and alternative therapies are exclusive to the Gold Paw plan, each with specified per-service sub-limits.

Claims must be submitted within six months of treatment.

Desjardins Exclusions

Desjardins policies include standard exclusions such as pre-existing conditions, illnesses occurring during waiting periods, elective and preventive procedures, and cosmetic or non-medically necessary treatments. Coverage is also excluded for hereditary or congenital defects identified before or during waiting periods, injuries due to professional or commercial animal use, and any ongoing or repetitive claims due to preventable behaviour (with a cut-off after three similar incidents). Additional exclusions that stand out in Desjardins plans are the permanent exclusion of both sides of a bilateral condition if one side is affected prior to effective coverage, and strict requirements for a complete medical record at enrolment—any issues discovered at the first post-policy exam may be excluded for life. Pregnancy, breeding, and related complications, food and therapeutic diets, administrative fees, experimental/unapproved treatments, and incidents related to war or natural disasters are also not covered. No assistance services, teleconsultation, or direct-vet payment features are provided, which may place Desjardins at a disadvantage compared to competitors with robust support features.

Desjardins Prices

Desjardins positions itself at the upper mid-range to premium level in the Canadian pet insurance market, with prices that reflect its generous annual reimbursement limits, 80% coverage rate, and lower-than-average deductibles for young pets.

Gold Paw delivers comprehensive coverage including dental, alternative therapies, behavioral, and a notable preventive care budget, but premiums are considerably above national averages, especially for dogs.

Bronze and Silver Paw offer lower rates but remain pricier than direct competitors with similar caps, though they are less restrictive for high-cost items like dental or surgery.

Desjardins is a traditional insurer with a robust network but does not offer full digital/telemedicine features, meaning operational costs are not minimized as with pure digital providers.

Overall, plans are suited to owners seeking very broad and reliable cover, but price-sensitive users may find Desjardins relatively expensive for routine needs.

Compare Desjardins’ Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw plans to find the best rate for your pet’s profile.

Desjardins promo codes

Note: Promo codes are subject to change. For the latest offers, check our comparison of the best pet insurance providers.

Desjardins reimbursement amounts

With Desjardins’ Gold Paw plan, your eligible veterinary expenses are reimbursed at 80% after your annual deductible, making it easy to predict your out-of-pocket costs and get quality care for your pet.

Example 1: Emergency surgery for intestinal obstruction (young dog)

• Total vet costs: $3,000 (consultation, surgery, anesthesia, hospitalization, medications)
• Deductible amount to subtract: $100 (annual deductible for dogs aged 0–4 years)
• Amount reimbursable after deductible: $3,000 – $100 = $2,900
• 80% of that amount reimbursed: $2,900 × 80% = $2,320

👉 You receive a reimbursement of $2,320.
i️ The annual deductible is applied just once per policy year, so future claims are not reduced by this amount.

Example 2: Dental extraction due to fractured tooth (cat)

• Total vet costs: $900 (exam, x-ray, dental procedure, medications)
• Deductible amount to subtract: $100 (annual deductible for cats aged 0–4 years)
• Amount reimbursable after deductible: $900 – $100 = $800
• 80% of that amount reimbursed: $800 × 80% = $640

👉 You receive a reimbursement of $640.
i️ Gold Paw includes dental care up to $1,000 per year, subject to the overall annual policy limits.

Example 3: Preventive care package (dog)

• Total vet costs: $215 (annual exam $70, vaccines $80, heartworm/flea prevention $65)
• Deductible already paid earlier in the year
• Amount reimbursed at 80%: $215 × 80% = $172

👉 You receive a reimbursement of $172.
i️ Preventive care is included with the Gold Paw plan up to $615 per year. No deductible applies if it has already been met for the policy year.

Desjardins Assistance

Customer Reviews of Desjardins

We analyzed reviews from the sites listed above.

On the positive side, customers who subscribed to Desjardins for their pets occasionally mention:

• A courteous customer service experience in rare instances.
• An overall positive impression from individuals with prior connections to Desjardins staff.

On the negative side: 

• A large number of policyholders report unexpected premium increases after enrolment.
• A significant portion of reviews cite denials of claims perceived as legitimate by customers.
• A recurrent complaint concerns delays in claim processing and reimbursements.
• A number of reviews highlight dissatisfaction with overall customer service and communication.
• An administrative burden, including paperwork and repeated follow-ups, is mentioned as a pain point.

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Daniel Clarke

Personal finance expert

Daniel is a Canadian personal finance expert passionate about making financial literacy more accessible to everyone. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s in Financial Planning from York University. Before joining HelloSafe, he worked as a financial coach and content editor for a number of fintech platforms across Canada. At HelloSafe, Daniel writes clear and practical guides on insurance, credit, savings, and budgeting—always with the goal of helping readers make confident and informed money decisions.