Desjardins Pet Insurance Review 2024: Updated
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Discover the methodologyDesjardins Pet Insurance offers three plans with varying degrees of coverage: Bronze Paw, Silver Paw and Gold Paw (Unlimited coverage). The Silver and Gold Paw plans also offer comprehensive dental coverage, while the Gold Paw plan also includes extensive preventive care. Dental care can be added to the Bronze plan at a very affordable price.
Desjardins offers a reimbursement of 80% and a low $100 (age-based) deductible across all its plans. While there are no options to customize the deductible or the reimbursement, Desjardins pet insurance monthly premiums are more affordable than many other pet insurance companies offering similar coverage. With its straightforward plans and extensive coverage, Desjardins is a great choice for pet owners looking for reliable pet insurance.
Desjardins Pet Insurance: Key Takeaways
- Pets covered: Dogs, cats
- Plans: Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, Gold Paw
- Annual Coverage Options: $4,000, $8,000, Unlimited
- Premium: $37/month (Bronze plan)
- Reimbursement rate: 80%
- Annual deductible: $100* (age-based)
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Our review of Desjardins Pet Insurance
Desjardins Pet Insurance offers three comprehensive plans—Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw—designed to meet the varied needs of pet owners. The Bronze Paw plan provides $4,000 annual coverage, the Silver Paw plan offers $8,000, and the Gold Paw plan provides unlimited coverage. All the plans have a fixed reimbursement of 80% and a low deductible of $100 (age-based). The plans cover essential services like exam fees, hospitalization, surgery, diagnostics, and prescription medications, with the Silver and Gold plans also covering dental care.
The Gold Paw plan stands out by including additional benefits like preventive care, alternative therapies, behavioural therapies, and medical devices, making it a comprehensive choice for those seeking extensive coverage. The Unlimited plan coverage almost matches that of big providers like Trupanion Pet Insurance.
There is comprehensive dental coverage in the Silver Paw (up to $700) and Gold Paw plan (up to $1000 per year). While the Bronze plan doesn't come with dental coverage, it can be included as an add-on for as low as around $10/month. Desjardins fares much better in terms of dental coverage compared to insurers like Peppermint Pet Insurance which do not cover dental care even as an add-on.
Desjardins pet insurance premiums are among the most affordable in the market. The plans start at an average of $37/month for the Bronze Paw plan. The premiums for their Unlimited Gold Paw plan are also lesser compared to insurers like Trupanion Pet Insurance which offer unlimited coverage at a much higher price. Desjardins offers 10% off for insuring three or more pets and 15% off for six or more. This can significantly reduce costs for owners with multiple pets.
Desjardins pet insurance reviews are positive among customers for its efficient claims process and friendly customer service. Among the drawbacks, it lacks the flexibility of having multiple deductible and reimbursement options unlike Trupanion and Spot Pet Insurance which offer pet owners these customization options.
Nonetheless, Desjardins Pet Insurance is best for pet owners seeking comprehensive and simple coverage at affordable premiums with the ease of policy management and a quick claims process.
Compare quotes and options before choosing pet insurance with Desjardins. 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 the best pet insurance quotes online in a few quick steps and get instant results.
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Pros and cons of Desjardins Pet Insurance Canada
Advantages of Desjardins Pet Insurance
- Comprehensive Coverage: Offers three levels of coverage
- Extensive Dental coverage: Including cleanings in Silver and Gold Paw plans
- High Annual Limits: The Gold plan offers unlimited annual coverage and includes preventive care.
- Low annual deductible: $100* for all plans
- Multi-Pet Discount: Up to 15% off for insuring multiple pets.
- Affordable Premiums
- Easy to navigate website: Easy claims and support with Desjardins Pet Insurance Login and Online Portal
- You can insure a pet at any age
Disadvantages of Desjardins Pet Insurance
- No Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions: Excludes pre-existing conditions, similar to most insurers.
- Long Waiting Periods: 15-day wait for illnesses, 48-hour for accidents, and six months for dental and specific conditions.
- No 24/7 Health Hotline: Lacks a 24/7 pet health advice line.
- Age-Based Deductible Increases: Deductibles may rise as pets age, increasing costs over time.
- Cannot choose deductible or reimbursement rate
Good to know
You can also explore providers like Trupanion Pet Insurance and Fetch Pet Insurance for higher reimbursement rates of up to 90%, and choose from multiple deductible options.
What does Desjardins pet insurance cover?
Desjardins offers three plans with different coverage limits: Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw. Here's a table summarizing the coverage details for Desjardins Pet Insurance plans.
| Coverage | Bronze Paw | Silver Paw | Gold Paw |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Care | Optional ($500/year) | $700/year | $1,000/year |
| Illness Coverage | $2,000 per illness, per year | $4,000 per illness, per year | Unlimited |
| Accident Coverage | $2,000 per accident | $4,000 per accident | Unlimited |
| Alternative Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Medical Devices | $350 per category, per year | ||
| Preventive Care Coverage | |||
| Reimbursement | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Annual Deductible | $100* (age-based) | $100* (age-based) | $100* (age-based) |
Here's a more detailed version of what is covered under each Desjardins Pet Insurance plan.
Dental Care
Covers: Annual cleanings, and treatment for teeth and gum issues like gingivitis, cavities, and abscesses.
Plans:
- Bronze Paw: Optional coverage up to $500 per year.
- Silver Paw: Included coverage up to $700 per year.
- Gold Paw: Included coverage up to $1,000 per year.
Accident Coverage
Covers: Costs from injuries due to accidents, including X-rays, hospitalization, diagnostics, prescription drugs, surgery, and MRIs.
Plans:
- Bronze Paw: Up to $2,000 per accident.
- Silver Paw: Up to $4,000 per accident.
- Gold Paw: Unlimited coverage.
Illness Coverage
Covers: Costs related to treating illnesses, including X-rays, hospitalization, diagnostics, prescription drugs, surgery, MRIs, and chemotherapy.
Plans:
- Bronze Paw: Up to $2,000 per illness per year.
- Silver Paw: Up to $4,000 per illness per year.
- Gold Paw: Unlimited coverage.
Alternative Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, and Medical Devices
Covers: Alternative treatments and medical devices such as homeopathy, massage therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, chiropractic services, physiotherapy, behavioural therapy, and medical devices.
Plan:
- Gold Paw: Up to $350 per category per year.
Preventive Care Coverage
Covers:
- Annual exam and vaccinations: $100
- Annual heartworm test: $45
- Heartworm prevention medication: $120
- Annual routine blood wellness profile: $130
- Flea control medication: $120
- Fecal exam and deworming: $30
- Annual routine wellness urinalysis: $70
Plan:
- Gold Paw
What is the waiting period for Desjardins pet insurance coverage?
The waiting periods for Desjardins Pet Insurance coverage are as follows:
- Accidents: 48 hours
- Illnesses: 15 days
- Dental Coverage: 6 months
- Cruciate Ligament Injuries: 6 months
- Intervertebral Disc Disease: 6 months
These waiting periods indicate the duration from the policy start date during which no claims can be made for the respective conditions.
Good to know
Desjardins does not cover your pet outside Canada. If you're looking for pet insurance coverage in the US, opt for providers like Fetch and Trupanion. If your primary address is the United States, you could consider options like ASPCA Pet Insurance which offers coverage both in the US and Canada.
What does Desjardins Pet Insurance not cover?
Here are the exclusions for Desjardins Pet Insurance:
- Pre-existing Conditions: Not covered.
- Flea Control: Not included.
- Food: Excludes both prescription and therapeutic diets.
- Spay or Neuter Surgery: Not covered.
- Euthanasia: Only covered if recommended due to an insured accident or illness.
Good to know
Some companies cover curable pre-existing conditions as long as enough time has passed without symptoms or the need for further treatment or preventive care. These could be infections, vomiting and diarrhea. It's best advised to consult your agent or provider to get a clear idea of the coverage in terms of pre-existing conditions.
What does Desjardins Pet Insurance cost?
Desjardins Pet Insurance costs average at $37/month for the most basic Bronze plan, making it much more affordable than most other pet insurance providers in Canada. Here's a table summarizing the average monthly cost.
| Plan | Average Monthly Price for a Dog | Average Monthly Price for a Cat |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Paw | $37 | $26 |
| Silver Paw | $59 | $42 |
| Gold Paw | $136 | $87 |
These prices are indicative and pet insurance costs depend on the age, health condition, and breed of your pet. It is therefore necessary to get personalized quotes based on your pet and your unique needs. You can use our free tool below to compare pet insurance quotes online from Canada's best pet insurance companies.
Compare the best pet insurance plans on the market!
How do I get a Desjardins pet insurance quote?
You can get a free Desjardins pet insurance quote online on the Desjardins website. All you need to do is enter your postal code, your pet's age, breed, and voila, you have your quote in less than 2 minutes online.
How can I contact Desjardins pet insurance?
Here's a table summarizing the contact information for Desjardins Pet Insurance Canada:
| Service | Contact Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Quotes and Advice | Phone | 1-855-343-9393 Mon-Thurs: 8 AM - 10 PM ET Fri: 8 AM - 9 PM ET Sat: 9 AM - 8 PM ET |
| Fax | 1-866-322-5246 | |
| Claims | Phone | 1-855-343-9393 Mon-Thurs: 8 AM - 10 PM ET Fri: 8 AM - 9 PM ET Sat: 9 AM - 8 PM ET |
| Fax | 1-866-501-5580 | |
| Fax for Vet Clinics | For medical records: 1-866-501-5581 | |
| Payment | Phone | 1-855-343-9393 Mon-Thurs: 8 AM - 10 PM ET Fri: 8 AM - 9 PM ET Sat: 9 AM - 8 PM ET |
| The Desjardins Pet Insurance Program 301-600 Empress Street Winnipeg, MB R3G 0R5 |
This table provides a quick reference to the various ways to contact Desjardins Pet Insurance based on the type of service you need.
How do I file a Desjardins pet insurance claim?
Here’s how to file a pet insurance claim with Desjardins:
Filing a Claim for Vet Fees
If your pet is sick or injured, you can file a claim through the customer portal, email, or mail.
Steps to File a Claim
- Download and Fill Out the Claim Form
- Get the claim form here below or from the customer portal using your Desjardins pet insurance login.
- You can also use a pre-filled form with your and your pet's details.
- Complete sections 1 and 3 yourself, and have section 2 filled out and signed by your vet.
- Submit the Form
- Send the completed form and a detailed receipt either online or by mail.
- Payment and Receipts
- Pay the vet and keep the detailed receipt. For complex cases, your vet might be able to arrange direct payment through Petline Insurance Company, but you’ll still need to cover the deductible and co-insurance.
- Claim Processing
- Claims are typically processed within 5 to 10 business days. Ensure all parts of the form are correctly filled out and signed to avoid delays.
Additional Tips
- Direct Deposit: Sign up in the customer portal with your Desjardins pet insurance login to receive reimbursements directly into your bank account.
- Appointments: You can use any licensed vet in Canada or the continental U.S. and submit claims for multiple vet visits.
Contact Information
- For questions or claim status, call 1-855-343-9393.
Start the process as soon as you schedule a vet visit. Use a separate form for each pet if needed.
How to cancel Desjardins pet insurance?
To cancel your Desjardins pet insurance, please call the Petline customer support line at 1-855-343-9393. Their operating hours are:
- Monday to Thursday: 8 AM - 10 PM ET
- Friday: 8 AM - 9 PM ET
- Saturday: 9 AM - 8 PM ET
Important Note: If you cancel your insurance and choose to purchase a new policy later, any illnesses that develop between the cancellation date and the new policy start date may not be covered under your new insurance.
How much pet insurance do I need?
How much pet insurance you need will depend on many different factors. These include your pets:
- Age
- Sex
- Breed
- Existing health conditions
- Current health
It is important to choose the right policy that meets the needs of both your pet and yourself. This is to ensure that if a problem arises, it will be covered by your insurance. Take time to shop around and compare insurers by using our comparison tool:
Compare the best pet insurance plans on the market!
