Get the Best Pet Insurance in Nova Scotia for 2024

As one of the countries in the world with the most pets, Canada’s heart melts at the sight of a cute kitten or a silly puppy. Yes, we love our pets.

In Nova Scotia, where 41% of pet owners let their pets sleep in their beds, more than a quarter of pet owners declare themselves ready to spend more on pet food and products that deliver extra health or wellness benefits.

That’s right, Nova Scotians pamper their pets, but as a pet owner, there are some things you can’t control. If your pet got sick or injured, would you be able to afford the thousands of dollars it may cost to treat them? Is your pet protected?

This guide will introduce you to the different elements of pet insurance in Nova Scotia, what is covered, how much it costs, why you need it, and where to adopt a pet in Nova Scotia.

Our 2024 ranking of Nova Scotia's best pet insurances

Finding the perfect pet insurance can be a challenging task, considering the numerous factors to consider. But worry not! We've done the hard work for you.

The following section evaluates the top pet insurances in Nova Scotia, providing invaluable information on pricing, coverage details, exclusions, discounts, and more.

To make it even easier, our user-friendly tool at the top of the page allows you to compare and obtain personalised pet insurance quotes in seconds. Get ready to safeguard your furry friend's health and well-being with the perfect insurance that suits both your needs and budget.

Trupanion Pet Insurance: Lifetime per condition deductible

Trupanion Pet Insurance has been a dominant force in the industry since 1998, thanks to its exceptional Lifetime Policy.

With a remarkable track record of nearly $2 billion in claims paid out, Trupanion sets itself apart by offering unlimited coverage coupled with an impressive reimbursement rate of 90%. What's more, there are no per incident, annual, or lifetime payout limits to worry about.

One of Trupanion's key strengths lies in its flexibility. You have the freedom to customise your deductible, ranging from $0 to $1,000, enabling you to find a monthly cost that fits your budget perfectly.

Notably, Trupanion Pet Insurance has a standout feature: the lifetime per condition deductible. This means you only need to pay when your pet develops a new condition.

While routine wellness care is not included in Trupanion's plans, the company excels in providing swift service and convenience. In fact, they can directly pay your veterinarian before you leave.

Moreover, Trupanion goes the extra mile by offering comprehensive coverage for alternative medicine and therapies, including bone marrow transplants, herbal therapy, and stem cell therapy.

It's important to bear in mind that Trupanion's plans do not include wellness coverage, as their focus is primarily on essential medical expenses. Additionally, exam fees are considered part of standard administrative expenses and are therefore excluded from coverage.

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

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

• Hereditary conditions
• Undiagnosed issues
• Congenital conditions
• Diagnostic tests
• Surgeries
• Hospital stays
• Medications
• Veterinary supplements
• Herbal therapy
• Prosthetic devices and carts
• Orthotics
• Breed-specific conditions

Now that you're aware of what is covered, it's important to understand what Trupanion pet insurance doesn't cover.

You can get a quick pet insurance quote from our partner Trupanion in just a few seconds.

Fetch Pet insurance: Flexible customisations

Fetch by The Dodo, formerly known as Petplan, is an esteemed pet insurance company that has been providing reliable protection since its establishment in 2007.

Fetch Pet Insurance places a strong emphasis on affordability, offering a range of discount options to ensure that monthly premiums are manageable for pet owners.

Their coverage is thoughtfully designed to cater to pets of all ages, with a primary focus on unexpected accidents and illnesses.

Fetch Pet Insurance has impressive customisation options, allowing policyholders to tailor their coverage to meet their individual needs. This includes the ability to select options for annual coverage, deductible, and reimbursement rate, ensuring a personalised monthly premium.

Although Fetch does not provide unlimited coverage, their substantial $15,000 annual maximum offers ample protection for a wide range of pet-related issues.

When it comes to customisation, Fetch provides flexibility by offering options such as annual deductibles of $250, $300, and $500, annual coverage limits of $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000, and reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, and 90%.

Fetch stands out with several noteworthy features, including extensive dental coverage, pet owner assistance, and valuable inclusions like lost pet advertising and boarding during medical emergencies.

Furthermore, Fetch extends discounts to their policyholders, such as a 10% off for shelter rescues or adopted pets, as well as a 10% discount for active or retired service members.

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

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

You can get a quick pet insurance quote from our partner Fetch in just a few seconds:

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Desjardins Pet Insurance: Affordable and good coverage

Since its inception in January 2013, the Desjardins Pet Insurance Program has been dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage for pets.

Backed by Petline Insurance, a reputable provider with a 28-year track record of insuring over 1.2 million pets, Desjardins Pet Insurance offers reliable protection.

Desjardins Insurance offers three distinct plans: Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw. Notably, the Silver Paw and Gold Paw plans offer exceptional coverage for dental care and cleanings, promoting the overall health and well-being of your beloved pets.

The Desjardins Pet Insurance plans are designed to be affordable, with average monthly prices ranging from $37 for dogs and $26 for cats under the policy, to $136 for dogs and $87 for cats, depending on the chosen coverage.

Under the Bronze Paw plan, you can add an additional $500 coverage specifically for dental care. While the maximum coverage for the Bronze Paw and Silver Paw plans may be slightly lower at $2,000 and $4,000 respectively (excluding the Gold Paw unlimited plan), they still provide substantial protection.

Policyholders with three or more pets can enjoy a valuable 10% discount on their monthly premiums, making it more cost-effective to insure multiple furry friends under the Desjardins Pet Insurance Program.

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

What does Desjardins Pet insurance cover? Here's an overview of 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)

Now that you know what Desjardins Pet Insurance covers, let's see what it doesn't cover.

PetsPlusUs Pet Insurance: Multiple plans and affiliate discounts

PetsPlusUs pet insurance is a reputable company that has reached a significant milestone as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2023. Over the past decade, they have positively impacted the lives of 100,000 beloved pets.

In addition to prioritising individual cases, PetsPlusUs goes above and beyond by donating over $250,000 to support animal welfare organisations. With over $21 million reimbursed in claims, PetsPlusUs has a solid reputation.

What sets PetsPlusUs Pet Insurance apart is their unique member discounts offered through affiliations with Costco and CAA. For example, Executive Members of Costco Pet Insurance enjoy a generous 15% discount, while Gold Star and Business Members receive a valuable 10% discount.

PetsPlusUs offers three comprehensive plans, along with the flexibility of wellness benefits through the optional Flex Care policy add-on. This allows pet owners to choose a plan that suits their specific needs and preferences.

Additionally, PetsPlusUs ensures a seamless claims process by offering the convenience of direct payment to the veterinarian for costly cases. PetsPlusUs policies also do not have special waiting periods.

To cater to a wide range of pet owners, PetsPlusUs offers customisable monthly premiums. Pet owners have the flexibility to tailor their coverage by selecting deductible and reimbursement rate options that align with their individual circumstances.

The accident and illness plan provides coverage options of $7,500 or $15,000, while the accident insurance plan offers coverage of $5,000, providing enhanced value compared to similar plans available in the market.

For the accident and illness plan, pet owners can choose reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90% of the veterinary bill, including taxes. For the accident insurance plan, the reimbursement rate is set at a competitive 80%.

PetsPlusUs takes pride in their 4Life Guarantee, which ensures continuous benefit renewal throughout a pet's lifetime. They cover all breeds and breed-associated health conditions, with the exception of pre-existing conditions.

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

What does PetsPlusUs cover? Well, here's an overview of what's covered under this policy.

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

Furkin Pet Insurance: Uninterrupted coverage

Furkin Pet Insurance is a highly regarded option for Canadian pet owners in search of comprehensive coverage. With a team of seasoned experts in the fields of pet health and insurance, Furkin is fully dedicated to supporting the special bond between pets and their families.

When it comes to coverage, Furkin stands out by offering unlimited 'per condition' benefits. This means that you can utilise your annual coverage for multiple illnesses or accidents throughout the year.

Furkin offers flexibility in choosing the deductible that best suits your needs. This allows you to have control over your monthly premium, ensuring that it aligns with your budgetary requirements.

With Furkin's Lifetime Coverage, you can enjoy the assurance of continuous coverage year after year. There are no caps on eligible conditions, ensuring that your pet receives the necessary care without limitations.

The policy provides a generous $20,000 annual maximum benefit, and there are no per incident or per illness limits.

Furkin goes above and beyond to provide exceptional support for pet owners. They offer 24/7 access to a Telehealth hotline staffed by veterinary nurses, enabling you to receive expert guidance and advice whenever you need it.

Additionally, Furkin provides a complimentary subscription to Petriage, an invaluable online pet triaging software that can assist in assessing your pet's health needs.

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

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

• Alternative Therapies
• Anaesthesia and Surgery
• Dental Injuries
• Diagnostics
• Emergency Care
• Exam Fees
• Prescription Medications
• Referral and Specialist Fees
• Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
• Hospitalisation
• Imaging - CT scans, MRI and X-Rays
• Medical Procedures
• Applicable Taxes
• Lost Pet Advertising and Reward
• Coverage While Travelling
• 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.

PHI Direct Pet Insurance: New-condition coverage

PHI Direct, an esteemed insurance brand, has carved its niche in the pet insurance market by providing affordable coverage without compromising on quality.

With a highly skilled team of professionals specialising in veterinary care, actuarial science, brand management, and insurance marketing, PHI Direct boasts over two decades of expertise in pet health and insurance.

When it comes to coverage, PHI Direct Pet Insurance offers a comprehensive range of services with generous coverage of up to 80%. Their annual policy limits of either $5,000 or $10,000 ensure that pet owners have robust financial protection.

The coverage provided by PHI Direct encompasses various essential services, including taxes, examination fees, prescription medications, breed-specific conditions, alternative therapies, dental treatments for tooth fractures, parasite treatments, and more.

PHI Direct understands the financial considerations of pet owners and offers attractive features to make their policies more accessible. With a low deductible of just $200 and a 5% multi-pet discount, PHI Direct supports pet owners with multiple pets.

A standout feature of PHI Direct is their innovative 'New-Condition' Coverage, which specifically addresses the first 12 months of a new illness or injury. This coverage period is invaluable as it tackles the initial high costs associated with diagnosing and treating a new condition.

By offering this coverage, PHI Direct enables pet owners to better manage their budgets for ongoing care of chronic conditions or future treatments in subsequent policy years.

Notably, PHI Direct's premiums are significantly lower compared to industry averages. As pet the 2021 North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) Industry Report, PHI Direct's average premiums are approximately 45.8% less for dogs and 37.7% less for cats.

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

What does PHI Direct cover? Here's an overview of what's covered under this policy.

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

PHI Direct does not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions. It's important to note that if a condition arises during a policy year, it will be considered a pre-existing condition in subsequent policy years. This includes any related or bilateral conditions under the "New-Condition Coverage" clause.

What are the pet insurance prices in Nova Scotia?

Pet insurance in Nova Scotia comes at a variety of prices. The cost of pet insurance depends on factors such as your animal, their age, what is covered, your reimbursement rate, the deductible you desire (which can be per year or per condition), and the payout limit.

The average monthly insurance premium in Nova Scotia is $46 for dog insurance and $24 for cat insurance. Many insurers offer multi-pet discounts, so it might be worth looking into that if you have several pets.

Below you can see how much pet insurance costs in Nova Scotia for a Labrador Retriever, Bluenoser’s most common breed, using Desjardins pet insurance for a puppy as an example.

If it’s a cat you want to insure, here is an example of pet insurance for a cat in Nova Scotia, using Trupanion pet insurance and the Nova Scotian’s most common feline breed, the Domestic Shorthair, as an example:

Age	Deductible per condition	Reimbursement rate	Monthly premium
<12 months	$500	90%	$13.86
<12 months	$0	90%	$25.01
5 years	$500	90%	$21.79
5 years	$0	90%	$45.79

Most insurers provide coverage nationally, so the pet insurance prices in Nova Scotia should be similar to the cost of pet insurance in Ontario, for example. Sometimes, there are differences between urban, suburban and rural areas because pet ownership comes with different risks in each of these areas.

What is SPCA Nova Scotia Pet Health Insurance?

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) in Nova Scotia is particularly active in the province and even provides pet insurance for cats and dogs.

Although it focuses on Nova Scotia and therefore caters to the specific needs of Nova Scotians, all Canadians can purchase Nova Scotia SPCA pet insurance wherever they live.

How does pet insurance work in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotia pet insurance works just like pet insurance in the rest of the country. It exists to relieve pet owners when they get unexpected veterinary costs related to their animals’ health. The comparison tool above can help you choose the best pet insurance in Nova Scotia for you and your companion. Once you’ve chosen the pet health insurance coverage that fits your pet’s (and your wallet’s) needs, the insurance provider will calculate a premium (using several factors such as the type of animal, age and breed) that you will have to pay each month.

In most cases, you will have to pay for any veterinary expenses first before the insurance reimburses you according to the rate covered under the policy. Rates of reimbursement are commonly somewhere between 80 and 100%.

Some pet insurers allow you to choose whether you get reimbursed or if they pay the vet directly. Note that if they pay the vet directly, you will be limited to vet clinics and animal hospitals in their network, which may quickly become impractical in the case of an emergency. But if your preferred vet clinic or animal hospital is already a part of their network, then it might be worth considering this option for your policy.

Providers also occasionally offer a 24-hour helpline that you can call for advice or help to find a vet.

What does pet insurance cover in Nova Scotia?

Typically, pet health insurance in Nova Scotia covers any medical emergency your pet may suffer from. That could mean an accident, getting sick or a longer-term condition that needs continued therapy. What treatments are available to you, the amount reimbursed and how much you’ll have to pay yourself will depend on your policy’s details.

Accident and illness coverage

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

• X-rays
• Short stays for monitoring
• Emergency diagnosis
• Prescriptions
• Any needed surgery
• MRIs and other scans
• Chemotherapy

Preventative care coverage

Being preventive is always better than reacting when it comes to your pet’s health (and your wallet’s too). However, only the best pet insurance in Nova Scotia will cover preventive treatments, including:

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

Pet insurance does not typically cover routine trips to the vet, but some insurers offer wellness programs or separate well-being pet insurance policies that cover common, recurring tests and procedures.

Is pet insurance worth it in Nova Scotia?

The simple answer is yes, insurance for your pet is almost always a good idea. If you have a young, healthy animal who will only need routine visits to the vet, then you might be well able to pay for that by putting a little money aside from your paycheck.

However, many animals run into health problems at least once in their lifetime, and the vet bills in these cases can quickly pile up.

Pet insurance becomes even more worthwhile if you have an older animal or one that is prone to health problems. In that case, you are unlikely to be able to save enough to pay for long-term care without suffering financial stress yourself.

Not having adequate protection can mean having to pay surprisingly painful fees (that are difficult for any budget) or, in a worst-case scenario, not being able to pay for treatment for your pet at all.

Although the cost of treatments differs slightly from animal to animal, let’s have a look at some typical costs associated with healthcare for dogs, as an example:

Veterinary services for an adult dog	Cost
Routine visit	$120
Vaccines	$150
Parasite prevention	$200
Dental x-rays	$245
Teeth cleaning	$531
Tests and screening	$250

As you can see, the cost of routine visits and normal, preventative care is not negligible. If you visualise a scenario, maybe with an older pet, where standard care needs to happen more frequently and health can suddenly deteriorate, causing additional problems, you can see the need for more comprehensive insurance.

Meanwhile, a younger dog, from a relatively healthy breed might only need accident insurance to cover them if they are injured. Naturally, if you have a generous emergency fund in a high-interest savings account and are at ease using some of that on your pet’s health, your insurance needs will also be different than someone living on a paycheck-to-paycheck basis.

Either way, it is better to have insurance you don't use than not to have insurance and need it!

Where to adopt a pet in Nova Scotia?

If you’re thinking of adopting a pet in Nova Scotia, there are plenty of animal shelters to choose from. However, one passionate group stands out in the Bluenose province: Nova Scotia’s SPCA.

There are six SPCA animal shelters spread out around the province, and all of them have a no-kill and open-admission policy, welcoming and giving second chances to thousands of animals each year. Nova Scotians tend to favour cats as companion animals, but there are plenty of other animals to adopt as well.

What should I consider when choosing pet insurance in Nova Scotia?

Nova Scotian pet owners have several options to insure their pets so that their animals' health is protected while preventing a blow to their wallets.

Here are the major factors that will affect the cost of the best pet insurance policy for you:

• Animal: Not all animals carry the same risks, so pet insurers will cover different things for different animals. Larger animals are usually more expensive to insure than smaller animals.
• Age: In general, a younger animal will have a cheaper premium and overall insurance policy that an older animal of the same species. Also, note that an older animal is more likely to develop a health condition, and insurers do not cover pre-existing conditions.
• Breed: Insurance for some breeds is more expensive than others. For example, pet insurance for pure breeds costs significantly more than pet insurance for mixed breeds.
• Gender: Male animals are more expensive to insure than their female counterparts. Also, spayed females have the lowest premiums in cats and dogs.
• Deductible: The higher the deductible, the cheaper the premium. However, remember that your insurance will only reimburse your vet fees after you’ve paid the deductible from your own wallet. The most comprehensive policies sometimes eliminate the deductible.
• Location: Where you live with your pet will influence how much you pay. Certain regions and environments carry more outdoor risks than others.
• Add-ons: You can purchase additional coverage such as wellness plans or preventive medicine, though these will raise the cost of your premium.

Now that you have all the information you need on Nova Scotia pet insurance, you can go ahead and use the tool below to get quick quotes on the best pet insurances in the province.

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