What is the Best Pet Insurance in Ontario for 2024?

As pet owners, we strive to give our furry companions the best care and attention. However, unexpected accidents or illnesses can arise, leading to expensive veterinary bills. That's where pet insurance comes to the rescue.

In this article, we will dive into Ontario's best pet insurances by exploring the top providers in the region, their pros and cons, key features, and how to get insurance quotes in just seconds from our trusted partners.

By the end, you'll be equipped to make an informed decision and safeguard your beloved pet's well-being without breaking the bank. Before we jump into the best pet insurances in Ontario, here's a quick look at the key takeaways from this article.

Our 2024 ranking of Ontario's best pet insurances

Whether you're new or old to the world of insurance, finding the best pet insurance in Ontario that fits your budget and meets your pet's needs can be overwhelming. With countless options and an abundance of information, it's hard to know where to start.

But don't worry – we've got you covered. HelloSafe has done the research for you. In this article, we'll explain the top pet insurance providers in Ontario, what they cover, what they don't, pricing, and more.

Additionally, with HelloSafe's trusted partners, you can get quotes from Ontario's best pet insurances in seconds. Stay tuned to find the perfect pet insurance option for you and your furry friend.

Trupanion Pet Insurance: Policy with generous reimbursement

Trupanion Pet insurance, a prominent player in the pet insurance industry since 1998, stands out with its unique Lifetime Policy.

Having paid out nearly $2 billion in claims, Trupanion offers unlimited coverage with a generous reimbursement rate of 90%, all without per incident, annual, or lifetime payout limits.

The company allows you to customise your deductible, ranging from $0 to $1,000, ensuring a monthly cost that aligns with your budget. Trupanion's standout feature is its lifetime per condition deductible, meaning you only pay when your pet develops a new condition.

While they don't cover routine wellness care, Trupanion prioritises fast service and can even pay your veterinarian directly before you leave.

They also provide comprehensive coverage for alternative medicine and therapies, such as bone marrow transplants, herbal therapy, and stem cell therapy.

However, it's important to note that Trupanion pet insurance does not include wellness coverage in their plans, focusing on essential medical expenses to provide greater value. Exam fees are considered part of standard administrative expenses and are thus excluded.

Overall, Trupanion's Lifetime Policy offers substantial benefits while emphasising efficient and comprehensive medical coverage for your furry companion.

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: Policy with flexible customisations

Fetch by The Dodo, formerly known as Petplan, is an esteemed pet insurance company founded in 2007. Recognised for its holistic coverage approach and comprehensive therapy coverage, Fetch offers reliable protection for your beloved pet.

With a focus on affordability, Fetch Pet Insurance provides various discount options to ensure manageable monthly premiums. Their coverage is designed for pets of all ages, prioritising unforeseen accidents and illnesses.

One of Fetch's standout features is its customisation option, giving policyholders the ability to tailor their coverage based on individual needs. This includes selecting options for annual coverage, deductible, and reimbursement rate, allowing for a personalised monthly premium.

While unlimited coverage is not available, the substantial $15,000 annual maximum offers protection for most pet-related issues.

When it comes to customisation, Fetch provides flexibility with 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%.

Noteworthy features of Fetch include extensive dental coverage, pet owner assistance, and valuable inclusions like lost pet advertising and boarding during medical emergencies.

Fetch also offers discounts, such as a 10% off for shelter rescues or adopted pets, as well as a 10% discount for active or retired service members.

With Fetch by The Dodo, you can expect comprehensive and customisable coverage, backed by valuable features and attractive discounts, ensuring the well-being of your cherished pet.

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:

Desjardins Pet Insurance: Affordable policy with good coverage

Since its launch in January 2013, the Desjardins Pet Insurance Program has been offering comprehensive coverage for their pets.

Underwritten by Petline Insurance, a reputable provider with a 28-year history of insuring over 1.2 million pets, Desjardins Pet Insurance ensures reliable protection.

Desjardins Insurance offers three distinct plans: Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw. The Silver Paw and Gold Paw plans stand out by providing extensive coverage for dental care and cleanings, promoting the overall health of your pets.

Average monthly price for the Desjardins pet insurance ranges from $37 for a dog and $26 for a cat to $136 for a dog and $87 for a cat based on the policy.

For those choosing the Bronze Paw plan, there is the option to add $500 coverage specifically for dental care. The maximum coverage amounts may be slightly lower $2,000 (Bronze Paw) and $4,000 (Silver Paw) compared to other plans (excluding the Gold Paw unlimited plan).

Policyholders with three or more pets can take advantage of a 10% discount on their monthly premiums, making it more cost-effective to insure multiple furry friends.

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 options

PetsPlusUs pet insurance is a well-established company celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2023. Over the past decade, they have had a positive impact on the lives of 100,000 beloved pets.

Not only do they prioritize individual cases, but they also donate over $250,000 to support animal welfare organisations. Moreover, PetsPlusUs has reimbursed over $21 million in claims, further solidifying their reputation for reliable coverage.

PetsPlusUs stands out from the competition by offering member discounts through affiliations with reputable organisations like Costco and CAA.

As part of the Costco Pet Insurance, Executive Members get a 15% discount, while Gold Star and Business Members receive a 10% discount.

When it comes to coverage options, PetsPlusUs offers three plans, along with the flexibility of wellness benefits through the Flex Care policy add-on. They also provide the convenience of direct payment to the vet for expensive cases, making the claims process smoother and hassle-free.

One notable advantage of their plans is the absence of special waiting periods, ensuring that pets can receive coverage promptly.

PetsPluUs caters to a wide range of pet owners by offering customisable monthly premiums. Pet owners have the flexibility to tailor their coverage based on deductible and reimbursement rate options that suit their specific needs.

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

Reimbursement options with PetsPlusUs are flexible as well. For their 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 80%.

PetsPlusUs prides itself on their 4Life Guarantee, ensuring continuous benefit renewal throughout a pet's lifetime. They cover all breeds and breed-associated health conditions, except for 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: Continuous coverage

Furkin Pet Insurance is a trusted choice for Canadian pet owners seeking comprehensive coverage. With a team of experienced experts in pet health and insurance, Furkin is committed to supporting the special bond between pets and families.

When it comes to coverage, Furkin offers unlimited 'per condition' benefits, allowing you to utilise your annual coverage for multiple illnesses or accidents throughout the year.

You have the flexibility to choose the deductible that best suits your needs, giving you control over your monthly premium.

With Furkin's Lifetime Coverage, there are no caps on eligible conditions. You can enjoy automatic annual renewals, ensuring continuous coverage year after year.

The policy offers a generous $20,000 annual maximum benefit with no per incident or per illness limits, ensuring your pet receives the care they need.

Furkin goes above and beyond by providing 24/7 access to a Telehealth hotline staffed by veterinary nurses. Additionally, you receive a complimentary subscription to Petriage, an invaluable online pet triaging software.

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: Cheapest monthly premium

PHI Direct is an established insurance brand focussing on affordable pet insurance coverage. With a team of experienced professionals in veterinary care, actuarial science, brand management, and insurance marketing, PHI Direct has over 20 years' expertise in pet health and insurance.

PHI Direct Pet Insurance offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of services, with up to 80% coverage. Their annual policy limits of either $5,000 or $10,000 ensure that pet owners have financial protection for their furry companions' healthcare needs.

The coverage includes taxes, examination fees, prescription medications, breed-specific conditions, alternative therapies, dental treatments for tooth fractures, parasite treatments, and other essential services.

Additionally, PHI Direct offers a low deductible of $200 and provides a 5% multi-pet discount, making it more accessible for pet owners with multiple pets.

One of the standout features of PHI Direct is their unique 'New-Condition' Coverage, which covers the first 12 months of a new illness or injury. This coverage period is valuable as it addresses 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.

PHI Direct's premiums are significantly lower. According to the 2021 North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) Industry Data 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.

How much is pet insurance in Ontario?

Average monthly cost of pet insurance in Ontario

The cost of pet insurance in Ontario will vary based on the animal you are insuring, their age and how comprehensive a cover you are interested in.

Basic pet insurance in Ontario generally starts at around $39 per month for a dog and $29 per month for a cat. More comprehensive insurance, that is insurance with higher reimbursement rates and higher coverage levels, may cost as much as $150 per month.

Cost of emergency veterinary bills

Despite the fact that this might seem like a potentially burdensome monthly expense, pet insurance is surprisingly affordable when compared to the steep costs of emergency veterinary bills.

Annual wellness checks and vaccinations typically range from $50 to $200, while emergency visits can burn quite the hole in your pocket, further emphasising the value of having a good pet insurance.

And yet surprisingly, less than 5% Canadians have pet insurance. No wonder why Canadians spend approximately $6.6 billion annually on their beloved pets. So, if you don't have insurance yet, it's about time to consider getting one of Ontario's best pet insurances.

How to get the cheapest pet insurance in Ontario?

When seeking affordable pet insurance in Ontario, start by determining your specific coverage needs. Consider whether you require coverage for accidents only or a comprehensive plan that includes illnesses and routine care.

Assess additional features like pet ownership assistance coverage and other unforeseeable circumstances like euthanasia. Be aware that more comprehensive plans tend to have higher monthly premiums.

Review the policy details, such as waiting periods, exclusions, and age-based deductibles, to understand any limitations. Adjusting your deductible and reimbursement rates can help save on premiums.

Look for potential discounts, such as multi-pet (considering most providers offer a 5% discount), loyalty, bundled, healthy pet, and member discounts, while also inquiring about special discounts for military service or seniors as mentioned before in this article.

What does pet insurance cover in Ontario?

The coverage offered by pet insurances varies based on the policy provider and the premiums involved. It could differ based on whether you go for an accident-only policy or a mix of both accident and illness or just a wellness coverage.

However, there are some conditions that are commonly covered by the best pet insurance policies. Policies offer comprehensive coverage, encompassing emergency and serious illnesses like cancer and accidents.

They go beyond by providing coverage for advanced care such as testing, diagnostics, chemotherapy, endoscopies, and MRIs. Moreover, these policies often include alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care.

Additionally, some plans extend coverage to behavioural therapy, addressing issues such as aggression, destructive chewing, and excessive barking.

It's important to review the policy carefully to understand the specific exclusions before enrolling in a pet insurance plan.

Is pet insurance worth it in Ontario?

You may have read that rather than buying pet insurance it is a better idea to put money aside and save. It is true that 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.

However, if you have an older animal or one that has health problems then you are unlikely to be able to save the amount needed to pay for long-term care. Let's take some examples:

• Chris, 27, from Toronto, has an Australian Shepherd puppy called Buttons. Chris is currently making good money in his job as a graphic designer. Buttons is from a healthy breed, young, and unlikely to have any problems. If Chris can put aside $50 a month he will probably be able to cover the routine costs like:

• Let's take another example for contrast. Marjory, 45, lives in Durham. She has a pug, Blueberry, whom she loves very much but is getting on a bit at 12. Let's look at some of the costs that Marjory might have to pay as she looks after Blueberry.

Is pet insurance more expensive in Ontario?

No, pet insurance is not more expensive in Ontario.

Pet insurance is always private and therefore does not change from province to province. All pet insurance companies offer coverage to anyone living anywhere in Canada.

The best way for you to save money on your pet insurance coverage, while still providing your pet an efficient protection, is to compare the market's offers. You can do so using our free online comparison tool:

Where to adopt a pet in Ontario?

Several institutions in Ontario have shelters where you can easily adopt an animal. These adoption centres do not impose a time limit for adoption on their residents and offer sterilisation, and often even vaccination, as a part of their adoption process.

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