Pet shield Pet Insurance Canada 2025: Full Review, Pros & Cons

Our expert's opinion on Pet shield

Last update: August 27, 2025

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3.3

Score

3.3

Score

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Pet Shield offers a Pet Health Insurance product underwritten by Petline Insurance Company, with four tiered plans named Secure 1 through Secure 4 and coverage focused on accident and illness (Secure 4 adds preventive care).

Available plans include Secure 1–4; standard co-insurance is 80% (20% co-pay) but may be reduced to 70%, 60% or 50% based on semi‑annual claims reviews; deductibles are annual and age‑based, increasing as pets age; specific maximum payable limits are referenced in a separate Schedule of Maximum Amounts that was not included in the report, and preventive/wellness budgets are offered only on Secure 4 with unspecified limits.

Compared with many peers, Pet Shield leans toward a mid‑range reimbursement design with adjustable co‑insurance, age‑indexed deductibles and a clear tiered pricing strategy where sample premiums increase substantially with higher coverage and preventive inclusion.

Best suited for owners of young to middle‑aged dogs and cats who want accident and illness cover with an option for preventive care and who accept age‑based deductible increases.

Policies are underwritten by Petline Insurance Company; the provided report contains no public revenue or premium‑volume figures and no Trustpilot score; claims can be submitted via an online customer portal, email, fax or by mail, with customer care and sales operating hours listed in the policy materials.

Pros

• ✅Four clear coverage tiers including preventive option
• ✅Standard 80% reimbursement rate at issue
• ✅Dental, alternative and behavioural therapies included
• ✅Medical devices covered with prior approval
• ✅Age‑based deductibles transparent in policy table
• ✅Boarding kennel reimbursement benefit included
• ✅Travel coverage valid in Canada and the United States

Cons

• ❌Reimbursement rate adjustable down based on claims activity
• ❌Maximum payable limits not specified in provided documents
• ❌Preventive care only available on top tier Secure 4
• ❌Deductibles increase automatically as pet ages
• ❌Strict pre‑existing and bilateral condition exclusions

Discover the offer

3.3

Score

3.3

Score

ProsCons

• ✅Four clear coverage tiers including preventive option
• ✅Standard 80% reimbursement rate at issue
• ✅Dental, alternative and behavioural therapies included
• ✅Medical devices covered with prior approval
• ✅Age‑based deductibles transparent in policy table
• ✅Boarding kennel reimbursement benefit included
• ✅Travel coverage valid in Canada and the United States

Our expert's opinion on Pet shield

Last update: August 27, 2025

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Pros

• ✅Four clear coverage tiers including preventive option
• ✅Standard 80% reimbursement rate at issue
• ✅Dental, alternative and behavioural therapies included
• ✅Medical devices covered with prior approval
• ✅Age‑based deductibles transparent in policy table
• ✅Boarding kennel reimbursement benefit included
• ✅Travel coverage valid in Canada and the United States

Cons

• ❌Reimbursement rate adjustable down based on claims activity
• ❌Maximum payable limits not specified in provided documents
• ❌Preventive care only available on top tier Secure 4
• ❌Deductibles increase automatically as pet ages
• ❌Strict pre‑existing and bilateral condition exclusions

Discover the offer

3.3

Score

3.3

Score

ProsCons

• ✅Four clear coverage tiers including preventive option
• ✅Standard 80% reimbursement rate at issue
• ✅Dental, alternative and behavioural therapies included
• ✅Medical devices covered with prior approval
• ✅Age‑based deductibles transparent in policy table
• ✅Boarding kennel reimbursement benefit included
• ✅Travel coverage valid in Canada and the United States

Pet Shield offers a Pet Health Insurance product underwritten by Petline Insurance Company, with four tiered plans named Secure 1 through Secure 4 and coverage focused on accident and illness (Secure 4 adds preventive care). Available plans include Secure 1–4; standard co-insurance is 80% (20% co-pay) but may be reduced to 70%, 60% or 50% based on semi‑annual claims reviews; deductibles are annual and age‑based, increasing as pets age; specific maximum payable limits are referenced in a separate Schedule of Maximum Amounts that was not included in the report, and preventive/wellness budgets are offered only on Secure 4 with unspecified limits. Compared with many peers, Pet Shield leans toward a mid‑range reimbursement design with adjustable co‑insurance, age‑indexed deductibles and a clear tiered pricing strategy where sample premiums increase substantially with higher coverage and preventive inclusion. Best suited for owners of young to middle‑aged dogs and cats who want accident and illness cover with an option for preventive care and who accept age‑based deductible increases. Policies are underwritten by Petline Insurance Company; the provided report contains no public revenue or premium‑volume figures and no Trustpilot score; claims can be submitted via an online customer portal, email, fax or by mail, with customer care and sales operating hours listed in the policy materials.

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Pet shield Guarantees

Pet shield offers four commercial plans (Secure 1, Secure 2, Secure 3, Secure 4) positioned from entry-level to premium, all underwritten by Petline Insurance Company. Each plan provides accident and illness coverage as its core proposition; Secure 4 adds preventive care benefits. Coverage features explicitly include veterinary services for illness and injury (consultations, diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery, and prescription medications), alternative and behavioural therapies, medical devices (subject to prior approval), and a set of customer benefits (boarding, holiday cancellation, lost pet advertising, cremation/burial). Annual and per-incident maximums are referenced in a separate Schedule of Maximum Amounts that was not included in the provided documents.

Reimbursement logic is uniform across plans: a standard 80% reimbursement (20% co-insurance) applies to eligible veterinary costs, but this rate can be adjusted down based on semi-annual claims reviews (possible adjustments to 70%, 60% or a minimum of 50%). Deductibles are annual and age-based and increase as the pet ages; Secure 4 uses higher deductible levels at younger ages compared with Secure 1–3. Waiting periods are consistent across plans for accidents and illnesses, with longer delays for dental/cruciate/IVDD conditions; Secure 4’s preventive care element has no waiting period for those preventive benefits.

Key strengths are comprehensive accident & illness coverage across multiple plan tiers, inclusion of alternative and behavioural therapies, and a set of additional benefits that are not subject to deductible or co-insurance (boarding, trip cancellation, lost pet advertising, cremation/burial). Main weaknesses or limitations in the available documentation are the absence of publicly listed Maximum Payable amounts in the provided policy excerpt, the potential for reduced reimbursement rates based on claims history, and automatic age-related increases to annual deductibles. The plans are linked to a regulated underwriter (Petline Insurance Company), and travel-related coverage (valid in Canada and while travelling in the United States) and trip-cancellation benefits are explicitly mentioned.

Age-based annual deductible (Option A - standard example from policy):

• Secure 1, 2 & 3 (Dog / Cat): Up to 5 yrs: $100 / $100; 5–10 yrs: $300 / $200; 10+ yrs: $500 / $300.
• Secure 4 (Dog / Cat): Up to 5 yrs: $250 / $200; 5–10 yrs: $400 / $250; 10+ yrs: $500 / $300.

(These figures are taken from the policy’s deductible table and represent the age-based annual deductibles shown in the provided documents.)

Pet shield’s policy documents list a set of standard exclusions and policy-specific limitations. Pre-existing conditions (any condition that showed signs, was diagnosed, or was treated before the policy start date or during a waiting period) are permanently excluded, though some exclusions may be reviewed for removal after a period of being symptom- and treatment-free (typically 6–12 months, subject to veterinarian confirmation). Bilateral conditions are treated as excluded on the opposite side if one side was pre-existing. Routine preventive treatments, elective procedures, and certain dental treatments (e.g., routine dental prophylaxis, orthodontics) are excluded unless preventive care is explicitly included (Secure 4).

Key limitations to note from the provided materials include the absence of publicly listed Maximum Payable amounts within the policy excerpt (policy refers to a separate Schedule of Maximum Amounts for dollar limits), the possibility of the insurer adjusting the standard reimbursement rate downward based on claims history, and automatic increases in annual deductibles as the pet ages. Other limitations include restrictions on coverage for certain congenital conditions evident before policy start, requirements for medications to have appropriate regulatory identification (e.g., DIN or NHP), and exclusions for conditions resulting from intentional harm, neglect, or participation in commercial/risky activities.

Pet shield Exclusions

Pet shield's policies exclude standard items such as pre-existing and foreseeable conditions, conditions evident before the policy start or during the waiting periods, and bilateral conditions where a problem on one side renders the opposite side excluded.

Elective or non‑therapeutic treatments (including non‑anesthetic dental procedures, nail trims and anal gland expression), reproductive procedures and related complications, and injuries resulting from intentional harm, neglect or commercial/competitive use are excluded.

Medications or products without a valid Drug Identification Number (D.I.N.) or Natural Health Product (N.H.P.) number, conditions caused by war, nuclear incidents or natural disasters, and transportation/house‑call fees exceeding the cost of a regular examination are also excluded.

Notable distinctions versus some competitors include the potential adjustment of the reimbursement rate based on claims history and a specific 6‑month waiting period for dental/cruciate/IVDD conditions, while Secure 4 is the only tier that provides preventive benefits (so preventive exclusions do not apply to that plan).

Pet shield prices

Pet shield offers a four‑plan range (Secure 1–4) that spans entry‑level through premium positioning: Secure 1 and Secure 2 sit toward the entry/mid‑range with lower monthly premiums, Secure 3 targets more comprehensive accident and illness cover, and Secure 4 functions as the top‑tier option with preventive care included and materially higher premiums. The standard reimbursement is 80% (20% co‑insurance) across plans but can be adjusted downward based on claims history, while deductibles are age‑based and increase as pets age — these mechanics, together with undisclosed maximum payable amounts (Schedule of Maximum Amounts: N.C.), are central to assessing competitiveness versus other insurers.

Pet shield’s competitiveness is influenced by its multi‑tier pricing ladder, age‑based deductible escalation and the possibility of adjusted co‑insurance (down to 50% in adverse claims situations), which can raise effective out‑of‑pocket costs for frequent claimants; waiting periods are standard (48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, 6 months for dental/cruciate/IVDD), and Secure 4’s preventive coverage is a notable differentiator. Added‑value services (boarding reimbursement during owner hospitalization, holiday cancellation cover, lost pet advertising/reward, cremation/burial), online customer portal functionality and travel validity in the U.S. support the higher tiers; compared with more traditional players, Pet shield mixes familiar age‑based and claims‑sensitive pricing levers with a clear tiered product spread, but the lack of published per‑plan monetary limits reduces direct apples‑to‑apples price/value comparisons.

To help you find the best match between your needs and budget, compare the monthly estimated prices below.

Pet shield Promo Codes

How much will I be reimbursed with Pet shield?

With Pet shield you first meet the age-based annual deductible, then the Secure 4 plan typically reimburses 80% of eligible veterinary costs (subject to plan limits and possible co‑insurance adjustments).

✅ Example 1: Consultation for allergic dermatitis Total vet costs: $250 (consultation + medication) Deductible amount to subtract: $100 (annual deductible, Secure 4, up to 5 yrs) Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Secure 4 plan: $250 – $100 = $150 80% of that amount reimbursed: $150 × 80% = $120 Remaining out-of-pocket cost: $130 ($250 – $120)
 👉 You receive a reimbursement of $120.
 ℹ️ *Deductibles are age-based and apply once per policy year; co‑insurance (80%/20%) may be adjusted based on claims history.*

✅ Example 2: Cruciate ligament repair (TPLO) Total vet costs: $7,500 (surgery, specialist fees, hospitalization, diagnostics, rehab) Deductible: $0 (deductible already met earlier in the policy year) Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Secure 4 plan: $7,500 – $0 = $7,500 80% of that amount reimbursed: $7,500 × 80% = $6,000 Remaining out-of-pocket cost: $1,500 (20% co‑insurance)
 👉 You receive a reimbursement of $6,000.
 ℹ️ *High-cost procedures may be subject to pre-approval and will reduce your remaining annual coverage limit; check your Schedule of Maximum Amounts for exact caps.*

✅ Example 3: Preventive care bundle (annual exam, vaccines, fecal, parasite test) Total vet costs: $220 (exam + vaccines + tests) Deductible: $0 (deductible already met earlier in the policy year) Amount reimbursable after deductible with the Secure 4 plan: $220 – $0 = $220 80% of that amount reimbursed: $220 × 80% = $176 Remaining out-of-pocket cost: $44 (20% co‑insurance)
 👉 You receive a reimbursement of $176.
 ℹ️ *Secure 4 includes preventive care but may have a specific sub-limit or conditions; confirm the preventive maximum and any eligibility rules on your policy.*

Pet shield Assistance

Pet shield provides a practical online customer portal and clear travel coverage to the United States, which help policyholders manage claims and use their cover when away from home.

The absence of any documented 24/7 veterinary hotline, teleconsultation service, or direct advance‑payment program is a notable gap for owners seeking immediate clinical guidance or to avoid upfront clinic costs.

Business hours for customer care are published, which supports planned interactions and pre‑authorizations, but the documentation does not confirm mobile app support or instalment payment options.

For Canadian owners, the portal and US vacation coverage are useful, yet the lack of a partner clinic network and emergency remote advice may require owners to confirm payment arrangements with their veterinarian before high‑cost treatment.

Customer Reviews on Pet Shield

Pet shield’s published documentation describes a comprehensive suite of benefits—accident and illness coverage across four plan tiers, an industry‑standard 80% reimbursement rate, dental and alternative therapy coverage, and a preventive option on its top tier—that customers would likely value for breadth of clinical cover. The insurer also provides practical support features such as an online customer portal, travel reciprocity for claims in the United States, clear waiting‑period rules, and sample premium tables that make initial price comparisons straightforward.

However, independent user feedback is not available in the provided materials, which prevents verification of real‑world claim handling, turnaround times, or customer service responsiveness; this lack of peer review is a material information gap for prospective policyholders. Policy documents also flag potential downsides that commonly concern owners: age‑scaled deductibles that rise as pets age, the possibility of co‑insurance reductions based on claims activity, explicit pre‑existing condition exclusions, and the absence of a publicly provided Schedule of Maximum Amounts that would clarify annual and per‑condition caps.

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FAQ

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and an experienced entrepreneur in the insurance and personal finance sector, Antoine uses his experience and in-depth knowledge of the market to help Internet users make the right choices. With an MBA in economics, he is a committed expert whose mission is to make personal finance and insurance issues simple and understandable. With a rich career marked by the creation of innovative companies, Antoine's ambition has always been to bring transparency to complex issues and to give power back to consumers. With HelloSafe, he continues to translate this vision by providing accurate advice, impartial comparisons and detailed explanations of travel insurance. He has analysed hundreds of contracts to reveal the best options available on the market.