Get the Best Pet Insurance in Quebec for 2024

Almost 20 million pets call Canada their home, and Québécois count almost 4 million cats and dogs among their family members. While most Canadian provinces tend to favour Labrador Retrievers, the most popular dog breed in Quebec is the German Shepherd. As for cats, Quebec is home to its very own breed, the Foldex.

As a pet owner, you are responsible for your pet’s care and well-being, but if your pet got injured or sick, would you be able to pay the thousands of dollars it may cost to treat them without burning a hole in your pocket? Is your pet protected?

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

Our 2024 ranking of the best Quebec pet insurances

New or experienced, searching for the best pet insurance in Quebec that fits your budget and meets your pet's needs can be overwhelming. There are many options available, and the abundance of information can make it difficult to know where to begin.

Fortunately, HelloSafe has taken the time to conduct thorough research for you. In this article, we will provide insights into the best pet insurances in Quebec, what they cover, what they exclude, pricing information, and more.

What's more, with HelloSafe's reliable partners, you can compare and obtain quotes from Quebec's best pet insurance companies within seconds. Stay tuned to discover the ideal pet insurance option for you and your beloved furry companion.

Trupanion Pet Insurance: Policy with 90% reimbursement

Trupanion Pet Insurance has established itself as a prominent player in the pet insurance industry since its inception in 1998. One of its key differentiators is its unique Lifetime Policy.

With a track record of having paid out nearly $2 billion in claims, Trupanion offers pet owners unlimited coverage, ensuring that their furry friends receive the necessary medical care without financial constraints.

Notably, Trupanion boasts a generous reimbursement rate of 90%, providing substantial financial support. Moreover, there are no per incident, annual, or lifetime payout limits imposed by Trupanion.

A notable advantage of Trupanion pet insurance is the flexibility it offers in deductible customisation. Pet owners can tailor their deductibles according to their preferences, ranging from $0 to $1,000.

Additionally, Trupanion's lifetime per condition deductible stands out as a beneficial feature, as policyholders only have to pay the deductible when their pet develops a new condition.

It is essential to note that routine wellness care is not included in their plans. Trupanion's focus is primarily on essential medical expenses, aiming to deliver greater value for pet owners.

It is worth mentioning that exam fees, considered part of standard administrative expenses, are not covered by Trupanion.

The company offers the convenience of direct payment to veterinarians, allowing policyholders to settle bills effortlessly. Furthermore, Trupanion's coverage extends beyond conventional medical treatments, encompassing alternative medicine and therapies.

This inclusive approach ensures that treatments such as bone marrow transplants, herbal therapy, and stem cell therapy are covered, providing comprehensive options for pet care.

Now, 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 know what is covered, it's important to understand what Trupanion pet insurance doesn't cover.

You can now get a pet insurance quote for your furry companion from our partner Trupanion in just a few seconds:

Desjardins Pet Insurance: Affordable with good coverage

Desjardins Pet Insurance has provided comprehensive coverage for pets since its launch in January 2013.

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

With three plans - Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw - the Silver Paw and Gold Paw plans offer extensive dental coverage, promoting overall pet health.

Average monthly price for the Desjardins pet insurance falls between $37 for a dog, $26 for a cat and $136 for a dog, $87 for a cat, which may vary based on the policy and its respective coverage.

Desjardins pet insurance Bronze Paw plan allows adding $500 dental coverage, with slightly lower maximum coverage amounts of $2,000 (Bronze Paw) and $4,000 (Silver Paw).

Policyholders with three or more pets enjoy a 10% discount on monthly premiums, making it cost-effective for 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.

If you'd like to compare the best pet insurance options, you could use our comparator below and also get quick quotes from our partners:

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PetsPlusUs Pet Insurance: Plans with Costco affiliate discounts

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, PetsPlusUs pet insurance has positively impacted 100,000 pets and donated $250,000 to support animal welfare. With over $21 million reimbursed in claims, they offer reliable coverage.

Their standout features include member discounts through partnerships with 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.

PetsPlusUs caters to diverse pet owners with customisable monthly premiums based on deductible and reimbursement rates. Their accident and illness plan covers $7,500 or $15,000, while the accident insurance plan offers $5,000 coverage.

Flexible reimbursement options of 70%, 80%, or 90% (including taxes) are available for the accident and illness plan, and 80% for the accident insurance plan.

PetsPlusUs provides the 4Life Guarantee, covering all breeds and breed-associated health conditions, except for pre-existing conditions.

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

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.

How does pet insurance work in Quebec?

Like in the rest of Canada, Quebec pet insurance helps pet owners by paying for a significant portion of unexpected veterinary costs for their animals. The comparison tool above can help you choose the best pet insurance in Quebec for you and your companion, so you can rest assured knowing that you are empowered to act on your pet’s needs when the time comes.

Once you’ve chosen the best health insurance that suits your pet, the insurance provider will calculate a premium (based on several factors such as the type of animal, age and breed) that you will pay each month.

Normally, you will have to pay for any veterinary expenses yourself and then the insurance kicks in with a reimbursement. Rates of reimbursement are typically between 80% and 100%. For example, Desjardins pet insurance offers 80% of expenses covered and a 10% discount if you insure 3 or more pets with them.

Some insurers do offer to pay the vet directly but keep in mind that in these cases, you will have to look for a vet that partners with your insurance provider. If your preferred vet clinic or animal hospital is a part of their network, then it might be worth considering for your policy.

Occasionally, providers also offer a 24-hour helpline that you can call for advice or help to find a vet.

How much does pet insurance cost in Quebec?

The average premium for pet insurance in Canada is reportedly somewhere around $29 a month for a cat and $39 a month for a dog.

Quebec pet insurance varies based on multiple factors. These include the type of your animal, their age, the extent of coverage provided, your chosen reimbursement rate, the deductible amount, and the annual payout limit.

Each of these elements contributes to determining the monthly premium you will pay for your pet insurance policy. By considering these factors carefully, you can customise your coverage to suit your pet's needs and your budget. Whether you're looking for pet insurance in Montreal or Gatineau or Quebec city, the pet insurance prices are roughly the same.

Dog pet Insurance cost in Quebec

Below, you can see how much pet insurance for a dog costs for Quebec’s most beloved breed, the German Shepherd. It is important to note that the cost and expenses mentioned here are an average and may differ from one provider to another.

Age	Max annual payout	Max annual deductible	Reimbursement rate	Monthly premium
<11 months	$5,000	$700	70%	$58.12
<11 months	$15,000	$300	90%	$130.40
5 years	$5,000	$700	70%	$92.42
5 years	$15,000	$300	90%	$211.80

Cat pet Insurance cost in Quebec

If it’s a cat you’re looking to insure, here is an example of pet insurance for a cat in Quebec, using Trupanion pet insurance and the most common breed in La Belle Province, the Domestic Shorthair, as an example.

Age	Deductible per condition	Reimbursement rate	Monthly premium
<11 months	$700	90%	$16.46
<11 months	$0	90%	$38.21
5 years	$700	90%	$27.38
5 years	$300	90%	$74.17

Is pet insurance more expensive in Quebec?

No. Pet insurance is private, which means it doesn’t change from province to province. Most pet insurance companies offer coverage to anyone living anywhere in Canada, and often even include the U.S.

Therefore, pet insurance in Montreal, for example, will be no more expensive than Pet Insurance Toronto or BC pet insurance or Nova Scotia pet insurance — though the pets and their conditions themselves may differ significantly.

For example, basic pet insurance in Toronto generally starts at around $39 per month for a dog and $29 per month for a cat. But it might change based on the age, lifestyle of the pet, and other factors.

Sometimes, there are differences between rural, suburban and rural areas because pet ownership in different places comes with different risks. Cat insurance is, however, typically less expensive than insurance for dogs.

What does pet insurance cover in Quebec?

Pet insurance in Quebec covers a variety of accidents, sickness and longer-term conditions for your pet, whether it’s a cat, dog, bird, reptile or other. The availability of the treatments and the amount reimbursed will depend on your policy’s coverage.

Accident and illness coverage

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

• X-rays
• Short stays for monitoring
• Emergency diagnosis
• Prescriptions
• Any surgery they may need
• MRI and other scans
• Chemotherapy

Preventative care coverage

Preventative medicine is always more effective (and cheaper in most pets’ lifetimes) than reactive medicine. However, only the best pet insurance in Quebec will cover these kinds of 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 add-ons or separate policies that cover common, recurring tests and procedures.

Is pet insurance worth it in Quebec?

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

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

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 hefty, unexpected 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 imagine a situation, perhaps with an older pet, where routine care needs to be more frequent and health can suddenly deteriorate and cause other 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. Either way, it is better to have insurance you don't use than not to have insurance and need it!

Is there CAA Pet Insurance in Quebec?

If you are a member of CAA-Quebec then you might be eligible for the CAA pet insurance discount in Quebec. It may seem odd, but Quebec’s affiliate of the Canadian Automobile Association also offers pet insurance, though they focus primarily on car insurance and assistance.

If you’re already a CAA-Quebec member, it may be worth having a look. Keep in mind that it is always useful to compare policies to choose the best pet health insurance in Quebec for your four-legged family member.

Where to adopt a pet in Quebec?

Several institutions in Quebec have shelters where you can easily adopt an animal. The Companion Animal Adoption Centres of Quebec (caacQ) groups adoption centres under one cruelty-free banner.

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.

As a dog or cat owner, most cities in Quebec have certain rules you must abide by. These usually include:

• Having a valid pet license that can be renewed annually
• Ensuring your dogs or cats wear their tags
• Making sure your pets are neutered/spayed and microchipped
• Maintaining them on a leash in public spaces (except dog parks)
• Picking up your pet’s droppings and dispose of them appropriately
• When using dog parks, make sure your pet’s vaccines are up to date

The rules for other pets, such as birds, rodents, rabbits or reptiles, are largely unregulated, but the owner or caretaker is always responsible for their animal’s actions.

What should I consider when choosing pet insurance in Quebec?

Pet owners in Quebec have many options when it comes to pet insurance to protect their animal family members and prevent an unpleasant financial shock.

Here are the main factors to consider when choosing the best pet insurance for you:

• Animal: Not all animals carry the same risks, so pet insurance differs from animal to animal. Larger animals tend to be more expensive to insure than smaller animals.
• Age: Generally, the younger the animal, the cheaper the premium and overall insurance will be. Also, an older animal is more likely to develop a health condition, and insurers do not cover pre-existing conditions.
• Breed: Some breeds are more expensive to insure than others. For example, dog insurance for Great Danes costs significantly more than cat insurance for an American Shorthair.
• Gender: Male animals are more expensive to insure than female animals. Also, spayed females have the lowest premiums in cats and dogs.
• Deductible: The higher the deductible, the cheaper the premium. However, keep in mind that your insurance will only reimburse your vet expenses after you’ve paid the deductible from your own pocket.
• 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 increase the cost of your policy.

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