Our honest review of Petplan pet insurance
Petplan Canada is underwritten by Allianz Global Assistance Canada and distributed by Fetch Inc. The line-up runs from Bronze (CAD 2,500 annual cap) to Gold (CAD 20,000 cap), with adjustable reimbursement at 70%, 80% or 90% and deductibles between CAD 200 and CAD 1,000. Hereditary and congenital conditions are included, plus alternative therapies and behavioral consultations. The 12-month waiting period on hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions for dogs enrolled past 6 months is the main friction point: a Labrador or German Shepherd diagnosed during the first year of the policy is not covered for that specific condition. Customer feedback on Canadian forums points to slow claim processing during peak periods (3 to 4 weeks instead of the announced 10 days).
Our take: compare before signing up. With Trupanion, the orthopedic waiting period is 5 days, vs 12 months at Petplan.
Strengths
- Adjustable reimbursement (70%, 80% or 90%)
- Adjustable annual cap (CAD 2,500 to CAD 20,000)
- Hereditary and congenital conditions included on all plans
- Alternative therapies covered (acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic)
- Behavioral consultations included
- Underwritten by Allianz Global Assistance Canada
Weaknesses
- 12-month waiting period on hip dysplasia and orthopedic conditions for dogs enrolled past 6 months
- Top annual cap CAD 20,000, below the unlimited tier offered by some Canadian competitors
- Deductibles up to CAD 1,000 on the Gold plan
- Claim processing reported at 3 to 4 weeks during peak periods (Canadian forums)
- No direct vet payment guaranteed
- Dental coverage limited to accident-related fractures
What does Petplan cover for pet insurance?
Three plans with the same adjustable structure. Bronze, Silver and Gold differ on the annual cap and the deductible options. Reimbursement is selected at 70%, 80% or 90% on every plan.
| Coverage | Bronze | Silver | Gold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cap (CAD) | 2,500 | 10,000 | 20,000 |
| Reimbursement choices | 70/80/90% | 70/80/90% | 70/80/90% |
| Deductible options (CAD) | 200, 400, 700 | 200, 400, 700, 1,000 | 200, 400, 700, 1,000 |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary conditions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Congenital conditions | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative therapies | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral consultations | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dental disease | Accident only | Accident only | Accident only |
| Wellness add-on | Not offered | Not offered | Not offered |
HelloSafe comparison
Annual cap vs monthly price
Each provider's position on the two metrics that drive value.
Indicative monthly prices for a mixed-breed adult dog, mid-tier plan.
Waiting periods
| Condition type | Waiting period |
|---|---|
| Accidents | 5 days |
| Illnesses | 30 days |
| Hip dysplasia and orthopedic (dogs enrolled past 6 months) | 12 months |
| Cooling-off period (cancel for full refund) | 14 days |
The 12-month waiting period on hip dysplasia is the longest in the Canadian market for an adjustable-reimbursement plan. For a Labrador, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd, that means the entire first year of the policy passes without orthopedic coverage. By comparison, Sonnet applies a 14-day waiting period on orthopedic conditions across its single plan, though with a lower CAD 7,500 cap.
What does Petplan exclude?
The policy lists the usual core exclusions plus a few category-specific ones (pregnancy, cosmetic surgery, professional use). The 12-month orthopedic clause sits in the waiting periods section rather than the exclusions, but its practical effect is identical for the first year.
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions | Excluded by default. Curable conditions may be reinstated after 24 symptom-free months. |
| Pregnancy and breeding | Excluded |
| Cosmetic surgery | Excluded |
| Elective procedures (spay/neuter) | Excluded unless medically necessary |
| Dental disease | Excluded except accident-related fractures |
| Hip dysplasia (first 12 months for dogs enrolled past 6 months) | Excluded during waiting period |
| Professional use (racing, working dogs) | Excluded |
| Behavioral training (without medical diagnosis) | Excluded |
| Experimental procedures | Excluded |
| Boarding fees | Not covered (some competitors include up to CAD 500/incident) |
Petplan pricing and reimbursement in 2026
Petplan does not publish a fixed price table. Premiums depend on species, breed, age, postal code and the chosen reimbursement / deductible combination. The numbers below are estimates from publicly reported quotes for a CAD 400 deductible and 80% reimbursement.
Sample pricing
| Profile | Bronze (2,500) | Silver (10,000) | Gold (20,000) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat, 1 year, mixed breed | CAD 22-28/mo | CAD 30-40/mo | CAD 42-55/mo |
| Cat, 5 years, mixed breed | CAD 28-35/mo | CAD 38-50/mo | CAD 52-65/mo |
| Dog, 1 year, mixed breed | CAD 30-40/mo | CAD 42-55/mo | CAD 55-70/mo |
| Dog, 1 year, Golden Retriever | CAD 38-48/mo | CAD 52-65/mo | CAD 65-85/mo |
| Dog, 5 years, Labrador | CAD 45-58/mo | CAD 62-78/mo | CAD 75-95/mo |
Petplan sits in the mid-range of the Canadian pet insurance market for the Silver and Gold plans. The Bronze plan is competitive on price but the CAD 2,500 cap exhausts quickly on a single major event. For a Labrador with a higher orthopedic risk, the 12-month waiting period during the first policy year makes the value of Gold (with hip dysplasia eventually covered) materially lower than the headline cap suggests.
Available discounts
10% multi-pet discount when adding a second pet. 5% annual payment discount. No microchip discount.
Upfront vet costs
No direct vet payment. Petplan operates on a classic indemnity reimbursement model: you pay the bill at the clinic, then submit claims through the Petplan online portal or via email. Claims have to be submitted within 180 days of treatment. Announced reimbursement turnaround is 10 to 14 days, though customer feedback in Canadian forums reports 3 to 4 weeks during peak periods. Direct deposit is the default payout method.
3 real-world reimbursement scenarios
Accident, broken leg, Gold plan, first claim of the year
Your dog breaks a leg. Vet bill: CAD 2,500. Gold plan with CAD 400 deductible and 80% reimbursement.
- Eligible amount: 2,500 - 400 = CAD 2,100
- 80% reimbursement: CAD 1,680
- Out of pocket: CAD 820
Standard outcome. The annual cap of CAD 20,000 stays untouched.
Hip dysplasia diagnosed at month 8 (first policy year)
Your Labrador enrolled at 8 months is diagnosed with hip dysplasia at month 14 of the policy. The 12-month orthopedic waiting period ended at month 12, so the condition is technically covered. Vet bill for total hip replacement: CAD 7,500.
- Eligible amount: 7,500 - 400 = CAD 7,100
- 80% reimbursement: CAD 5,680
- Out of pocket: CAD 1,820
Coverage starts kicking in after the 12-month wait. If the diagnosis had landed at month 11, the entire surgery would have been excluded. The timing of enrollment matters a lot for orthopedic-prone breeds.
Petplan vs the top four Canadian alternatives
A single chart to visualize Petplan's position on annual cap and monthly price among the Canadian pet insurance options.
What services does Petplan offer?
| Service | Status |
|---|---|
| Customer online portal | Yes |
| Online claim submission | Yes |
| Mobile app | No dedicated app |
| 24/7 vet teleconsultation | Not included |
| Guaranteed direct vet payment | Not offered |
| Direct deposit reimbursement | Yes |
| Cheque reimbursement | Yes |
| Phone support | Weekdays 8am-8pm ET, Saturdays 9am-5pm ET |
| Email support | Yes |
| Live chat | Not available |
The digital experience is functional with a customer portal and online claim submission. The lack of a mobile app and a 24/7 vet teleconsultation puts Petplan behind some competitors that bundle these services in the base policy.
What do customers say about Petplan?
Petplan Canada feedback in public sources is mixed. Trustpilot does not aggregate a clear Canadian-specific score because the Canadian and UK Petplan operations file under the same brand for international reviews. On Canadian forums (Reddit r/PersonalFinanceCanada, dogforum.ca), the most cited issue is claim turnaround during peak periods, with 3 to 4 weeks reported instead of the announced 10 to 14 days.
Two recurring complaints surface in the threads. First, the 12-month orthopedic waiting period catches off guard pet owners who enrolled in good faith and faced an early hip dysplasia diagnosis. Second, the dental disease exclusion generates friction when owners discover that gum disease treatment is not reimbursed despite the broader hereditary-condition coverage.
Positive feedback centers on the adjustability of reimbursement and deductible, which lets owners tune the premium to their budget. The Allianz underwriting also reassures customers about long-term solvency. The behavioral consultation coverage stands out as a differentiator vs other Canadian providers that exclude this.
How to contact and cancel Petplan
Contact
| Purpose | Channel | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Claims and policy questions | Phone | 1-866-467-3875 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm ET, Sat 9am-5pm ET) |
| General customer service | info@petplan.ca | |
| Online portal | Online | petplan.ca/account |
| Post | Petplan Canada, c/o Allianz Global Assistance, 4273 King Street East, Kitchener, ON N2P 0B3 |
Phone support runs weekdays and Saturday mornings. Email support averages a 2 to 3 business-day response in customer feedback. No live chat option.
Cancellation
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum contract length | None, cancel anytime |
| Cancellation method | Written request (email or post) or phone call |
| Email address | info@petplan.ca |
| Refund of unearned premium | Yes, pro-rated to the cancellation date |
| Cooling-off period | 14 days from policy start with full refund if no claim filed |
Cancellation is straightforward with no minimum contract length. The 14-day cooling-off period is shorter than the 30 days offered by some competitors but enough to review the policy documents after receipt.
Alternatives to Petplan in 2026
The four pet insurance providers HelloSafe recommends for Canadians looking beyond Petplan.
Unlimited annual payout for life, fixed 90% reimbursement, direct vet payment available.
Customizable plans for accident & illness, optional preventive care add-on, available in all provinces.
4 plans (Secure 1 to 4), up to CAD 20,000 annual cap, wellness coverage included on top tier.
Comprehensive accident & illness coverage including dental, behavioral therapy and exam fees.
Our take: compare before signing up. With Trupanion, the orthopedic waiting period is 5 days, vs 12 months at Petplan. Trupanion also offers an unlimited annual cap and direct vet payment at participating clinics. The four alternatives below are all licensed Canadian pet insurers with comparable or shorter waiting periods on the most expensive conditions.
Frequently asked questions about Petplan
Is Petplan Canada the same as Petplan US?
No. Petplan Canada operates under Allianz Global Assistance Canada and Fetch Inc. distribution. Petplan US rebranded to Fetch in 2022 after being acquired by Warburg Pincus. Petplan UK is a separate Allianz UK product. The three operate under different policy wordings and customer service organizations.
What is the 12-month orthopedic waiting period?
For dogs enrolled past 6 months of age, hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions are excluded for the first 12 months of the policy. The clause does not apply to dogs enrolled before 6 months. The condition becomes covered automatically after the 12-month mark, with no need to refile. For breeds prone to hip dysplasia (Labrador, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Bernese Mountain Dog), early enrollment matters.
Are pre-existing conditions covered?
By default, no. The policy defines a pre-existing condition as anything noted, symptomatic or diagnosed before the policy start date or during a waiting period. Curable pre-existing conditions can be reinstated after 24 consecutive symptom-free months, subject to insurer review.
How long does reimbursement take in practice?
Announced turnaround is 10 to 14 days from a complete claim submission. Customer feedback in Canadian forums reports 3 to 4 weeks during peak periods (typically January and back-to-school season). Direct deposit is faster than cheque payment.
What is the difference with Trupanion?
Two key differences. First, the annual cap: Petplan tops at CAD 20,000, Trupanion is unlimited. Second, the orthopedic waiting period: Petplan applies 12 months for dogs enrolled past 6 months, Trupanion applies 5 days for accidents and 30 days for illnesses with no extension on orthopedic conditions. Petplan offers an adjustable reimbursement rate (70/80/90%), Trupanion uses a flat 90% that does not drop with age.
