As a pet parent, you want to give the best level of care to your dog or cat. But with the high cost of veterinary care, that can mean accumulating massive credit card debt or taking out a personal loan just to cover vet fees. Some pet parents may even have to forgo the care their pet needs simply because of the high cost.
That’s where pet insurance comes in. For a manageable monthly premium—much like human health insurance—you can get reimbursed, or even have the company pay your vet directly, for covered costs and prescriptions. The best pet insurance in Canada should have a solid mix of coverage options with short waiting periods, few exclusions, and affordable premiums.
Below, we’ll share some of our favorite pet insurance companies in the Great White North—and also take a look at how much pet insurance costs in various Canadian cities.
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Pet insurance in Canada
For most pet parents, pet insurance is worth the cost because it provides peace of mind. When your pet is injured or sick, you know you can afford the care they need—without going into debt.
But not all Canadian pet insurance companies are equal. The market is saturated with pet insurance companies, so we compared costs, coverages, exclusions, app reviews, and resources for pet parents to compile a list of the best pet insurance in Canada.
Find our top seven choices below. Click the company name in the table to read all about its pet insurance for Canadians.
| Company | Best for | LendEDU rating (out of 5) |
| Trupanion | Direct vet payments | 4.4 |
| Fetch | Best coverage | 4.9 |
| Spot | Variety of terms | 4.5 |
| OVMA Pet Health Insurance | No best-for designation | Not rated |
| PHI Direct | No best-for designation | Not rated |
| Pets Plus Us | No best-for designation | Not rated |
| Desjardins | No best-for designation | Not rated |
Trupanion – Best for direct vet payments
4.4 out of 5 stars
- Software for direct payments to vet
- Unlimited payouts
- No price increases for aging
Trupanion is among the best pet insurance in Canada, but the way it works differs from the other entries on this list. You’ll pay deductibles on specific issues or illnesses (rather than an annual deductible); once you’ve reached that deductible, the issue is covered for life.
Trupanion doesn’t charge price increases for aging pets, covered expenses are always reimbursed at 90%, and you can choose a deductible as low as $0. We also like Trupanion because of its direct vet payment option, meaning you don’t need to wait around to get reimbursed.
Trupanion offers some of the best pet insurance coverage, period, but it can come at a high cost. A $0 deductible, in particular, can result in massive monthly premiums.
- Annual coverage: Unlimited
- Reimbursement: 90%
- Deductible: $0 to $1,000
- Waiting period: 5 days for injuries, 30 days for illnesses
- Pet age restrictions: Pets aged 15 and up are not eligible for new enrollment
Read our full Trupanion pet insurance review for more details.
Fetch – Best coverage
4.9 out of 5 stars
- Comprehensive coverage with three wellness plans
- At-home and virtual care covered
- No lifetime limits
Fetch has some of the most comprehensive coverage available. With a Fetch policy, you’ll get reimbursed for a wide range of pet care expenses, including X-rays and CT scans, hereditary and congenital issues, diabetes, cancer treatment, chiropractic care, separation anxiety treatment, and gum disease.
Fetch seems to have everything, but a few hallmarks of the company are what it lacks. Fetch has no breed restrictions, upper age limits, or lifetime limits. This makes Fetch policies more attainable for every pet.
You can’t get unlimited reimbursements with Fetch; they max out at $15K.
Note: Fetch is not available in the province of Quebec at the time of writing.
- Annual coverage: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Deductible: $300, $500, or $700
- Waiting period: 15 days for accident and illness; 6 months for hip and knee injuries
- Pet age restrictions: Pets must be at least 6 weeks old; no upper age limit
Read our full Fetch pet insurance review for more details.
Spot – Best variety of terms
4.5 out of 5 stars
- 100+ policy combinations
- Microchip discount
- Coverage at all licensed Canadian vets
If you want to customize your pet insurance plan with the deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage limits that work best for your needs, Spot is the top choice. When getting a quote, you can customize your policy in more than 100 combinations to get the right amount of coverage (and the right rate) for you.
It’s more expensive, but the unlimited coverage offers the greatest peace of mind. You can make things a little cheaper by sharing your pet’s microchip information; Spot gives Canadians 5% off for sharing that data.
- Annual coverage: $2,500, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, or unlimited
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Deductible: $100, $250, $500, $750, or $1,000
- Waiting period: 14 days for accidents and illness
- Pet age restrictions: Dogs must be at least 8 weeks old and can be enrolled up to 10 years old; cats must be at least 8 weeks old and can be enrolled up to 12 years old; accident-only policies available for older pets
Read our full Spot pet insurance review for more details.
OVMA Pet Health Insurance
- No age restrictions
- Dental coverage included
- Loyalty discounts
OMVA Pet Health Insurance is the only pet insurance company designed and backed by Ontario vets. You won’t find a ton of flexibility with OMVA—you can choose from three set plans, all at 80% reimbursement, with one of two deductible options for each plan.
But what it lacks in customization it makes up for in terrific coverage. All three plans come with some level of dental coverage, and all the deductible amounts available are low. The Unlimited+ plan offers unlimited payouts for accidents and illness and even includes coverage for wellness visits.
OMVA covers many treatments, including behavioral and alternative therapy and medical devices. OMVA also offers direct vet payment and loyalty discounts when you renew your policy.
- Annual coverage: $2,500 per accident and per illness and $300 for dental; $5,000 per accident and per illness and $400 for dental; or unlimited, $600 for dental, and $450 for wellness
- Reimbursement: 80%
- Deductible: $100 or $300 for Comprehensive or Extended; $250 or $400 for Unlimited+
- Waiting period: 48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illness, and 6 months for dental, cruciate ligament, and IVDD; no waiting period for wellness (Unlimited+ only)
- Pet age restrictions: N/A
PHI Direct
- Lower costs through “new-condition coverage”
- 24/7 helpline for pet parents
- Multi-pet discounts
PHI Direct is the cheapest pet insurance in Canada. The website claims to offer premiums that are 45.8% less for dogs and 37.7% less for cats, compared to premiums at other Canadian pet insurance companies.
How? By offering new-condition coverage. If your pet is injured or develops an illness, you’ll only get coverage for the next 12 months (when costs tend to be the highest). After that, it’s considered a pre-existing condition and is no longer covered. You can also save with PHI Direct through a multi-pet discount.
Prices are much lower with PHI Direct, but the new-condition coverage could mean your pet develops an expensive ongoing condition that you’ll eventually need to pay out of pocket to treat. You also don’t get many choices with PHI Direct: It’s always a $200 deductible, 80% reimbursement rate, and $5,000 or $10,000 annual coverage limit.
Note: PHI Direct is not available in the province of Quebec at the time of writing.
- Annual coverage: $5,000 or $10,000
- Reimbursement: 80%
- Deductible: $200
- Waiting period: 48 hours for accidents and 14 days for illnesses
- Pet age restrictions: Pets must be at least 7 weeks old and under 14 years old for new enrollment
Pets Plus Us
- No age restrictions
- Preventive care options available
- Blue Ribbon Benefits include a helpline and magazine subscription
Pets Plus Us provides excellent coverage options, with accident, accident and illness, and preventive care plans. If you go with accident and illness, you can choose a $7,500 or $15,000 annual limit, with your pick of three reimbursement rates and three deductibles.
The hallmark of Pets Plus Us is the company’s Blue Ribbon Benefits. This includes a 24/7 helpline, a 24/7 poison control line, a compassionate care line when you must make tough decisions, and even a paid subscription to “Modern Cat” or “Modern Dog” magazine.
Pets Plus Us has no age restrictions and offers multi-pet discounts to keep prices down.
- Annual coverage: $5,000, $7,500, or $15,000
- Reimbursement: 70%, 80%, or 90%
- Deductible: $100, $200, or $300
- Waiting period: 48 hours for accidents and 14 days for illnesses
- Pet age restrictions: N/A
Desjardins
- Dental coverage on all plans (optional on basic)
- Preventive care, alternative therapy, and behavioral therapy available
- No age restrictions
Desjardins makes selecting pet insurance for your best friend easy: You just pick between three plans (Bronze Paw, Silver Paw, and Gold Paw) with a set deductible and reimbursement rate. If you find all the policy options at other companies overwhelming, you’ll likely appreciate the limited choices here.
Though expensive (average price of $136 a month for dogs and $87 a month for cats), the Gold Paw plan is top-tier, with preventive care included—as well as coverage for alternative therapy, behavioral therapy, and medical devices.
- Annual coverage: $2,000 per accident and per illness; $4,000 per accident and per illness and $700 for dental; unlimited per accident and per illness, $1,000 for dental, $350 for additional coverage (alternative therapy, behavioral therapy, and medical devices), and even more coverage for preventive care
- Reimbursement: 80%
- Deductible: $100
- Waiting period: 48 hours for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament and IVDD
- Pet age restrictions: N/A (exam and blood test required for dogs 8+ and cats 10+)
How much is pet insurance in Canada?
The average cost of pet insurance in Canada is $89.15 a month, or just under $1,070 a year. To calculate this cost, we ran 26 quotes across six pet insurance companies in five major cities throughout Canada.
Our quote was for a lovable crossbreed dog named Carl. Carl is three years old and neutered and has no pre-existing conditions. We sought out accident and illness coverage for Carl but did not include preventive care or dental unless it was automatically covered under a standard plan.
We did our best to keep coverage types consistent across all insurers included, but note a few caveats:
- Some insurers do not yet provide policies in the province of Quebec, so we pulled less data for Montreal and Quebec City.
- Some insurance companies have mandatory reimbursement rates and deductibles that don’t line up perfectly with competitors, which means we couldn’t always do a true apples-to-apples comparison.
- Some companies offer unlimited coverage, some insurers have per-accident and per-illness limits, and one has new-condition coverage that lasts only 12 months. This makes apples-to-apples comparisons even more challenging for consumers looking for the best pet insurance in Canada.
How much is pet insurance in Toronto?
The average cost of pet insurance in Toronto is $80.63 a month based on six quotes for a three-year-old dog named Carl happily living in the city center (M5V 0H7). Across the six insurers analyzed, we kept as much of the policies the same as possible, though some insurers have dramatically different setups than others.
To keep pet insurance costs in Toronto down, choose higher deductibles, lower reimbursement rates, lower coverage limits, and the lowest-tier plan available.
| Deductible | Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement rate | Monthly premium | |
| Trupanion | $500 | Unlimited | 90% | $105.31 |
| Fetch | $500 | $10,000 | 90% | $74.00 |
| OMVA Pet Health Insurance | $300 | $5,000 per accident $5,000 per incident $400 for dental | 80% | $98.57 |
| PHI Direct | $200 | $10,000 | 80% | $30.13 |
| Pet Plus Us | $300 | $7,500 | 90% | $100.44 |
| Desjardins | $100 | $4,000 per accident $4,000 per illness $700 for dental | 80% | $84.30 |
How much is pet insurance in Vancouver?
The average cost of pet insurance in Vancouver is $104.89 a month based on six quotes for a three-year-old crossbreed dog named Carl living his best life in the heart of the city (V6B 1A1). Across the six insurers analyzed, we kept as much of the policies the same as possible, though some insurers have dramatically different setups than others.
Vancouver is the most expensive city in Canada for pet insurance. To keep pet insurance costs in Vancouver down, choose higher deductibles, lower reimbursement rates, lower coverage limits, and the lowest-tier plan available.
| Deductible | Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement rate | Monthly premium | |
| Trupanion | $500 | Unlimited | 90% | $201.94 |
| Fetch | $500 | $10,000 | 90% | $91.80 |
| OMVA Pet Health Insurance | $300 | $5,000 per accident $5,000 per incident $400 for dental | 80% | $98.57 |
| PHI Direct | $200 | $10,000 | 80% | $52.30 |
| Pet Plus Us | $300 | $7,500 | 90% | $100.44 |
| Desjardins | $100 | $4,000 per accident $4,000 per illness $700 for dental | 80% | $84.30 |
How much is pet insurance in Montreal?
The average cost of pet insurance in Montreal is $90.39 a month based on four quotes for a three-year-old crossbreed dog named Carl living his best life downtown (H3B 0A1). (We ran fewer quotes because fewer insurers are available in the province of Quebec.)
Across the four insurers analyzed, we kept as much of the policies the same as possible, though some insurers have dramatically different setups than others.
To keep pet insurance costs in Montreal down, choose higher deductibles, lower reimbursement rates, lower coverage limits, and the lowest-tier plan available.
| Deductible | Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement rate | Monthly premium | |
| Trupanion | $500 | Unlimited | 90% | $101.06 |
| OMVA Pet Health Insurance | $300 | $5,000 per accident $5,000 per incident $400 for dental | 80% | $91.26 |
| Pet Plus Us | $300 | $7,500 | 90% | $90.64 |
| Desjardins | $100 | $4,000 per accident $4,000 per illness $700 for dental | 80% | $78.05 |
How much is pet insurance in Quebec City?
The average cost of pet insurance in Quebec City is $78.43 a month based on four quotes for a three-year-old good boy named Carl living downtown (G1L 3L5). (We ran fewer quotes because fewer insurers are available in the province of Quebec.)
Across the four insurers analyzed, we kept as much of the policies the same as possible, though some insurers have dramatically different setups than others.
Quebec City is the most affordable city of the ones we surveyed to purchase pet insurance in. To keep pet insurance costs in Quebec City down, choose higher deductibles, lower reimbursement rates, lower coverage limits, and the lowest-tier plan available.
| Deductible | Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement rate | Monthly premium | |
| Trupanion | $500 | Unlimited | 90% | $79.67 |
| OMVA Pet Health Insurance | $300 | $5,000 per accident $5,000 per incident $400 for dental | 80% | $82.14 |
| Pet Plus Us | $300 | $7,500 | 90% | $81.66 |
| Desjardins | $100 | $4,000 per accident $4,000 per illness $700 for dental | 80% | $70.26 |
How much is pet insurance in Edmonton?
The average cost of pet insurance in Edmonton is $86.86 a month based on six quotes for a three-year-old good boy named Carl living in the heart of the city (T6G 1Y5). Across the six insurers analyzed, we kept as much of the policies the same as possible, though some insurers have dramatically different setups than others.
To keep pet insurance costs in Edmonton down, choose higher deductibles, lower reimbursement rates, lower coverage limits, and the lowest-tier plan available.
| Deductible | Annual coverage limit | Reimbursement rate | Monthly premium | |
| Trupanion | $500 | Unlimited | 90% | $161.67 |
| Fetch | $500 | $10,000 | 90% | $60.51 |
| OMVA Pet Health Insurance | $300 | $5,000 per accident $5,000 per incident $400 for dental | 80% | $91.26 |
| PHI Direct | $200 | $10,000 | 80% | $39.05 |
| Pet Plus Us | $300 | $7,500 | 90% | $90.64 |
| Desjardins | $100 | $4,000 per accident $4,000 per illness $700 for dental | 80% | $78.05 |
How does pet insurance in Canada compare with the U.S. and other countries in the world?
The average cost of pet insurance in the U.S. is $56.81 a month for dogs and $32.89 a month for cats—or $44.85 a month, blended.
Keep in mind: That’s in U.S. dollars. Converted to Canadian dollars, that’s about $62 a month blended (and up to $78.43 a month for dogs, specifically). That’s much closer to the average $89.15 a month cost of insurance we discovered in Canada—but costs still are higher in the Great White North.
Best pet insurance in Canada
The best pet insurance in Canada depends on several factors, including your own preferences and needs:
- Cost preferences: Some pet parents may prioritize the lowest-cost option. Even having minimal coverage makes them feel like their pet is safe in the event of an emergency.
- Customization: If you have a deeper understanding of how pet insurance works, you may prefer an insurance company with customization in reimbursement rates, coverage limits, deductibles, and add-ons. But if you’re overwhelmed by pet insurance, you might prefer companies that offer simple tiers and choices.
- Location: Some insurance companies only offer pet insurance in specific Canadian provinces. The best pet insurance for you may not work for someone who lives in another province because it’s not available.
- Age: The best pet insurance for senior pets may differ from the best insurance for puppies and kittens. Why? Some companies have age restrictions for older pets, and some don’t allow policies to start until the puppy or cat is a little older.
At the end of the day, finding the best pet insurance in Canada comes down to what you want out of a policy and what’s available to you. Our list is a fantastic place to start your search and get a few quotes.
FAQ
What is the least expensive pet insurance company in Canada?
The least expensive pet insurance company in Canada is PHI Direct. The company uses something called new-condition coverage. When your pet develops an issue, it’s only covered for the next 12 months.
This keeps costs down—but it means you’ll be paying out of pocket for that condition after a year.
What is the most expensive pet insurance company in Canada?
The most expensive pet insurance company in Canada is Trupanion, but Trupanion’s pet insurance policies are different from most other types of pet insurance. Deductibles are per issue, rather than per year, and everything is reimbursed at 90%.
This makes Trupanion one of the best pet insurance companies anywhere—but also one of the most expensive.
Can I use my current veterinarian with pet insurance?
When you get a quote for pet insurance, many providers ask who your current vet is and will let you know whether that vet is covered under their policy. The best pet insurance companies in Canada offer coverage across the entire country with any licensed vet.