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Choose your pet insurance coverage

Compare our different pet insurance plans and choose the best one for your dog's or cat's needs.

Get a quote

You can also call us for advice or a quote.

1-855-343-9393 This link will launch your default phone software.

Why should you insure your dog or cat?

Taking care of your pet can become a financial burden in no time. When you have pet insurance, you can share the various vet fees with your insurer, so you don't have to make compromises on your pet's health care.

Reimburses 80% of your pet's health care expenses

Your insurance covers part of the cost of treating illnesses or accidents. And, depending on the plan selected, the cost of preventative care may also be covered.

Makes budgeting easier

Insuring your dog or cat can reduce the financial impact of an illness or an accident.

Helps minimize the need to compromise when choosing treatment

Having pet insurance lets you focus on your dog's or cat's health when choosing the right treatment.

Get a discount on multi-pet insurance

If you have more than one pet, you can save on your premium.

10% off

If you insure 3 or more pets

15% off

If you insure 6 or more pets

Compare our insurance plans for dogs and cats

See what coverages are included in each plan to find the one that's right for your pet's needs.

Bronze Paw

Dental care

Optional

Up to $500 per policy year

Illness

Up to $2,000 per illness, per policy year

Accident

Up to $2,000 per accident

Alternative therapy, behavioural therapy and medical devices

Not included

Preventive care coverage

Not included

Average monthly price

$37 for a dog
$26 for a cat

Silver Paw

Dental care

Up to $700 per policy year

Illness

Up to $4,000 per illness, per policy year

Accident

Up to $4,000 per accident

Not included

Alternative therapy, behavioural therapy and medical devices

Preventive care coverage

Not included

Average monthly price

$59 for a dog
$42 for a cat

Gold Paw

Dental care

Up to $1,000 per policy year

Illness

Unlimited amount

Accident

Unlimited amount

Alternative therapy, behavioural therapy and medical devices

Up to $350 per category, per policy year

Preventive care coverage

Included

Average monthly price

$136 for a dog
$87 for a cat

Insurance terms

Need a glossary of pet insurance terms? Please refer to the policy wordings External link. This link will open in a new window..

How much does pet insurance cost in Canada?

The monthly cost of pet insurance (your premium) is primarily based on the type of animal you want to insure, meaning a dog or a cat. Other factors also help determine your premium, including:

  • Your pet's breed
  • Its size
  • Where you live

$641

Average monthly cost of dog insurance in Canada

$311

Average monthly cost of cat insurance in Canada

What's covered by our pet insurance?

Our pet insurance covers your dog or cat in case of an illness or accident. Depending on the plan you choose, it could also cover the most common types of care, such as dental cleanings, vaccination and flea treatments.

Select a coverage type to see more or scroll down to see them all.

Dental care

To protect your dog or cat in case of dental problems such as gingivitis, cavities and abscesses, this portion covers:

  • The annual cleaning
  • Teeth and gum problems

Plans that include this coverage

Silver Paw: up to $700 per policy year

Gold Paw: up to $1,000 per policy year

Optional

Bronze Paw: up to $500 per policy year

Accident

Does your dog need surgery on its paw? Was your cat hurt in an accident? This insurance covers injury-related expenses, such as:

  • X-rays
  • Hospitalization
  • Veterinary diagnostics and treatment
  • Prescription drugs
  • Surgery
  • MRIs

Plans that include this coverage

Bronze Paw: up to $2,000 per accident

Silver Paw: up to $4,000 per accident

Gold Paw: unlimited amount

Illness

This coverage includes the cost of treating an illness or the expenses related to changes in your pet's health, such as:

  • X-rays
  • Hospitalization
  • Veterinary diagnostics and treatment
  • Prescription drugs
  • Surgery
  • MRIs
  • Chemotherapy

Plans that include this coverage

Bronze Paw: up to $2,000 per illness, per policy year

Silver Paw: up to $4,000 per illness, per policy year

Gold Paw: unlimited amount

Alternative therapy, behavioural therapy and medical devices

This additional coverage includes therapeutic care and medical devices your vet prescribes for your pet, such as:

  • Alternative therapies
    • Homeopathy
    • Massage therapy
    • Hydrotherapy
    • Acupuncture
    • Chiropractic services
    • Physiotherapy
  • Behavioural therapy
  • Medical devices

Plan that include this coverage

Gold Paw: up to $350 per category, per policy year

Preventive care coverage

This coverage helps prevent the development of illnesses in your dog or cat by providing regular care, such as:

  • Annual exam and vaccinations ($100)
  • Annual heartworm test ($45)
  • Heartworm prevention medication ($120)
  • Annual routine blood wellness profile ($130)
  • Flea control medication ($120)
  • Fecal exam and deworming ($30)
  • Annual routine wellness urinalysis ($70)

Plan that include this coverage

Gold Paw

3 tips for choosing the right pet insurance

Assess your pet's needs

Your dog may be just a puppy, but its breed may be prone to hip dysplasia. Your cat can be old and in excellent health. Each animal has, and will have, specific needs. So when you choose your pet's insurance, make sure you keep the following in mind:

  • Its age
  • Its breed and any health issues associated with it
  • Its overall health
  • Level of risk of its living environment or of the activities it practises (for example, hunting)

Think about the waiting period

When you buy your insurance, there's a mandatory waiting period, which means that you cannot make a claim right away. So keep in mind that, if your dog or cat needs care during this period, you have to cover the cost yourself.

By taking out insurance early, you increase the chances of your pet's care being covered when you need it.

Keep your pet insured at all times

Your coverage won't change as long as you keep your pet insured continuously. This means that the coverage amounts will remain the same even if your dog or cat develops one or more illnesses.

If you cancel your insurance and decide to buy another one at a later date, illnesses developed between the cancellation date and that of the new quote may not be covered by your new insurance coverage.

What is the deductible on pet insurance?

The deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket when you make a claim. The amount is based on your pet's age.

You only pay one deductible per year, regardless of how many claims you submit throughout the year.

If you have no claims that year, you will not pay any deductible.

Dog2

Ages 0 to 4: $100

Ages 5 to 9: $250

Ages 10 and up: $350

Cat2

Ages 0 to 4: $100

Ages 5 to 9: $150

Ages 10 and up: $200

Exclusions

If your pet has a pre-existing condition, it might not be covered by your insurance policy. However, any illnesses or changes to your pet's health after your insurance comes into effect are covered.

For example, if your Bernese Mountain dog suffers from hip dysplasia, this condition isn't covered by your insurance. If your dog breaks a hip in an accident and the injury isn't the result of a pre-existing condition, then it's covered under your accident coverage.

Buy your pet insurance online

Answer a few questions to get a quote for each plan. Choose the plan that's best for you and buy your pet insurance entirely online.

Get a quote

Is your pet covered by liability insurance?

If you have home insurance, the liability coverage it includes may cover damage or injuries caused by your pets. For example, if your dog bites someone or damages their property or yours despite your best efforts.

Claims

Is your pet sick or injured? File a claim for your vet fees on the customer portal, by email or by mail. It's fast and easy.

FAQ

Can I get pet insurance for my senior dog or cat?

Absolutely. You can insure your pet at any age. However, a comprehensive exam and blood tests are required for dogs aged 8 and over, and for cats aged 10 and over.

Does pet insurance cover dental care?

Yes, dental coverage is automatically included in the Silver Paw and Gold Paw plans, and is optional with the Bronze Paw plan. It covers the annual cleaning and the treatment for any ongoing dental or gum problems.

Coverage amount for dental care per plan

Bronze Paw: up to $500 per policy year

Silver Paw: up to $700 per policy year

Gold Paw: up to $1,000 per policy year

My pet was in an accident or developed an illness. If I buy new pet insurance, will it cover this accident or illness?

No, your pet insurance covers your dog's or cat's future needs, meaning any illness or accident that happens once your insurance is in effect.

Illnesses or health problems that start before you buy your insurance or within the applicable waiting period are considered pre-existing conditions and may not be covered by your insurance.

Is my pet covered as soon as I buy my insurance?

No, there's a mandatory waiting period before you can be reimbursed for a claim, and it varies depending on the type of claim.

Waiting period based on the type of claim3

Accident: 48 hours

Illness: 14 days

Dental care: 6 months

Chronic illnesses developed during the waiting period may not be covered by your insurance.

What's the anniversary date of my pet insurance?

The anniversary date is the day you bought your pet insurance. It'll be the same day every year as long as you don't make any changes to your insurance. If you make changes to your coverage, the date on which the changes become effective becomes your new anniversary date, and you have to pay a deductible when you make your first claim following this date.

You need to know the anniversary date to know when the waiting periods end. However, there are no additional waiting periods if they've already ended by the time you make these changes.

Contact us

Customer service and claims

Monday to Thursday: 8 AM to 10 PM (Eastern Time)
Friday: 8 AM to 9 PM (Eastern Time)
Saturday: 9 AM to 8 PM (Eastern Time)

1-855-343-9393 This link will launch your default phone software.

The Desjardins Pet Insurance Program is underwritten and distributed by Petline Insurance Company.

The information provided on this page is meant for informational purposes only. The terms and conditions of the coverages described are set out in the insurance policy, which always prevails. Certain conditions, limitations and exclusions may apply.

  1. Source:North American Pet Health Insurance Association, Average premiums, 2020 External link. This link will open in a new window.
  2. For existing policies, the deductible change applies on the policy anniversary date following the pet’s birthday.
  3. There is a 6-month waiting period for claims relating to cruciate ligament injuries or intervertebral disc disease.