Pet Insurance Information

Did you know?

In Canada only 3% of pet owners have a pet insurance policy; whereas in the UK, over 30% of pet owners have insurance coverage.

Why is Pet Insurance important?

It’s easy to plan for routine wellness visits with your pet, especially if you know they need yearly vaccinations or preventative care like flea/tick medication. It’s something you can factor into your monthly budget along with their food.

But what about the times when your pet experiences an accident or illness that is unexpected? Pet insurance allows you to plan ahead for those moments.

Without pet insurance you may not be able to accommodate extra diagnostics like blood work, radiography, or ultrasounds in your monthly budget, let alone an unexpected surgery.

With pet insurance you don’t need to second guess providing the top level of care for your pet’s health in emergency situations or even in the results of a life-long medical illness.

What is possibly covered with Pet Insurance?

Please note this is not an exhaustive list and your pet’s coverage is dependent on your specific insurance package. Read more about how to choose an insurance company based on what is covered further below.

Illness and Injuries:

Your insurance policy could cover new, unexpected injuries/illnesses, for example bite wounds or allergies.

Miscellaneous:

This type of coverage could look like extra diagnostics for example blood work or radiography. Some companies cover surgeries and certain medications.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions:

There are some insurance policies that cover heart disease or hip dysplasia for example.

How do you know which Pet Insurance company to choose?

In order to pick the right company for you and your pet’s needs it’s important to do some research. Each company offers something a little different and it’s important to commit to the right offer for you right from the beginning. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself as you gather information about each company.

1. Is there an enrollment requirement? Some companies require your pet to be in a specific age range and to have had a physical examination prior to or within a certain timeframe after enrollment.
2. What exactly is covered? Some companies only cover accidents, whereas others cover accidents, illnesses, wellness/preventative and emergencies.
3. Are there any payout limits? It’s important to know if there is a maximum payout, and what that amount is. Some companies have maximum payouts for specific treatments, whereas others have maximum payouts for the disease/illness, whereas some don’t have maximum payouts at all.
4. What is the deductible and what does it cover? Find out what deductibles they offer and which works best for you. Some companies have deductibles per condition, whereas other companies have annual deductibles.
5. Are pre-existing conditions covered? Most companies do not cover for pre-existing conditions, which is why it’s important to sign up for insurance prior to your pet having an accident/illness. There are a few companies that cover pre-existing conditions, so it’s important to learn which ones are covered and how much they’ll pay for.
6. Are there any exclusions? Some companies exclude certain illnesses and injuries, along with breed specific conditions.
7. How does reimbursement work? Find out how much of your bill will be reimbursed. Some companies reimburse you based on a percentage of the bill, whereas others exclude certain items on the bill. There are very few companies that offer direct billing to the vet clinic. Knowing how to submit a claim and how long it will take to be reimbursed may impact your decision.

When you choose to get a pet insurance policy it allows you to protect your pet from the unexpected, ensuring they get the care they need, while also not incurring financial stress.

Pet Insurance Companies in Canada

• Trupanion Canada
• Petsecure/Petline Canada
• Fetch
• Pets Plus Us
• Peppermint
• Desjardins
• BCAA

There are some pet insurance providers that work directly with the clinic through direct billing or submitting each insurance claims. We are happy to assist you, so make sure to advise the client care team if you have pet insurance.

*Please note, Revelstoke Veterinary Clinic is not an insurance broker.