Questions about pet insurance

Under all levels of coverage, the waiting period before coverage applies is only 48 hours for accidents and 14 days for illness. There’s also a 6-month waiting period for dental coverage, cruciate ligament and intervertebral disc disease.

Yes – your policy renews automatically each year. As long as you continue to pay your monthly insurance premiums, you’re covered for the life of your dog or cat.

The anniversary date is the calendar day that marks the date that your policy was first issued. Your first anniversary date is established exactly one year from the day on which your policy was first issued, and every year after that. If you change your coverage, your policy anniversary date changes to the effective date of your new coverage.

You pay your monthly insurance premiums. When you file a claim, you're also responsible for paying the co-insurance and your annual deductible. These will be subtracted from your claim reimbursement.

When you first enroll, Petline Insurance Company will debit your monthly insurance premium starting the day that your policy is issued. Going forward, your payments will be debited on that day every month, unless you choose a different payment date through our customer service team, or via your online Customer Account. Please note that if at any time your insurance premium payment is withdrawn and the funds are not available, a second withdrawal wil be attempted approximately 10-15 days after the first attempt.

No matter what level of coverage you've chosen – Bronze, Silver or Gold Paw – your plan covers veterinary fees due to accidents or illness for the specified amount under your chosen plan. This includes x-rays, hospitalization, surgery, prescriptions, chemotherapy, MRI/CAT scans, and other diagnostic procedures.

With our lifetime coverage, your dog or cat is covered for as long as you maintain uninterrupted pet insurance coverage. Every level of our coverage, from Bronze Paw to Gold Paw, provides renewable limits for all accidents and illness during the lifetime of your pet.

Yes, absolutely. We believe pet insurance should be available to all pet owners and have designed our coverage accordingly. With the The Personal Pet Insurance Program, even senior pets have access to coverage.

Yes! Our dental coverage can be used towards routine cleaning and conditions with your dog’s or cat’s gums and/or teeth. Plus, no matter what level of coverage and (optional) dental coverage you choose, your annual limits for dental claims will renew each year, so you can continue to provide your pet with the dental care they need. (Dental coverage is automatically included in the Silver Paw and Gold Paw policies.)

Additional Coverage is included with the Gold Paw policy. If you make a claim, we reimburse you up to the maximum benefit amount for behavioural therapy, alternative therapy and medical devices.

Coverage for behavioural therapy includes veterinary consultations to diagnose and subsequently treat abnormal behavioural problems in your dog or cat. Also, when referred by your veterinarian, your pet is covered for treatment by a certified animal behavioural therapist. As with all Additional Coverage categories, the coverage limit is renewed each policy year.

Coverage for alternative therapies includes acupuncture, chiropractic services, homeopathy, hydrotherapy, massage therapy and physiotherapy for your dog or cat. However, these therapies are only covered when they are part of the treatment for an insured accident or illness and are prescribed by your veterinarian. As with all Additional Coverage categories, the coverage limit is renewed each policy year.

Medical devices are typically designed to improve the quality of life of your pet. We’ll reimburse you up to the maximum benefit amount stipulated in your pet insurance policy for the cost of specialized medical devices your dog or cat may require as prescribed by your vet. Please note that this coverage is subject to prior approval by Petline Insurance Company.

Yes. You can use any licensed veterinarian in Canada. If you prefer, you can even visit and claim at multiple veterinary clinics. We leave the choice about who should care for your dog or cat completely up to you. When travelling on vacation in the Continental United States with your pet, you’re also covered for licensed veterinary treatment.

When you take your dog or cat for veterinary treatment, pay the full amount of your bill at the clinic, have your vet’s office sign the form (PDF), and then submit the completed claim form to us along with your receipts. You’ll be reimbursed for 80% of the costs of veterinary treatment (20% is the co-insurance portion).

Your annual deductible will be subtracted from your payment until the specified deductible amount has been satisfied.

Your "co-insurance" is the portion of the pet insurance claim that you, the policyholder, must pay. With the The Personal Pet Insurance Program, we pay 80% of your veterinary fees, and you are responsible for the remaining 20%.

The deductible is a fixed amount which you are responsible for. This amount is deducted from your claim after co-insurance has been applied. With our coverage, you only have to pay one annual deductible, no matter how many insurance claims you have throughout the year. You are not required to pay the annual deductible in years that you do not claim. The deductible is based on your pet’s age.

The co-insurance is applied first and then the deductible. The following example will show you how your claim payout is calculated. Suppose you submit a claim in the amount of $1,000:

Amount of claim: $1,000
20% co-insurance (20% x $1,000): -$200
Deductible applied ($100): -$100
Amount reimbursed: $700

Once the deductible amount has been satisfied, additional claims submitted during the same policy period are not subject to a deductible. However, because your deductible is annual, if you submit a claim after your pet insurance policy renews, a new annual deductible will apply.

Co-insurance applies to every claim. However, the full deductible only applies to the policy period.

The format of our deductible is what is often called an “aging deductible.” This means your deductible increases only as your pet ages and becomes more susceptible to illness or injury. Just as with any other insurance, premiums may increase over time, but this will only be due to inflation or other outside forces, not because of your dog’s or cat’s health or your claims activity.

Typically, Petline Insurance Company is able to process your claim reimbursement within 5 to 10 business days of receiving your claim. More complex claims (such as those which involve multiple conditions) may take longer. In the event of a claim delay, such as an incomplete claim form, they'll notify you in writing.

You’ll receive a cheque by mail. However, when you choose direct withdrawal from your bank account as your payment method for monthly insurance premiums, we can also direct deposit your claims reimbursements. This is optional though, so you’ll have to speak to a customer service agent to make this request.

No. We expect you to use your coverage and to make ongoing claims throughout the life of your dog or cat. Neither your deductible nor your insurance premiums will increase as a result of the number of pet insurance claims you make.

If you’re not satisfied with your pet insurance, please review the Petline Insurance complaint guide.

Petline has P&C insurance agents that are happy to help you. If you have any questions pertaining to our plan or your levels of coverage, call the Customer Centre toll-free at By phone:1-855-343-9385. If your question concerns a claim, please call By phone:1-800-581-0580.