Trupanion is positioned for big-ticket surgeries and lifelong conditions; Pets Plus Us is positioned for accident-only budget option. Neither is cheaper in every case — the deciding factors are your dog's breed risk, whether you want routine care included, and the payout cap. Run both quotes on the same reimbursement percentage and deductible before comparing prices.
Independent · not an insurer| Trupanion | Pets Plus Us | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Big-ticket surgeries and lifelong conditions | Accident-only budget option |
| In their words | 90% reimbursement, no payout limits, pays the vet directly at many Canadian clinics. | Accident-only and accident-and-illness plans, plus a 24/7 vet helpline. |
| Stands out for | no annual payout cap, pays the vet directly | budget-friendly, accident-only option |
| Market | 🇨🇦 Canada | 🇨🇦 Canada |
Positioning is taken from each company's own public description. We do not hold either insurer's rate cards, so this page compares cover and fit, not quoted premiums.
Whichever you pick, this is the shape of a serious claim year in Canada.
| Big claim | Worst-case bill | You pay at 80% | You pay at 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACL / Cruciate Repair (TPLO) | $8,000 | $2,000 | $1,250 |
| Foreign Body Surgery (swallowed object) | $6,000 | $1,600 | $1,050 |
| Cancer Treatment (chemo course) | $15,000 | $3,400 | $1,950 |
| Dental Cleaning with Extractions | $3,500 | $1,100 | $800 |
Assumes a $500 annual deductible, one claim year, CAD. Every insurer prices and excludes differently — check the policy wording.
1. What can you absorb in cash? If a $8,000 bill would go on a credit card, the payout cap matters more than the monthly saving.
2. What is your breed prone to? Breed-specific conditions drive most claims. Our breed pages list the ones to expect.
3. How old is your dog today? Both insurers exclude pre-existing conditions, so the value of any policy peaks the week you bring the dog home.
90% reimbursement, no payout limits, pays the vet directly at many Canadian clinics.
Get a quote →Accident-only and accident-and-illness plans, plus a 24/7 vet helpline.
Get a quote →Trupanion suits owners who want big-ticket surgeries and lifelong conditions. Pets Plus Us suits owners who want accident-only budget option. For a high-risk breed the payout cap matters more than the monthly price.
Neither publishes a fixed price. Premiums in Canada move with breed, age, postcode and the reimbursement level you pick, so the only fair comparison is two quotes taken on the same day with the same settings.
The worst acl / cruciate repair (tplo) bill we model is $8,000. At 80% reimbursement after a $500 deductible you would still be out roughly $2,000.
No. Every mainstream pet insurer in every market we track excludes conditions that showed symptoms before the policy started or during the waiting period. This is the single biggest reason to insure early.
You can, but anything treated under the first policy usually becomes pre-existing under the new one. Switching is cheap for a healthy young pet and expensive for an older one.
Some insurer links are referral links, which never change your price. We are not paid to rank one insurer above another, and we do not have access to either company's internal pricing.