PetPetsecure has been insuring Canadian pets for decades and built its reputation on broad eligibility and clean, comprehensive plans. Here's the honest read on what the policy does well and where it falls short relative to competitors.
Coverage at a glance
| Feature | Petsecure |
|---|---|
| Reimbursement rate | 80% standard (plan-dependent) |
| Annual payout cap | Capped — varies by plan tier |
| Deductible structure | Annual |
| Direct vet pay | No — reimbursement model |
| Max enrolment age | No strict upper limit (subject to underwriting) |
| Waiting period (illness) | 14 days |
| Wellness / routine care | Optional add-on |
| Hereditary / congenital conditions | Covered after waiting period |
| Plan customization | Streamlined — fewer plan choices than some competitors |
Pros and cons
✓ What works
- Comprehensive coverage from a long-standing Canadian brand
- Optional wellness add-on covers routine care (vaccines, dental cleaning, etc.) — not available with Trupanion
- Shorter illness waiting period than Trupanion
- Broader eligibility for older pets
- Annual deductible is easier to budget for than per-condition structures
✓ What doesn't
- Annual payout cap limits exposure on catastrophic, ongoing conditions
- Reimbursement model — you pay up-front, then submit for reimbursement
- Lower reimbursement rate (80%) than Trupanion's 90%
- Plan customization is more limited than Pets Plus Us
Who it's best for
- Older pets where Trupanion's pricing gets steep
- Owners who want routine-care coverage included via the wellness add-on
- Owners who prefer a familiar annual-deductible structure
- Anyone comparing comprehensive Canadian plans on monthly cost rather than catastrophic ceiling
Our verdict
Bottom Line
Petsecure is a solid, well-established Canadian comprehensive policy — particularly attractive if you want wellness coverage included, your pet is older, or you're shopping on a monthly budget. For young pets with a long horizon and higher catastrophic risk, Trupanion's unlimited-cap structure often wins on long-term math. Get quotes from both — pricing varies more than you'd expect.
What the wellness add-on actually changes
Petsecure's optional wellness add-on is one of its clearest differentiators from Trupanion, which offers no routine coverage at all. Routine care is a real, recurring cost: our average vet visit guide pegs annual routine care for a dog at roughly $2,100, and a single anaesthetic dental cleaning commonly runs $650–$1,300. If you'd otherwise pay those out of pocket, the wellness add-on smooths them into your premium. If you have the discipline to budget routine care yourself, it may not pencil out — confirm the exact covered items and limits with Petsecure before enrolling.
What the annual cap means on a catastrophic claim
Petsecure's payout is capped by plan tier, and that's the variable that matters most on the rare big claim. A cancer protocol can run $3,000–$15,000+, and a multi-event year can stack cruciate surgery and emergency care on top. On a high enough bill, a capped policy stops reimbursing once you hit the ceiling — so read your tier's annual limit as the real measure of catastrophic protection, not the reimbursement percentage.
Reimbursement model: you float the bill first
Unlike Trupanion's direct-vet-pay option, Petsecure is a reimbursement model — you pay the clinic up front and submit for reimbursement (usually back in your account within a few business days). For a five-figure surgery that means having the funds available on the day, even if you're reimbursed shortly after. Worth planning for if cash flow is tight.
For the structural head-to-heads, see Trupanion vs Petsecure and Petsecure vs Pets Plus Us. Premiums vary more than you'd expect by postal code, age, and breed — quote it.