Are there insurance companies that specialize in animals?

Calgary has both specialized insurance companies that focus exclusively on pets (Petline Insurance Company is the first and only such company in Canada) and local brokers and agents that offer pet insurance as part of their services. However, most providers manage their operations centrally from other provinces, creating a unique landscape for consumers in Calgary—a wide range of products with no truly local insurance hubs.

The Canadian pet insurance landscape

Petline Insurance Company: An Industry Pioneer

Petline Insurance Company remains the first and only licensed insurance company in Canada focused exclusively on pet insurance. Founded in 1989, the company is the parent company of several brands, including its flagship brand Petsecure, which is becoming the largest and most trusted pet insurance company in Canada.

Petline's head office is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba:

• Address: 301-600 Empress Street, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0R5

• Phone: 1-800-268-1169

• Fax: 1-866-501-5580

• Website: petlineinsurance.com

Trademarks managed by Petline:

• Petsecure (main brand)
• Peppermint (budget option since 2018)
• OVMA Pet Health Insurance (partnership with the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association)
• Desjardins Pet Insurance Program
• The Personal Pet Insurance Program
• Toronto Humane Society Pet Health Insurance
• Nova Scotia SPCA Pet Health Insurance
• CAA Pet Insurance

Ownership structure and financial stability

Petline Insurance Company is part of Definity Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC), one of Canada's leading insurance holding companies. Definity's head office is located in Waterloo, Ontario.

• Address: 111 Westmount Road South, P.O. Box 2000, Waterloo, ON N2L 2L6
• Phone: 1-800-265-2180 or 519-570-8500

Insurance brokers and agents in Calgary

Westland Insurance Group: Official Partner of Petsecure

Westland Insurance is one of the largest independent insurance brokers in Western Canada and an official partner of Petsecure in Alberta. The company offers a full range of pet insurance plans through its provincial network.

Westland offers four levels of Petsecure coverage:

• Secure 1: $1,000 for accidents/$1,000 for illnesses per year

• Secure 2: $2,500 for accidents/$2,500 for illnesses per year

• Secure 3: $5,000 for accidents/$5,000 for illnesses per year

• Secure 4: Unlimited coverage + wellness package ($450 for dogs/$350 for cats)

Local insurance brokers in Calgary

• Acera Insurance Brokers Calgary An independent broker working with nearly 100 insurance companies in Calgary. Offers both commercial and personal insurance, including pet programs.

• BrokerLink Calgary One of the largest networks of insurance brokers in Canada. Although they do not quote pet insurance online, phone consultations take less than 15 minutes.

• Able Insurance Brokers Calgary

Offers pet insurance as part of its comprehensive services: accidents, illnesses, and routine care.

American companies with Canadian operations

Fetch Pet Insurance (formerly Petplan)

Fetch is an American company operating in Canada, offering the most comprehensive coverage with up to 90% reimbursement. It has a Canadian section on its website and serves Calgary.

Advantages of Fetch in Calgary:

• Coverage for any licensed veterinarian in Canada and the US
• Specialized coverage for breed-specific conditions
• Physical therapy and alternative treatments
• Wellness plan for an additional fee

Trupanion: Leader in Direct Billing

Trupanion is the only insurance company in Canada that offers direct billing to veterinary clinics through Trupanion Express.

Calgary veterinary clinics with Trupanion Express:

• Properties Animal Clinic
• Trinity Hills 24 Hour Pet Hospital
• Aspen Animal Hospital
• Chaparral Veterinary Clinic
• Signal Hill Animal Clinic
• Chestermere Veterinary Clinic

Canadian specialty companies

Furkin Pet Insurance

Furkin is a new Canadian company headquartered in North Vancouver, British Columbia. It offers up to $20,000 in coverage per year with automatic renewal.

• Address: 309-1277 Lynn Valley Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 0A2

Pet Shield Insurance Alberta

Pet Shield is a subsidiary of BrokerLink specializing in pet insurance in Alberta. Covers up to 80% of expenses, including exams and taxes. Part of Intact Financial Corporation.

Pet Shield Contact Information

Customer Service Hours:

• Monday-Thursday: 6:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. MST

• Friday: 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. MST

• Saturday: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. MST

Sales hours:

• Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST

Divisions of large corporations

Pets Plus Us (PTZ Insurance Services Ltd.)

Pets Plus Us is a division of Pethealth Inc. and one of Canada's leading pet insurance providers. The company's head office is located in Oakville, Ontario.

Pethealth Inc. global offices:

• Canada: 710 Dorval Drive, Suite 400, Oakville, ON L6K 3V7

• United States: 3315 Algonquin Road, Suite 310, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

• United Kingdom: Betchworth House, 57-65 Station Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1DL

Costco member program:

• Gold Star and Business members receive a 10% discount
• Executive members receive a 15% discount
• First month free for all new customers

Spot Pet Insurance

Spot Pet Insurance is active in Calgary, offering up to 90% reimbursement on eligible vet bills with no network restrictions. The company highlights Calgary's extreme temperature fluctuations as a risk to animal health.

Insurance services through associations and organizations

AMA (Alberta Motor Association)

AMA offers pet insurance through a partnership with Pets Plus Us, providing members with additional benefits and potential discounts.

CAA Pet Insurance

CAA offers insurance through Petline Insurance Company, including Blue Ribbon Benefits with additional services:

• PetHelpFone
• Pet Poison Helpline
• Pet Concierge

Market statistics and trends in Calgary

Canadian market size: According to NAPHIA, there were 619,303 insured animals in 2024 (+7.2% from the previous year).

• 74.7% — dogs
• 23.3% — cats

Canadian statistics (2020-2024):

• 2020: 352,631

• 2021: 432,533 (+22.7%)

• 2022: 508,730 (+17.6%)

• 2023: 577,785 (+13.6%)

• 2024: 619,303 (+7.2%) Market potential: Market volume in 2024 — $462.4 million, forecast for 2030 — $1,937.8 million (CAGR 26.8%).

Local partnerships and initiatives

Pawsitive Match Calgary

A local rescue organization in Calgary that partners with Petsecure. New pet owners receive a free 6-week trial insurance.

Program terms:

• Coverage up to $500 for accidents and illnesses
• 80% reimbursement minus a $100 deductible per incident
• 48-hour waiting period

The role of veterinary clinics in insurance

Support from veterinarians

Most clinics in Calgary (Downtown Animal Clinic, Aspen Animal Hospital, Signal Hill Animal Clinic) provide information about insurance but do not sell it themselves.

Clinics with direct billing

Only Trupanion offers direct billing in Canada.

Several Calgary clinics support this option.

Regulatory environment in Alberta

• All insurance companies must have provincial licenses

• Compliance with consumer disclosure standards is mandatory

• Most specialty companies operate centrally but are licensed for Alberta

Conclusion: a diversified market with centralized management

The pet insurance market in Calgary has high product availability but no local headquarters. Petline Insurance Company remains the only Canadian specialized operator (office in Winnipeg). American companies (Fetch, Trupanion) are introducing innovative services through their Canadian subsidiaries.

Key takeaways for Calgary pet owners:

• Specialized companies exist but operate centrally

• Local brokers (Westland, Acera, BrokerLink) help with selection

• Trupanion provides direct billing for clinics

• Competition among providers creates favorable conditions

• The regulatory framework ensures consumer protection

Despite the remote offices, Calgary residents have access to one of the most developed pet insurance markets in the world.