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What is Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance is a financial safety net designed to help cover the eligible costs of covered veterinary care for your pet. Pet insurance can reimburse you for the eligible costs of unexpected accidents, and illnesses. Some providers offer optional wellness add-ons to help cover the eligible costs of routine wellness visits too.
Why is pet insurance important in New Brunswick?
Frostbite
New Brunswick's harsh winters can pose a serious risk of frostbite for pets, even those with thick fur. Contrary to some beliefs, no pet should be left outdoors for extended periods in freezing temperatures, as both dogs and cats are susceptible to frostbite. While dogs may enjoy short walks and exercise, they should primarily stay indoors during the winter months. Signs that a pet is suffering from the cold may include excessive shivering, lifting or biting their paws, refusing to play outside, and displaying behavioral changes like disorientation or confusion.¹
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Parasitic Infection
Deer ticks (also known as blacklegged ticks) found in New Brunswick are carriers of bacteria that can cause Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, both of which can have serious health implications for humans and pets. Pet parents in the province need to be especially vigilant as tick populations and the duration of tick season have been on the rise in recent years, increasing the risk of exposure to these diseases.²
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Seasonal Allergies
New Brunswick's vibrant seasons, while beautiful, can bring a host of environmental allergens like pollen, grasses, ragweed, dust, mold, and even flea bites that can trigger seasonal allergies in pets. Unlike humans who often experience sneezing, runny noses, and itchy eyes, pets tend to manifest their allergies through skin-related symptoms. Persistent licking or chewing, especially around paws, belly, or groin, is a common sign. Other indicators may include red, itchy ears, hot spots, irritated paws, and redness around the eyes, chin, or snout. Less frequent but still possible are sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, and coughing.³
Read moreWhy Spot Plans?
Spot Pet Insurance offers plan options with 4 tiers of coverage with a combination of accident-only and accident and illness plans available. Spot also offers add-on wellness riders for an extra cost to help cover the eligible cost of routine veterinary services. Learn more about our optional Wellness Riders below.
Spot's Wellness Riders
Spaying or Neutering: Help prevent future health problems and unwanted litters with coverage for this important procedure.
Core Vaccines: Help protect your pet from common diseases with coverage for essential routine vaccinations.
Wellness Exams: Stay ahead of potential health issues with coverage for routine exams and screenings.
Sources:
“Keep Your Pets Warm...” New Brunswick SPCA, https://nbspca.ca/blog/keep-your-pets-warm-and-safe-this-winter, Jan. 31, 2024.
“An uptick in ticks...” CBC, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/winter-ticks-dogs-cats-1.7158031, Apr. 1, 2024.
“Seasonal, Environmental Allergies in Pets,” Pet Friendly, https://www.petfriendly.ca/articles/pet-allergies.php, n.d.
New Brunswick Pet Insurance Information by City
Find city-specific information about Pet Insurance in the state of New Brunswick.
Pet Insurance FAQs
Have questions about pet insurance and how it works? Let’s dig up an answer.
Do All Vets Take Spot Pet Insurance?
You can visit any licensed veterinarian, specialty clinic, or emergency clinic in the US or Canada.
What Does Pet Insurance Cover?
Pet insurance can put money back in your pocket for veterinary costs needed to diagnose, treat, and manage an eligible condition. Exams and rechecks, x-rays, ultra-sounds, bloodwork, surgeries, stitches, medication, and prescriptions, and even prescription diets are all examples of costs that can be claimed for if they are used to treat or diagnose a covered condition.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pet’s illness or accident is considered pre-existing if the condition was onset before the policy coverage effective dates, or during a waiting period. This means if the first signs or symptoms of a condition showed up before coverage started, it would be considered pre-existing to coverage, even if it was not formally diagnosed. The most common reason why an illness or an accident is not covered by any pet insurance provider is if the condition was present before coverage started. For coverage to be available with almost all types of insurance, the problem must be new and unexpected.
For example, if typical symptoms of allergies (itchy skin, ear infections) were present before the coverage was effective or appeared within the waiting period of the policy, the allergies and related conditions, such as itchy paws and pyoderma, would be pre-existing to coverage.
How are My Premiums Calculated?
In general, your premium is based on your pet’s age, your pet’s breed, and where your pet lives. Some other factors that impact your premium are the plan you choose, if you have included preventative care coverage or not, and the discounts for which you are eligible.
What if I Miss a Payment?
When a premium payment does not go through successfully, we will send you an email letting you know. If you know you’ve missed a payment please give us a call at 1-888-501-7768, or log in to your account at https://members.spotpetinsurance.ca/ to update your payment details. Premiums must be kept up to date for your policy to remain active.