Fetch Pet Insurance: A Comprehensive Overview
Fetch, formerly known as Petplan, is a pet insurance provider that offers comprehensive coverage for dogs and cats. In 2022, Petplan partnered with The Dodo and transitioned its name to Fetch. This review provides an in-depth look at Fetch’s plans, coverage options, costs, and customer service to help pet owners determine if it’s the right choice for their furry companions.
Coverage Options
Fetch offers accident and illness plans similar to other top pet insurance companies. This type of plan is the most common and covers a wide range of veterinary issues. While the company does not offer accident-only plans, they do offer optional wellness plans.
Accident and Illness Coverage
Fetch pet insurance covers a variety of accidents and illnesses, including exam fees. This includes a range of issues:
- Accidents: Skin lacerations, fractured bones, swallowing objects, and poisoning.
- Illnesses: Allergies, arthritis, cherry eye, cancer, urinary tract infections, gum disease, and breed-specific hereditary and congenital conditions.
- Hospitalizations: Emergency care, rehabilitation services, surgeries, and vet/technician time.
- Specialist Care: Services from internal medicine experts, oncologists, and veterinarians. This may also encompass alternative therapies and rehabilitation such as acupuncture, chiropractic care, or hydrotherapy, as well as behavioral therapy for aggression and separation anxiety.
- Prescription Medication: Coverage for medications prescribed to treat conditions covered by the policy, such as skin infections.
- Diagnostics: Blood tests, CAT scans, X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds.
Beyond these basic coverage types, Fetch pet insurance also covers advertising and rewards for lost or stolen pets, medically necessary boarding fees, and vacation cancellation fees if your pet gets sick and you must stay home.
Fetch Add-Ons: Wellness Plans
Fetch offers three wellness plans that can be incorporated into your policy to cover preventive and routine care. These plans have no copay, deductible, or waiting period.
- Essentials: Covers basic services like vaccines and dental cleaning.
- Advantage: Provides higher reimbursement amounts and includes additional items, such as microchipping.
- Prime: Includes the highest reimbursement amounts and covers the most items, such as an activity monitor.
Here’s a breakdown of the reimbursements for each plan:
What Fetch Doesn’t Cover
Fetch, like other pet insurance providers, has some exclusions. The following are typically not covered:
- Costs arising from breeding, pregnancy, or nursing.
- Elective procedures like tail docking, declawing, or spaying/neutering (unless covered by a wellness plan).
- Experimental treatments.
- Food.
- Grooming.
- Injuries or illnesses resulting from racing, fighting, commercial guarding, or any occupational, professional, or business use.
- Pre-existing conditions.
- Time and travel expenses for vet appointments.
- Wellness and preventive care costs are typically not covered unless you have a wellness add-on.
Coverage Limits & Options
Fetch offers various options for annual coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement percentages, enabling you to customize your plan to suit your budget and your pet’s needs.
Maximum Annual Limit
The maximum amount Fetch will reimburse in a given year has the following options:
- $5,000
- $10,000
- $15,000
Deductible Options
The deductible is the amount you pay before coverage kicks in, you can choose:
- $300
- $500
- $700
Reimbursement Options
Fetch offers three reimbursement options:
- 70%
- 80%
- 90%
Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
Like most pet insurance companies, Fetch has waiting periods before coverage begins. These are the waiting periods:
- 15 days for accidents
- 15 days for illnesses
- Six months for cruciate ligament issues, patella issues, and hip dysplasia
Policies are available for dogs and cats aged six weeks and older. There is no upper age limit for pet insurance policies.
Here’s how Fetch’s waiting periods compare to those of other companies:
Fetch Pet Insurance Costs
According to Forbes Advisor’s analysis, Fetch pet insurance costs an average of $52 per month for a dog and $27 per month for a cat. These figures are based on plans with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $300 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement level. For $15,000 in annual coverage, with a $300 deductible, and an 80% reimbursement level, the average cost is $69 per month for a dog and $34 per month for a cat.
Cost Comparison for Dogs
Here’s a sample of the average monthly costs for dogs, according to Forbes Advisor:
These costs are based on $15,000 annual coverage, a $300 deductible, and 80% reimbursement.
Cost Comparison for Cats
Here’s a sample of the average monthly costs for cats, according to Forbes Advisor:
These costs are based on $15,000 annual coverage, a $300 deductible, and 80% reimbursement.
Fetch Compared to Other Insurers
Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on unlimited annual coverage ($15,000 for Fetch) with a $250 deductible ($300 for Fetch) and 80% reimbursement level for dogs and cats, ages 3 months, 2 years, 5 years, and 7 years. Chewy Essential Plus does not offer an 80% reimbursement level; rates are based on a 90% reimbursement level.
Fetch Health Forecast
Fetch Health Forecast is a predictive tool designed to help dog owners understand potential future health problems, by analyzing 150 million data points from more than 725,000 dogs across over 500 breeds, to assess a dog’s health trajectory and health outcomes. You can request a Fetch Health Report for your dog to receive breed-specific insights into potential health conditions.
Customer Service and Claims
Claims Process
You can file claims via the Fetch Pet Insurance mobile app or the online member portal. Submit a claim by uploading a picture of your paid invoice and any relevant medical records, including your pet’s medical history. Claims must be submitted within 90 days of treatment and are typically processed within 15 days of receiving all necessary documentation. Direct deposit can speed up reimbursements, typically within 5 to 10 days.
Contact Information
- Phone: (866) 467-3875 (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET)
- Live Chat: Available on the website (Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. ET)
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: P.O. Box 1489, Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does Fetch work with any vet? Yes, Fetch pet insurance covers bills from any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada, including emergency vet clinics and specialists.
- Can I add multiple pets to my Fetch pet insurance policy? Yes, you will need to buy a separate policy for each pet, as Fetch does not offer a multi-pet discount.
- Does Fetch pet insurance cover dental care? Yes, Fetch covers dental accidents and diseases, such as broken teeth, gum disease, and oral tumors. Their wellness plans also include dental cleaning coverage.
- Does Fetch pet insurance cover spaying and neutering? Standard policies do not cover these costs. You must add a wellness plan to get coverage.
Conclusion
Fetch offers comprehensive pet insurance options with flexible deductible and reimbursement choices, along with wellness plan add-ons. Fetch’s costs are comparable with other top insurers. The company’s health forecast tool is a unique feature. However, waiting periods for certain conditions and the lack of an accident-only plan are factors to consider. Ultimately, Fetch could be a good choice for pet owners seeking a robust insurance plan with extensive coverage.
