Fetch Pet Insurance Review | The Motley Fool

This pet insurer is a good fit for: Anyone seeking a simple pet insurance plan accepted by any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. and Canada.

Best for simple yet comprehensive coverageFetch

Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.

4.00/5

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Fetch Pet Insurance Snapshot

Pricing
Fetch states that its plans cost an average of $35 per month for dogs, $25 per month for cats, and they offer a lower price for puppies and kittens. The cost of pet insurance depends on many variables, such as the type of pet, breed, sex, age, location, annual coverage limit, and the deductible. Average premium costs can vary from $20 to $50 a month. Because Fetch only offers one comprehensive plan, the monthly premium is higher than other pet insurance companies.

Discounts

You can save 10% off your premium by paying quarterly and save 20% by paying annually. Veterans and those in the military save 10%. Policies for support, comfort and therapy pets, vets and vet employees, AARP members, and if you have a shelter or rescue dog are also 10% off.

Perks
Fetch states that they offer the most comprehensive coverage available. They offer just one plan that includes dental, breed-specific conditions, and holistic care. Even supplements are covered as long as your vet recommends them for a covered condition. You can visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada, including specialists and emergency clinics, so you don't have to worry about switching providers.

Customer Service

To submit a claim, you need a finalized invoice and detailed medical records. You can submit a claim online or through their mobile app. Claims are then processed within 15 days after you submit all the necessary documents. They send email updates and when a claim is approved, they will either send you a check or direct deposit the money into your bank account.

Full Fetch review

Pros

Can use any licensed veterinarian
One simple comprehensive plan
No upper age limit
No additional fees

Cons

Premiums are more expensive
15-day waiting period
Six-month waiting period before hips and knee injuries are covered
No routine or preventive care coverage

Top perks

Can use any licensed veterinarian

Fetch doesn't have networks, so you can use your current vet or visit any other licensed vet in the U.S. or Canada (including specialists and emergency clinics). Other pet insurance companies are only available in certain states. They also cover up to $1,000 per policy year in virtual vet visits via text, email, call, or video.

One simple plan to choose from

Fetch offers one comprehensive plan that includes what other pet insurance companies charge extra for or don't cover at all. The plan includes comprehensive dental (Fetch covers every tooth), breed-specific conditions, and holistic care. Fetch's holistic coverage includes physical therapy, acupuncture, homeopathic, hydrotherapy, and chiropractic care all at no extra charge. Even supplements are covered as long as the pet's vet recommends them for a covered condition. Other insurance plans do not cover holistic care or if they do, it is an added charge. Fetch also covers the cost of advertising if your pet is missing and will also pay a reasonable reward for finding them. This service is covered up to $1,000 per year.

No upper age limit

Fetch covers pets of any age (over six weeks). There is no upper age enrollment limit. Some pet insurance companies will not cover pets over a certain age. Fetch also has no age limitations for any covered condition.

No additional fees

Fetch does not charge any fees such as enrollment fees, online vet visits, or exam fees. Every sick visit to the vet comes with an exam fee, which can be around $50-$250. Fetch covers those exam fees. Not all providers do.

What could be improved

Premiums are more expensive than other insurers

Since Fetch has only one comprehensive plan that covers many services, the monthly premium cost might be higher than other pet insurers. It doesn't have a cheaper coverage option for accidents and illnesses only, and they also don't cover routine and preventive care.

15-day waiting period

The waiting period ends 15 days after the effective date of your policy. Any injury or illness that occurs during the waiting period will be considered a pre-existing condition, which means it won't be eligible for coverage.

Six month waiting period before injuries of the hips and knees can be covered

There is a six month waiting period before injuries of the hips and knees can be covered. You can waive the waiting period for knee injuries by having your pet examined by a vet in the first 30 days of their policy to determine that they don't have any relevant pre-existing conditions.

No routine or preventive care coverage

Fetch does not cover routine and preventive care, which cover things like spaying and neutering, teeth cleaning, flea and tick protection, and vaccines.

Pricing

Fetch has only one comprehensive plan that covers many services, so compared to other pet insurance companies, the monthly premium might be higher.

Average cost for dogs	$35
Average costs for cats	$25
Deductible Levels	$250, $300, $500
Reimbursement Rates	70%, 80%, 90%

Data source: Fetch.

Alternatives to consider

If you want a pet insurer that offers no upper age limits and unlimited lifetime benefits: Pets Best offers similar benefits to Fetch but Pets Best offers different coverage options that may be better for your pet. Pets Best also offers pet owners the option to add wellness coverage. Pets Best, however, doesn't offer comprehensive dental and alternative therapies cost extra.

Read Pets Best review

Policy options

Fetch offers just one comprehensive plan that covers new injuries and illnesses that occur after the waiting period ends. This includes things like foreign object ingestion, broken teeth, ACL ruptures, and kidney disease. They state that they offer the most comprehensive coverage available. Fetch will cover:

Treatment for injuries: The cost of veterinary treatment when your pet gets hurt. Injuries can range from cuts and foreign object ingestion to broken bones and ACL ruptures.
Treatment for illnesses: The cost of veterinary treatment when your pet gets sick. Illnesses can range from vomiting, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections to heart disease or cancer.
Sick-visit exam fees: Fetch covers exams fee, which can be around $50-$250.
Teeth & gums: Fetch covers injury and disease in every adult tooth, not just the canines. You also get full coverage for periodontal disease (the most common disease in dogs and cats), oral tumors, trauma, and more.
Breed-specific issues: Not all providers cover medical conditions linked to breed, like breathing problems in French bulldogs or kidney stones in Burmese cats.
Alternative & holistic care: Fetch cover treatments like acupuncture, aromatherapy, chiropractic, and homeopathic therapy administered by a vet to treat an injury or illness. Not all providers do.
Emergency vet visits: Treatment at licensed emergency veterinary clinics anywhere in the U.S. or Canada.
Specialists: Treatment by licensed veterinary specialists including, but not limited to, orthopedists, oncologists, orthodontists, and cardiologists.
Diagnostic tests: Tests performed or prescribed by a vet to help diagnose an injury or illness. Diagnostic tests can range from blood tests and urinalysis to MRIs and ultrasound.
Hospitalization: Overnight stays at a licensed veterinary hospital anywhere in the U.S. or Canada for treatment, monitoring, or further testing.
Physical therapy: Treatments including, but not limited to, hydrotherapy, laser, underwater treadmill, kinesiotherapy, land-based exercise, massage, stretching, and electrical stimulation administered by a vet to treat an injury or illness.
Behavioral therapy: Consultations with a vet to diagnose and treat behavioral disorders including, but not limited to, aggression, separation anxiety, or phobias. Covered up to $1,000 per year.
Virtual vet visits: Remote telehealth treatment by a vet by means including, but not limited to, phone calls, email, text messaging, or video chat. Covered up to $1,000 per year, no copay required.
Supplements: Any non-prescription medicinal substance, including but not limited to nutraceuticals, vitamins, and herbal medicines, that a veterinarian recommends for the treatment of an injury or illness.
Boarding fees: The cost of boarding your pet at a licensed facility while you're in the hospital. Covered up to $1,000 per year.
Advertising & reward: The cost of advertising that your pet is missing and paying a reasonable reward for finding them. Covered up to $1,000 per year.

Discounts

Fetch offers many discounts, but they don't offer multi-pet discounts like other pet insurance companies do.

Shelter and rescue adopters

You can save up to 10% if you adopted a pet from a shelter or rescue. Employees are also eligible for this discount.

AARP member discount

AARP members get up to 10% off Fetch policies.

Veterans and active military

Veterans, active duty military, and family members get up to 10% off on Fetch policies.

Support, comfort and therapy pets

If you have a licensed medical services pet, you can save up to 10%.

Veterinarians and vet employees

Veterinarians and their staff are eligible to save up to 10%.

Pay premiums quarterly or annually

You can save 10% off your premium by paying quarterly and save 20% by paying annually.

Application process

You can sign up for Fetch online. You first enter your pet's information to get your quote. You can have multiple insurance policies with Fetch. Each pet you enroll will have their own policy, and you'll pay a separate premium for each one.

What types of pets are eligible for Fetch Pet insurance?

Fetch offers insurance for dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens. Fetch will cover any cat or dog breed.

Customer service and ratings

Fetch has a 4.3 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot based on 276 reviews. Forbes Advisor gives Fetch 2.5 out of 5 stars, U.S. News gives it 3.6 out of 5 stars, and Consumer Voice gives it a ranking of 10 out of 10. The service ratings for Fetch are wide-ranging. Some customers are pleased with the coverage and service, while others have commented that only a small percentage of their claim was approved.

This pet insurer is a good choice for:

Fetch is best suited for people who:

Want to keep their current veterinarian
Want one simple policy that has comprehensive coverage
Have older pets and are concerned about finding coverage

But you may want to consider Pets Best if you want the same coverage but want more customized plans and routine care coverage.

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Fetch Review: Pet Insurance Accepted by Any Licensed Vet