Fetch Pet Insurance Review

 

You know how important it is to have health insurance for yourself. If you have a romantic partner or kids, then you probably make sure they’re also covered. Going without it can mean financial ruin if health problems happen.

Something similar happens for any pets you have. If something happens to them, you might face a dire choice between taking care of them or saving your money for something else.

Fortunately, pet insurance exists to help blunt the costs of pet health and medicine. Fetch pet insurance is one of the better options in this industry. It won’t cover everything, but the right policy might just make keeping your cat or dog healthy quite a bit more affordable than it is right now.

 

Overview

 

Currently known as Fetch by The Dodo, this insurance company used to be known as Petplan. The services and offerings are a bit limited compared to the rest of the industry. Waiting periods are at or above industry averages, and they don’t pay vets directly for any claims filed. Notable missing features include wellness coverage and a policyholder helpline – things most other pet insurance companies now offer.

 

Pros and Cons

 

Depending on how you look at Fetch, this pet insurance provider is in the middle of the pack or even below average. Still, there’s a mix of advantages and disadvantages.

 

The Pros

 

Fetch pet insurance does have some strong features, including:

• Coverage for veterinarian exam fees
• Handles some boarding/kennel fees
• Coverage for rewards and ad fees when a pet is stolen or lost

 

The Cons

 

Fetch pet insurance does have some notable downsides to their policies, including:

• Lack of preventative wellness option
• No 24/7 helpline via phone or video
• 15-day accident waiting period, which is below industry average
• Waiting period for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament pre-existing conditions is 6 months

 

Coverage and Exclusions

 

Fetch pet insurance has things it will cover but also things it won’t. Depending on your pet’s age and health status, these details determine whether this is the right coverage for you.

 

What’s Covered

 

Pet insurance through Fetch is comprehensive. It will cover accidents and illnesses, along with many other particulars:

• Injuries, including fractured bones and skin lacerations
• Illnesses, including vomiting and urinary tract infections
• Vet exam fees
• Dental illnesses
• Imaging/Ultrasounds
• Acupuncture
• Hydrotherapy
• Diagnostic testing
• Hospitalizations and emergency care
• Rehabilitation
• Surgery
• Chiropractic care
• Cancer treatment
• Rewards and advertising for stolen or lost pets
• Boarding fees when deemed medically necessary
• Vacation cancellation fees should you be forced to remain home with a sick pet

 

What’s Not Covered

 

Fetch can’t cover everything, or they’d go out of business. Certain exclusions involve:

• Pre-existing conditions diagnosed before coverage or the waiting period
• Preventative and wellness costs, including regular exams and vaccines
• Expenses related to nursing, pregnancy, and breeding
• Experimental treatments
• Cosmetic procedures, including declawing, tail docking, or spaying/neutering
• Food, unless a vet prescribes it
• Time or travel expenses for vet appointments
• Grooming
• Illnesses/injuries resulting from fighting; racing; commercial guarding; or any other professional, business, or occupational applications

 

Waiting Periods

 

Waiting periods are used by pet insurance companies to make sure they will get premium payments from you before they apply for their coverage benefits and to make sure that only new injuries and illnesses are covered. Reimbursements for any pet health costs don’t start until the waiting periods are over.

The waiting period for illnesses is 15 days with Fetch. Every pet insurance provider varies on this, but most are at 14 days. That means Fetch is one day behind most of the sector, which is slightly below average.

The waiting period for accidents is also 15 days, and this doesn’t stand out very well for Fetch. Many other industry providers feature 14 days of waiting, but the top competition has waiting periods of just 24-72 hours, which is approximately two weeks faster.

There are 6-month waiting periods for hip dysplasia, patella issues, and cruciate ligament matters. This is standard for many other industry providers. However, a few don’t have extended waiting periods at all for such conditions. If your pet is prone to these issues, then shopping around can help you out tremendously.

 

Cost Considerations

 

Fetch offers three different levels of maximum annual coverage you can choose from. The lowest tier starts at $5,000 for those that want the lowest impact on their premiums. A middle tier of $15,000 is available, and that’s notably higher than the upper ceilings of many other pet insurance providers. Fetch also is one of the few in the industry to offer unlimited annual coverage for those willing to pay the premiums associated with such coverage.

Deductible choices start at $250 for those who want to keep more money in their pocket when claims are filed but are willing to put up with higher premiums. You can lower your premiums by paying more of your own money before claims if you choose the $300 or $500 levels.

Fetch matches most other providers in the industry with their three available reimbursement options. They are 70%, 80%, and 90%.

 

How Much Does It Cost?

 

Fetch has 15 years of data they use to determine precision pricing. Their pricing model considers the age of your pet, where you live, and your pet breed. Fetch’s pet insurance is often considered premium in its level. If you’re looking for something economical or affordable, this might not be the place to look.

They do have a credit system, however, that you might use to save money for healthy pets. If you go a full-year policy period without any paid claims, then you can get 15% off your renewal premium the following year. That does double to 30% if your pet goes two consecutive years of Fetch coverage without any paid claims.

If you go for middle-of-the-road coverage with a 1-year-old dog or cat, then you would choose a $300 deductible, $10,000 of annual maximum coverage, and 80% reimbursement. Under these scenarios, plan on paying around $20 a month for your premiums.

Discounts are available as much as 10% for certain groups. They include:

• Walmart shoppers
• Rescue adopters
• Shelter adopters
• Veterinary employees
• Veterinarians
• Active service members in the military
• Military veterans

 

The Final Verdict

 

Fetch pet insurance by The Dodo does offer flexible pricing and competitive rates. The possibility of unlimited coverage is a nice thing to see in a pet insurance industry where such an option is rare. However, the waiting periods are all at either industry averages or below them. The two weeks for accident coverage is particularly jarring when most policyholders would rather have the peace of mind that accident coverage would kick in faster, which is just a few days for some providers.

If you’re looking for premium coverage, then Fetch is worth looking at. However, there are some pet insurance providers with better coverage levels, and nearly everyone has better waiting periods across the board.

 

 

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