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Founded in 2003, Fetch was formerly known as Pet Plan until its recent acquisition by The Dodo, a pet media company. Fetch offers comprehensive coverage, affordable options, and unique perks like covering rewards fees for lost pets and pet boarding fees when owners themselves are hospitalized.
Like all pet insurance, Fetch has its pros and cons. Here’s an in-depth review to help you decide if it’s the right insurance for your pet.
Pros And Cons Of Fetch By The Dodo Pet Insurance
Pros
- Comprehensive coverage: Fetch covers a wide range of conditions and treatments, including many items not traditionally covered by all insurance like dental disease, behavioral treatment, and physical therapy.
- Customizable rates: Fetch offers multiple choices for annual coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates so pet owners can find the right plan for their budget.
- Lost pet help: Fetch covers rewards fees for lost pets to help bring them home.
- Full dental coverage for accidents and illnesses: Fetch covers the full spectrum of dental diseases as well as accidents like broken teeth. Not all pet insurance covers dental disease or accidents.
Cons
- 15-day accident waiting period: Fetch’s 15-day waiting period for accident coverage is considerably longer than many other top pet insurance companies, most fall between 2 to 5 days.
- Extended waiting period for orthopedic conditions: Fetch has a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
- No wellness coverage: Fetch does not offer any wellness coverage or add-ons for preventative care like annual check-ups or vaccines.
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Fetch By The Dodo Insurance Plans
Fetch only offers one plan but it is considered one of the most comprehensive plans on the market. It covers a wide range of conditions.
This plan covers accidents and injuries such as broken bones, hit-by-car incidents, wounds, and more. It also covers illnesses like infections, cancer, diabetes, and others. Fetch also claims to have the most comprehensive dental coverage on the market. All dental accidents and injuries are covered including broken teeth, gum disease, oral tumors, and more.
Covered costs include diagnostics, lab work, treatments, hospitalizations, surgeries, and more. As an added bonus, this plan also covers behavioral and physical therapies.
State Availability
Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance is available in all 50 US states and the District of Columbia.
What Doesn’t Fetch By The Dodo Pet Insurance Cover?
Like all pet insurance plans, Fetch has exclusions:
- Preexisting conditions: Any medical problems your pet had prior to enrollment will not be covered.
- Illnesses or injuries during the waiting period: Similar to preexisting conditions, any illness or injury sustained during the waiting period will be excluded from coverage.
- Preventative care: Fetch does not cover any preventative care such as annual check-ups, dental cleanings (unless for periodontal treatment), or vaccines.
- Experimental treatments: Fetch does not cover any treatments that are considered investigational, experimental, or beyond the standard scope of care in veterinary medicine. This can include things like non-FDA-approved medications or enrolling your pet in a clinical trial.
- Breeding costs: Any medical expenses related to breeding your pet such as ultrasounds, c-sections, and birthing care are not covered.
Fetch Waiting Periods For Coverage
Pet insurance coverage doesn’t kick in until after a specific period of time. This is known as the waiting period.
Fetch waiting periods are:
- 15 days for accident and illness coverage
- 6 months for orthopedic conditions
To compare these waiting periods to other pet insurance companies, 15 days for illness coverage is fairly standard but some other companies offer a shorter waiting period for accidents. Typically 2 to 5 days. The extended waiting period for orthopedic conditions is standard in some pet insurance but not in others.
Fetch By The Dodo Insurance Costs
Like all pet insurance, your monthly premium with Fetch will vary based on many factors including your pet’s age, breed, sex, and location.
Here’s a breakdown from one study on pet insurance quotes for Dallas, a populated city in Texas.
| Breeds | Puppies/Kittens | 5-year-old Pets | Seniors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labrador Retriever | $23.96 | $48.19 | $81.94 |
| Golden Retriever | $25.55 | $50.06 | $85.19 |
| Exotic Shorthair Cat | $20.16 | $20.16 | $50.50 |
| Poodle | $20.16 | $29.25 | $58.23 |
| German Shepherd | $27.55 | $56.04 | $93.67 |
| French Bulldog | $36.51 | $63.90 | $106.67 |
Other Factors Determining Cost
Fetch offers customizable coverage with multiple options for choosing your annual coverage limit, deductible, and reimbursement rate.
Annual Limit
This is the most your pet insurance will cover for the year. Once you reach this limit, you’ll pay out-of-pocket for any remaining vet bills until your renewal date. The higher the annual limit, the higher your monthly premiums will typically be.
Fetch offers the following annual limit options:
- $5,000
- $10,000
- $15,000
Deductible
This is the amount you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for your pet’s veterinary expenses before you are eligible for reimbursements.
Fetch offers the following deductible options:
- $300
- $500
- $700
Reimbursement
This is the percentage of your pet’s medical bills the insurance will pay after the deductible has been met.
Fetch offers the following reimbursement options:
- 70%
- 80%
- 90%
Possible Discounts
- Fetch offers a 10% military discount
- A 15% “healthy pet” credit may be applied to accounts with no claims for one year
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does Fetch Offer A Wellness Plan?
Fetch does not offer a wellness plan or any preventative care coverage.
Does Fetch Cover Preexisting Conditions?
Like all pet insurance, Fetch does not cover preexisting conditions. A medical records review and/or veterinary exam may be required to complete your enrollment.
Does Fetch Cover Dental Cleaning?
Fetch does not cover routine dental cleanings, as those are considered preventative care. However, they will cover advanced cleanings and treatments related to dental disease.
Does Fetch Have Any Coverage Limits?
Fetch does have an annual coverage limit which is chosen by the policyholder in the range of $5,000 to $15,000. There are no per-incident coverage limits.
How Do I File A Claim With Fetch?
You can file a claim with Fetch by submitting a digital claim online, downloading the Fetch app, or sending an email or fax. All methods require a claim form and a copy of your invoice and medical records from the visit.
How Long Does It Take Fetch To Pay Out?
Most Fetch claims are processed within 15 days. Depending on your chosen method of reimbursement, you may receive a direct deposit into your account shortly after claim approval, or a check in the mail 5 to 10 days later.
How Can I Cancel A Policy From Fetch?
To cancel a policy, you must call and speak to a Fetch customer service representative. They will provide further instructions on what is needed to fulfill your cancellation request.
Does Fetch Cover Spaying And Neutering?
Fetch does not cover spay and neuter procedures. Those fall under the bracket of preventative care which is not covered.
Does Fetch Cover Euthanasia?
Although not explicitly stated on their website, other pet insurance analyses online indicate that Fetch may cover euthanasia if it is medically necessary.
Does Fetch Cover Hip Dysplasia?
Fetch covers hip dysplasia after a 6-month waiting period (for new policies only) as long as it is not a preexisting condition.
Is Fetch Accepted By Every Pet?
Fetch will reimburse claims for medical treatment provided by any licensed veterinarian. There is no network of veterinary providers to adhere to.
Does Fetch Pay The Vet Directly?
Fetch does not offer direct-to-vet payment options. It operates strictly on a reimbursement model. You’ll pay your pet’s medical bill upfront, file a claim, and receive reimbursement from Fetch.
