Fetch pet insurance rating: 1 out of 5 stars

Fetch has relatively generous coverage, but unfortunately, its rating in our evaluation was brought down by its extremely high cost: It was by far the most expensive pet insurance policy for $5,000 in annual coverage in our evaluation. Ultimately, you can get much more value with other pet insurers that offer good coverage at competitive rates.

One upside to Fetch is that if your pet has a curable preexisting injury or illness and goes 12 months without signs, symptoms, or treatment, the condition is eligible for coverage. This can include problems such as respiratory infections and diarrhea.

Another upside, if you choose to pay the high price for Fetch, is that policies include a range of small coverage types:

• Payment for advertising and a reward if your pet is lost or stolen

• Reimbursement for kennel costs if you’re hospitalized

• Reimbursement of the price you paid for the pet if the pet dies

• Coverage for lost travel costs if you have to cancel a vacation because your pet becomes sick or injured

Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide.

Pros

• Covers dental illness

• Covers acupuncture and chiropractic care

• Reimburses for a range of smaller costs, such as advertising and rewards

Cons

• Very high average cost

• Maximum annual coverage of $15,000

• No multi-pet discount

• If your pet has not been to the vet six months before the start of your policy, an exam is required within 30 days of the policy effective date

Fetch pet insurance basics

• Annual maximum limit choices: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000

• Deductible choices: $300, $500, $700

• Reimbursement choices: 70%, 80%, 90%

Fetch waiting periods

• For accident coverage: 15 days

• For illness coverage: 15 days

• Special waiting period: 6 months for cruciate ligament problems, patella issues, and hip dysplasia

Fetch age restrictions for buying a new policy

• Minimum pet age: 6 weeks

• Maximum pet age: None

Fetch sells an accident and illness policy and a wellness plan.

Fetch’s accident and illness policy

Fetch pet insurance provides a solid range of coverage, without the need to pay for add-ons. Fetch covers:

• The vet exam fee

• Hereditary and congenital conditions

• Diagnostics such as X-rays and ultrasounds

• Dental accidents and illnesses

• Behavioral therapy for conditions such as aggression, separation anxiety, and phobias

• Alternative therapy, such as acupuncture and chiropractic care

• Prescription drugs and supplements

• Up to $1,000 for pet telehealth visits

• Advertising/reward for lost/stolen pets

• Kennel costs if the owner is hospitalized

• Cost of pet if the pet dies

• Vacation cancellation costs due to pet illness or injury

Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers

Fetch offers three wellness plans: Essentials, Advantage, and Prime. Prime provides the most comprehensive coverage and is, therefore, the most expensive option.

• Essentials: Covers up to $315 in annual care costs starting at $10/month

• Advantage: Covers up to $520 in annual care costs starting at $20/month

• Prime: Covers up to $735 in annual care costs starting at $30/month

Learn more: Why a pet wellness plan is worth considering

All three plans will reimburse you up to specified limits for the following:

• Annual exam

• Blood test

• Dental cleaning

• Heartworm tests

• Heartworm, flea, and tick prevention

• Spaying/neutering

• Urinalysis and fecal test

• Vaccinations

The Advantage and Prime plans cover anal gland expression and microchipping. The Prime plan also covers a behavioral exam, activity monitor, and health certificate.

Learn more: Does pet insurance cover vaccines?

Fetch does not cover preexisting conditions. A preexisting condition is defined as an illness, injury, or condition that your pet has shown signs of or that you or your veterinarian noticed before you enrolled, your policy took effect, or during the waiting period for coverage.

However, Fetch does cover curable preexisting conditions that go without signs, symptoms, or treatment for 12 months. Examples include broken bones, respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections.

Learn more: Pet insurance that covers preexisting conditions

Fetch pet insurance does not include access to a 24/7 vet helpline.

Fetch policies don’t cover the following expenses:

• Bathing, unless medically necessary

• Boarding and travel expenses

• Breeding and pregnancy

• Cremation

• Degenerative disorders, including cruciate ligament disease

• Elective procedures, including tail docking and ear cropping

• Euthanasia, unless recommended by a veterinarian

• Experimental treatments

• Grooming

• Injury or illness related to abuse, neglect, racing, organized fighting, occupational use of a pet

• Obedience or training classes

• Preexisting and bilateral conditions, even if they appear on the other side of the body

• Preexisting intervertebral disk disease

• Prescription food

• Preventive care

• Weight-loss treatment

Yes, but there are restrictions if you want to increase your coverage. All requests for changes in coverage must be made in writing or with verbal confirmation.

• Increases. You can apply to increase your policy coverage – or decrease your deductible or co-pay – only if you haven’t submitted any claims. In most states, you can only apply to increase your coverage once a year when your policy renews. Increasing your coverage will reset your waiting period and preexisting coverage exclusions.

• Decreases. You can apply to decrease your coverage – or increase your deductible or co-pay – at any time.

Fetch had the highest-priced policy in our evaluation of policies with a $5,000 annual coverage limit.

Fetch pet insurance came in at 55% above the average cost in our analysis.

Learn more: Is pet insurance worth it? How to decide.

Fetch does not offer a multi-pet discount. Most pet insurance companies provide a discount of 5% or 10% for insuring multiple pets.

No, you must pay your vet and submit a claim to be reimbursed. However, if you expect a large bill, contact Fetch in advance to ask if it will make a special arrangement to pay the vet directly.

Learn more: Pet insurance that pays the vet directly: How does it work?

Here’s what to know about filing a claim with Fetch:

• To make a claim: Submit a detailed invoice showing your balance was paid in full and medical records from your pet’s most recent vet visit.

• To submit claims quickly: Upload documents through your online account or use the Fetch app.

• To receive reimbursements faster: Set up direct deposit to be paid five to 10 days faster than by check.

• If your claim is denied: You can appeal in writing within 90 days of denial of a claim.

You must submit a claim within 90 days after a vet visit.

Fetch says that it processes claims within 15 days and, once a claim is approved, makes payments in as few as two days if you have direct deposit.

Fetch’s mobile app is highly rated, but it may not offer as many features as some other pet insurance apps. The Fetch app can be used to upload records, submit claims, track the status of claims, and set up direct deposit.

Fetch's mobile app ratings:

• Apple App store: 4.8 out of 5 stars

• Google Play store: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Fetch pet insurance is available in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.

Yes, Fetch requires that your pet get a medical exam within six months before enrollment.

You can contact Fetch by phone, email, mail, and interactive chat on its website.

• Contact the Fetch sales team at 1-866-984-0104 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on Saturday

• Contact the Fetch service team at 1-866-467-3875 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET

• The email address is info@fetchpet.com

• The mailing address is Fetch, P.O. Box 1489, Bolingbrook, IL 60440

• The interactive chat is at Fetch.com

You can cancel a policy at any time by calling or emailing Fetch. If you cancel a policy within 30 days and haven’t filed any claims, you will receive a full refund. After 30 days, your refund will be pro-rated based on the date of termination.

Tim Manni edited this article.