Pet insurance can provide pet parents with an added level of security when it comes to their fluffy friend’s health. A pet insurance policy prevents pet owners from paying unexpected vet bills, giving them confidence about their pet’s healthcare.
Fetch, formerly Petplan is on our list of the best pet insurance providers due to the holistic care benefits, well-rounded plan, and customizable coverage caps. Keep reading as we unpack Fetch pet insurance pricing, coverage, policies, and reviews from real customers.
Pros and Cons of Fetch by The Dodo
Compare the advantages and disadvantages of Fetch:
✔ Provides up to $1,000 of coverage for behavioral treatments, which is not included in most competitor plans
✔ Offers more comprehensive dental benefits than most competitors and covers every tooth for illness as well as trauma
✔ Provides coverage for cutting-edge options such as stem cell therapy, acupuncture, homeopathic treatments, and telehealth vet visits
✘ Has a 15-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses, which is higher than most competitor waiting periods
✘ Doesn’t have an add-on option for preventive and routine care
Fetch by The Dodo Background
One of the oldest names in the pet insurance industry, Petplan was founded back in 2007 by pet owners who received a $5,000 bill from a veterinarian for treating their cat. With this experience as a catalyst, Christopher and Natasha Ashton began a pet insurance company to protect pet parents against high expenses during emergencies and illnesses.
Petplan was acquired in 2019 by Warburg Pincus. Its policies are underwritten by AGCS Marine Insurance Company and XL Specialty Insurance Company, and the policies are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC.
In 2022, the company was renamed Fetch, its current brand.
Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance Pricing
While Fetch is not the cheapest pet insurance company available, its holistic scope of coverage makes it a frontrunner for pet parents who want a suite of treatment options for their pet.
Fetch offers one standard plan that covers injuries and illnesses for cats and dogs. Though its baseline plan is fairly comprehensive, Fetch doesn’t offer add-ons for preventative care and wellness.
This lack of wellness coverage may be a drawback for pet parents with puppies or kittens that need more preventative care like vaccines, spaying or neutering, or other routine care treatments.
When customizing a policy, pet parents can choose from the following:
- 70%, 80% or 90% reimbursement rates
- $250, $300, or $500 annual deductibles
- $5,000, $15,000, or unlimited annual limit for coverage caps
To give an idea of pricing, we collected sample monthly premiums for 4-year-old cats and dogs living in Nashville, Tennessee. We chose a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate for each quote.
Sample Pricing Premiums
Species - Breed | Dog - Medium Mixed | Dog - Dalmatian | Dog - Boston Terrier | Cat - Domestic Medium Hair |
---|---|---|---|---|
Accident and illness plan | $36.97 | $48.67 | $42.43 | $20.16 |
Discounts
Fetch offers an array of discounts with its policies. Eligible customers may receive up to 10% off of their plan if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Pet parents who adopted from shelters or rescues
- Walmart shoppers or employees
- AARP members
- Veterans and active military members
- Customers with licensed medical service pets
- Veterinarians and vet employees
The terms and conditions for these discounts are determined individually, so we recommend visiting Fetch.com for the most accurate pricing.
Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage
Fetch offers just one pet health insurance plan that includes coverage for both accidents and illnesses.
Examples of incidents covered under the plan include:
- Hereditary, chronic, and congenital conditions
- Dental injury
- Dental diseases
- Cancer diagnosis and treatment
- Behavior issues like aggression, phobias, or separation anxiety
- Hospitalization
- Surgery
- Outpatient or specialist care
- Toxin ingestion
- Hip dysplasia
- Skin conditions
- Heart disease
- Cancelled vacations due to a sick pet
- Advertising and reward fees for lost pets
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy after an accident
- Prescription medications
- Virtual vet visits
The plan also covers tests and diagnostics such as:
- Complete sick visits
- X-rays
- MRIs
- Labwork
- Blood tests
- Ultrasounds
- Coverage Exclusions
Like other pet insurance providers, Fetch will not cover pre-existing conditions, meaning any health problems that arose before the insurance policy was purchased won’t be covered.
In addition to pre-existing conditions, other items excluded from pet insurance coverage include:
- Routine care checkups
- Vaccinations
- Teeth cleaning
- Spay or neuter surgery
- Cosmetic and elective procedures
Fetch by The Dodo State Availability
Fetch policies can provide pet insurance for cats and dogs in all 50 U.S. states as well as those living in Canada.
Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance Reviews
Fetch holds an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and holds a high rating on Trustpilot. Many of the reviews mention positive interactions with Fetch’s customer service team and the ease of filing claims with the company. Dissatisfied customers often discussed having their premiums raised substantially after their first year of coverage and lengthy wait times for reimbursement.Here are a few Fetch pet insurance reviews from Trustpilot:
Kristen O. on Trustpilot says:
“Fetch has been a great pet insurance for my 12 year old Golden Retriever. He has had many problems during his life, but most recently he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The medicines he was prescribed by his vet have worked amazing for him, but cost about $250 a month in total. Once I hit the $450 deductible for the year, Fetch has paid 80% of the medication costs, no questions asked. It has helped tremendously at a time when we want to do everything we can for our boy. Thanks, Fetch!”
Rafael V. on TrustPilot says:
“Overall very easy to submit and manage claims. Processing times sometimes can take ~15 days. Disputing an existing claim (what is covered and what is not) seems to be an issue. I’ve reached out via email and I was completely ignored, but apart from that, very happy with it.”
*Data accurate as of February, 2023
Compare Pet Insurance Companies
Our Conclusion
Fetch is a great option for pet parents looking for more holistic care, prefer telehealth services, or want robust pet insurance coverage for behavioral treatments. However, customers with older pets and certain breeds may find lower prices elsewhere. Nevertheless, perks like vacation cancellation and boarding during an owner’s hospital stay can appeal to many pet owners.
For pet owners seeking more customizable deductibles, Embrace can be an excellent option, and Healthy Paws offers unlimited coverage on all of its policies. If you’re looking for a highly rated customer service team, consider Prudent Pet.
FAQs About Fetch by The Dodo
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:
- Coverage (25)
- Plan options (20)
- Monthly cost (20)
- Company reputation (15)
- Customer service (10)
- Species eligibility (10)
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly pet insurance cost.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.