Pet insurance guide: How to choose the right plan
Get your price
Lauren & Piper
Periodontal disease costs:
$14,771
Fetch paid back:
$11,227
How do I choose the best pet insurance for my pet?
The key is understanding what different pet insurers cover, don’t cover and charge extra to cover. Many insurers can give you a low price when you first quote, but you might have to pay extra to add on additional coverage as you get closer to purchasing, or they might not cover certain treatments at all. We’ll walk you through all of this and more, so you can make the best decision for you and your pet.
This guide will help you understand:
What’s covered (and not covered)
Pet insurance costs
Reviews and sample policies
Understanding how pet insurance coverage affects reimbursements
Pet insurance reimburses you for unexpected injuries and illnesses your dog or cat might experience — the things you can’t see coming. The more coverage you have, the more you’ll get paid back for your pet’s care. Fetch provides the most complete coverage, including full-mouth dental, breed-specific conditions, sick-visit exam fees and more.
What to look for in pet insurance coverage
Dental injury & illness coverage
Periodontal (gum) disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats — up to 90% of pets get it, and it costs $1,389 on avg. to treat. Fetch reimburses you for injury and disease in all of your pet’s adult teeth and their gums.
Exam-fee coverage
Every time your pet visits the vet when they're sick or hurt, you'll be charged with an exam fee, which can be around $50 - $300. This is on top of any of the costs for treatments and tests. Fetch covers these exam fees for you.
Pet telehealth coverage
If you’re traveling, have a pet question outside of office hours or just want the convenience of not leaving home, 24/7 access to an online vet is covered by Fetch. We reimburse you 100% for telehealth vet visits with no copay and no deductible up to $1,000/yr.
All vets covered (no networks)
You can use any vet in Canada or the U.S. with Fetch Pet Insurance — they’re all covered. This means your pet can get the care it needs from your vet or any vet, including specialists and emergency vet clinics.
Breed-specific condition coverage
Some breeds are more likely to have medical issues than others (think: hip dysplasia in German Shepherds, breathing problems in Bulldogs or heart issues in Maine Coons). Fetch covers hereditary and congenital conditions for all breeds.
Wellness coverage
Pet insurance doesn’t include routine or preventive care. You can add Fetch Wellness for as low as $17/mo. to get reimbursed for the routine vet visits that help keep your pet healthy, including annual exams, vaccinations, spaying/neutering, dental cleanings, heartworm, flea and tick prevention, plus more.
How pre-existing conditions affect coverage
If your pet gets sick or hurt before you sign up for insurance, that particular injury or illness will be considered a pre-existing condition and won’t be covered. In general, no pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions. That’s why it’s important to sign up for pet insurance when your pet is young and healthy, so your pet (and your wallet) will be covered for the unexpected.
Understanding the prices of different pet insurance plans
Your pet, your price
The average monthly cost for Fetch Pet Insurance is $35/mo. for dogs and $21/mo. for cats. Your pet’s price will vary based on their age, breed and where you live. Puppies and kittens cost less to insure with Fetch than older pets. Breed is also a factor since certain breeds are prone to certain conditions, making them more expensive to insure, on average. Since Bulldogs are prone to breathing problems, for example, their monthly price is more than other breeds. Lastly, where you live plays a role in determining your cost because the price of veterinary care changes based on zip code.
Customize your cost to fit your pet & your budget: how deductibles & payouts affect your premium
When you get your quote, simply adjust these 3 factors to find the price that’s right for you. Other providers, like Trupanion, require that all pets have unlimited coverage at a higher cost when that’s not right for all pets or all budgets.
Annual deductible
What is a deductible?
Your deductible is the amount of veterinary care you need to pay for yourself each year before your insurer starts reimbursing you.Example: If your pet insurance annual deductible is $300, you have to pay for $300 worth of approved veterinary care before you can start getting paid back for claims.
How does my deductible affect price?
Choosing a higher deductible will make your price lower.Max annual payout
What is a max annual payout?
The maximum dollar amount you can get paid back each year (sometimes this is called an “annual limit” in insurance-speak).Example: If your max annual payout is $15,000, the maximum amount your pet insurance can reimburse you is $15,000.
How does my max payout affect price?
Choosing a lower max annual payout will make your price lower.Reimbursement rate
What is a reimbursement rate?
Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of your vet bill that your insurance will cover.Example: If your reimbursement rate is 80% and you submit a claim for $500, we can cover up to $400.
How does a reimbursement rate work?
Choosing a lower reimbursement rate will make your price lower.
How pet insurance claims work
It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3 to get paid back for approved claims with Fetch.
1
You pay the vet
You pay your pet’s bill in full at the veterinarian’s office during your visit.
2
Submit a claim to get paid back
Snap a picture of your paid invoice and supporting medical records and submit them in the top-rated Fetch app.
3
Get reimbursed — fast
Claims are typically processed in less than 10 days. Once approved and you’ve met your deductible, you'll get paid back up to 90% straight to your bank account via direct deposit.
Sample illness vet bill for $400 with a 90% reimbursement rate, 10% copay
Deductible
Already met
$360 back to you
90% reimbursement
$40
10% copay
Reimbursed to you
$360
The percentage of a covered vet bill that Fetch pays you back.
Your copay
$40
The percentage of a covered vet bill that you're responsible for.
You will not be eligible for reimbursement during the waiting period
With Fetch, there’s a waiting period of up to 15 days before illness coverage begins. Any illness that occurs during this waiting period will not be covered. There is no waiting period for accident coverage and, if added, Wellness coverage.
Buyer’s guide checklist
Buyer’s guide checklist
Research what’s covered & what’s not covered
Understanding exclusions and limitations before you buy can help prevent surprises later.
Get a quote to understand the costs
Now that you know what different pet insurers cover (and don’t cover), get a quote to see how much they cost. If an insurer doesn’t offer certain coverages, budget those items into what you might have to pay for out of your own pocket. Your free Fetch Pet Insurance quote is personalized to your pet's breed, age and location. Get yours today, and give your pet the most complete coverage.
Check out reviews
Seeing what pet parents have to say about their experiences with different pet insurers is a great way to get a sense of how trusted and reliable each provider is. Fetch has over 5,000 five-star reviews on Trustpilot, for example.
Read a sample policy
Before you enroll, take a minute to go through a sample pet insurance policy, so you have a more complete sense of what you're signing up for. Fetch has a transparent policy that clearly spells out what is not covered.
Goldenbean & Ebby
Inflammatory Bowel Disease costs:
$6,127
Fetch paid back:
$4,045
Help your pet live a longer, healthier life with the most complete pet insurance
The majority of pet parents don’t feel confident they can afford a pet medical emergency, according to the ASPCA, and pet insurance alleviates this concern. Knowing you’ll get reimbursed for covered vet visits and treatments means you won’t have to choose between your pet and your wallet. But not all pet insurance is created equal. Fetch is the best pet insurance at the best price for puppies and kittens. We help you give your pet the best medical care and get more money back in your pocket.
Your pet insurance questions — answered
How do I choose the right pet insurance plan?
Is pet insurance worth the cost?
Does Fetch Pet Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
How much does pet insurance cost per month?
Does Fetch Pet Insurance include telehealth coverage?
What is a pet insurance waiting period?
How do I file a pet insurance claim with Fetch?
Fetch is on a mission to help you give your pet a longer, healthier life.
Making the best veterinary care accessible to your dogs and cats — no matter the cost — is just the beginning. When you join Fetch, you’re getting the most complete pet insurance and unlocking a world of exclusive Member Perks on products and services that help you enjoy more good days with your pet.
