Pet insurance reimbursement — how to get paid back
How does pet insurance reimbursement work, and how quickly can you get paid back?
It’s fast and easy with Fetch Pet Insurance — filing a claim just takes a few minutes and they’re typically processed in less than 10 days. Once approved, you get paid back up to 90% for unexpected vet bills.
Barkley
Swollen paw costs:
$12,582
Fetch paid back:
$9,361
How pet insurance reimbursement works in 3 easy steps
Fetch Pet works on a reimbursement model. This means you pay your bill in full at the veterinarian’s office after your pet receives treatment, then you submit a claim to us and we pay you back a percentage of covered care. Submitting a claim and getting paid back is fast and easy with our top-rated app.
1
You pay the vet first
You pay your pet’s bill in full at the veterinarian’s office during your visit.
2
Submit a claim to get paid back
Upload a picture of your paid invoice and supporting medical records and submit them in the top-rated Fetch Pet Insurance app.
3
Get reimbursed — fast
Claims are typically processed in less than 10 days. Once approved and you've met your deductible, get paid back up to 90% straight to your bank account when you set up direct deposit.
Pet insurance reimbursement rates, explained
When you sign up for Fetch Pet, you’ll select an annual deductible, max annual payout and reimbursement rate. These factors will affect how much you’re paid back for your pet’s vet bills. Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of your vet bill that your insurance will cover. With Fetch Pet, you’ll choose a reimbursement rate of 70%, 80% or 90%. Choosing a higher reimbursement rate means you’ll get paid back more, but your monthly price will be higher. Here’s a look at how your reimbursement rate affects payback amount.
Did you know?
Over 7 million pets are insured in the U.S., according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). The reason is simple — the majority of pet parents don’t feel confident they can afford a pet medical emergency, according to the ASPCA. Fetch Pet Insurance alleviates this concern by reimbursing you up to 90% for unexpected vet bills.
Reimbursement rate examples with a $2,000 vet bill
When you first submit a claim, you will not have met your deductible yet. Here’s what this can look like in a few different reimbursement rates:
Reimbursement rate | Deductible | Max annual payout | Reimbursement amount |
|---|---|---|---|
70% | $300 | $10,000 |  $1,100 |
80% | $300 | $10,000 | $1,300 |
90% | $300 | $10,000 | $1,500 |
Annual deductible
Your deductible is the amount of veterinary care you need to pay for yourself each year before your insurer starts reimbursing you.
Max annual payout
The max annual payout is the maximum dollar amount you can get paid back each year (sometimes this is called an “annual limit” in insurance-speak).
Reimbursement rate
Your reimbursement rate is the percentage of your vet bill that your insurance will cover.
How reimbursement works for pet insurance wellness claims
Reimbursement for Fetch Wellness works differently than Accident and Illness pet insurance. For example, there’s no deductible, no waiting period and no reimbursement rate with Wellness. So, instead of getting paid back 70%, 80% or 90% for approved claims, you get reimbursed a set amount for each type of preventive care. The claims process is the same, however: You pay your bill in full at the vet and submit a claim in our top-rated app. Take a look at some of the most popular treatments Wellness pays you back for.
Annual exam
You get up to $100/yr. paid back
A complete check-up to make sure your pet is healthy and find any hidden signs of illness.
Vaccinations
You get up to $125/yr. paid back
Protection against infectious diseases like rabies that can cause serious illness or death.
Heartworm, flea & tick prevention
You get up to $250/yr. paid back
Medication to keep your pet safe from harmful parasites and disease-carrying insects.
Plus, you get reimbursed for so much more with Fetch Wellness!
Get your priceFetch Pet reimburses 100% for these 7 coverages
Fetch Pet provides full reimbursement for behavioral therapy, online vet visits and more into every policy — this means there is no copay and no deductible for these coverages.
7 coverages with 100% reimbursement — up to $1,000/yr. each with Fetch Pet
Behavioral therapy
Fetch Pet gives 100% of the cost to diagnose and treat behavioral disorders with a vet back to you.
Boarding
Fetch Pet covers the cost to board your pet at a licensed facility when you’re hospitalized 4+ days.
Online vet visits
Access to licensed vets on-demand from your phone, computer or tablet is covered 100% by Fetch Pet.
Find a lost pet
Fetch Pet covers the cost of advertising a lost pet and paying a reasonable reward for finding them.
Stolen or stray pet
In the tragic event you're unable to find your pet, we'll cover the cost you paid to adopt or buy them.
Canceled vacation
If your pet gets sick or injured when you’re traveling or before you leave, we'll cover cancelation costs.
Passing of a pet
In the heartbreaking event that your pet dies, we'll cover the cost you paid to adopt or buy them.
Learn more about all 100% reimbursement coverages
Pet insurance claim examples: See how much these Fetch Pet Members were reimbursed
Elaine & Stormi
Pancreatic issues:
$7,225
FETCH PAID BACK:
$5,632
Sparkle
15 years of care:
$41,434
FETCH PAID BACK:
$32,300
Ellie & Brydon
Bacterial infection:
$5,896
FETCH PAID BACK:
$4,688
How reimbursement is calculated from vet bill to payback
After you’ve paid your vet bill in full and submitted your claim for reimbursement, you’ll receive an EOB (Explanation of Benefits) that shows how your reimbursement was calculated. Below, see two EOB examples that show the amount paid, the copay and total reimbursement. Remember: Wellness claims have no copay and no deductible.
Accident & illness EOB
Deductible
$300
Reimbursement Rate
80%
TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy)
Invoice amount
$3,991
Covered amount
$3,991
Copay, if applicable
-$798.20
Reimbursement available
$3,192.80
Surgical equipment fee
Invoice amount
$79
Covered amount
$79
Copay, if applicable
-$15.80
Reimbursement available
$63.20
Facility fee
Invoice amount
$15
Covered amount
$15
Copay, if applicable
-$3
Reimbursement available
$12
Total
$3,268
Annual deductible applied
$300
Total reimbursement
$2,968
Wellness EOB
Prime Plan annual coverage amount: $735
Deductible
None ($0)
Copay
None ($0)
Canine spay
Invoice amount
$300
Covered amount
$300
Copay, if applicable
$0
Reimbursement available
$250
E-collar
Invoice amount
$10
Covered amount
$10
Copay, if applicable
$0
Reimbursement available
$10
Microchip
Invoice amount
$40
Covered amount
$40
Copay, if applicable
$0
Reimbursement available
$30
Total reimbursement
$290
What is a covered amount?
The covered amount is the total amount of money eligible for reimbursement before any copay, deductible or policy limits are applied.
What is a copay?
A copay is the portion of the covered amount you’re responsible for paying. This is determined by your reimbursement rate and is subtracted from the covered amount.
Reimbursement timing: It's quick & easy with Fetch Pet
Once you’ve taken your pet to the vet and paid your bill in full, getting reimbursed is simple and fast. Here’s an example of a typical reimbursement timeline with Fetch Pet — from filing a claim to getting paid back.
Day 1
You submit your claim
Day 8
Your claim is reviewed by Fetch Pet
Claims are typically processed in less than 10 days.
Day 10
You get reimbursed if you’ve set up direct deposit (recommended)
Day 19
You get reimbursed by check (if you don’t have direct deposit)
If you don’t set up direct deposit, you’ll have to wait 5-10 days longer to get paid back by paper check. We recommend setting up direct deposit for the fastest and easiest reimbursement.
Set yourself up for the fastest reimbursement
Here are a few steps you should take after you’ve signed up for Fetch Pet to get reimbursed quicker.
Add your vet's info as soon as you sign up
Once you select your primary vet when setting up your account, we’ll contact your vet to request any medical records we may need. This allows Fetch Pet to process your claims as quickly as possible.
Set up direct deposit
Setting up direct deposit gets you reimbursed back 5-10 days faster than paper checks. Payments are secure and there are no hidden fees.
Submit claims within 90 days
Be sure to file your claims as soon as you can. Claims must be submitted within 90 days of the vet visit to be eligible for reimbursement.
Questions about how pet insurance reimbursement works, answered
How long does Fetch Pet Insurance take to reimburse?
What percentage of the vet bill does Fetch Pet reimburse?
Are wellness reimbursements different?
Can Fetch Pet pay the vet directly instead of reimbursing me?
How does pet insurance reimbursement work?
Does Fetch Pet Insurance reimburse for dental, hereditary and behavioral conditions?
What documents do I need for pet insurance reimbursement?
When can I start being reimbursed?
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.
