Choosing the right pet insurance can make unexpected veterinary bills easier to manage, but comparing plans can be complicated. With the number of insured pets seeing double-digit increases in the last four years, it’s a competitive market growing more complex over time. With so many insurers offering different deductibles, reimbursement rates, coverage limits, and add-ons, it can be difficult to know which plan makes the most sense for you and your pet.
In this Spot Pet Insurance review, we break down Spot’s coverage options, costs, deductibles, claims process and customer feedback and compare them with Fetch Pet Insurance to highlight how the two providers differ in the details. Finally, we’ll explore what Reddit users and Trustpilot reviewers say about their experiences, including both policy pros and cons.
Spot and Fetch Pet both offer coverage for dogs and cats, but they take slightly different approaches to plan customization. The table below provides a high-level comparison of the two providers based on their coverage, pricing information, and customer experience as reported on review sites like Trustpilot and on Reddit.
Spot pet insurance offers coverage for dogs and cats. They break plans down into several parts — accident, illness, preventive and other options — so you can identify the plan you prefer. A 24/7 help line keeps vets on call so policyholders can ask questions and get advice, though they don't cover full telehealth visits. Dental coverage is available, though some exclusions may apply.
You can access Spot through any vet in the U.S. and Canada. They don’t put upper age limits or lifetime caps on their policies, though like most in the industry, they don’t offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Deductibles at Spot come in two varieties: annual and per-incident. If you choose the annual, it means you’ll have an amount you need to spend before reimbursement kicks in, and this amount refreshes at the beginning of each year. If you choose per-incident, you’ll have an amount to spend each time something happens before reimbursement kicks in. Each option can affect the amount of your monthly premium, and the right choice will depend on your budget and the likely needs of your pet.
Once you set your choice between annual vs. per-incident deductibles, you can opt for various deductible levels: $100, $250, $500, $750, and $1,000. Add-on options and the level of reimbursement will combine with your deductible to help set your monthly premium.
Spot offers accident-only and accident and illness plans, with wellness and behavioral coverage options when you choose how to customize your plan. You can visit any vet in the U.S. or Canada to receive coverage. Medications, surgeries, preventive care and accidents may all be covered depending on what you choose in your plan. Below we break down the details of what you might find with Spot.
The basic accident-only plan addresses injuries, accidents, emergency veterinary visits, treatment and related needs when surprise issues arise. Accident and illness policies cover more than that, extending coverage to illness related issues. If your pet needs tests, treatment, medication or surgery for both new chronic illnesses and acute illnesses, accident and illness coverage will help support you as you navigate those costs.
Pre-existing conditions are excluded, as with most pet insurance plans, though Spot does put a condition on this. Curable pre-existing conditions that are symptom free for six months without treatment may be covered, though knee and ligaments are excluded from this condition. Any issue that arises during the waiting period is subject to exclusion, and waiting periods may vary by policy.
Dental coverage may vary depending on which plan you choose, accident, accident and illness or accident/illness/prevention.
You must choose accident and illness plans specifically, as Spot's most basic plan is accident-only. Policyholders can also opt for a preventive care plan — either the wellness plan or the platinum preventative add-on. The wellness plan covers a variety of health maintenance needs like dental cleanings and annual exams. The platinum preventive add-on also covers things like spaying and neutering. There is no dedicated dental plan, but each additional add-on through the wellness package adds another dental care benefit. For the most comprehensive dental package from Spot, the platinum plan offers the more extensive coverage.
For dogs, plans average $49.12/month for a $10,000 limit, 80% reimbursement, and $500 deductible. For cats, plans average $41.99. Your premium takes into account the age of your pet, their breed, and your home address to calculate your premium. Premiums can increase as pets age and if your location changes.
With Spot, you pay the vet upfront at the time of care. Hang on to your receipts and any documentation your vet gives you, then file a claim. Claims must be filed within 270 days to be eligible for coverage. You can submit your receipt and any relevant medical information with your claim, and Spot will email you once they receive it. From there, you wait for reimbursement. It’s possible to appeal a claim if needed or cancel a claim if you change your mind.
Users have mixed reviews about Spot. Some talk about extreme premium hikes, where the cost more than doubles at the renewal period. Others cite difficulties with customer service when dealing with difficult problems, like a policy canceled without warning. A few users mention that Spot requests two years of vet records in order to determine what might be considered a pre-existing condition and therefore what they will cover.
The claims process can be a bit long for some, but people generally find the claims submission process simple and the reimbursement rates fair.
Redditors cite inconsistent approval of claims, saying Spot tends to look for reasons to deny claims for preexisting conditions, even on a technicality. One user noted that they denied a dental cleaning, claiming the need for it was related to a preexisting condition. Some users find themselves frustrated with handling add-ons, and some complain of issues with behavioral claims.
Others praise the compassion Spot customer service gave them after the passing of a pet. Users on Reddit also note that the claims process is easy and reimbursement comes as they expect.
Fetch Pet offers pet insurance for dogs and cats across the U.S. and Canada and allows members to use any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada. Its accident and illness coverage can help pay for expenses like emergency visits, hospital stays, surgeries, diagnostic testing, prescriptions, full-mouth dental including gum disease and cover treatments for hereditary and breed-specific conditions.
Fetch Pet lets you adjust several policy features to balance coverage and premiums. Annual deductibles can range from $250 to $700, depending on the species, with lower deductibles generally resulting in higher premiums. You can also get up to a 90% reimbursement rate, with seven categories available for 100% reimbursement up to $1,000:
For annual coverage limits, Fetch Pet lists standard maximum annual payout options of $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 (with an unlimited option available via phone). The maximum annual payout represents the most you can be reimbursed during a policy year. These customizable options can make Fetch Pet appealing to pet parents who want more control over their monthly premium and potential out-of-pocket costs. However, availability, coverage terms, exclusions, waiting periods, and other policy details can vary by state or province, so review the policy documents before enrolling.
Fetch Pet offers the most complete pet coverage through their accident and illness policies and their wellness add-on. They particularly stand out for their dental coverage, covering injury and disease in every adult tooth.
The base plan for Fetch Pet is the accident and illness plan. Unlike many other policies, Fetch Pet covers full sick visits in their standard plan, as well as full-mouth coverage for dental disease and injury. Fetch Pet offers the most complete coverage for accidents and illnesses, handling things like broken bones, allergies, infections, cuts and more.
Fetch Pet also offers 100% reimbursement through their online pharmacy, Fetch Pet Rx, so any prescribed and covered medication your pet needs can be shipped right to your door and reimbursed with a qualifying claim. Fetch Pet also covers behavioral therapy prescribed by a vet at a 100% reimbursement rate for up to $1000/year.
It’s important to file your claims in a timely manner, as claims filed after 90 days from the date of the invoice will be denied. In general, like with all pet insurance providers, pre-existing conditions are excluded from all policies, excepting curable pre-existing conditions that remain symptom-free for one year from the issue within year one or two of beginning your policy. If the condition returns during the first year, your pet gets a second chance in the second year. If the condition remains symptom-free and requires no treatment for the entire second year, then your pet may be eligible for coverage.
Fetch Pet keeps their policy structure simple, offering just one specific add-on after their accident and illness policy: wellness coverage with Fetch Wellness. With this add-on, you get coverage for routine dental care like cleanings, and also access to covered annual wellness exams and general preventive care. Things like spaying/neutering, blood tests, flea and tick prevention, vaccines, and other preventive testing also fall under this add-on.
For dogs, costs average about $35/month. For cats, premiums average $22/month. Each cost depends on three data points: Your pet’s age, your home address and your pet’s breed. Other factors that adjust your premium include the choices you make when you build your policy, like your reimbursement rate, deductible and max annual payout. Because of the pre-existing conditions policy, it’s best to start coverage when your pet is young.
Pet parents must submit claims in the app within 90 days. Upload the invoice and any relevant documentation to speed up processing. Claims are usually processed in less than 10 business days. Once approved, reimbursements is paid via direct deposit in as little as two days. If you opt to receive reimbursement by paper check, plan on waiting an extra 5-10 days to receive your check by mail.
Fetch Pet holds a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot. Customers praise their quick reimbursement times and good customer service, even in complex situations like adding five cats to a plan at once. People report that submitting an invoice is easy and approval is “lightning fast.” Dental coverage is simple and clear, with coverage being better than expected by some customers.
Some users report that they aren’t reimbursed at the rate they would prefer, so it’s important for you to be aware of the details of your policy.
Some Redditors report that even with claims on their record, their premiums rise at renewal by a reasonable amount. Others say they’re satisfied with the reimbursement rates for the policy they chose and the speed of claims approval. Users with pets with chronic conditions also report satisfaction with how much they were reimbursed, especially given the condition's overall cost.
Spot pet insurance and Fetch Pet Insurance both provide ways to offset the cost of unexpected veterinary care, but the better choice depends on which coverage features matter most to you. Spot offers a flexible plan structure that lets you choose options like a per-incident or annual deductible, your reimbursement rate, and limited accident-only coverage. This can keep your monthly premium lower, but it can leave you hanging when expenses exceed the coverage limits.
Fetch Pet offers the more complete insurance. Fetch Pet is likely a better fit for those who prioritize broad accident and illness coverage and dental protection. Its single accident and illness policy keeps the basic coverage structure relatively straightforward, with more things covered without add-ons, and the optional wellness add-on supports routine care.
Spot does not cover full telehealth with online veterinarians. If you need prescriptions or full veterinary care for any other reason, you will have to pay out of pocket for telehealth or go to a covered vet in person. In person, Spot works with any vet in the U.S. and Canada.
Spot advertises that they can reimburse many claims within 48 hours of the date you file the claim. More complex claims may take longer to approve and reimburse and may require you to submit additional documentation.
Most insurers let you cancel your policy in their app or online, but Spot doesn't. Spot requires you to call customer service, send an email, or send a notice by snail mail to inform them you want to cancel your policy. It’s not advisable to cancel until you complete the reimbursement process for all outstanding claims, as they may not pay out if you cancel early.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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