Fetch Pet Insurance at a Glance
Fetch has carved out a reputation as one of the more thorough pet insurance providers available today. The company got its start back in 2003 when founders Chris and Natasha Ashton decided to launch a pet insurance company after getting blindsided by an expensive vet bill of their own. For nearly two decades, the company operated as Petplan before rebranding to Fetch in 2021. Today, they protect more than 450,000 pets and have built their identity around offering coverage that competitors either skip entirely or tack on as pricey extras. If you’re the type of pet parent who wants genuinely robust protection without having to Frankenstein together a policy from multiple add-ons, Fetch deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Fetch Pet Insurance earned an 8.8 out of 10, which was just shy of landing it on our list of the best pet insurance. That doesn’t mean Fetch isn’t right for you, though. Here’s everything you need to know to decide if it’s the right fit for your pet.
Key Strengths
- Fetch bundles in coverage that you’d typically have to pay extra for elsewhere. Their dental coverage extends to every adult tooth rather than just the canines, and they include breed-specific conditions, exam fees for sick visits, and behavioral therapy without requiring separate riders.
- The telehealth benefit stands out as genuinely useful. Policyholders get up to $1,000 annually for virtual vet consultations with no copay, which can help you avoid unnecessary emergency room trips when your pet has a middle-of-the-night issue.
- Unlike most competitors, Fetch will reconsider pre-existing conditions. If your pet goes a full year without symptoms or treatment for a particular condition, Fetch considers it “curable” and will cover it going forward.
- Reimbursement speed is solid once claims get approved. With direct deposit set up, many customers report seeing money back in their accounts within a couple of days.
Weaknesses
- The lack of an online cancellation option frustrates customers. You have to call during business hours, which creates unnecessary friction for anyone trying to end their policy.
- Premium increases as pets age can be dramatic. Multiple long-term customers have reported annual jumps of 30-50%, which can make the policy feel unsustainable over time, even if you rarely file claims.
- Multi-pet households get no love here. While you can insure multiple animals, Fetch offers no discount for doing so, unlike several competitors.
- Prescription food falls outside covered expenses. If your pet develops a condition requiring a specialized diet, those ongoing costs come entirely out of your pocket.
Who is Fetch Best For?
Fetch makes the most sense for pet owners who value comprehensive protection over finding the cheapest monthly rate. Puppy and kitten owners benefit from enrolling early since coverage starts at just six weeks old. Owners of purebred dogs with known hereditary health risks will appreciate that Fetch covers breed-specific conditions as standard. If you qualify for one of their discounts through military service, AARP membership, or working in veterinary medicine, the value proposition improves significantly with that 10% lifetime savings.
Fetch Pet Insurance Overview
Fetch operates out of New York City and provides coverage in the United States and Canada. The company traces its roots to 2003, though most of its early history played out under the Petplan name after licensing that brand from the UK-based original. The transition to the Fetch identity happened in 2021.
Private equity firm Warburg Pincus acquired the company in 2019, the same year Paul Guyardo took over as CEO. At that point, the company employed around 200 people and was generating approximately $130 million in annual revenue.
On the insurance mechanics side, Fetch Insurance Services, LLC handles policy administration while AXIS Insurance Company provides the actual underwriting. AXIS Reinsurance Company covers the Canadian operations.
The company focuses exclusively on dogs and cats. If you have exotic pets, birds, rabbits, or reptiles, you’ll need to look elsewhere for coverage.
Fetch Pet Insurance Reliability
Financial stability matters enormously with insurance since you need confidence that claims will actually get paid. Fetch benefits from strong backing on this front. Their underwriter, AXIS Insurance Company, carries an “A” (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best and an “A+” (Strong) rating from Standard & Poor’s. Both ratings specifically assess claims-paying ability, which is exactly what you care about as a policyholder.
A.M. Best most recently affirmed these ratings in August 2025, noting that AXIS maintains what they characterize as the strongest levels of risk-adjusted capitalization. The company has been around for over two decades, and with Warburg Pincus providing financial backing, there’s no reason to worry about Fetch disappearing or failing to honor claims.
Fetch Pet Insurance Coverage Options
Plan Types Offered
Fetch takes a streamlined approach by offering just one accident and illness plan that you customize, rather than forcing you to choose between multiple tiers with confusing differences. This single comprehensive plan includes benefits that many competitors either exclude or charge extra for.
For routine and preventive care, Fetch offers an optional wellness add-on with three different tiers. These wellness plans have no deductible and no waiting period, so coverage begins immediately upon enrollment.
What’s Covered
The accident and illness policy covers a genuinely extensive list: standard accidents and illnesses, hereditary and breed-specific conditions, cancer treatments, dental disease and injuries across all adult teeth, diagnostic testing, surgeries, prescriptions, specialty care, behavioral therapy (up to $1,000 annually), telehealth consultations (up to $1,000 annually), alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic care, exam fees for sick visits, boarding costs if you’re hospitalized, and even some unique items like advertising rewards if your pet goes missing and vacation cancellation costs.
The dental coverage deserves special attention because it genuinely sets Fetch apart. Most pet insurers either exclude dental entirely, cap it severely, or only cover the canine teeth. Fetch covers disease and injury in every adult tooth, plus the gums, including periodontal disease, which affects a huge percentage of dogs and cats.
What’s NOT Covered
Pre-existing conditions follow industry-standard exclusions. Any condition that showed symptoms before enrollment, during the waiting period, or before your pet’s first exam won’t be covered.
You’ll ned to file claims within 90 days of treatment or forfeit coverage for that visit.
Prescription food stays excluded even when a vet recommends it for a covered condition. Regular supplements get covered, but specialty diets do not.
Routine care like vaccinations, annual checkups, and preventive treatments requires the separate wellness add-on.
Policy Terms
Illness coverage activates after a waiting period of up to 15 days, which aligns with industry norms. Accidents have no waiting period.
Orthopedic conditions, including cruciate ligament injuries and patellar luxation, carry a six-month exclusionary period. However, you can waive this by getting your pet’s knees certified healthy by a vet within the first 30 days of your policy.
Enrollment opens up at six weeks old with no upper age limit, though Fetch requires following your vet’s recommendations for senior wellness testing once dogs hit 8eightor cats reach 10.
Cancellation requires a phone call to 866-509-0163 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern). Cancel within 30 days without filing claims, and you get a full refund. After that, refunds are prorated minus any applicable administrative fees.
Special Features
The telehealth benefit provides genuinely useful coverage for virtual vet consultations via phone, text, email, or video. The $1,000 annual limit with no copay can save you from expensive emergency visits for issues that turn out to be minor.
Fetch developed an AI-powered health prediction tool called the Fetch Health Forecast. Using clinical data from hundreds of thousands of dogs across 500+ breeds, it generates personalized health predictions for your dog with what the company claims is 85% confidence.
The company maintains partnerships with no-kill shelters throughout North America and has donated over $5.8 million to these organizations since 2018. They also support Project Street Vet, which provides veterinary care to pets owned by people experiencing homelessness.
Fetch Pet Insurance Affordability
Sample Pricing
Average monthly costs run around $35 for dogs and $20 for cats, according to Fetch’s own figures. However, sample quotes from industry comparisons show higher figures: approximately $80 monthly for dogs and $39 for cats. These sample rates run about $17 higher than the U.S. average for dogs and $7 higher for cats, based on data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.
Your actual rate depends heavily on the specific coverage configuration you select.
Pricing Factors
Three main variables drive your premium: your pet’s age, breed, and your geographic location. Younger pets cost less to insure. Breeds with known health predispositions may carry higher rates. Areas with more expensive veterinary care translate to higher premiums.
Notably, Fetch doesn’t adjust pricing based on your pet’s sex, medical history, behavioral issues, spay/neuter status, or whether they live indoors or outdoors.
Customization Options
Deductible choices range from $250 up to $2,500, letting you balance your monthly premium against out-of-pocket costs when you file claims.
Reimbursement rate options include 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses after meeting your deductible.
Annual coverage limits span $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, or unlimited, giving you flexibility based on how much protection you want against catastrophic expenses.
Discounts Available
Military members and veterans receive 10% off their monthly premium for the life of their policy, which adds up to meaningful savings over time.
AARP members qualify for the same 10% lifetime discount.
Veterinary professionals, including licensed vets, vet techs, veterinary staff members, and vet students, also get 10% off.
Paying quarterly or annually rather than monthly reduces your total premium.
The healthy pet credit rewards claim-free years with a 15% discount on the following year’s premium, stackable up to 30% maximum.
One significant gap: Fetch offers no multi-pet discount. Insuring multiple animals costs the same per pet as insuring just one.
Value Assessment
Fetch intentionally positions itself at a higher price point than budget competitors, and the company is upfront that you’re paying more because you’re getting more comprehensive coverage. The dental, behavioral, telehealth, and exam fee coverage all come standard rather than requiring extra fees.
The more concerning affordability issue involves long-term premium growth. Customer reviews consistently mention dramatic annual increases, with some reporting jumps of 30-50% year over year as their pets age. While premium increases are universal in pet insurance, the magnitude of Fetch’s increases draws more complaints than average.
Fetch Pet Insurance Claims Process
Claims Submission Methods
You can file claims either through the Fetch website portal or their mobile app. The process involves uploading your itemized invoice (showing a zero balance) and your pet’s medical records from a recent checkup. Both documents are required for processing.
The app has earned strong ratings, sitting at 4.7 stars in the Apple App Store and 4.8 in Google Play with thousands of positive reviews. Features include document scanning, claims tracking, deductible progress monitoring, and direct deposit setup.
That said, some users have reported technical glitches with the app, including submission buttons failing to work and difficulty uploading documents, forcing them to submit claims via email or the web portal instead.
Average Reimbursement Timeframe
Fetch states that claims typically process within 15 days of receiving all required documentation. Industry analysis suggests average processing runs about 10-14 days, depending on whether your submission includes everything needed or requires follow-up for missing documents.
Once approved, reimbursement via direct deposit can arrive in as little as 2 days. Choosing a check payment instead adds 5-10 additional days.
Reimbursement Process
Fetch uses the standard reimbursement model, where you pay your vet bill upfront and then file for reimbursement. Your payment amount depends on your chosen deductible and reimbursement percentage.
One unique perk: prescriptions purchased through Fetch Pet Rx, their affiliated online pharmacy, qualify for 100% reimbursement on qualifying medications rather than the standard percentage.
All claims must be submitted within 90 days of treatment to remain eligible for reimbursement.
Fetch Pet Insurance Customer Service
Accessibility
An AI chatbot handles questions around the clock. For human assistance, live chat operates weekdays from 9 AM to 8 PM Eastern and Saturdays from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern.
Phone support for existing customers runs weekdays from 9 AM to 6 PM Eastern at 866-467-3875. Sales inquiries get longer hours at 866-984-0104: weekdays 8 AM to 9 PM Eastern and Saturdays 9 AM to 7 PM Eastern.
Email support goes to [email protected], though response times vary.
Digital Experience
The mobile app earns strong ratings and provides solid functionality for claims submission, account management, and tracking. Most users find it intuitive and efficient.
However, a subset of customers has experienced frustrating bugs, including non-functional buttons, difficulty uploading documents, error messages when entering payment information, and incomplete access to claims history. These issues appear intermittent rather than universal.
Customer Satisfaction Metrics
Better Business Bureau: Fetch holds an A+ rating and maintains BBB Accredited Business status as of October 2024. This top grade indicates the company meets BBB standards and responds appropriately to customer complaints.
Trustpilot: The company carries a 4.5-star average across more than 5,500 reviews with an “Excellent” overall rating. Customer reviews frequently praise knowledgeable staff, clear explanations, and efficient claims processing. Worth noting: many positive reviews come immediately after enrollment calls, which may not fully reflect long-term customer experience.
Reddit: Sentiment runs notably more negative on Reddit, with analysis showing roughly 8% positive feedback. Common complaints focus on claim denials, coverage gaps at renewal, and premium increases.
The disconnect between Trustpilot and Reddit ratings likely reflects the difference between customers reviewing during the sales process versus those with years of claims experience.
Fetch Pet Insurance Customer Highlights
What Customers Like:
Many policyholders praise the straightforward claims process. Getting through enrollment and filing their first claim goes smoothly for most, with clear communication about what’s needed and quick turnaround on approvals.
Customers who’ve faced major medical expenses often express genuine gratitude. Stories about affording surgeries, ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, and emergency care they couldn’t have managed otherwise appear frequently in positive reviews.
The customer service team earns consistent praise for patience, knowledge, and friendliness. Representatives apparently take time to explain coverage details and help customers understand their options.
What Customers Dislike:
Renewal experiences generate the most consistent complaints. Some customers report that Fetch quietly reduces coverage levels or adds exclusions at renewal based on claims history. Combined with the inability to change insurers for pets with pre-existing conditions, this leaves some feeling trapped.
Premium increases frustrate long-term customers more than any other issue. Even those who’ve filed few or no claims report seeing dramatic annual jumps that eventually make coverage feel unaffordable.
The cancellation process draws specific criticism. Requiring a phone call during limited business hours, dealing with retention efforts, and occasional difficulty reaching anyone create friction for customers trying to end their policies.
Pros and Cons of Fetch Pet Insurance
Pros
- Genuinely Comprehensive Standard Coverage: The base accident and illness policy includes dental coverage for all teeth, breed-specific conditions, exam fees, alternative therapies, behavioral treatment, and telehealth without requiring add-ons or riders. This simplifies comparison shopping since you’re not trying to estimate what extras you might need.
- Curable Pre-Existing Conditions Policy: Most insurers permanently exclude any condition your pet had before enrollment. Fetch offers a path back to coverage: go 12 months without symptoms or treatment, and that condition becomes eligible for coverage again.
- Strong Financial Foundation: The A.M. Best “A” rating and S&P “A+” rating for their underwriter provide confidence that claims will get paid. Twenty-plus years in business and private equity backing add stability.
- Useful Telehealth and Behavioral Benefits: The $1,000 annual allowances for virtual vet visits and behavioral therapy address real needs that other insurers often ignore or charge extra for.
Cons
- No Multi-Pet Savings: Families with multiple animals get no price break for insuring them together. Competitors offering 5-10% multi-pet discounts deliver better value for these households.
- Steep Premium Increases: Year-over-year rate jumps of 30-50% appear in customer reviews far more frequently than with some competitors. Even pets with minimal claims history see substantial increases as they age.
- Phone-Only Cancellation: The inability to cancel online forces customers to call during business hours. Combined with retention efforts, this makes leaving more difficult than it should be.
- No Prescription Food Coverage: Pets with conditions requiring specialty diets face ongoing out-of-pocket costs that can add up significantly over time.
Our Verdict and Score for Fetch Pet Insurance
Fetch offers legitimately comprehensive coverage that stands out in a market full of policies with hidden gaps and expensive add-ons. For pet parents who prioritize thorough protection and value simplicity over finding the absolute lowest rate, Fetch delivers. The tradeoffs involve higher average premiums, no multi-pet discount, and concerning reports about steep renewal increases. Go in with realistic expectations about long-term cost trajectory, and you’ll likely be satisfied with the coverage itself.
Recommended For:
- Pet owners who want complete coverage without piecing together add-ons
- Purebred dog owners are concerned about breed-specific health issues
- Military families, veterans, and AARP members who can maximize the lifetime discount
- Anyone who prioritizes comprehensive dental coverage
Not Ideal For:
- Price-sensitive pet owners seeking the lowest monthly premium (consider Pets Best pet insurance)
- Multi-pet households want discounts for insuring all their animals (consider MetLife pet insurance)
- Pet parents whose animals need prescription food for chronic conditions (consider Pumpkin pet insurance)
- Those who prefer self-service options for account changes and cancellations (consider Lemonade pet insurance)
Methodology
Our evaluation weighted five categories based on their importance to the average pet insurance buyer:
Affordability (30%): We compared pet insurance premium costs across multiple pet profiles, factoring in available discounts and fee structures. Pets Best’s industry-low prices drove their strong score here.
Claims Process (20%): We evaluated submission options, processing times, reimbursement speed, and the availability of direct vet payment. Multiple submission methods and reasonably fast processing earned a solid score, though customer friction reports prevented a higher rating.
Customer Service (20%): We assessed accessibility, digital tools, and customer satisfaction metrics from Trustpilot, BBB, and Reddit. The BBB complaint situation and app issues significantly impacted this score.
Stability (20%): We examined A.M. Best ratings, years in business, corporate backing, and regulatory standing. Strong financial backing, offset by mixed underwriter ratings, resulted in an above-average score.
Coverage Options (10%): We reviewed plan variety, what’s covered and excluded, waiting periods, and special features. Comprehensive offerings with genuine customization options earned a high score, with waiting periods being the main drawback.
Our review methodology weighs five key factors to generate overall scores. We analyzed 20 pet insurance providers across identical criteria, then applied a curve based on the top performer to ensure fair comparisons.
Fetch Pet Insurance Category Scores
- Financial Strength: 8/10
- Coverage Options: 9/10
- Affordability: 6/10
- Claims Experience: 7/10
- Customer Experience: 7/10
- Overall Score: 8.8/10
Check out our complete methodology and see how every provider stacked up in our Pet Insurance Reviews.
