Fetch by The Dodo Pet Insurance – 2023 Review – MarketWatch

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In this article: Pros and Cons | Plans and Coverage | Premiums | Customer Reviews | Competitor Comparison | Conclusion | FAQs
Researching multiple pet insurance providers before purchasing an insurance policy can help you choose a trustworthy provider that’s right for your pet. Founded in 2007, Fetch by The Dodo, formerly Petplan, has been around longer than most competitors and uniquely offers holistic coverage in its policies.
We at the Guides Home Team have found Fetch to be one of the best pet insurance companies nationwide, standing out for its comprehensive therapy coverage and discount options that help keep monthly premiums low. Keep reading our Fetch pet insurance review for an in-depth look at the company’s offerings.
 
+ Covers a breadth of therapies that are often excluded or limited by other providers, such as laser therapy, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, homeopathy and more
+ Offers an unlimited annual coverage cap option, which means you won’t reach a limit on how much Fetch will pay for vet bills throughout the year, and you can take your pet to any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada
+ There is no enrollment fee, and you can cancel at any time
– Has high plan prices for older animals based on the dozens of quotes we received from top pet insurance companies
– Doesn’t provide preventative care coverage for your pet’s routine treatments
 
 
Fetch provides one pet insurance plan for coverage on accidents and illnesses, such as injuries, chronic conditions, hereditary conditions and more. It reimburses you up to your annual limit for vet bills that may include exam fees, dental procedures (if related to injury or illness), cancer treatments, diagnostic testing, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, specialist treatments and alternative therapies.
Fetch also provides up to $1,000 of reimbursement for each of the following services:
Like all pet insurance companies, Fetch won’t cover your furry friend’s pre-existing conditions. In the policy terms, Fetch defines a pre-existing condition as, “a medical condition which first occurred or showed clinical signs before the effective date of this policy or which occurred or showed clinical signs during the policy waiting period.”
Other exclusions in Fetch’s policy include costs related to breeding, pregnancy, whelping, cruciate ligament issues or hip dysplasia during the first six months of the policy, prescription diet foods, routine or wellness vet visits and treatments, elective procedures and cosmetic surgeries.
For a full list of coverage, exclusions and policy limitations, review Fetch’s pet health insurance policy terms and conditions.
Fetch offers fewer customization options than some competitors, but you can select from the following options to customize your monthly premium based on the coverage you need:
To get the cheapest pet insurance premium, you can select a higher deductible and lower annual limit and reimbursement rate.
 
 
Fetch’s pet insurance pricing can vary greatly depending on your zip code and your animal’s species, age, breed and gender. We pulled dozens of quotes for various pets in Columbia, S.C., on policies with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate to get a sense of how much your premiums would cost.
Although we found that Fetch prices for older pets can be considerably higher than competitors, its overall pricing is competitive with what other providers offer. Below are some sample premiums from our quotes:
Fetch also offers a handful of discounts to help make premiums more affordable, such as 10% off for covering a shelter rescue or adopted pet and a 10% discount for active or retired service members.
 
 
We analyzed more than 100 Fetch pet insurance reviews from existing customers to get a sense of the company’s customer satisfaction. Fetch has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). 
Fetch has more than 150 reviews on Trustpilot, most of which are positive. Many satisfied customers rave about the company’s fast claims process and attentive customer service.
However, like all companies, Fetch has received some negative feedback on third-party review websites. Most of these complaints reference difficulties with the company’s new mobile app and technological software and annual plan price hikes. When we reached out to Fetch for a comment on the negative reviews, we did not receive a response.
Here are some examples of Fetch pet insurance reviews from Trustpilot:
“Great for my pup with anxiety! Awesome to have people who don’t push back on anxiety meds. Speedy reimbursements. Kind staff.” — Monica F.
“When looking for pet insurance, you always look to what fits best for your pet’s needs. In my case Fetch by the dodo was the right fit for us. They not only get in touch with you in a timely manner but also justify the amount for reimbursement and provide a breakdown of coverage.” — Bryan C.
“Our dog broke his toe and subsequently got a skin infection from the cast. It was a huge relief to have our Fetch pet insurance to help cover these costs. Our only complaint is the lack of transparency for annual increases. Our rate jumped by 56.04% in the second year without warning. Quite a shock.” — Morgan L.
“Truly disappointed with the appeals division. My dog’s issues are clearly related, yet even with my vet’s support and personnel letter my claims are still divided, forcing me to meet 2 $500 deductibles. Very disappointed.” — Dolores P.
 
 
Factors
Fetch
Lemonade
Healthy Paws
Get a quote
Visit site
Visit site
Visit site
Our score
89.5
91
84
Monthly cost*
$40.79
$21.33
$37.95
Waiting periods
15 days for accidents and illnesses
2 days for accidents; 14 days for illnesses
15 days for accidents and illnesses
Multi-pet discount
✘
5%
✘
Mobile app
✔
✔
✔
Wellness add-on
✘
✔
✘
Online chat
✔
✔
✘
Learn more
–
Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
*The monthly cost is based on sample quotes for accident-and-illness plans for a 4-year-old mixed dog in Columbia, S.C.
 
 
If you’re looking for a pet insurance provider that offers reimbursements for costs that competitors typically don’t cover, such as lost-pet advertising and vacation cancellation fees, or you want a company that offers alternative therapy coverage, consider Fetch. Get your custom pet insurance quote from Fetch by visiting the company’s website.
If you’re still unsure about Fetch, Lemonade offers an affordable policy with preventative care add-on options, and Healthy Paws offers less expensive plans with unlimited coverage. We ultimately recommend getting quotes from at least three pet insurance providers to compare pricing in your area.
 
 
 
Fetch has a mobile app and an online account portal, where you can submit a claim without needing to speak with an agent. The company also has a live chat feature with an interactive chatbot for quick customer service. You can also reach a representative by emailing [email protected] or calling 866-467-3875 between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
Yes, Fetch requires all policyholders to wait 15 days before they can file a claim on their pet’s accident or illness. If your pet has an accident before the end of the 15-day waiting period, any treatments related to that accident wouldn’t be covered by your Fetch pet insurance policy.
No, like most other pet insurance companies, Fetch offers only pet insurance for dogs and cats.
Yes, you must provide Fetch with your pet’s medical records within six months of the policy start date or 30 days after enrollment. Additionally, as a condition of the policy, your pet must receive an annual vet exam and dental exam to remain eligible for coverage.
Yes, you can bring your pet to any licensed veterinarian in the U.S. and request a reimbursement from Fetch for covered treatments, procedures or exam fees.
Yes. In early 2022, Petplan was rebranded as Fetch by The Dodo. The company’s pet policies are still issued by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC, and are underwritten by XL Specialty Insurance Company, and AXIS Insurance Company.
Compare Plans in Your State Today
 
 
Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, simulating the quote and purchasing process, speaking to representatives on the phone to assess the customer service experience and surveying 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. We have scored each provider on a 100-point scale based on those elements.
Here are more details about each factor and how they’re weighted:
We use our rating system to compare and contrast each company against key factors to help us determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. Additionally, we keep our research up to date and revisit our reviews on a regular basis.
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