Trupanion vs Fetch Pet Insurance

What’s the best pet insurance – Trupanion or Fetch?

Fetch is a little newer than Trupanion but it competes with the older service. Only by looking through all of the companies’ features – the key ones we discuss below – will you get a fully rounded picture of the pair. Once you have, we hope you’ll feel confident making an informed decision.

We recommend using our super-speedy pet insurance comparison page which will help you come to a decision about which pet insurance company is right for you.

What do the plans cover?

Trupanion and Fetch both offer accident and illness plans covering things like hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions.

Neither company offers a wellness plan. Through their Recovery and Complementary Care add-on, Trupanion can cover alternative therapies. Fetch, however, covers these as standard.

Both companies cover things like X-rays, euthanasia, prescription medications, and CAT scans, but only Fetch covers vet exam fees. Both offer coverage for dental accidents and dental illness but Fetch doesn’t feature end-of-life coverage. It does, however, have nice niche features like a lost pet advertisement scheme.

Like most insurers, both only offer coverage for cats and dogs, which is worth thinking about if your pet does not fall into these two furry categories.

Are there any exclusions?

Both Fetch and Trupanion exclude pre-existing conditions. Because neither offers a wellness plan, features like preventative care are not included.

Trupanion, which is also happy to cover hip dysplasia, has a waiting period of 30 days for the condition. At six months, Fetch’s is a good deal longer.

How expensive are Trupanion and Fetch?

Overall, Fetch is likely less expensive, although prices vary from pet to pet. Premiums at Trupanion are higher because you can only adjust your policy by changing the cost of your deductible (though this is more customizable than with any other insurer, with a choice between $0 and $1,000). Trupanion has an unlimited coverage cap (Fetch’s are $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000) and won’t raise your premium as your pet gets older (Fetch will).

Fetch charges you for paying monthly – something Trupanion does not do – but Trupanion has an enrolment fee in some states (between $25 and $35). Fetch does not.

Fetch has more reimbursement options – not difficult, as Trupanion only has one (90%) – and with lower reimbursements come lower premiums.

To be sure of an exact comparison for your pet, use our indispensable quote calculator – there will be examples where the difference is less significant.

Do Trupanion or Fetch offer discounts?

Trupanion only has a discount for service animals, saying: “Rather than raising rates and offering various discounts, we offer all customers the lowest possible premiums across the board.” What it does provide is an offer program, which gives you 30 days of coverage for free (with no waiting periods) if you treat or acquire a pet at a participating partner. At Fetch you can get 10% off if you’re a veteran or in the military. You also get a smaller premium if you pay annually.

Are the plans customizable?

Yes but we’re not looking at two very flexible companies here.

At Trupanion you can’t change your reimbursement level from the standard 90% but, as mentioned above, you can customize your deductible amount to anything up to $1,000. Fetch has a fixed range of deductible amounts, which could either be seen as more attractive or less, depending on your point of view.

Trupanion claim to be the only company that offers a lifetime per-condition deductible, meaning pets with a chronic condition would only ever incur the cost of the deductible once. For around $5 per month you can also add the Pet Owner Assistance Package, which covers expenses out of the vet’s office like cremation, boarding fees if you have to go to hospital, and rewards for lost pets.

How do I make claims?

Paying via an app is an option with Trupanion, which requires you to make a claim within 90 days. You could also submit a form on their website, by email, or – if this is what floats your boat – by fax.

Fetch also has an app or you can go through the company’s website, and it has the same 90-day limit.

Are they easy to contact?

They certainly are. Trupanion has a range of options: live chat; contact form; social media; a 24/7 toll-free number (888 733 2685); and an email address. Its headquarters are in Washington. Fetch, who based in New York, can also be contacted by mail, phone (866 467 3875), email, social media, and online chatbot.

Customer reviews

Trupanion customers appear to be contented people, citing the customer service and efficient claims process as reasons to stay with them. Some claim that it can be difficult to procure payment from Trupanion but, on the whole, the feedback is very positive.

Fetch’s customer service is very popular and, while it changed its underwriter in 2016 and upset some customers as a result, the feedback now is terrific.

Frequently asked questions

People ask us a lot of different questions about the pet insurance providers we work with. It’s the smart thing to do because no two insurers are the same. Here are some common questions (and the answers!).

What are the waiting periods?

Fetch says 15 days for illness and 15 days for accidents. Trupanion says that you can expect to wait 5 days for accidents and 30 days for illnesses, so they kind of balance out.

Do the plans include behavioral treatments?

If you take out Trupanion’s Recovery and Complementary Care Rider you’ll have them covered. Fetch doesn’t require you to take out a separate rider, offering up to $1,000 in behavioral therapy and medicine.

Is there a maximum age for enrolment?

At Trupanion it’s 14. Fetch has no maximum.

Do they need my pet’s medical records?

Yes, both will. Trupanion needs your pet’s full medical records but makes no mention of it being only for your first claim. Fetch says that it wants detailed medical records from the most recent check-up your pet had.

Will the insurer pay the vet directly?

Trupanion will, but only if the vet has its Trupanion Express software (around one in six vets do). Fetch, however, does not offer this as an option.

Is my pet covered in other countries?

Fetch covers you in the US and Canada. Trupanion also covers Puerto Rico.

Do they have a vet telehealth service?

Fetch does. Trupanion does not.

Final verdict: Trupanion vs Fetch

As a more experienced provider, Trupanion may be considered a trustier pair of hands than Fetch. Their reimbursement speed seems slicker. But their less flexible policy may be restrictive to a lot of people, even if their deductibles scale offers a great deal of individualization.

For many people, Fetch are a more appealing proposition. Offering behavioral therapy, a range of reimbursement percentages and annual coverage limits, and a plethora of discounts, they should be taken seriously by anyone looking for pet insurance. They certainly give Trupanion a run for their money but, whichever of the two you choose, you’ll be in safe hands – both companies know what they’re doing and are popular with their customers.

Have a coffee. Have a chat with your pet. Think about it long and hard. We think you’ll come to the right decision!