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Choosing between Embrace and Fetch can be tricky since both offer comprehensive coverage and strong policy perks. Embrace stands out with its diminishing deductible, allowing you to save money over time if you don’t file claims. Meanwhile, Fetch includes alternative therapies like massage therapy in its base plan, which most insurers exclude or require an add-on for.
If you’re looking for broad coverage with fewer exclusions, both providers are solid choices—but the differences in waiting periods, reimbursement options, and fine print can impact which is better for you. I’ll break down everything you need to know to help you decide which plan is the best fit for your pet’s needs and budget.
  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | 4.5/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 |
| Best For | Coverage | Puppies & Kittens |
| Year Founded | 2003 | 2003 |
| Customer Support Options | Live Chat, Phone, Fax | Live Chat, Phone, Email |
| Underwriter | American Modern Property and Casualty Insurance Group | XL Specialty Insurance Company AXIS Insurance Company |
| A.M. Best Rating* | A+ | A+ A |
| Demotech Rating* | Unrated | Unrated |
| Claim Processing Average | 5 Days | 6 Days |
| Can Reimburse Vets Directly |  | |
| Payout Limits | $5,000 to Unlimited | $5,000 to Unlimited |
| Deductibles | $100 to $1,000 | $250 to $700 |
| Reimbursement Rates | 70% to 90% | 70% to 90% |
| One-Time Fees | $25 | $15 |
| Accident Waiting Period | 2 Days | 0 Days |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 Days | 15 Days |
| Hip Dysplasia Waiting Period | 6 Months | 6 Months |
| Other Waiting Periods | IVDD, Cruciate Ligament Injuries, Patellar Luxation – 6 Months | Cruciate Ligament Injuries – 6 Months |
| Enrollment Ages | 6 Weeks or Older | 6 Weeks or Older |
| Preventative Plan | | |
 | |
Coverage Comparison
Accident and illness policies from both Embrace and Fetch are available in all 50 states. Plans cover examinations and medical care for newly discovered diseases and injuries. These insurance plans cover various services, including emergency care, hospitalization and surgery, specialized examinations and specialty care, blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, and MRIs. Neither provider covers pre-existing conditions, breeding, pregnancy, or elective cosmetic procedures (like tail docking, ear cropping, and dew claw removal).
New conditions, including cancer, hip dysplasia, allergies, tears in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), chronic illnesses, hereditary illnesses, and congenital diseases, are covered under the base pet insurance policies of both companies. However, if symptoms existed before enrollment or during the insurer’s waiting periods, the condition is not covered and will not be included in the policy.
Embrace caps illness enrollment for pets after their 15th birthday. Meanwhile, Fetch has no maximum age restrictions.
Embrace has a 2-day waiting period for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for CCL injuries, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, and patellar luxation. When using Fetch, there is a 15-day waiting period for illnesses, no wait for accidents, and a 6-month waiting period for CCL injuries.
Two riders (add-ons) are available for Embrace at an extra cost for exam fees and prescription drugs. Fetch offers coverage for vet exam fees and prescription medications in their base plan at no extra charge.
Embrace and Fetch offer some of the most comprehensive dental coverage in the industry. Their base policies cover non-routine dental treatment, tooth extractions, trauma to the teeth, face, and jaw, developmental abnormalities, and dental disease.
Embrace will cover curable pre-existing conditions as long as the pet is symptom- and treatment-free for one year or more. Meanwhile, Fetch covers curable pre-existing conditions after one year.
Fetch has unique coverage excluded by other providers, including Embrace. Unique items include:
- Advertising and reward for a stolen or lost pet (up to $1,000)
- Boarding your pet while you are in a hospital for your own health concern (up to $1,000)
- Loss of your pet due to theft or straying for the amount you paid for your pet up to $1,000
- Vacation cancellation due to your pet’s health condition (up to $1,000)
- VirtualVet visits up to $1,000 per policy year with no co-pay or deductible
Wellness coverage is available as an add-on to Embrace and Fetch’s insurance policies. These routine care can cover routine veterinarian visits, spay/neuter procedures, vaccinations, dental cleanings, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and other related expenses.
| Coverage | | |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Complementary Care | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Massage Therapy |  | Base Plan |
| Wellness Care | Add-On | Add-On |
| Exam Fees | Add-On | Base Plan |
| Prescription Medications | Add-On | Base Plan |
| Hip Dysplasia | After 6 Months | After 6 Months |
| Non-Routine Dental Treatment | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Trauma To Teeth, Face, & Jaw | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Gum (Periodontal) Disease | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Tooth Extractions | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Endodontic Disease | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Developmental Abnormalities | If Not Pre-Existing | Base Plan |
| Supplements | | Base Plan |
Premiums & Pricing
When it comes to pricing, both Embrace and Fetch use an annual deductible, meaning you only need to meet it once per policy year rather than per condition—making budgeting more predictable.
Embrace offers more flexibility, with annual payout limits ranging from $2,000 to unlimited, while Fetch caps payouts between $5,000 and $15,000. A key advantage of Embrace is its healthy pet deductible, which reduces your deductible by $50 each year you go without filing a claim.
In terms of fees, Embrace charges a $1 monthly transaction fee and a $25 enrollment fee, but you can avoid the transaction fee by paying annually. Fetch, on the other hand, has no transaction fees and only requires a $15 one-time enrollment fee.
To help compare costs, the table below provides sample quotes for different pets, showing how pricing varies based on breed, age, and coverage selection.
| Pet Details | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | $84.33* | $71.46* | $67.47** | $52.77** |
| Labrador Retriever | $46.95* | $52.42* | $37.56** | $39.14** |
| Golden Retriever | $50.54* | $80.95* | $40.43** | $59.13** |
| Ragdoll Cat | $21.04* | $23.67† | $16.83** | $21.66‡ |
*90% reimbursement, $500 deductible; **70% reimbursement, $500 deductible; †90% reimbursement, $400 deductible; ‡70% reimbursement, $400 deductible
To compare the costs of pet insurance, it is always best to obtain quotes for your particular dog. You can get fast quotes from several companies by using our pet insurance quote form below.
Discounts
Pet insurance providers often offer discounts based on factors like insuring multiple pets, bundling policies, military service, working in animal care, or choosing annual payments. Here’s how Embrace and Fetch compare when it comes to savings opportunities:
- Embrace offers:
- 10% off for multiple pets (5% in NY)
- 5% off for military and veterans (excludes NY & TN)
- 10% off if your company/clinic provides Embrace as an employee benefit (excludes FL, ND, NY, & TN)
- 5% off in NY for paying annually
- Up to 25% off for eligible USAA members
- A diminishing deductible—$50 off your deductible for each year you go without receiving a claim payment
- Fetch offers:
- 10% off for AARP members for life
- Up to 10% off for:
- Animal shelter adoptees & employees
- Corporate benefit plans
- Medical service pets
- Strategic partners
- Military personnel
- Veterinary staff
- Students
- 10% off for Walmart shoppers
- $25+ savings when paying quarterly or annually
These discounts can make a significant difference over time, so it’s worth factoring them into your decision.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer service and reputation are just as important as coverage when choosing pet insurance, yet they’re often overlooked. While I hope you never have to file a claim, if you do, the process should be simple and stress-free.
Both Embrace and Fetch offer live chat, phone, and email support, with Embrace also providing fax. If your plan doesn’t work out, both companies offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can cancel and get a refund.
After reviewing hundreds of customer experiences on Trustpilot, Yelp, and the BBB, I found that Embrace generally has higher BBB ratings but also complaints of longer phone wait times. Some Embrace customers have reported frustration with strict pre-existing condition exclusions, particularly when claims were denied for conditions they believed should be covered.
Fetch, on the other hand, has faced more complaints about claim denials and pre-existing condition classifications. Some policyholders say Fetch has rejected claims for unrelated conditions or delayed claim processing. However, Fetch was upgrading its claims system in September 2024, which may have contributed to processing delays.
Claim Processing
The time it takes for an insurer to reimburse claims can be an important factor when choosing a provider. Embrace processes claims in about 5 days, making it one of the faster options in the industry. Fetch, on the other hand, averages 6 days for claim processing, which is within a reasonable timeframe.
Neither Embrace nor Fetch offer direct vet payments, meaning you’ll need to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. If quick payouts are a priority, Embrace’s faster processing time may be the better choice. However, Fetch includes more built-in coverage, which could make it worth the wait, depending on your pet’s needs.
Plan Coverage Options
Embrace offers customizable coverage with annual payout limits from $2,000 to unlimited, deductibles ranging from $100 to $1,000, and reimbursement rates of 70%, 80%, or 90%. Fetch provides annual payout limits between $5,000 and unlimited, deductibles from $250 to $700, and the same reimbursement rate options.
Embrace also has an accident-only plan covering injuries like poisoning, broken bones, and foreign body ingestion, but it’s only available for pets enrolled after age 15. Fetch does not offer an accident-only policy.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Payout Options | $2,000, 5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited | $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, Unlimited |
| Deductible Options | $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 | $250, $300, $400, $500, $700 |
| Reimbursement Options | 70%, 80%, 90% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Optional Wellness Plan |  | |
| Accident-Only Plan | (For pets enrolled after 15) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we get asked about Embrace and Fetch. If you don’t see your question, reach out in the comments.
Do all vets accept Embrace & Fetch?
Policyholders can submit claims from any licensed veterinarian or emergency clinic in the U.S.
Who is Embrace Pet Insurance owned by?
NSM Insurance Group acquired Embrace in 2019.
Which Pet Insurance Is Better, Embrace Or Fetch?
Both Embrace and Fetch provide strong pet insurance options, but the best fit depends on your priorities. Embrace offers unlimited payout options, a diminishing deductible, and an accident-only plan, making it ideal for pet owners seeking flexibility and potential long-term savings. Fetch, on the other hand, automatically includes coverage for exam fees and prescription medication, which can add up over time.
If long-term savings through a diminishing deductible and the option for an accident-only plan are priorities, Embrace may be the better choice. However, if you want comprehensive coverage for treatments like massage therapy and supplements, Fetch could be worth considering. Since pricing varies based on your pet’s breed, age, and location, getting quotes from both providers is the best way to compare costs and coverage side by side.
For a deeper dive, check out my in-depth reviews of Embrace and Fetch to help with your decision. You can also explore my top pet insurance recommendations for a broader look at the industry’s best providers. No matter which company you choose, securing pet insurance now ensures your pet gets the care they need while protecting your budget from unexpected vet bills.
Methodology
My team and I conduct extensive research on the most reputable pet insurance companies, analyzing customer feedback, policy changes, and industry trends. Our licensed insurance agent fact-checks everything, and we update our reviews year-round as insurers adjust premiums, coverage, exclusions, and customer service.
We rank each U.S. pet insurance provider using a 100-point scale, ensuring an unbiased breakdown of how companies perform in real-world claims.
Our Ranking Criteria
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We analyze policies, exclusions, and age restrictions, rewarding companies with fewer coverage limitations.
- Pricing (15%) – We run thousands of sample quotes and factor in extra fees, discounts, and add-ons.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We review hundreds of customer experiences, assess the sign-up process, and evaluate claim support.
- Financial Strength (10%) – We examine A.M. Best & Demotech ratings to ensure companies can pay claims reliably.
- Customization Options (10%) – Providers with more deductible, reimbursement, and payout flexibility rank higher.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Shorter illness & accident waiting periods result in a better score.
- Claim Processing (5%) – Companies offering fast reimbursements and direct vet pay score higher.
- Innovation (3%) – We recognize unique offerings and advanced technology in the industry.
Unbiased Pet Insurance Rankings: Putting Pets First
Unlike many review sites, we don’t sell rankings—every provider earns its spot based on real performance. Our in-depth comparisons help pet parents make informed decisions, while insurers use our reviews to improve their policies. We only recommend the best because that’s what our readers deserve.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
For over a decade, Canine Journal has been a trusted authority on pet insurance, long before the industry gained widespread attention. Since 2012, we’ve provided in-depth, unbiased analysis, helping pet owners navigate the complexities of choosing the right coverage. Our expertise is led by Kimberly Alt, who has written extensively on nearly every aspect of pet insurance. Her deep knowledge allows her to answer a vast range of pet insurance questions on the spot, and when needed, she quickly pulls from an extensive network of industry resources.
To ensure accuracy and maintain the highest standards, Kimberly consults with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s licensed insurance agent, adding another layer of credibility and compliance. Kimberly has dedicated over 100 hours researching Embrace and Fetch alone, meticulously analyzing their policies, speaking directly with their teams, and running extensive quote comparisons to deliver the most accurate, transparent, and practical insights for pet owners.
