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You may’ve seen a Trupanion poster in your vet’s office but heard about Fetch from your neighbor. Both insurers are among the best pet insurance companies, offering extensive coverage. My comparison shows where these two companies differ and which one may be better suited for you.
  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Star Rating | 3.8/5.0 | 4.7/5.0 |
| Best For | Vet Direct Pay | Puppies & Kittens |
| Year Founded | 2000 | 2003 |
| Customer Support Options | Phone, Email, Live Chat | Phone, Email, Live Chat |
| Underwriter | American Pet Ins. Co. | XL Specialty Insurance Company AXIS Insurance Company |
| A.M. Best Rating* | Unrated | A+ A |
| Demotech Rating* | A’ | Unrated |
| Claim Processing Average | 2 Days | 15 Days |
| Can Reimburse Vets Directly | Yes | No |
| Payout Limits | Unlimited | $5,000 to $15,000 |
| Deductibles | $0 to $1,000 | $250 to $700 |
| Reimbursement Rates | 50% to 100% | 70% to 90% |
| One-Time Fees | $35** | $15 |
| Accident Waiting Period | 5 Days | 15 Days |
| Illness Waiting Period | 30 Days | 15 Days |
| Hip Dysplasia Waiting Period | 30 Days | 6 Months |
| CCL Waiting Period | 30 Days | 6 Months |
| Enrollment Ages | 0 to 14 Years | 6 Weeks Or Older |
| Preventative Plan | No | Yes |
 | |
**$25 in Washington; $0 in Maryland & Michigan.
Coverage Comparison
In all 50 states, Trupanion and Fetch each provide a single pet insurance policy that covers accidents and illnesses. Plans include testing and treatment for newly diagnosed illnesses and accidents. These insurance companies all cover emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, specialized examinations, specialty care, blood tests, ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, non-routine dental care, prescription medications, and more. Pre-existing conditions, breeding, pregnancy, and needless cosmetic procedures (such as ear cropping, dew claw removal, and tail docking) are not covered by either insurance.
The base pet insurance policies of both providers cover a variety of conditions, such as cancer, hip dysplasia, allergies, tears in the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), chronic conditions, hereditary illnesses, and congenital conditions. On the other hand, a condition is not covered and will not be included in the policy if symptoms existed before enrollment or during the insurer’s waiting periods.
When using Trupanion, there is a 5-day waiting period for accidents and a 30-day waiting period for illnesses. Fetch has a 15-day waiting period for diseases and accidents; for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligaments, it has a 6-month waiting period.
Trupanion has two riders (add-ons) available for an extra price regarding coverage included in Fetch’s base policy at no additional charge. The monthly cost of the Pet Owner Assistance package is $4.95 more. It includes boarding costs in case you end up in the hospital, liability coverage for damage to third-party property, cancellation fees for holidays due to pet-related problems, cremation or burial for accidental pet deaths, and rewards and advertising for lost pets. The cost of the Recovery & Complementary Care rider can range from a few dollars to $30 and includes complementary therapies (e.g., hydrotherapy, homeopathy, behavioral modification, acupuncture, chiropractic care, and physical and rehabilitative therapy).
Non-routine dental care and teeth, face, and jaw injuries are covered by the base pet insurance plans offered by Fetch and Trupanion. Trupanion also covers tooth extractions, endodontic disease for canines and carnassials, developmental abnormalities if enrolled before six months, and gum disease for canines and carnassials exclusively. Fetch excludes all of these items except for gum disease, which covers all teeth.
Fetch covers curable pre-existing conditions after a year, whereas Trupanion covers them if there were no symptoms or signs within 18 months prior to enrollment.
Many providers will not treat a pet for conditions and diseases that affect both sides of the body (called bilateral conditions) if the pet already has a diagnosis for one side. Most insurers, including Fetch, will not cover the condition if the dog is diagnosed with the same illness on a different side of the body. For instance, a dog may be diagnosed with hip dysplasia on the right side of the body prior to the policy’s implementation date and any applicable waiting periods. Hip dysplasia on the left side of the body is not covered by providers whose policies include bilateral exclusions. Dogs diagnosed with a bilateral condition on one side of their body are more likely to receive a diagnosis on the other, which can put additional financial strain on pet parents. Hip dysplasia surgery can cost anywhere from $1,700 to $4,500+, and pet owners may find it challenging to pay for a substantial veterinary bill not covered by their insurance. Trupanion is among the few insurers without bilateral exclusions in their policies.
Wellness coverage is available as an add-on to Fetch’s insurance policy. These wellness plans cover routine veterinarian visits, annual wellness exams, vaccinations, dental cleanings, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention, blood tests, urinalysis, fecal testing, and more. Trupanion does not cover routine care.
| Coverage | | |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral Therapy | Base Plan & Add-On | Base Plan |
| Complementary Care | Base Plan & Add-On | Base Plan |
| Massage Therapy |  | Base Plan |
| Holistic Treatment* | Base Plan | |
| Wellness Care For An Extra Fee | | Add-On |
| Exam Fees | | Base Plan |
| Hip Dysplasia | After 30 Days | After 6 Months |
| Non-Routine Dental Treatment | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Trauma To Teeth, Face, & Jaw | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Gum (Periodontal) Disease | Canines & Carnassials | Base Plan |
| Tooth Extractions | Base Plan | |
| Endodontic Disease | Canines & Carnassials | |
| Developmental Abnormalities | If Enrolled By 6 Months Old | |
| Supplements | Base Plan | Base Plan |
| Prescription Food | 50% | |
| Pre-Existing Bilateral Conditions | Base Plan | |
Premiums & Pricing
The age, breed, and location of your pet, as well as the plan coverage level you choose, are factors that insurers use to calculate monthly premiums. Of all the quotes I ran, Trupanion was more expensive than Fetch. However, because Trupanion’s plans have unlimited annual limits for all plans (Fetch doesn’t offer unlimited), comparing identical coverage levels is difficult.
Whereas Trupanion’s deductible is per condition and lifetime, Fetch has an annual one. If your pet gets sick or is involved in several accidents during the policy period (a year), an annual deductible can help, as you only have to pay the deductible once. Nonetheless, Trupanion’s per-condition deductible for the duration of your pet’s life might be a better option if your best friend has any chronic illnesses, such as allergies, hip dysplasia, cancer, UTIs, etc., since you only have to pay the deductible once.
There is no maximum reimbursement limit with any Trupanion policy, so you won’t have to worry about running out of money. Fetch, meanwhile, offers payout options ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to assist you in choosing a premium that is within your means.
Trupanion requires a one-time administration fee of $35 ($25 in Washington; $0 in Maryland & Michigan), while Fetch requires a one-time enrollment fee of $15.
The following table displays the monthly premiums for Trupanion and Fetch based on sample quotes with different reimbursement rates and deductibles mentioned in the table’s footnotes. I demonstrated how pricing can vary depending on plan coverage selection by providing several examples for each pet from each provider.
| Pet Details | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French Bulldog | $193.76* | $70.52* | $112.39** | $71.46* |
| Labrador Retriever | $114.58* | $41.48* | $218.23¶ | $37.83§ |
| Golden Retriever | $404.14† | $81.73* | $218.23¶ | $59.68‡ |
| Ragdoll Cat | $41.93* | $21.66|| | $26.70** | $22.80†† |
* 90% reimbursement and $500 deductible; ** 90% reimbursement and $100 deductible; † 90% reimbursement and $0 deductible; †† 80% reimbursement and $250 deductible; ‡ 70% reimbursement and $500 deductible; § 80% reimbursement and $300 deductible; || 90% reimbursement and $400 deductible; ¶ 70% reimbursement and $0 deductible
Getting quotes for your particular dog is the best way to compare pet health insurance prices. You can get fast quotes from several companies by using our pet insurance quote form.
Discounts
Pet owners who insure multiple animals, bundle policies, are veterans or members of the armed forces, work as veterinarians, volunteer at animal shelters, pay annually, and other criteria may be eligible for discounts from pet insurance providers. Trupanion doesn’t offer any of these discounts. Conversely, Fetch provides:
- Up to 10% off for animal shelter adoptees and employees, corporate benefit plans, medical service pets, strategic partners, military, veterinary staff, and students
- 10% off premiums for Walmart shoppers
- Save $25 or more when you pay quarterly or annually
- 10% off for AARP members for life
Customer Service & Reputation
Two of the most important factors, reputation and customer service, are easily ignored when presented with an alluring insurance quote. Ideally, you and your pet never have to file a claim, but if we do, I want you and your pet to have the most accessible and least stressful experience possible.
No matter how much you spend, it always feels like a waste of money when you call an insurer and never get your questions answered or issues resolved. Email and phone support are offered by both businesses. Furthermore, Fetch offers live chat support. Thanks to the money-back guarantee provided by both insurers, you can cancel and receive your money back within 30 days if the plan you selected doesn’t work.
Through Trustpilot, Yelp, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB), I perused hundreds of customer reviews for Trupanion and Fetch. Comparatively speaking, Trupanion had more reviews overall than Fetch. They did, however, receive very similar customer ratings. Both insurers are active on the internet, answering policyholder queries and resolving unresolved problems.
The most frequent grievances I came across regarding Trupanion concerned splitting claims into two conditions (resulting in two deductibles), high premium increases, and avoiding claim coverage. When Trupanion premiums rise, pet owners lament that they are unable to transfer insurance because their pet has pre-existing conditions that Trupanion covers but other insurers won’t.
Customers of Fetch, however, have complained that their claims are rejected when they ought to be approved. Furthermore, complaints have been made about Fetch classifying unrelated conditions as pre-existing. Policyholders have left a great deal of negative online reviews as a result, which has forced Fetch to revisit these problems. It’s also important to note that Fetch was updating its claims system as of September 2024, which caused processing delays.
Claim Processing
How long it takes an insurer to pay claims reimbursement could affect some pet owners’ choices. Some people can’t wait several weeks to receive their money, while others don’t mind waiting longer. Among the companies with the fastest turnaround times for claim reimbursement is Trupanion, as they pay out the majority of their claims in two days. Currently, Fetch claims take an average of 15 days to process.
Trupanion can pay its share of your vet bill straight to your veterinarian’s office at the time of checkout, saving you the trouble of waiting for reimbursement. You can inquire about receiving this benefit from your veterinarian’s office if you’re interested in it. Fetch does not have this feature.
Plan Coverage Options
Trupanion has a per-condition deductible with an unlimited payout limit for all plans and only 90% reimbursement available in some states, so its policies aren’t as customizable as those of other pet insurance companies. On the other hand, Fetch has up to a $15,000 annual payout limit and several deductible and reimbursement rate options.
Some insurance providers offer pet insurance policies that are accident-limited and cover circumstances involving unanticipated bodily injury. Accident-only policies cover injuries such as bite wounds, strained ligaments, and broken bones. In general, these policies cost less than illness and accident insurance. No accident-only plans are available from Fetch or Trupanion.
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Payout Limit | Unlimited | $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 |
| Deductible Options | $0-$1,000 (in $5 increments) | $250, $300, $400, $500, $700 |
| Reimbursement Options | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100% | 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Optional Wellness Plans |  | |
| Accident-Only Plan |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions we get asked about Trupanion and Fetch. If you don’t see your question, reach out in the comments or check out our forums.
Why Is Trupanion So Expensive Now?
Trupanion is the only publicly traded pet insurance company (ticker symbol TRUP on the NASDAQ exchange). It likely charges higher premiums because most policies have unlimited payouts and a 90% reimbursement rate.
How Does Fetch Pet Insurance Work?
Fetch functions similarly to other pet insurance. You take your dog to the veterinarian for diagnostics, treatment, or medications. Before you depart, you settle the veterinarian bill and receive a copy of your finalized invoice. The invoice should list the conditions your dog was treated for, how much it cost, and have a $0 balance.
After that, file a claim using the Fetch app or website, and watch for your money to be deposited into your designated direct deposit account or sent to you as a check. Direct deposit can get you your money back five to ten days faster than checks.
What’s Better, Trupanion Or Fetch?
Trupanion and Fetch are two of the oldest U.S. pet insurance companies. If you want to avoid waiting for reimbursement, Trupanion’s direct payment feature to vets may sway you. On the other hand, Fetch’s lower premiums could be what tips the scale.
So that you can broaden your comparison, I’ve gone further into detail in my individual reviews of Trupanion and Fetch. Along with information on the most well-known pet insurance providers, my pet insurance comparison will help you easily see where companies differ.
Methodology
We review each U.S. pet insurance company to provide an unbiased breakdown of providers’ performance in real claim situations. We use a 100-point scale for each pet insurance company to rank them. Our in-depth research includes:
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We scrutinize every policy from top to bottom and read all the fine print, carefully noting each exclusion. We factor in any age restrictions, required add-ons for basic coverage, and whether a company is available nationwide. Insurers with fewer exclusions receive more points in this category than those with less coverage.
- Pricing (15%) – We evaluate pricing by running thousands of sample quotes for dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, locations, and ages. We analyze which companies charge extra fees and discounts and consider which companies nick and dime pet owners with add-on coverage. Providers with the lowest premiums, fewest extra fees, most discounts, and fewer add-ons receive more points in this category.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We assess hundreds of customer reviews, scope out the sign-up process, speak with representatives, and factor in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace to determine the points in this category. Companies with an easy sign-up process, highly rated mobile apps, multiple ways to reach customer service, positive consumer feedback, and a seamless claim filing process score high in this category.
- Financial Strength (10%) – Insurance is only beneficial if you can count on reimbursed claims. Companies with at least five years of nationwide experience and high A.M. Best and Demotech ratings receive high remarks in this category.
- Customization Options (10%) – We consider customizations available to adjust your coverage to fit your budget. Companies with fewer restrictions based on breed, age, location, etc., multiple plan options, and more reimbursement rates, deductibles, and annual limits earn the highest scores.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Providers with the shortest illness and accident waiting periods and fewer additional waiting periods for other conditions merit high remarks.
- Claim Processing (5%) – We share our firsthand experience submitting claims with companies and examine how long it takes to be reimbursed. Insurers with a vet direct pay option and short claim processing averages earn the most points.
- Innovation (3%) – We meet with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings. Providers offering unique, comprehensive coverage and utilizing advanced technology receive more points.
Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also highlight each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to author for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her extensive list of resources.
Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise, to ensure accuracy, and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing policies that are accurately represented.
