This content was reviewed by our licensed insurance agent, Michelle Schenker.
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Fetch is typically a better pet insurance choice for the average pet parent than Trupanion. Fetch has extensive coverage with unique offerings, like up to $1,000 in coverage for virtual vet visits. Fetch also has more plan customization options and lower pricing than Trupanion on average.
However, Trupanion has a speedy claim processing timeline, and Trupanion Express pays vets directly to eliminate the reimbursement process. Trupanion also lists no bilateral exclusions, significantly benefiting pet parents with breeds prone to hip dysplasia or CCL injuries. Lastly, Trupanion has a per-incident lifetime deductible instead of an annual deductible like Fetch’s. This could benefit pets with chronic conditions because the parent only pays the deductible for the condition once.
As you can see, pet insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, so it’s good to read and understand the critical differences between Trupanion and Fetch to determine which insurer best fits your needs. Choosing the wrong provider for your dog could lead to less money saved.
| Trupanion | Fetch | |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Coverage | More Limited | Extensive |
| Customer Service & Reputation | Excellent, Stable | Good |
| Claim Processing Average | 2 Days | 5-6 Days |
| Average Price Of Policy | Higher | Variable |
| Plan Customization Options | Limited | Many |
| Overall Winner |  | |
| Get Trupanion Quote | Get Fetch Quote | |
| Compare Quotes | Compare Quotes |
Policy Coverage
Policy Coverage Winner
The table below shows specifically what Trupanion and Fetch cover. Note: Both companies cover emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, and prescription medications. Neither covers pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
| Trupanion | Fetch | |
|---|---|---|
| Illness Waiting Period | 30 Days | 15 Days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 5 Days | 15 Days |
| Hip Dysplasia Waiting Period | 30 Days | 6 Months |
| CCL Surgery Waiting Period | 30 Days | 6 Months |
| Behavioral Therapies | | |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Extra Fee | |
| Wellness Care For An Extra Fee | | |
| Exam Fees | | |
| Underwriter | American Pet Insurance Company | XL Specialty Insurance Company AXIS Insurance Company |
| A.M. Best Rating | Unrated | A+ A |
Fetch offers some of the best coverage in the pet insurance industry. It provides coverage for alternative/holistic therapy and exam fees as well as other unique items like virtual vet visits, advertising and paying a reward for a stolen or lost pet, and more.
You’ll also notice that Fetch has A+ and A A.M. Best ratings (a measurement of financial stability). Meanwhile, Trupanion’s underwriter is unrated by A.M. Best.
Another key deciding factor for you may be the age restrictions attached to Trupanion, which doesn’t enroll pets who are older than 14 years old. Overall, Fetch offers more extensive coverage, which is why it wins this category.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer Service & Reputation Winner
When choosing a pet insurance company, customer service and reputation should be at the top of your list. You don’t want to be on the phone waiting for someone to pick up to answer your question. You want quick, friendly service, so make sure you consider the company’s customer service history.
While the Fetch brand has only been a consumer option since January 2022, the former brand name went through an underwriter change in 2016 that resulted in sharp price increases and upset customers. It’s not uncommon to see price adjustments when an insurance company switches underwriters. The company received a lot of negative backlash with this change. However, it has mostly bounced back since then, and negative reviews have subsided.
Trupanion has a history of more service-oriented complaints than Fetch does. It hasn’t gone through the changes Fetch has but still experiences more complaints, which is why we feel Fetch is the winner in this category.
Claim Processing
Claim Processing Winner
Fetch averages 5-6 days for claim processing but allows up to 30 days. Trupanion averages two days to process claims. Overall, the sooner you get your reimbursement back, the happier you’ll be.
Trupanion is able to reimburse your veterinarian directly through Trupanion Express. However, it may not be available everywhere so be sure to check with your vet to see if this direct payment service is an option for you. Fetch doesn’t offer a vet direct pay option. Both companies also offer check and direct deposit reimbursement options.
Trupanion wins this category because it processes claims faster than Fetch on average and Trupanion Express is a fairly seamless option for getting vet bills paid.
Price Of Policy
Price Of Policy Winner
Trupanion requires a one-time fee of $35 ($25 in Washington; $0 in Maryland & Michigan), while Fetch has no one-time fees.
Your premium price quote is based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes from each company for your specific pet. You can also visit our pet insurance comparison quotes to see a few sample prices we’ve gathered.
Fetch almost always came out less expensive than Trupanion in the quotes we’ve run. However, remember that it’s always best to get quotes for your specific dog to compare what pet insurance could cost for you. You can use our pet insurance quote form below to get multiple company quotes when you complete this one-quick form.
Additionally, Fetch has an annual deductible, whereas Trupanion’s deductible is per-condition and lifetime. An annual deductible is important if your pet experiences multiple accidents or illnesses during the policy period (one year). However, if your dog is subject to chronic conditions, like allergies, hip dysplasia, cancer, urinary tract infections, etc., then Trupanion’s per-condition deductible for the life of your pet may be a better choice.
Coupons
Fetch
Fetch offers the following discounts:
- Up to 10% off for animal shelter adoptees and employees, corporate benefit plans, medical services 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
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed. Alternatively, call 800-237-1123. You can also visit our dedicated Fetch promotions page to learn more.
Trupanion
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price and get a quote for your pet from Trupanion. You can also visit our dedicated Trupanion promotions page to learn more.
Plan Customization
Plan Customization Winner
Trupanion has a set 90% reimbursement and a set unlimited annual payout limit, so their policies aren’t nearly as customizable as many other pet insurance companies. Trupanion also has a per-incident lifetime deductible (choose from $0 to $1,000), which means you’ll have to meet the deductible multiple times if you have several emergencies or illnesses during a policy period. This can result in more expenses for you.
Fetch is much more flexible, with plenty of options to choose from. They have annual payout options of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. And Fetch offers 70%, 80%, and 90% reimbursements and annual deductibles of $300, $500, and $700.
What If My Dog Has Special Needs?
Many pet insurance providers offer great plans for dogs who need special coverage. Be sure to research the possible conditions your dog and his breed could be diagnosed with so that you get a plan that covers it.
In the meantime, check out this adorable video that celebrates deaf dogs. Be sure to watch until the end. The last clip of Walter and Joe is precious!
What’s The Verdict?
Overall Winner
In the end, we feel that Fetch has a slight edge in this battle. Of course, we always recommend getting quotes from multiple pet insurance providers before making your decision. If you didn’t find what you were looking for, our experts have gone in-depth with individual reviews of Trupanion and Fetch so you can expand your comparison.
Our experts have spent thousands of hours researching to bring you our comprehensive and frequently updated pet insurance reviews, including our top picks, along with details on each of the most popular pet insurance companies. So, if you want to know how other providers compare against one another, you may find this review helpful in your pet insurance search.
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