|
4.0 NerdWallet rating |
Plans offered: Accident and illness. |
|
|
Breadth of coverage: Average. |
Range of plan options: Average. |
Can pay your vet directly: No. |
|
The bottom line: A good option for pet owners who want plenty of coverage and a high reimbursement amount. |
||
How we review pet insurance
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines that ensure fairness and accuracy in order to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. In our pet insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:
Plans offered. Pet insurance companies generally offer the following three types of plans:
-
Accident and illness policies reimburse you for medical treatment if your pet gets sick or injured.
-
Accident-only policies pay expenses if your pet is injured.
-
Wellness plans help you budget for preventive care costs.
Breadth of coverage. We looked for plans that cover a wide range of potential expenses.
Range of plan options. This category looks at how many ways you can customize what you pay for your plan and how you’re reimbursed.
Can pay your vet directly. This indicates whether an insurer can pay your vet directly for medical expenses. With this service, you don’t have to pay the money yourself upfront and then wait for reimbursement.
Fetch by The Dodo, formerly known as Petplan, offers pet owners an accident and illness policy for pets. The policy includes coverage for veterinarian exam fees, tooth injuries and diseases, behavioral therapy, cancer treatment and diagnostic tests, like MRIs. Its policy also provides a unique coverage: Fetch by The Dodo will cover up to $1,000 in boarding fees for a pet if its owner is in the hospital. Accident-only and wellness plans are not available.
The company’s app lets policyholders manage their accounts, submit claims and scan medical documents, and its website offers in-depth information about what’s covered, plus an extensive FAQ section.
Fetch by The Dodo is based in New York, and policies are underwritten by XL Speciality Insurance Company and Axis Insurance Company.
Fetch by The Dodo pet insurance
4.0
NerdWallet rating
Fetch by The Dodo earned 4 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula considers consumer experience, coverage options and financial strength ratings.
Fetch by The Dodo’s pros and cons
|
Covers dental injuries and diseases, holistic treatment options and sick exam fees. |
Doesn’t offer an unlimited annual benefit. |
|
Will cover pet boarding fees if you’re in the hospital. |
Wellness or accident-only plans are not available. |
|
Can waive the waiting period for knee injuries with a veterinarian exam within the first 30 days of the policy. |
State availability
Fetch by The Dodo’s accident and illness policies are available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Fetch by The Dodo’s pet insurance plans
Fetchy by The Dodo offers one accident and illness plan with three annual limits to choose from— $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.
What Fetch by The Dodo pet insurance covers
Fetch by The Dodo’s pet insurance plan covers:
-
Veterinary exam fees.
-
Emergency visits to licensed veterinary clinics within the U.S. and Canada.
-
Licensed veterinary specialists.
-
Tooth injury and disease.
-
Breed-specific medical conditions.
-
Injuries and illnesses.
-
Virtual veterinarian visits, up to $1,000 per year.
-
Diagnostic tests, including MRIs.
-
Imaging and ultrasounds.
-
Holistic and chiropractic care.
-
Behavioral therapy, up to $1,000 per year.
-
Physical therapy.
-
Cancer treatment.
-
Surgery and rehabilitation.
-
Hospitalization.
-
Veterinarian-recommended supplements for injury or illness treatment.
-
If you go to the hospital, boarding fees for your pet up to $1,000 per year.
-
Up to $1,000 per year for missing pet advertising and reward.
What’s not covered
Fetch by The Dodo’s pet insurance doesn’t cover:
-
Pre-existing conditions.
-
Cosmetic or elective procedures, like tail docking and ear cropping.
-
Routine and preventative care.
-
Spaying and neutering.
-
Teeth cleaning.
-
Flea and tick protection.
-
Prescription food.
Fetch by The Dodo coverage options
Deductibles: Annual deductibles are available in $50 increments from $250 to $1,000.
Reimbursement amounts: You can be reimbursed for 70%, 80% or 90% of your expenses.
Coverage limits: You can choose an annual coverage limit of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.
Restrictions and waiting periods
Age restrictions: Pets younger than 6 weeks old are not covered.
Waiting periods: Waiting periods are the time between when you buy your policy and when your coverage starts. There’s a 15-day waiting period for illnesses and most injuries, with a six-month waiting period for hip and knee injuries. The knee injury waiting period can be waived by having your pet examined by a veterinarian within the first 30 days of your policy.
Discounts
Discounts are available for:
-
Rescuing or adopting your pet from a shelter.
-
AARP members.
-
Veterans and active military members.
-
Licensed medical services pets.
-
Veterinarians and their staff.
-
Going a certain period without filing a claim.
-
Paying for your policy by quarter or year.
Consumer experience
Website: Fetch by The Dodo’s website is easy to navigate and features coverage information, an extensive FAQ section and a 24/7 chat feature. Customer representatives are available through the chat Monday through Saturday. In addition, policyholders can log into their accounts on the website. You can also get a quote and buy a policy.
App: Pet owners can scan documents, file a claim and view claim history, track how much of the deductible is left, sign up for direct deposit and access the company’s 24/7 chat feature through the app.
Claims: You can file a claim through the app or on the company website by providing the company with a finalized, fully paid invoice and detailed medical records. Claims usually take 15 days to process, and email updates are sent to update pet owners on their claim status. If you set up direct deposit, claims can be paid up to 10 days faster. Claims must be filed within 90 days of treatment.
Customer service: You can contact customer support by mail, email, through the website’s 24/7 chat feature or over the phone, Monday through Friday. The website also offers a live chat feature where you can speak to a customer service representative Monday through Saturday. In addition, you can call customer support at 866-467-3875.
Does Fetch by The Dodo cover dental care?
All of your pet’s teeth will be covered for injury and disease, as well as gum disease, oral tumors and tooth trauma. Procedures considered by your vet to be routine or preventative, like teeth cleaning, aren’t covered.
How do you cancel Fetch pet insurance?
You can cancel your policy at any time by calling customer support, or sending a written notice of cancellation by email or mail.
How much is Fetch pet insurance?
Fetch by The Dodo’s website says that plans for dogs cost an average of $35 a month, and an average of $25 a month for cats. Plans for puppies and kittens may cost less.
This post was originally published on Nerd Wallet
