What does pet insurance cover?

12 minute read Published on Mar 23, 2023 by BrokerLink Communications

If you’re considering buying pet insurance for your dog or cat, then you need to know what it covers. As with any type of insurance, when you buy a policy, what you’re really paying for is the coverage that is included with your policy. So understanding exactly what’s covered and how coverage works are crucial. Below, we outline all there is to know about Fetch’s comprehensive pet insurance coverage.

How does pet insurance cover me?

If you’re ready to learn more about how pet insurance covers you and your pet, then you’re in the right place. Fetch doesn’t shy away from showing their customers exactly what kind of coverage they can expect. And when they say their coverage is comprehensive, they mean it. Below is a list of just some of the coverage that you can expect your Fetch dog or cat insurance policy to cover. From prescription medications to surgeries, X-rays, ultrasounds, and more, Fetch's pet insurance coverage is uniquely designed to be as extensive as possible. This way, policyholders will have peace of mind knowing that their policy will protect them against a wide range of health-related circumstances:

  • Prescription medications & supplements
  • Emergency vet visits
  • Virtual, in-home & office visits
  • Hospital stays
  • Physical therapy
  • Allergies
  • Surgeries
  • X-rays & CT scans
  • Ultrasounds
  • Blood tests
  • Breed-specific issues, including hip dysplasia
  • Specialists
  • Sick-visit exam fees
  • Laboratory tests
  • Vomiting & diarrhea
  • Hereditary & congenital issues
  • Swallowed objects & toxins
  • Every tooth covered
  • Gum disease
  • Diabetes & insulin
  • Cancer treatment
  • Acupuncture & chiropractic care
  • Treatment for aggression & separation anxiety

We want to highlight the fact that several of the coverages listed above are not usually covered by pet insurance companies. Therefore, by offering this coverage, Fetch is proving itself once again to be one of the leading pet insurance companies in North America. Specifically, there are three Fetch coverages we wish to highlight: “every tooth covered,” “hereditary & congenital issues,” and “sick-visit exam fees.” You won’t find these items covered in many other Fetch pet insurance policies, which is what makes their plans so top-notch.

The hereditary issues they cover even relate to a pet’s breed, while injury and disease in not just some but every single one of your pet’s adult teeth are also covered. Meanwhile, the cost of sick-visit exam fees can add up quickly, which is why many insurers refuse to cover them. However, Fetch does, which can save policyholders between $50 and $250 per visit. Plus, this isn’t even the complete list of coverage that Fetch policies provide. So if you are looking for a certain type of pet insurance coverage that is not mentioned above, get in touch with Fetch to discuss this with them.

NEW Optional Wellness Coverage

In addition to Fetch’s injury and illness coverage, you can now choose to add a Wellness Plan which covers routine and preventative care. Care covered in the Fetch Wellness plans includes:

  • Annual exam
  • Canine Bordetella / Feline FELV vaccines
  • Canine DHLPP / Feline FVRCP vaccines
  • Canine Rabies / Feline Rabies vaccines
  • Canine Lyme / Feline FIP vaccines
  • Heartworm, flea & tick prevention
  • Heartworm tests
  • Dental cleaning
  • Spaying or neutering
  • Blood test
  • Urinalysis
  • Fecal test
  • And more

If you are looking for pet insurance coverage that is not included above, contact Fetch to learn more!

1-866-381-1946

What is not covered by pet insurance?

Knowing what pet insurance does not cover is just as important as knowing what it does cover. While Fetch is lauded for its comprehensive pet insurance policies, there are still some illnesses, procedures, or injuries that they will not cover. This is common practice among all insurance companies in North America. No matter what type of insurance you’re buying or where you’re buying it from, there will always be at least some exclusions or limitations. Fetch's pet insurance is no exception. Before enrolling in a Fetch pet insurance plan, make sure to go over the details with a BrokerLink insurance advisor or Fetch insurance agent. They can walk you through the specific exclusions that pertain to your policy and ensure you understand exactly where your coverage begins and ends. Without further ado, the following is a list of items that pet insurance does not cover:

Pre-existing conditions

It is common practice for pet insurance policies not to cover pre-existing conditions. Note that pre-existing conditions are those that your pet has already been diagnosed with prior to enrolling in your policy, as well as any conditions that are discovered during the 15-day waiting period.

Cosmetic or elective procedures

Cosmetic or electric procedures, are also not covered by Fetch pet insurance. Such procedures are generally not considered to be necessary to your pet’s health or medical status and are therefore not eligible for compensation. Cosmetic procedures for dogs and cats that will not be covered include but are not limited to cat declawing, tail docking, and ear trimming.

Prescription food

Pet insurance coverage, including that offered by Fetch, does not cover prescription food. However, it does cover prescription medication, as well as prescription supplements, so long as they were prescribed by your vet to treat a condition or illness that is covered by your Fetch plan.

Late claims

Finally, Fetch does not provide coverage for late claims. What is classified as a late claim is anything that is filed more than 90 days after the date your pet received treatment. In essence, if you wait more than 90 days to submit a claim with Fetch, your claim will be invalid and you will not be compensated. To learn more about how to submit a pet insurance claim with Fetch and the terms and conditions that pet insurance claims are subject to, get in touch with them.

1-866-381-1946

Additional pet insurance coverage through Fetch

We keep highlighting the fact that Fetch offers some of the most comprehensive pet insurance on the market. Why? Because it’s true. In case you don’t believe us, we have compiled a list of pet insurance coverage Fetch offers that many competing pet insurance companies refuse to offer. If you want the most out of your pet insurance coverage, choose Fetch. Check out the following list of Fetch’s additional pet insurance coverage offerings below:

Sick-visit exam fees

Sick visits to the vet don’t come cheap, especially when you take into account exam fees. Unlike other pet insurers that refuse to cover exam fees, Fetch does. This coverage alone can amount to savings of between $50 and $250 per sick visit.

Breed-specific issues

Fetch is also an outlier in that they cover breed-specific issues (i.e. medical conditions that are linked to a pet’s breed). For example, French bulldogs are prone to breathing problems while German Shepherds suffer from hip dysplasia at higher rates. Despite the vulnerability of these dog breeds to specific conditions, Fetch still covers them.

Boarding fees

If your pet requires hospitalization, your Fetch pet insurance plan will help cover the cost of boarding fees up to $1,000 per policy per year.

Advertising & reward

There is nothing worse than your pet going missing. But at least with Fetch, if the worst-case scenario happens, they will help ease the financial burden by covering the cost of advertising and rewards to help find your missing pet. The limit for advertising & reward coverage is $1,000 per year.

Prescription medications & supplements

One final type of additional coverage offered by Fetch is prescription medications and supplements coverage. More specifically, Fetch covers an array of prescription drugs for your pet, such as antibiotics or anxiety medication, as well as vitamins or supplements recommended by your vet to treat your pet’s covered illness or injury.

How does pet insurance coverage work?

When you enrol in a Fetch pet insurance policy, you receive coverage. But what exactly does that process look like? It’s easier than you might think. You can reach out to BrokerLink or Fetch directly for information on how to buy a policy or obtain a free quote. When you decide you want to enrol in a plan, you can do so online in minutes. Upon enrolling, you will receive a confirmation email with details about the waiting period (more on this below). Your coverage will become active on the date that the waiting period expires, which is typically 15 days after signing up with Fetch.

Once your coverage is active, you are protected for the duration of your plan. This means that the next time your cat or dog is injured or falls ill, requiring a visit to the vet, you can submit a claim and receive compensation according to the coverage in your policy. For example, if your dog is bitten by a wild animal, you would need to rush them to the vet.

After being checked out by the vet, you would pay the vet bill upfront, retaining a copy of it. Then, you would log onto Fetch's website and submit your claim. Keep in mind that since Fetch covers emergency vet visits, your claim is likely to be approved. You can also file a claim for any other eligible costs that are incurred. For instance, if your dog was hospitalized following the incident or required an X-ray or CAT scan, or emergency surgery, these would also likely be covered by your policy.

Upon submitting your claim(s), a Fetch insurance agent will review them and if approved, you will be reimbursed according to your selected deductible and reimbursement rate. The money may even be deposited into your account within two days of your claim being approved.

What is the waiting period for pet insurance coverage?

Fetch pet insurance policies all include a waiting period. This waiting period is a set period of 15 days, and it begins on the date of enrolment and ends when your coverage becomes active. During this waiting period, your pet insurance policy is not active, which means you are not covered. Therefore, if you incur any vet bills during this time, they will not be eligible for coverage. Similarly, any claims filed during this period will be considered invalid and will not be covered. It is also worth noting that if your pet suffers from any injuries or illnesses that are discovered during this waiting period, they will be considered pre-existing conditions and will not be covered by your policy. That said, any new illness or injuries that are discovered after the 15-day waiting period comes to an end will be covered.

Although the waiting period for most Fetch pet insurance coverage is 15 days, there is one exception to this. The waiting period is six months for hip or knee injuries, meaning these kinds of injuries will not be covered until six months have passed since the date of your policy enrolment. You may also be able to reduce this waiting period for knee and hip injuries by having your pet checked by a vet in the first 30 days that your policy is active. If a vet concludes that your pet does not have any pre-existing conditions, your coverage can begin earlier. There’s also a 6-month waiting period before injuries of the hips and knees can be covered.

Further details about your Fetch waiting period can be found in an email that you will receive shortly after enrolling, with the subject line, “PLEASE REVIEW: Waiting period in effect.” However, you can also contact BrokerLink or Fetch to learn more about how their waiting periods work and the implications that the waiting period has on your pet insurance coverage.

How to make the most of your Fetch pet insurance coverage

Getting the most out of your insurance coverage is a top priority for many policyholders. Fetch and BrokerLink want to make sure that your pet insurance coverage meets your needs at all times, which is why we’ve put together some tips on how to take advantage of your pet insurance policy:

Maximize coverage by scheduling a vet visit

How Canadian pet owners can make the most of their Fetch pet insurance policies is by scheduling a vet visit for their pet. Booking a check-up for your pet as soon as you enrol in your policy is one of the best ways to maximize your coverage. Why is a check-up so important, you may be wondering? When you submit any future claims with Fetch, you will need to upload your pet’s medical records.

These records should be up-to-date and can only be obtained from a licensed veterinarian, which is why it’s so important to take your pet to the vet shortly after enrolling with Fetch. Further, your pet’s medical records give the Fetch team a clear idea of your pet’s medical history, which allows them to process your claim as quickly as possible. The medical records you should request from your veterinarian’s office at the time of the check-up are referred to as “SOAP notes.” These are exam notes and lab results that are relevant to your pet. The importance of obtaining your pet’s medical records by scheduling a visit to the vet after enrolling cannot be understated. Without these important medical records, Fetch may not be able to process your claim, which means no money back in your pocket.

How much will I pay for pet insurance coverage in Canada?

Pet insurance coverage varies in Canada, depending on many factors like the age and breed of your pet, as well as where you and your pet live. The pet insurance company you choose to buy insurance from will also determine the price. Thankfully, Fetch prides itself on offering affordable pet insurance solutions. Fetch pet insurance coverage in Canada averages $50 per month for dogs and $30 per month for cats. Keep in mind that this is hardly anything when you consider emergency vet visit costs in Canada, which can be expensive.

Fetch’s comprehensive pet insurance coverage

Before we dive into how pet insurance covers you, we would first like to introduce our exclusive pet insurance partner, Fetch. Fetch is a company that specializes in providing comprehensive pet insurance plans to dog and cat owners across North America. They make pet insurance simply by providing extensive coverage at affordable prices. The reason why BrokerLink chose to work with them is specifically because of their coverage. They go above and beyond, covering several health-related scenarios that other pet insurance providers simply refuse to cover.

This makes Fetch's plans some of the best on the market today, and here at BrokerLink, we always want the best for our customers. Beyond their extraordinary coverage, Fetch insurance plans offer several perks to policyholders. For example, their plans can easily be purchased online, they are compatible with any vet in Canada or the United States. Plus, their policies are flexible, giving customers the option of cancelling their plans whenever they see fit and allowing them to select their preferred annual coverage amount, deductible, and reimbursement rate.

Call Fetch to learn more about their extensive pet insurance coverage

Want to learn more about Fetch's pet insurance coverage? Give them a call today. As an insurance brokerage, we aim to find the best coverage at the most affordable prices for our customers, and that is why working with Fetch has been a match made in heaven. Let us connect you with our trusted pet insurance partner and provide you with a free quote online today.

Get a pet insurance quote 1-866-381-1946

FAQs on pet insurance coverage

Can I buy pet insurance coverage via an insurance brokerage?

Yes, pet insurance coverage can be purchased directly through a pet insurance provider or via a full-service insurance brokerage. Insurance brokers can help you determine your pet insurance needs and ensure you find a plan with coverage that meets them. They can also help you save money on pet insurance and provide you with a free pet insurance quote.

How do I choose the best insurance coverage for my pet?

With so many coverage options, choosing the best coverage for your pet can be stressful. But Fetch makes it easy by offering just one simple policy to pet owners. This means that customers won’t have to choose between coverage options. Instead, they will be covered for everything that Fetch offers, including emergency vet visits, physical therapy, hospital stays, prescription medications and supplements, gum disease, X-rays, ultrasounds, and much more. The only decisions you will have to make as a policyholder are which annual coverage amount, policy deductible, and reimbursement rate you want for your policy.

For related articles, check out our pet travel tips, and how to protect your pet in your car.