Pet Insurance for Cats

Your cat is an important part of your family, which is why it’s critical to ensure they have the care, support, and protection they need. But what is the best way to protect your feline friend? None other than pet insurance. Cat insurance from Fetch is as comprehensive as can be. We outline what to expect from Fetch’s cat insurance plan below.

Program not available in New Brunswick or Quebec.

Introducing Fetch cat insurance

Fetch is a pet insurance company based in New York City. Despite their American headquarters, they serve pet owners all across North America, including Canada. Their mission is to provide the most comprehensive insurance and best coverage for cats and dogs in Canada and the United States. You will find that Fetch’s cat insurance plans cover risks or ailments that other pet insurance plans simply don’t. From blood tests and ultrasounds to gum disease, lab tests, and more, we’re confident that you will find Fetch’s cat insurance plans to be extensive. Plus, they make buying a pet insurance policy for your cat and submitting a claim easier than ever before. The policies can be used with any veterinarian in the U.S. or Canada, it takes just minutes to submit a claim, and you can cancel your policy whenever you like.

What is Fetch pet insurance?

Fetch’s comprehensive cat insurance plan is designed to cover the cost of vet bills when your cat gets sick, injured, or otherwise requires a trip to the vet’s office. As pet owners know, most trips to the vet and unexpected illnesses don't come cheap. Although ensuring our pets receive the best possible care is the top priority - especially when they are ill or hurt - visiting a veterinarian comes at a high price. That’s why cat insurance is so important. It can protect your wallet so that you never have to hesitate to take your cat to the vet again. Depending on the reimbursement level you choose (more on that below), your insurer might pay you back up for up to 90% of the vet bill.

The cat insurance coverage pet owners deserve

As you know by now, Fetch’s unique cat insurance coverage is one of the most comprehensive on the market today. This means that you can rest easy knowing that you have financial protection and pet experts back up against a wide range of possible health-related scenarios to do with your cat. In fact, Fetch is known to provide coverage for things that a lot of other pet insurance companies do not, such as hereditary conditions related to an animal’s breed, injury and disease in every single adult tooth your cat has, and exam fees. A complete list of what Fetch’s cat insurance policies cover is as follows:

  • Prescription medications & supplements
  • Emergency veterinary care
  • 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

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

Please note that Fetch’s cat insurance coverage may extend even further beyond this list. If something you want to be covered isn’t on this list, reach out to Fetch.

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What isn’t covered by your Fetch pet insurance plan for cats

Now that you know what is covered by Fetch’s cat insurance plan, it’s only fair to dive into what isn’t covered. Pet owners must be aware of the terms, conditions, and limitations of their policies, and part of that is understanding which medical expenses won’t be covered for your cat.

Although Fetch’s pet insurance covers several expenses that other insurers refuse to cover (e.g. hereditary conditions linked to a pet’s breed), there are a few expenses or ailments your Fetch cat insurance policy won’t cover. And these exclusions are common among pet insurance providers throughout North America. The following is a list of what isn’t covered by Fetch cat insurance:

Pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions are those that your cat was already suffering from before you enrolled in your Fetch cat insurance plan (or that arose during the waiting period). Generally speaking, pet insurance providers do not cover pre-existing conditions.

Cosmetic or elective procedures

Examples of these types of procedures include declawing in cats, tail docking, and ear trimming.

Prescription food

Fetch’s cat insurance plan may cover supplements recommended by your vet as a form of treatment for a condition that is covered by your policy. However, it will not cover prescription food.

Claims filed over 90 days after the pet's treatment was received

If you wait too long to file a claim, it may not be covered. Fetch clearly states that policyholders have 90 days from the date of receiving the invoice to submit a claim. If more than 90 days have passed, you won’t be compensated if you file a claim.

How soon after I get a cat should I purchase pet insurance?

The sooner you purchase insurance, the sooner you have protection for your pet. This means that shortly after getting a cat, even if they are just a kitten, we recommend purchasing your Fetch cat insurance policy. If you adopted an older cat, we also don’t recommend waiting. The odds of an older cat developing an injury or illness are even higher, which makes buying pet insurance even more time sensitive. Plus, it is important to note that insurance coverage cannot be applied retroactively. So if you wait until your cat is sick to bring them to the vet, and only after that point you choose to purchase cat insurance, Fetch won’t be able to reimburse you for any prior vet bills.

How does cat insurance work?

Understanding exactly how cat insurance works is important before purchasing a policy. But luckily, with Fetch, purchasing a policy, submitting a claim, and getting your money back is simple and easy. First, when you purchase your plan (which can be done online in minutes via Fetch’s website), your coverage begins after the waiting period (which may be as long as 15 days). Once your cat insurance coverage is active, you can go about your life, caring for your cat as per usual. Then, once an incident pops up, you can take your cat to any veterinarian in the United States or Canada. (With Fetch, any pet owner can enjoy the flexibility of getting to keep their current vet or going to a new vet if they prefer. Fetch’s cat insurance plans even cover visits to specialists or emergency vet clinics.) After your cat sees a vet, you receive the bill and pay for it upfront. Next, you submit your claim with Fetch, which takes just minutes. Simply snap a photo of your vet documents, answer some basic questions about the treatment your cat received, and press submit. The final (and best) part of the process is when your claim gets approved and you get paid! Depending on the reimbursement rate you selected, you will be reimbursed for up to 90% of your vet bill. If you choose to be paid via direct deposit, you might see this money in your account in as little as two days from the date of approval.

The average cost of cat insurance

If you're a cat owner, then you are in luck because cat insurance plans tend to be cheaper than dog insurance plans throughout North America. On average, cat insurance plans cost between $20 and $25 per month. However, your costs may be lower or higher depending on a number of factors. One such factor is your cat’s age, with pet insurance plans for kittens often being less expensive than for senior cats. We dive further into how cat insurance premiums are calculated below.

How cat insurance costs are calculated

As with any type of insurance, from car insurance to home insurance, calculating the cost of pet insurance is no easy task. There are many factors that are taken into account in order to determine an accurate and competitive premium. When it comes to calculating cat insurance costs, you can expect the age of your cat, its breed, as well as your location to all be considered. Why do these factors matter? When it comes to the breed of your cat, some breeds are more prone to medical problems than others. Similarly, the older your cat is, the more likely it is to suffer from injury or an illness, which may impact insurance costs. In terms of location, the cost of vet care varies across North America, and your cat insurance premium will reflect the expected costs in your neighbourhood, city, or province. On top of these three factors, the annual coverage amount, annual deductible, and reimbursement level you choose will also determine how much you pay for cat insurance. To reiterate, some of the key factors impacting pet insurance premiums are as follows:

  • The age of your cat.
  • The breed of your cat.
  • Your location.
  • Annual coverage amount: Also referred to as a payout limit, an annual coverage amount is the maximum amount (in dollars) that you can be paid back for your policy per year. Most cat insurance plans, including Fetch’s, have annual limits, however, sometimes cat insurance policies may have limits that apply to a pet’s lifetime or a specific condition they have. Fetch’s car insurance policy has a wide range of annual coverage amounts for policyholders to choose from. These amounts start at $2,500, but they can even be unlimited if you want the greatest amount of protection. As you might suspect, the higher your annual coverage amount, the more expensive your Fetch cat insurance policy is likely to be.
  • Annual deductible: The annual deductible on a Fetch cat insurance plan is the amount (in dollars) that the policyholder is required to pay toward a claim before the insurance company steps in. The more money the policyholder is willing to pay (e.g. the higher the deductible), the lower your cat insurance plan will cost. Further, as long as the policyholder chooses to renew their policy, the deductible can be reset annually. Annual deductible options for your Fetch cat insurance plan range from $250 to $700. Fetch will start reimbursing your claims as soon as your deductible has been reached. If you are unsure of how insurance deductibles work, contact Fetch today.
  • Reimbursement: One final factor that impacts the cost of your Fetch cat insurance policy is the reimbursement rate you choose. Reimbursement is the percentage of every vet bill you will be compensated for (after your deductible has been reached). Fetch policyholders can choose which reimbursement level they want to include with their cat insurance policies. The options are 70%, 80%, or 90%. Of course, if you choose a higher reimbursement, you will be compensated at a higher rate for every vet bill, however, your policy will also be more expensive.

Please note that all Fetch pet insurance policies are calculated using the company’s Fetch Forward technology, which determines the fairest and most accurate pricing for your insurance plans. This technology takes into account factors like the breed and age of your pet, as well as your location. However, no matter what premium our Fetch Forward technology estimates, there are ways to lower it by adjusting your annual coverage amount, annual deductible, or reimbursement level. (The higher your coverage amount, the lower your deductible, and the higher your reimbursement level, the more expensive your cat insurance plan will be.)

Buy Fetch cat insurance in five simple steps

Ready to purchase Fetch insurance and protect your cat today? Follow the five steps below and before you know it, you will be the proud owner of a cat insurance policy courtesy of Fetch:

1. Request a free cat insurance quote from Fetch

The first step to buying Fetch cat insurance is to request a free quote from Fetch. You can use their online pet insurance quote tool to receive a free quote today. Using this tool, you can receive an accurate, competitive, and entirely complimentary cat insurance quote in minutes. Alternatively, if you would prefer to request a quote over the phone, give them a call and speak directly with a Fetch insurance agent.

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2. Enrol with Fetch and purchase your cat insurance plan

Once you’ve received your free cat insurance quote, take the time to review it and consider your coverage needs. If you need help understanding how cat insurance works or deciding which annual coverage amount, annual deductible, or reimbursement rate is right for you, get in touch with Fetch. A licensed Fetch agent can help you enrol in the cat insurance plan of your choice.

3. Take your cat for a check-up at the vet

Step number three is to take your cat for a check-up at the vet. This is critical if you want to get the most out of your Fetch cat insurance plan. The reason why a vet check-up is so important after enrolling in a Fetch cat insurance plan is that you will need to upload all of your cat’s medical records whenever you file a claim. In order to obtain these records, you must take your pet to the vet. The types of medical records you should request from your vet are referred to as “SOAP notes,” which should include lab or test results and any important exam notes. With these important medical records, Fetch may not be able to process or approve your cat insurance claim (and therefore may not be able to reimburse you for any portion of your vet bill), which is why a check-up is so important.

4. Wait out the waiting period

The next step when buying cat insurance from Fetch involves the waiting period. Anytime you buy a pet insurance plan from Fetch, your policy will not become active until a 15-day waiting period is complete. This period begins on the date of enrolment and ends when coverage begins. Shortly after enrolling in a Fetch plan, you should receive an email with the subject line “PLEASE REVIEW: Waiting period in effect.” Your coverage will begin once this waiting period is over. Please note that any vet bills you incur or any claims you file during the waiting period will not be covered by your Fetch plan. Further, any injuries or illnesses discovered before or during the waiting period will be categorized as pre-existing conditions, and will therefore also not be covered. However, any new injuries or illnesses that are discovered after the waiting period has ended may be eligible for coverage. Lastly, although the normal waiting period is just 15 days, there is a six-month waiting period before hip or knee injuries will be eligible for coverage.

5. Your cat is covered!

The waiting period is over, and that means you’re covered! Now, you and your cat can sit back, relax, and enjoy the benefits of your comprehensive Fetch cat insurance plan. Just to remind you, Fetch’s cat insurance policies cover a wide range of important vet expenses for your cat, including hospital stays, surgeries, emergency vet visits, allergies, cancer treatment, and more.

Can I buy pet insurance through BrokerLink?

Yes, BrokerLink has partnered with one of the top-rated pet insurance companies in North America, Fetch. Therefore, all pet insurance coverage, whether you have a dog or a cat, is provided by Fetch. However, when you buy it via a BrokerLink insurance advisor you can save up to 10% per month on your policy.

Contact Fetch for more information on pet insurance for cats

Protect your feline friend today with quality pet insurance from Fetch. There is a reason BrokerLink chose to partner with Fetch instead of any other pet insurance company in North America. Contact Fetch today by calling them or get a free quote online today. Fetch’s advanced online quote tool allows customers to receive a free and accurate cat insurance estimate right away.

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