Pets Best vs Fetch
Pet Insurance

What’s the best pet insurance – Pets Best or Fetch?

Choosing pet insurance is always a subjective decision. But we hope to help you make this decision more informed by this guide. Depending on exactly what you need, Fetch could be what you need, or Pets Best might be, well, best.

Take a look at our guide. Use it as your map through the pet insurance wilderness, helping you make a sensible decision that takes into account both your needs but also, more importantly, your pet’s.

We strongly suggest that you also use our super-speedy pet insurance quote page and review pages, which will help you decide which pet insurance plan is best for you.

What do the plans cover?

Pets Best and Fetch both offer accident and illness plans covering things like chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions. Pets Best won’t cover alternative therapies but will offer coverage to pets in wheelchairs and with mobility issues. Fetch covers alternative therapies without an extra charge.

Pets Best also offers a no-deductibles wellness plan, starting at $16 a month, covering the cost of your pet’s vaccinations, neutering/spaying, microchipping, and more. Fetch doesn’t offer a wellness plan.

Both companies cover things like X-rays, euthanasia, prescription medications, and CAT scans but Pets Best doesn’t cover vet exam fees. Both offer coverage for dental accidents and dental illness. Fetch has nice niche features like a lost pet advertisement scheme.

Like most insurers, both only offer coverage for cats and dogs, which is worth thinking about if your pet does not fall into these two furry categories.

Both plans cover many common illnesses and conditions that a pet can suffer from, such as:

• Arthritis
• Cancer
• Cataracts
• Cruciate injury
• Dental disease
• Dermatitis
• Diabetes
• Diarrhea
• Ear infections
• Hip dysplasia
• Gastroenteritis
• Kidney disease
• Limping
• Liver disease
• Lymphoma
• Pancreatitis
• Seizures
• Vomiting

*Coverage is based on choosing unlimited coverage, $250 deductible and 90% reimbursement

Are there any exclusions?

Both Fetch and Pets Best exclude pre-existing conditions. Pets Best treats pets with hip dysplasia irrespective of age. Its waiting period is 14 days, which is a great deal shorter than Fetch’s, which is six months.

It’s always best to read the full list of exclusions before signing up for any pet insurance plan.

How expensive are Pets Best and Fetch?

Pets Best tends to work out a lot cheaper than Fetch. Pets Best has an unlimited coverage cap but Fetch’s options are $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000, which will be one factor in this.

Fetch charges you for paying monthly, something Pets Best does not do. But you should be aware that Pets Best charges you $2 for every transaction, so paying quarterly or annually will save you money.

To be sure of an exact comparison for your pet, however, use our quote calculator.

Medium Mixed 3 months old in Los Angeles $5,000 annual coverage	$26.69 per month	$96.18per month
Golden Retriever 3 years old in San Diego Unlimited annual coverage	$46.30 per month	$102.23 per month
Chihuahua 6 years old in New York City Unlimited annual coverage	$45.11 per month	$93.83 per month
Domestic Shorthair 3 months old in San Antonio $5,000 annual coverage	$8.38 per month	$20.16 per month
Domestic Shorthair 3 year old in Jacksonville Unlimited annual coverage	$11.60 per month	$18.88 per month

Coverage options may vary.

Do Pets Best or Fetch offer discounts?

Pets Best offers a 5% multi-pet discount. At Fetch you can get 10% off for life if you’re a veteran or you’re in the military, if you’re a member of AARP, or if your pet is a licensed medical services animal. If your pet is a rescue, or if you’re a vet or work in the profession, you get 10% off for a year.

Are the plans customizable?

Certainly, but more so at Pets Best.

You can adjust your plans – including your reimbursements and deductibles – at both providers. Pets Best, one of the most flexible providers around, has the highest range of annual deductibles out there, with six ($50, $100, $200, $250, $500, and $1,000). You can also add a wellness plan for a little bit extra every month, and customize your reimbursement percentage too. There are two reimbursement limits ($5,000 and unlimited).

While it is a little less flexible, there is also some customization at Fetch, with their various deductible ($300, $500 or $700), reimbursement and annual limits. Unfortunately, you can’t add on a wellness plan at Fetch.

How do I make claims?

Pets Best says that the best way to claim is through your account, which is available on any device or via its app. You'll need proof of the payment to your vet and to make your claim within 180 days of the treatment. It might also pay your vet directly (see FAQS below).

Fetch, which needs you to make a claim within 90 days, also has an app and the option of going via its website.

Are they easy to contact?

Oh yes. You can reach Pets Best by phone (877 738 7237) or, again, if you’re that way inclined, by fax (866 777 1434). Fetch can also be contacted by mail, phone (866 467 3875), email, social media, and online chatbot.

Customer reviews

Pets Best reviewers are a contented bunch, speaking highly of the company’s speedy claims procedures. Some may have some issues about the way in which claims have been handled but the feedback is overwhelmingly favourable.

Fetch’s customer service is very popular and, while it changed its underwriter in 2016 and upset some customers as a result, the feedback now is terrific.

Frequently asked questions

People ask us a lot of different questions about the pet insurance providers we work with. It’s the smart thing to do because no two insurers are the same. Here are some common questions (and the answers!).

What are the waiting periods?

Pets Best customers wait three days for accident and 14 days for illness cover to kick in. Fetch’s customers wait 15 days for both.

Is there a maximum age for enrolment?

Pets Best and Fetch are both fairly unusual in not having an upper age limit but be aware that your premium is likely to increase as the animal ages.

Do they need my pet’s medical records?

Yes, both do. Fetch says that it wants detailed medical records from the most recent check-up your pet had. Pets Best seems not to specify the length of time required.

Do they have a vet telehealth service?

They both do.

To find out more about vet telehealth services, simply head over to our telehealth service guide.

Final verdict: Embrace vs Fetch

It’s a tricky one. Pets Best might be more appropriate for you if you have an older animal; the company always score highly on this front and their lack of a maximum age limit for pets is commendable.

On top of this, Pets Best is more flexible, is likely to be cheaper than Fetch, offers a wellness plan, and your vet might be ok with direct pay. Fetch, however, includes exam fees at no extra cost, offers a fantastic range of discounts, and its straightforward range of options could be perceived as a positive, helping to keep the process simple for the customer.

There are so many factors to consider, and no very easy answers. Rest assured that you’re doing the right thing by doing your research. Go with your gut and you’re bound to find an insurer that works for you and your pet.