If you’re a pet parent, you know how important it is to have reliable pet insurance. Vet bills can be expensive, and the last thing you want is to struggle with costs when your furry friend needs medical care. Two of the most popular pet insurance companies are Pets Best and Fetch, but which one is better for your pet?
This guide will break it all down in simple and easy-to-understand language so you can make the best decision for your pet’s health and your wallet. By the end of this blog, you’ll know exactly which pet insurance is the right fit for you.
What Do Pets Best and Fetch Cover?
Both Pets Best and Fetch offer coverage for accidents and illnesses, but they have some key differences.
Pets Best covers:
- Accidents (like broken bones, swallowed objects, and poisoning)
- Illnesses (such as infections, allergies, and cancer)
- Chronic conditions (like diabetes or arthritis)
- Emergency care (including hospitalization and surgeries)
- Diagnostic tests (like blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds)
- Prescription medications
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Alternative therapies (such as acupuncture and hydrotherapy)
Fetch covers everything Pets Best does, but also includes:
- Behavioral therapy (for anxiety, aggression, or compulsive behaviors)
- Lost pet advertising and reward money
- Pet boarding costs if you’re hospitalized
The biggest difference between these two is routine care. Pets Best offers an optional wellness plan that covers vaccines, flea treatments, annual check-ups, and dental cleanings. Fetch does not offer wellness coverage.
If you want insurance that helps pay for routine vet visits, Pets Best is the better choice.
How Much Does It Cost?
Price is one of the biggest factors when choosing pet insurance. The cost of your plan will depend on things like:
- Your pet’s breed
- Your pet’s age
- Where you live
- The coverage plan you choose
Generally, Pets Best is more affordable than Fetch for most pet owners. Pets Best allows you to customize your plan more, so you can adjust your deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement rate to fit your budget. Fetch, on the other hand, only offers one type of plan, so you don’t get as much flexibility in choosing your price.
If saving money is a top priority, Pets Best is usually the better deal.
Waiting Periods: How Soon Can Your Pet Be Covered?
When you sign up for pet insurance, you can’t use it immediately—there’s a waiting period before coverage starts.
Pets Best has a shorter waiting period:
- Accidents: Covered in 3 days
- Illnesses: Covered in 14 days
- Orthopedic conditions: Covered in 6 months (unless waived by a vet exam)
Fetch has a longer waiting period:
- Accidents and illnesses: Covered in 15 days
- Orthopedic conditions: Covered in 6 months (but can be waived in some cases)
If you want your pet covered faster, Pets Best is the better choice.
How Do You Get Reimbursed?
One big question pet parents ask is: How do I get my money back after paying for a vet bill?
Both Pets Best and Fetch work on a reimbursement system, meaning you pay the vet bill upfront and then submit a claim to get reimbursed.
Here’s how it works:
- Take your pet to any licensed vet (both companies allow you to visit any vet).
- Pay the vet bill at the time of the visit.
- Submit a claim online (both companies have an easy online claims process).
- Wait for reimbursement.
Fetch usually takes longer to process claims, often 10-15 days. Pets Best is usually faster, reimbursing pet parents in 5-10 days.
One big advantage of Pets Best is that they offer Vet Direct Pay, which means they pay the vet directly, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket and wait for reimbursement. Fetch does not offer this option.
If you don’t want to pay large vet bills upfront, Pets Best is the better choice.
Customer Service and Support
When choosing a pet insurance provider, customer service matters. You want a company that responds quickly and helps you when you need it.
Both Pets Best and Fetch offer customer service through phone, email, and online chat, but Pets Best goes one step further by offering a 24/7 pet helpline. This means you can talk to a vet anytime, day or night, for advice about your pet’s health.
This is a huge bonus for pet owners who want expert guidance without rushing to the vet for every small issue. Fetch does not offer a 24/7 helpline.
If you want extra support, Pets Best wins in this category.
Does Either Plan Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
No pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions.
A pre-existing condition is any health issue your pet had before signing up for the insurance. This means if your pet has already been diagnosed with a chronic illness, hip dysplasia, or another condition, neither Pets Best nor Fetch will cover treatments related to that condition.
However, if your pet has a curable pre-existing condition (like an ear infection or respiratory infection) and remains symptom-free for a certain period of time, Pets Best may cover future issues. Fetch does not offer this.
If your pet has a temporary past illness and you want a chance for coverage in the future, Pets Best is the better option.
Which Pet Insurance Is Best for You?
Choose Pets Best If:
- You want the most affordable plan.
- You want a wellness plan to cover routine care like vaccines and check-ups.
- You want Vet Direct Pay, so you don’t have to pay large vet bills upfront.
- You want faster claim processing.
- You want a 24/7 vet helpline.
Choose Fetch If:
- You want extra coverage for behavioral issues like aggression and anxiety.
- You like the idea of boarding fee coverage in case you’re hospitalized.
- You want alternative therapies like acupuncture and hydrotherapy covered.
- You’re okay with paying more for unique benefits.
Final Verdict: Pets Best vs. Fetch
Both Pets Best and Fetch are great pet insurance options, but they serve different types of pet owners.
Pets Best is the better choice for most pet owners because:
- It has more affordable plans.
- It offers a wellness plan for routine care.
- It pays the vet directly if you choose that option.
- It has shorter waiting periods.
- It has a 24/7 pet helpline.
Fetch is better if you want unique benefits like behavioral therapy, lost pet coverage, and boarding fees—but you’ll pay more for it.
At the end of the day, both companies offer great coverage, so the best choice depends on your budget and what’s most important to you.
🚀 Before deciding, get a free quote from both companies to compare prices for your pet!
Would you choose Pets Best or Fetch? Let us know in the comments! 🐾