AARP Pet Insurance Review 2024 (Official)
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Coverage Options
Annual Deductible
$200, $350, or $500
Reimbursement Rate
70%, 80%, or 90%
Annual Coverage Limit
$10,000 or unlimited
If you’re an AARP member, you can enjoy a 10% discount on your monthly premiums when you purchase Fetch Pet Insurance. Fetch offers its customers several unique benefits, including coverage of sick visits, hospital stays, holistic care, alternative therapies, and more.
Read on to find out if signing up for Fetch Pet Insurance through AARP is the right choice for you.
Pros
- Save 10% on your monthly premiums as an AARP member
- No maximum age limit for enrollment
- Cancel anytime
- Includes $1,000 in coverage for online vet visits with no copay required
- May cover some curable conditions after 12 months without symptoms
- Every adult tooth is covered against injury and disease
- Covers the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders
Cons
- Cannot pay the vet directly
- Requires an annual health check, annual dental exam, and the use of prescribed prophylactic medication
AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, was founded in 1958 to enhance the quality of life of people over the age of 50. The nonprofit serves its members through advocacy, service, and information. AARP began offering Fetch Pet Insurance at discounted rates to its members in 2017.
Fetch Pet Insurance was originally known as Petplan, which was founded in 2003. The company began selling its first pet insurance policies in 2006. In 2020, Petplan changed its name to “Fetch by the Dodo” after the media brand The Dodo took a minority stake in Petplan.
What's Covered
- Accidents and illnesses
- Hospitalizations and emergency visits
- Breed-specific conditions such as hip dysplasia
- Alternative, holistic, and physical therapy
- All teeth are protected against injury and disease
- Prescription medication and supplement
- Boarding costs for owner hospitalization
- Diagnosis and treatment of behavioral disorders (up to $1,00 per year)
Optional Add-On: Routine Care
What's Not Covered
- Cosmetic or elective procedures
- Non-prescription food or supplements
- Anal gland expression
- Complications due to breeding, nursing, or whelping
- Lost pet advertising and reward
- Vacation cancellation costs
- Restrictions on recurring activities that cause multiple incidents
- Pre-existing conditions
Routine Care Add-On
Fetch Pet Insurance also offers an optional pet wellness plan that starts at $10/month.
Pet parents can add the Fetch Wellness plan onto their insurance policy to help offset the costs of their pet's routine care, such as:
- Annual exams
- Vaccinations
- Dental cleanings
- and More
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: We recommend adding routine care for pets under age two due to the high number of wellness visits at this age. Older pets may not save money with a routine care add-on. Learn more: Are Wellness Plans Worth It ?
Waiting Periods
AARP Pet Insurance has a 15-day waiting period that begins the day after you enroll. AARP will cover illnesses and injuries that occur after this mandatory waiting period is over; any claims submitted during this time frame will be considered a pre-existing condition and excluded from insurance coverage.
- Accidental injuries: 15 days*
- Unexpected illnesses: 15 days*
- Knee and Hip injuries: 180
- Wellness coverage: 0 days
The waiting period for knee injuries can be waived upon completion of a veterinary exam within the first 30 days of enrollment to determine there are no relevant pre-existing conditions. You must submit detailed medical records from that vet visit when first filing a claim.
*In Maine, there is no waiting period for accidents and injuries, and a 15-day waiting period for illnesses, as of January 1, 2023.
See how much Fetch Pet Insurance costs for your pet
How it Works
Fetch works by reimbursing up to 90% of your vet bills when a pet gets unexpectedly sick or injured. Once your deductible is met, Fetch will pay your insurance claim at the policy's pre-set reimbursement rate (selected at the time of enrollment) up to the annual coverage limit.
1. Visit any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency hospital you'd like with no network restrictions.
2. Pay for the veterinary services provided during your visit upfront at the time of your appointment.
3. File a AARP Pet Insurance claim through the app or website and upload the requested documents.
4. Get reimbursed for a percentage of eligible veterinary expenses based on your selected coverage.
LEARN MORE : Pet Insurance & How It Works: A Pet Parent's Guide
How to File a AARP Pet Insurance Claim
- Window to File: 90 days
- Average Claim Reimbursement: 6 days
- Maximum Time for Reimbursement: 30 days
- Reimbursement Methods: direct deposit or check
You can file a Fetch Pet Insurance claim quickly by taking photos of your invoice with your phone and uploading them through the app. Here are additional instructions Fetch Pet provides:
You must, if your pet suffers an illness or injury that may be covered:
- Visit a veterinary clinic within forty-eight (48) hours after first noticing clinical sign(s) relating to an illness or injury;
- Complete and send to Prudent Pet a claim form describing the illness or injury as soon as practicable but no later than ninety (90) days after end of the policy period.
- Provide Prudent Pet with copies of invoices from the treating veterinary facility;
- Provide Prudent Pet with copies of invoices and proof of payment for prescribed medications;
- And otherwise cooperate with Prudent Pet in the investigation of any claim which may include providing a complete medical history for your pet.
Failure to comply with these conditions may result in a claim not being covered.
AARP Pet Insurance Cost
Fetch Pet Insurance cost estimates are based on a sample policy featuring a $500 deductible, a 90% reimbursement rate, and a $10,000 annual coverage limit generated for pets living in Dallas, TX.
Average Price for dogs:
$35 / mo
Average Price for cats:
$20 / mo
Sample Prices
Estimated Fetch Pet Insurance costs are based on a sample policy featuring a $500 deductible, a 90% reimbursement rate, and a $10,000 annual coverage limit generated for pets living in Dallas, Texas.
Breed of Pet | 6 Months Old | 3 Years Old | 10 Years Old |
|---|---|---|---|
French Bulldog | $98 | $108 | $238 |
Labrador Retriever | $74 | $82 | $180 |
Domestic Shorthair Cat | $32 | $35 | $75 |
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: All pet insurance policies are subject to price increases annually. Pawlicy Advisor crunches the numbers to calculate the lifetime price of a policy, then makes recommendations that will save you money over your pet's lifetime.
Discounts & Ways to Save
- Get 10% off your premium rate for enrolling multiple pets
Discounts and offers are subject to approval and may change at any time. Maximum available discount is 10% and may not be available in all states and is not valid with any other offer.
Customer Service
On Trustpilot, Fetch Pet Insurance customers give high praise to Fetch's customer service team. They especially appreciate how knowledgeable, accommodating, and friendly the service reps have been in answering their questions. Many have highlighted the thorough assistance they received, including answers to specific queries and guidance on plan selection.
Customers also like the fact that Fetch's customer service staff is kind and professional when handling claims and inquiries. They say Fetch takes a proactive approach to customer service, reaching out to vets for documentation on their own.
However, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with hidden fees and policy terms that seem designed to decline claims. Some are also frustrated over difficulties in communicating with management and perceived inaction on appeals and support requests.
AARP: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM EST
Fetch: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM EST
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM EST
AARP Phone: 1-888-687-2277
Fetch Phone: 1‑866‑984‑0104
Email: info@fetchpet.com
Enrollment Requirements
- Minimum age at enrollment: 6 weeks
- Medical Review: Annual health checks and dental exams are required to maintain coverage each year
- Valid United States address: Your pet must reside with you at the primary address you provide to the insurance provider
Cancellation Policy
To cancel a Fetch Pet Insurance policy, call 1-844-251-5462. If you haven’t submitted a claim, you will receive a full refund when you cancel during the first 30 days of your policy. After 30 days, you’ll be refunded at a prorated amount or the total premium you’ve paid minus your re-enrollment fee where it's applicable.
Below is the official cancellation policy provided by Fetch:
You may cancel this policy at any time. Fetch will return to you the unearned portion of any premium paid. If you notify Fetch within the first thirty (30) days from the start date and you have not submitted any claim against this policy, Fetch will refund the entire premium. Risk-free cancellation terms vary by state.
Fetch has continuous coverage over the lifetime of a pet so long as a pet owner does not commit fraud or file a misrepresentation of the facts.
Expert Insights
Is AARP Pet Insurance good?
If you're an AARP member, you should consider AARP's pet insurance offering through Fetch, as you'll be eligible for a 10% discount on your monthly premiums.
Fetch Pet Insurance offers broad coverage, including areas often overlooked or charged extra by other providers. Notably, Fetch covers dental healthcare for all teeth, addressing periodontal disease which affects nearly one-third of pets by age two. This feature makes Fetch an appealing option for owners of new puppies, with eligibility starting from as young as six weeks.
Fetch also stands out for its possibility to cover certain pre-existing conditions if the pet stays symptom-free for a year.
However, pet owners should be aware of specific exclusions, such as Fetch's lack of coverage of anal gland expression or supplements. Also, keep in mind that maintaining coverage requires annual health and dental check-ups.
AARP Pet Insurance Reviews
4.3
2,251 Consumer Reviews
Josh did a great job
“Josh did a great job. He was very accommodating and provided me with great information while I was deciding on plans today. I had also talked to Eric yesterday who was excellent in providing answers to my questions and gave one answer which sold me on Fetch. Monica was also great. All of these individuals did a great job!”
What a great experience
“What a great experience! I am so glad when I called Fetch, Amanda Mello Answered the phone! I had already called two other pet insurance companies and both of them answered my questions and let me off the phone they didn’t even bother asking additional questions but Amanda went the extra mile and let me know that she could quote me over the phone that it was a no problem at all. She did it in less than 15 minutes for all three of my dogs and sent me several quotes so we could find the perfect coverage for my babies, she was absolutely amazing and thorough. She even answered some tough questions I had. What an absolute delightful experience and a great way to kickoff my new relationship with Fetch. I’m so excited to be with a company whose employees truly care!!”
Is AARP Pet Insurance right for you?
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More From Pawlicy Advisor
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Here's a Vet’s Perspective
- Learn How To Compare & Find the Right Pet Insurance For Your Furry Family Members
- Have More Than One Pet? Save on Pet Insurance with Multi-Pet Discounts
- When Is Pet Insurance a Great Decision?
- Everything You Need to Know About Filing a Pet Insurance Claim
We are the pet insurance experts. The Pawlicy Advisor team analyzes the top pet insurance companies and the fine print in their policy details to provide you with an objective breakdown of the insurance provider, the plans they offer, and how they compare.
Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. When she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor , she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.
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