lVeterinarians recommend pet insurance for cats and dogs in Australia. Oftentimes, pet insurance allows you to afford veterinary treatment that could be lifesaving for your pet. Cat and dog pet insurance will enable you to give your pet the treatments they need when they need it. With pet insurance, you won’t have to delay necessary veterinary care or surgeries due to high costs.

Fetch Pet Insurance is part of Pet Industry Australia (PIAA), which is dedicated to the welfare of pets in Australia. Fetch launched in 2023 in Australia, features one very popular plan, and offers up to $30k coverage. If you’re looking for high-annual limit coverage for cats and dogs, Fetch offers one plan with three different reimbursement rates: 80%, 90%, or 100%. 

Fetch comprises a team of veterinarians, techies, and insurance pros who want to help pets—Australian and international investors, including Airtree, insurance CEOs, and start-up founders back Fetch.

A huge plus is that there are no sub-limits for cruciate ligaments, skin conditions, hip and joint surgery, and vet consultations. Their website is easy to navigate, and claims are paid directly to the veterinarian. 

Nonetheless, routine care is not covered, and Gap Only service is unavailable with Fetch. But you can set up Fast Claims through Fetch, and your veterinarian can check cover with Fetch and then get paid directly.

Who is Fetch?

Pet insurance is necessary for all pets and can help you with veterinary costs. This is important, especially when your pet is dealing with a chronic illness and injury, and veterinary costs may skyrocket. The Australian Veterinary Association(AVA) says it can be heartbreaking when a pet’s owner can’t pay for veterinary treatment and is forced to decide not to treat the animal.

” Insurance is a well-established tool that consumers can use to manage their financial risk, and the take-up of pet insurance is growing dramatically in Australia,” explains AVA. The AVA adds that pet parents with pet insurance are in a better condition to deal with major medical emergencies and are also more likely to opt for preventative care, which is better for pets in the long term.

Fetch Pet Insurance Australia has scored five stars in positive reviews on Product Reviews by Australian pet parents. Although this is a new pet insurance company, Fetch has tons of experience with pet health and wellness via their team of pet experts, who have backgrounds as vets or vet nurses or with leading pet insurers worldwide.

Fetch Pet Insurance Cover

Fetch is another pet insurance company that only insures cats and dogs, not horses, reptiles, turtles, or exotic pets. You can get your cat or dog insured from 8 weeks to 9 years of age. There are no multi-pet discounts or GapOnly Service if you take out Fetch cat and dog insurance. Desexing is not covered, and issues arising from spaying and neutering are not covered.

Fetch Pet Insurance Plan

Fetch offers only one plan with three different reimbursement rates: 80%, 90%, or 100%. While the excess can be reduced to zero, those who choose a 100% reimbursement rate must pay a $100 excess. Elective procedures, including cosmetic procedures, are not covered. Despite its high annual benefit, Fetch says that they don’t cover any cost related to the following:

• Open Heart Surgery
• Pacemakers
• Organ Transplants
• Cancer Vaccinations
• Stem Cell Therapy, if it’s not for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Levels of Cover

The cost of coverage will depend on your pet’s age and breed, the reimbursement rate you choose, whether they’re spayed or neutered, and other conditions.Fetch Pet Insurance, Australia, offers one plan with three different reimbursements: 80%, 90%, or 100%. 

Fetch covers veterinary consultation appointments for diagnosis and treatment, including injuries, illnesses, tests, diagnosis, treatment, and hospitalization. It also covers alternative therapies, including one course of acupuncture or cold laser therapy. Here’s what’s not covered:

• Homeopathy
• Naturopathy
• Osteopathy or chiropractic
• Massage and Bowen therapies

Fetch pet insurance also offers the following:

• Short Wait Periods: 2 days for injury and 30 days for illness, which is standard.
• Dental Cover: Dental injury and disease are covered only if they develop after you’ve taken out a plan.
• Pet Med Coverage: Shampoo and skin treatments for dogs and cats are covered for diagnosed skin conditions.
• Prescription Pet Food: This is covered if your cat or dog is in hospital being treated for a chronic condition.
• Home Visits and Transport: This is covered if your cat or dog needs transportation to a hospital for emergency treatment. Home visits are also covered if moving your pet may endanger their health.
• Emergency Boarding: Fetch offers customers boarding coverage at a licensed kennel or cattery for up to 2 weeks if they’re hospitalized for emergency treatment.
• Behavior Cover: This is covered if your pet has no history of behavioral issues, including aggression, and if the behavioral problems don’t stem from the following: Lack of training, socialization, isolation, lack of exercise, housing, and nutrition.
• Hydrotherapy and Physiotherapy Coverage: If your veterinarian recommends this for a diagnosed condition, it’s covered. You must visit a licensed veterinary physiotherapist.

What to Consider

It’s key to consider that Fetch pet insurance does not cover spaying or neutering, routine care, or pre-existing conditions present before cover is active. This includes any wait periods that stem from injury, illness, or behavioral problems that you or the vet were aware of. 

Pre-existing conditions also include hereditary or congenital conditions, which are linked to the pre-existing conditions. That said, it’s key to understand your breed’s health issues before taking out pet insurance. Fetch pet insurance does not cover prescription pet food for weight management or treating an undiagnosed health issue.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does Fetch Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

According to their website, Fetch can’t cover pre-existing conditions because their coverage and pricing are set at a rate that assumes your cat or dog has the usual chance of having any issues for their breed, not if they already have them.

2. What are Some Examples of Pre-Existing Conditions?

This includes the following:

• Seasonal Allergies
• Cushing’s Disease
• Limping following jumping from a car
• Dental Disease
• Behavioral Issues
• Elbow Arthritis
• Hip Dysplasia

3. Are Genetic and Hereditary Conditions Covered?

Fetch pet insurance covers genetic conditions. This includes the following:

• Hereditary Conditions
• Congenital Conditions

No breed-specific conditions are excluded in coverage, and Fetch covers all illnesses and injuries. There are no condition sub-limits, and coverage is unavailable for restricted breeds, or any dog declared dangerous or menacing.