Accident & Illness
Pet Insurance Coverage
Life with a pet is full of surprises, so it’s best to expect the unexpected. When your pet gets sick or hurt, having pet insurance with accident and illness coverage can help cover the bill.
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“You had me at Fetch.”
What is accident & illness coverage?
The “accident” part of accident and illness pet insurance covers your pet when they get hurt. This means Fetch covers unexpected injuries and the treatment your vet recommends as your pet recovers, including X-rays, surgery, specialty care and more.
The “illness” part of accident and illness pet insurance provides coverage when your pet unexpectedly gets sick. This includes common gastrointestinal issues and gum disease as well as more critical conditions like cancer and diabetes. Fetch also provides coverage for prescribed medications and sick-visit treatments.
What’s covered by accident & illness coverage?
Accident and illness coverage is designed to help cover the costs of treatment for the unexpected. Some providers offer accident and illness coverage separately, usually called an accident-only or illness-only plan. At Fetch, we offer accident and illness coverage in one comprehensive plan – so you don’t have to choose. Here are a few examples of what we cover.
Accidents
If your pet gets injured, Fetch has their back — and yours, too.
Emergency vet visits
Broken teeth
Swallowed objects
Cuts & scratches
Motor vehicle accidents
Poisoning
Bite wounds
Online vet visits
Hospital stays
Broken bones
And more
Illnesses
If your pet gets sick, Fetch helps get them back on their paws.
Sick visits
Allergies
Breed-specific issues
Periodontal & gum disease
Arthritis
Cancer treatment
Skin & ear infections
Vomiting & diarrhea
Cherry eye
And more
Diagnostics & treatments
From diagnosis to recovery, Fetch is with you and your pet every step of the way.
X-Rays & CT Scans
Physical therapy
Surgeries
Ultrasounds
Laboratory tests
Acupuncture &
chiropractic care
Treatment for aggression
& separation anxiety
Prescription medications
And more
What’s not covered by accident & illness coverage?
Accident and illness coverage is designed to help protect against the unexpected (what you can't plan for) — not what you can see coming. Here are some examples.
Pre-existing conditions
Like most pet insurance providers, Fetch doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. These are any conditions your pet had or showed clinical signs of before their coverage kicked in.
Claims filed after 90 days
Remember to submit your claims within 90 days of your pet’s treatment. Claims submitted 90 days after your pet’s vet visit won’t be covered.
Routine & preventive care
Accident and illness coverage doesn’t cover wellness care (think routine vaccinations, vet check-ups, spay and neuter). But you can add Fetch Wellness to a Fetch Pet Insurance plan for this kind of coverage.
Pet insurance terms to know
Here’s a quick explainer of a few pet insurance terms related to accident and illness coverage. Read up on our full list of common pet insurance terms for more.
Claim
A pet insurance claim is a request you send to your insurance provider asking for reimbursement for care that’s covered in your plan. After your vet visit, you’ll submit your claim with supporting documentation to your provider. With Fetch, filing a claim is as easy as snapping a pic of your pet’s vet invoice and medical records and submitting them through the Fetch app or your account.
Deductible
Your pet insurance deductible is the amount of veterinary care you need to pay for yourself each year before we can reimburse you for claims. So if your annual deductible is $300, you have to pay for $300 worth of approved veterinary care before we can start reimbursing you.
Max annual payout
Your max annual payout is the maximum dollar amount you can be paid back each year. Choosing a lower max annual payout will make your pet insurance price lower.
Waiting period
A waiting period is a specific amount of time between when you sign up for pet insurance and when your pet is covered. With Fetch, there’s a waiting period of up to 15 days for accidents and illnesses.
Why get accident & illness coverage?
While we never want to think it will happen to our pets, they’ll likely need emergency or immediate vet care at some point in their lifetime – in fact, 1 out of 3 pets need emergency vet care each year. Having coverage for accidents and illnesses gives you a financial safety net for those unexpected vet bills. See how Fetch Pet Insurance has helped pet parents cover up to 90% of unexpected vet bills.
See Fetch Pet Insurance in action
Reuben
Veterinary bills: $27,019
Paid back by Fetch: $20,604
“After one of Reuben’s discs had burst, dog insurance made it possible for him to get the surgery and ongoing care needed to live a happy life. There’s no other way we could have done it.”
— Jonathan and Shahar
Reuben’s parents
See Fetch Pet Insurance in action
Diego
Veterinary bills: $21,436
Paid back by Fetch: $18,042
"Just like humans, insurance offers peace of mind that you are protected, at least financially, for your pets' needs. That's what's really important about having cat insurance."
— Clay and Michael
Diego’s parents
See Fetch Pet Insurance in action
Dante
Veterinary bills: $18,453
Paid back by Fetch: $11,691
“Pet insurance is 100% a must-have. It's peace of mind. It's the thing you hope you never need. But when you do, it comes through for you like a lifesaver.”
— Vaish and Matangi
Dante’s parents
“No one wants to think about accidents or illnesses when it comes to their pet, but even the most loved pets aren't immune. Data shows that being proactive about your pet's health is key to giving your pet a longer, healthier life — and Fetch Pet Insurance is the best way to do just that.”
Dr. Audrey Ruple, DVM, MS, PhD, DipACVPM, MRCVS
Veterinarian, Dorothy A. & Richard G. Metcalf Professor of Veterinary Medical Informatics & Chair of the Fetch Veterinary Advisory Board
When should I get accident & illness coverage?
Ideally, you should get accident and illness coverage as soon as possible and when your pet is young. Accident and illness coverage doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. So, insuring your pet while they’re young and healthy can help ensure that they’re taken care of in case they develop any new conditions later in life.
You’ll also want to consider the waiting period. This is the amount of time you’ll have to wait before your pet’s coverage kicks in after enrollment. Your waiting period can vary based on your pet insurance provider and type of coverage. With Fetch, both the accident and illness waiting periods are up to 15 days.
Accident & Illness Pet Insurance FAQs
Is it really worth it to get pet insurance?
If you’re looking for potential savings on future vet trips, the answer is yes. Pet insurance helps make vet bills more affordable, and you can rest easy knowing you’ll be covered if your dog or cat unexpectedly gets sick or hurt down the road. But if you’re at the vet with a sick pet right now, bear in mind that your current visit won’t be covered. Your pet will be covered for approved claims once they’re enrolled and the waiting period has passed.
Does my pet qualify for pet insurance with accident & illness coverage?
Fetch covers all dogs and cats 6 weeks and older in Canada and the U.S. You can also get a quote to see if your pet is eligible for accident and illness coverage.
Can you get pet insurance if your pet is already sick?
Absolutely. Even if your pet has a particular pre-existing condition that isn’t covered, they’re still eligible for pet insurance coverage for new accidents and illnesses. Enrolling before they get sick or hurt is recommended, but pet insurance can still help you save on future vet bills.
What else is covered by pet insurance?
Cancer: This coverage helps cover costs related to vet-recommended cancer treatments, specialty care, medication, hospital stays and follow-up care. Fetch includes cancer coverage in one comprehensive pet insurance plan.
Dental: This coverage helps cover the costs of veterinary care related to dental accidents and illnesses - think tooth fractures and gum disease. Fetch includes dental coverage in one comprehensive pet insurance plan.
Virtual vet visits: This coverage makes it convenient for you to see a vet outside of business hours or if you have a quick medical question. Fetch covers online vet visits up to $1,000 a year.
And so much more! See what Fetch Pet Insurance covers.
Does accident & illness pet insurance include wellness coverage?
The short answer is no. A pet insurance plan with accident and illness coverage is intended for unexpected vet visits when your pet is sick or hurt. With Fetch, you also have the option to add wellness coverage for routine and preventive care to keep your pet healthy once you're enrolled in accident and illness coverage. Learn more about the differences between accident and illness pet insurance and wellness pet insurance.
1 out of 3 pets need emergency veterinary treatment each year according to Forbes Advisor, Pet Insurance Statistics 2024, January 2024.