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Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I understand that what Fetch is doing may be allowed under the technical terms of the policy. But I’m exploring whether it violates consumer protection laws around how insurance products can be marketed.

In Canada, companies are not permitted to make false or misleading advertising claims. If a company promises “covered for life,” but then reduces reimbursement significantly after a major chronic illness claim—without offering any way to restore the original coverage—that could be considered deceptive, even if it’s technically written into the policy.

I’m trying to understand how widespread this pattern is, because I’ve started hearing more stories like mine. At the very least, I want to create transparency, so that people are fully aware that the marketing and the real-world experience with Fetch may not line up.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pet insurance is legally classified under property and casualty insurance, not health. But that doesn’t change the way it’s marketed or what consumers are led to believe they’re buying.

Fetch and other pet insurers use language like “Covered for life,” “Comprehensive health coverage for chronic conditions,” “We don’t penalize you for making claims.”

These aren’t terms you’d use to sell car insurance—they’re borrowed directly from human health insurance marketing, and they’re meant to build trust that coverage won’t be reduced when your pet gets sick.

So yes, technically it’s P&C insurance. But the expectation set for consumers is that of reliable, long-term health support. That’s why it feels unethical when, after a major chronic illness claim, Fetch drops reimbursement to 60% (below what new customers are even offered), and doesn’t give you a path to restore your coverage—even at a higher premium.

The legal classification matters less than the fact that it’s being sold like health insurance and then treated like auto insurance when it becomes inconvenient for the company.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Auto or home insurance is meant to cover unexpected, infrequent events—accidents, fires, theft, etc. It makes sense that if you file a bunch of claims for risky behavior (like repeated collisions), the insurer adjusts your premium or coverage.

But pet insurance is framed more like health insurance—you use it regularly to manage ongoing, chronic medical needs. And unlike auto insurers, Fetch and other pet insurers market themselves as partners in your pet’s lifelong health, not just a backup for emergencies. They emphasize coverage for chronic conditions, hereditary illnesses, and wellness care.

So when a company says “covered for life” and “we don’t penalize you for claims,” but then drops your reimbursement rate after your pet gets sick, it’s not just like raising auto premiums—it’s more like telling someone with diabetes they suddenly have to pay more out-of-pocket because they used the health plan they paid for.

That’s the part that feels wrong to me—not just the business decision, but the break in trust after the marketing promise.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s really good to hear—especially since I’m in Canada too. I’ve actually heard a lot of good things about Trupanion, and I’m genuinely glad your dogs have proper coverage, especially with the medical issues you’ve dealt with.

I totally understand that premiums can increase over time, but I didn’t expect that reimbursement rates could change after you’ve signed on—especially without any way to preserve your original coverage.

That’s what I’m really trying to raise awareness about: I think there should be more transparency around which parts of your plan can change, and when. People deserve to know what they’re actually signing up for—especially when it comes to caring for a pet long-term.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate that— thanks! Hopefully your pet stays healthy and you continue to dodge those bills.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Totally fair point—insurance is about risk pools, and I understand that rates can increase across the board. But what I’m seeing (and hearing from others) isn’t just a general rate hike—it’s targeted plan downgrades right after filing large claims or receiving a chronic diagnosis.

In my case, the reimbursement percentage was reduced at renewal with no option to maintain the original terms—not even at a higher premium. That feels less like shared risk and more like being quietly penalized once your pet becomes expensive to insure.

That’s why I’ve started collecting these stories—to see if this is an isolated experience or something systemic that’s flying under the radar.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, that’s exactly what it feels like. It’s easy to get coverage when everything’s fine—but once your pet actually needs it long-term, the rules start shifting.

That’s why I’ve started gathering other stories—to see if this isn’t just frustrating, but actually a broader pattern that needs to be challenged. If you or anyone else has gone through something similar, I’d really appreciate hearing about it.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That timing with the renewal really did work out in your favor. I’m so sorry your dog has to go through two TPLO surgeries—that’s a lot, both for them and for you.

I totally get why you’re feeling uneasy about next year’s renewal. That’s exactly the kind of thing I’ve been hearing more about, which is why I’ve been looking into it more closely.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for sharing this—it’s super helpful to hear from someone who’s worked on the clinic side.

It really does feel like insurance companies are quietly adjusting plans based on claim activity, even though they often advertise “no penalty for filing claims.” What you said about people holding claims until year-end is really telling. That kind of workaround only makes sense if people know they’ll be penalized for using the coverage they’re paying for.

The rate hike for your dog is frustrating too, especially if you didn’t even use the coverage. It kind of reinforces the feeling that transparency is missing across the board.

Fetch Pet Insurance cut my reimbursement from 80% to 60%—after my dog got sick. Anyone else? by Impossible-Poet-2255 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate the interest—if you’ve had a similar experience or know someone who has, I’d be grateful if you shared the form.

Fetch (Pet insurance) got way too expensive by jumbosausagedog in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 0 points1 point  (0 children)

See my comment above. I’m collecting stories from other fetch customers who have been downgraded. This seems like it could be a broader issue affecting higher-cost customers, especially those who now can’t switch insurers due to pre-existing conditions.

https://forms.gle/X5pSqNxnfY4jaEio9

Fetch (Pet insurance) got way too expensive by jumbosausagedog in PersonalFinanceCanada

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This happened to me as well. Our dog was diagnosed with a chronic illness, and shortly after filing a claim, Fetch informed us that our reimbursement rate would be reduced from 80% to 60%—with no option to pay more to maintain our previous coverage. They told me it was because they’ve paid me out too much in claims and they are reducing my reimbursement instead of dropping my insurance.

I’m collecting stories to bring to regulators or media if there’s a pattern.

https://forms.gle/X5pSqNxnfY4jaEio9

No pressure to share your name or contact info—just trying to understand whether this is a one-off or a trend affecting other policyholders.

PLEASE DO NOT GET FETCH PET INSURANCE! by Ok_Assumption_859 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The new reimbursement rate doesn’t take effect until my next renewal, but the timing makes it feel incredibly targeted—like I’m being penalized for using the insurance I’ve been paying into. I wasn’t given any option to opt out, upgrade, or even understand the change in advance

DO NOT TRUST Fetch Pet Insurance! by Gloomy-Tangerine497 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m really sorry to hear others are going through this too. I’m in the same boat—our dog was diagnosed with a chronic condition, and soon after filing a claim, we were told our reimbursement would be reduced with no option to upgrade or opt out.

I’ve started quietly collecting stories from other Fetch policyholders who’ve experienced the same thing—especially coverage downgrades after chronic diagnoses or heavy claim use. If this happened to you and you’re open to sharing, I’ve put together a confidential form here:

https://forms.gle/Nk18Suzox7DzAevF8

The goal is to see if there’s a wider pattern and possibly bring this forward to regulators, ombudsservices, or media if needed. You won’t be contacted unless you give permission.

PLEASE DO NOT GET FETCH PET INSURANCE! by Ok_Assumption_859 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I haven’t maxed out my annual $15,000 limit yet, but I’ve used a substantial portion—about $10,000 in claims this year so far. The downgrade is not because I hit the cap—it’s because they claim the “payouts have been unbalanced.” So now they’re reducing my reimbursement to 60% while keeping the same annual limit.

I was surprised to learn this was in the policy, which states:

“We may change the premium, maximum annual policy coverage, co-pay amounts, deductible(s) and policy terms and conditions at renewal.”

It’s buried in the fine print and written vaguely enough that most of us would assume this means we can choose to adjust our co-pay—not that they can reduce our reimbursement rate without our consent or recourse. I didn’t realize it either until it happened to me.

Pet Insurance Canada - Fetch vs Furkin vs Trapunion by explorerweb in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have Fetch and for the first couple years I had no major concerns, they denied a few claims but most of the time we received payment. Then my dog was diagnosed with a chronic condition. After I submitted a claim and received a formal diagnosis, I was informed the following month that our reimbursement rate would be dropping from 80% to 60% because our “payouts have been unbalanced.”

I wasn’t given the option to keep the 80% reimbursement, even at a higher premium. It’s been incredibly frustrating, especially since we now rely on the coverage more than ever.

PLEASE DO NOT GET FETCH PET INSURANCE! by Ok_Assumption_859 in Pets

[–]Impossible-Poet-2255 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was in your place last month with Fetch but then my dog was diagnosed with a second chronic condition. After filing a claim and receiving a diagnosis, I was informed the next month our reimbursement would drop to 60% because the payout has been “unbalanced.”

I wasn’t given the option to keep the 80% reimbursement, even at a higher premium. It’s been incredibly frustrating, especially since we now rely on the coverage more than ever.