If you’re an AARP member and own a pet, you might be interested in how you can save money on veterinary care through exclusive membership benefits. While anyone can get pet insurance to lower the cost of vet bills, AARP offers coverage to its members at a generously discounted rate.
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Read on to learn more about the AARP pet insurance discount for members, as well as how the policy works, what it covers, and whether it might suit your pets’ needs.
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AARP started offering pet insurance as an membership benefit in 2014 to help its 38 million members take the best care of their pets. In 2017, AARP announced an extension to its relationship with Fetch by The Dodo, formerly known as Petplan, as an exlcusive pet insurance provider.
Under an agreement with Fetch, AARP members get discounted rates on pet insurance. Some benefits of policy enrollment include:
AARP pet insurance offers one plan through Fetch by The Dod, which covers:
Fetch by Dodo requires customers to wait 15 days before their pet insurance policy takes effect. This waiting period applies to both illnesses and accidents. For orthopedic conditions, the waiting period is six months.
Like all other pet insurance companies, Fetch doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, i.e., conditions that were present or showed symptoms during the waiting period or before coverage kicks in.
However, the provider does distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. This means that they will reinstate coverage for curable conditions, such as UTIs and ear infections, after a certain period passes without recurrence.
AARP pet insurance also doesn’t cover elective procedures.
The claims process is straightforward — all you need to do is take a photo of your paid veterinary bill. The company offers a time frame of 30 days for payout, but most claims are processed and paid within two days.
AARP members get access customer service through Fetch. Representatives are available weekdays from 8 AM to 8 PM and Saturdays from 10 AM to 6:30 PM via phone, social media, live chat, and email.
Fetch pet health insurance plans start at $25 a month for cats and $35 a month for dogs. The cost of your policy will depend on factors such as the pet’s age, breed, medical conditions, and location. Although your monthly premium will not increase if you make a claim, it might go up as your pet gets older.
Policy benefits include an annual coverage starting at $5,000 for illnesses and accidents. Deductible options range from $100 to $2,500.
AARP members are eligible for a 5% member discount plus a 5% online discount in all US States except Florida, Hawaii, and Tennessee.
One of the most significant benefits of AARP pet insurance through Fetch is complete coverage with a straightforward plan. The policy covers many unexpected pet illnesses and injuries and provides coverage for things not included in competitor plans, such as behavioral treatments, comprehensive dental benefits, acupuncture, and homeopathic treatments.
Policyholders get virtual vet visits at no extra charge and can choose any veterinarian in North America.
If you become hospitalized and cannot care for your four-legged friend at home, you can claim their boarding fees. The company will cover any pet boarding costs while you’re in the hospital.
Fetch also provides a 15% pet insurance discount known as a Healthy Pet Credit for each consecutive 12-month policy period a pet goes without a claim, up to 30%.
One of the biggest downsides of AARP pet insurance is that it doesn’t have an add-on option for routine and preventive care. Therefore, it doesn’t offer coverage for vaccines, microchipping, spaying/neutering, or dental cleanings.
The provider has a 15-day waiting period for illnesses and accidents. While the period of 15 days is pretty much standard, competitor waiting periods tend to be shorter when it comes to accidents. For instance, Embrace requires customers to wait for only 48 hours before accident coverage kicks in, whereas, with Pets Best, the waiting period for accidents is three days.
Unlike most other pet insurance companies, Fetch doesn’t offer a multi-pet discount. The insurer also requires a veterinary exam within six months or 30 days after signing up for insurance.
If you already are an AARP member, purchasing a Fetch policy could be a worthwhile financial option as it offers many other membership benefits to save money besides pet insurance.
By obtaining a Fetch policy, AARP members can save up to 10% on pet health insurance. The provider also offers customization options that meet different needs based on the varying annual limits and deductible choices.
Eligibility is only available to consumers 50 years of age and older. However, other providers offer pet insurance discounts, deals, and other savings options, such as Costco Pet insurance and AAA Pet Insurance which you might consider.
For details about these companies and other leading pet insurance providers in the US, visit Pawlicy Advisor’s pet insurance blog. You can also use our pet insurance comparison tool to evaluate coverage details and determine what plan is best for your pet based on its breed, age, health risks, and location. Or, let Pawlicy Advisor do the work for you and generate a free quote to receive personalized insurance recommendations within minutes.
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Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. As an animal lover with a rescued Terrier named Barry, 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.