If you’re comparing Petplan, Trupanion, and Embrace, there’s one thing you need to know before anything else: one of those three names doesn’t exist anymore in the US market. Here’s what actually changed, and how the real comparison shakes out today.
Important: Petplan Is Now Fetch by The Dodo (in the US)
Petplan’s US operations officially rebranded to Fetch by The Dodo following a partnership announced in 2020 and completed in the years after. If you’re in the United States and see “Petplan” mentioned in an older article, that provider now operates under the Fetch name. Petplan in the United Kingdom is a separate business, still operating under its original name and underwritten by Allianz — so the confusion depends heavily on which country you’re shopping in.
For the rest of this comparison, “Fetch (formerly Petplan)” refers to the US provider, since that’s the market this comparison focuses on.
Trupanion vs. Embrace: The Core Comparison
These two remain active under their original names in the US, and they represent genuinely different philosophies about how pet insurance should work.
Trupanion
Trupanion offers one comprehensive plan rather than multiple tiers, with a flat, high reimbursement rate and the option of direct payment to participating vets at the time of the visit — instead of you paying upfront and waiting for reimbursement. The trade-off is less customization: you generally can’t adjust the annual limit or reimbursement percentage the way you can with other providers.
Embrace
Embrace leans the opposite direction — more customizable deductibles, annual limits, and reimbursement percentages, which generally makes it easier to fit a specific budget. It also includes optional wellness add-ons for routine care, something Trupanion doesn’t build into its core plan.
| Factor | Trupanion | Embrace |
|---|---|---|
| Plan structure | One comprehensive plan | Multiple customizable options |
| Deductible type | Per-condition, lifetime | Annual, with declining deductible option over time |
| Direct vet payment | Available at many participating clinics | Not typically offered |
| Reimbursement | Generally fixed, high percentage | Customizable (commonly 70-90%) |
| Exam fees covered | Not included | Included in most plans |
| Wellness add-on | Not offered | Available as an add-on |
| Exact pricing | [VERIFICAR: cotización actual, varía por mascota/ubicación] | |
Where Fetch (Formerly Petplan) Fits In
Fetch offers a comprehensive accident and illness plan with a fairly broad list of inclusions historically associated with the Petplan brand — coverage for exam fees, and in some cases holistic or alternative treatments. Since the rebrand involved new underwriting partners, it’s worth treating this as effectively a related-but-distinct provider from the Petplan name you might remember, and confirming current plan details directly rather than relying on older reviews [VERIFICAR: coberturas y precios actuales bajo la marca Fetch].
Which One Fits Your Priority?
Select what matters most to you, and see which of the two active US providers tends to lean that direction.
This is general guidance based on how each provider is typically structured, not a personalized recommendation. Confirm current plan details directly with each provider.
A Real-World Example: Same Claim, Two Different Experiences
Here’s how a $1,800 emergency vet bill might play out differently depending on the provider’s structure — using example figures, not confirmed current rates.
| Step | Trupanion-style plan | Embrace-style plan |
|---|---|---|
| Vet bill | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Exam fee (often separate) | $65, not reimbursed | $65, included in claim |
| Deductible | $250 (per-condition) | $250 (annual) |
| Reimbursement | 90% (fixed) | 80% (chosen by owner) |
| Payment method | Paid directly to vet at time of visit, in many cases | Owner pays upfront, reimbursed after claim review |
Neither structure is objectively better — it depends on whether you’d rather not have to pay upfront at all (Trupanion’s direct-pay advantage) or have more control over your monthly premium and total coverage (Embrace’s customization advantage).
Common Mistakes When Comparing These Providers
- Searching for “Petplan” reviews in the US and assuming they still apply. Many older reviews describe a company that operates under a different name and different underwriters today.
- Comparing premium alone. A Trupanion plan without exam fee coverage can end up costing more per visit than it first appears, once that separate fee is added.
- Assuming direct vet payment is available everywhere. It typically depends on whether the specific clinic participates — always confirm before assuming you won’t have to pay upfront.
- Not checking wellness coverage separately. If routine care matters to you, it’s usually an add-on cost either way, not something bundled for free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Petplan still a real company?
In the UK, yes — Petplan continues operating under its original name. In the US, Petplan rebranded to Fetch by The Dodo, so US shoppers looking for “Petplan” today are effectively looking at Fetch.
Which is better, Trupanion or Embrace?
It depends on what you value more: Trupanion’s direct vet payment option and simpler, high fixed reimbursement, or Embrace’s greater flexibility to customize deductible, reimbursement, and budget. Neither is a universal winner.
Does Trupanion cover exam fees?
Generally no — this is one of the more commonly cited differences from providers like Embrace, which typically do include exam fees. Always confirm on the current plan details before enrolling.
Can I switch from Fetch (formerly Petplan) to Trupanion or Embrace later?
Yes, but be aware that anything diagnosed under your current policy could be treated as a pre-existing condition by a new provider — understanding how that exclusion works is worth doing before switching providers.
This article is general information to help you compare these three providers. It is not financial advice and does not constitute a recommendation of any specific plan — pricing, underwriting, and coverage details change over time, so always confirm directly with the provider before purchasing. For the basics of how reimbursement and claims work across any provider, see our guide on how pet insurance actually works.
Sources: Insurance Business Canada — Petplan Rebrands to Fetch by The Dodo · Embrace — Embrace vs. Trupanion Comparison