How to submit a pet insurance claim, step by step
Quick answer: all three brands run on a reimbursement model, so you pay the vet first and then file. What changes is the clock and the paperwork - Lemonade wants the claim in its app within 180 days of treatment (90 days for Texas policies), Spot allows 270 days from the date of treatment, and Fetch allows 90 days and insists the invoice shows a zero balance. The documents are nearly identical everywhere: an itemized paid invoice plus your pet's medical records. The published speeds are different too - Lemonade says 50% of eligible claims are processed instantly by its AI and most others within 5 business days, Spot says claims are reimbursed in 48 hours or less, and Fetch says claims are typically processed in less than 10 days.
Every figure on this page was read from the brand's own official site and carries its source link and check date.
How this guide is built
Every step, deadline and speed on this page was read from the brand's own claim guide, FAQ or help pages on 2026-09-25, and each figure carries the link it came from. Nothing here is estimated, and where an official page does not publish something - for example Fetch's appeal process - the cell says not published on the official site instead of a guess.
The three brands agree on the fundamentals: you pay the vet first (reimbursement model), you attach an itemized paid invoice, and you file inside a fixed window after treatment. They differ on how long that window is, how strict the invoice wording must be, how fast the money moves, and whether an appeal route is published at all.
The claim process side by side - official published figures only
| What we compare | Lemonade | Spot | Fetch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where you file the claim | In the Lemonade app only - tap the pink 'File a Claim' button in the top right-hand corner; the whole process is app-based source: www.lemonade.com | Through your Member Center - Spot also publishes a downloadable claims form PDF on its site source: spotpet.com | In the Fetch app or your online account: go to Claims, then Submit a claim and follow the claim form source: www.fetchpet.com |
| Deadline to file after treatment | Within 180 days of treatment - 90 days if your Lemonade Pet policy is in Texas source: www.lemonade.com | Within 270 days from the date of treatment source: spotpet.com | Within 90 days of your pet's treatment, with the paid invoice and medical record attached source: www.fetchpet.com |
| Documents required | Vet invoice and/or paid receipt plus medical records from that visit - Lemonade also requires a record from a visit within 12 months of your policy's start date source: www.lemonade.com | Your vet bill; medical records only if Spot asks - Spot contacts your vet directly, though sending records may speed up the process source: spotpet.com | A finalized invoice that shows a zero balance or 'paid in full', plus detailed records from your pet's most recent checkup (ask the vet for SOAP notes) source: www.fetchpet.com |
| Published claim speed | 50% of eligible claims processed instantly via AI Jim; most others resolved within 5 business days source: www.lemonade.com | Claims reimbursed in 48 hrs or less source: spotpet.com | Typically processed in less than 10 days source: www.fetchpet.com |
| Waiting period before the first claim | 14 days for illnesses and 30 days for orthopedic conditions source: www.lemonade.com | 14 days for illness (including congenital, hereditary and orthopedic illness) from the first effective date of coverage, per the California sample policy form source: spotpet.com | Up to 15 days for accidents and illness; 6 months for knee, hip and ACL issues source: www.fetchpet.com |
| How you get paid | Reimbursement model: you pay the vet first, then Lemonade subtracts your deductible, applies co-insurance and wires the approved amount to your bank account source: www.lemonade.com | Reimbursement of eligible expenses at the percentage you chose, once your annual deductible is met source: spotpet.com | Direct deposit to your bank account - 5 to 10 days faster than paper checks; up to 90% reimbursement source: www.fetchpet.com |
| If a claim is denied | Review the explanation in the app, then appeal through the app with additional documentation from your vet source: www.lemonade.com | Written appeal by email to [email protected] with your reasons and supporting documents; review takes around 30 days and the appeal window varies by state source: spotpet.com | not published on the official site |
| Tracking the status | Track claim status in real time through the Lemonade app source: www.lemonade.com | Emails when the claim is received, when more information is needed and when it is complete; check the claims icon anytime source: spotpet.com | Track anytime in the Fetch app or online account under Claims, plus email updates source: www.fetchpet.com |
The three workflows, step by step
Lemonade: open the app, tap the pink 'File a Claim' button, answer AI Jim's questions (starting with a truthfulness pledge), describe what happened, record a short video of the incident, upload the invoice and receipt plus records, and submit. Payment is wired to your bank account if the claim is approved.
Spot: pay the vet, sign in to your Member Center and submit the claim online; you have 270 days from the date of treatment. Spot emails you at receipt, if it needs more information, and when the claim is complete.
Fetch: pay the vet first, then upload a photo of the paid invoice in the app (or submit on the member portal) together with the medical records. The invoice must show a zero balance. Set up direct deposit early - Fetch says it pays 5 to 10 days faster than paper checks.
What usually slows a claim down
Three official sources point at the same bottlenecks. First, waiting periods: Lemonade publishes 14 days for illness and 30 days for orthopedic conditions, Spot's sample policy shows a 14-day illness waiting period, and Fetch publishes up to 15 days with a 6-month wait for knee and hip issues - a claim filed before those end is not eligible. Second, missing records: Fetch requires records from your pet's most recent checkup and Lemonade requires a record from within 12 months of the policy start, so a first claim often waits on the vet's paperwork. Third, invoice wording: Fetch will only accept an invoice showing a zero balance or paid in full.
On the appeal side, only Lemonade and Spot publish a route - Lemonade through the app with extra documentation from your vet, Spot by a written email that takes around 30 days to review. Fetch's official pages do not publish one.
Every claim fact with its official source
| Fact | Condition to get it | Official source page | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lemonade policyholders must file a claim through the app within 180 days of treatment; in Texas the window is 90 days. | Stated in the official step-by-step claim guide; the claim must include all information requested during the process. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ | 2026-09-25 |
| The Lemonade claims process is app-based - it cannot be filed without the Lemonade app. | Stated in the claim guide FAQ; you sign in with the email used for the policy. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade requires a medical record from a visit that took place within 12 months of the policy's start date before the first claim. | SOAP medical records; Lemonade requests them from the vet directly once provided. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ | 2026-09-25 |
| 50% of eligible Lemonade claims are processed instantly via AI Jim; most others are resolved within 5 business days. | Complex claims may take longer depending on documentation requirements. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Lemonade's published example: a $2,400 vet bill with a $250 deductible and 80% co-insurance produced a $1,670 reimbursement, processed in 5 days. | Worked example on the official claim guide page for a 3-year-old Labrador with a broken leg; individual results vary. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ | 2026-09-25 |
| If Lemonade denies a claim, the official guidance is to review the explanation in the app and appeal through the app with additional documentation from your vet. | Common stated denial reasons: pre-existing conditions, waiting periods or excluded treatments. | https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot allows a claim to be submitted within 270 days from the date of treatment. | Stated in Spot's official FAQ. | https://spotpet.com/faqs | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot states you pay your vet bill as you normally would and then submit a claim to get reimbursed for eligible expenses. | Reimbursement follows your annual deductible and the reimbursement percentage you selected at enrollment. | https://spotpet.com/faqs | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot contacts your veterinarian directly for medical records when they are needed; sending them with the claim may speed up the process. | Stated in Spot's official FAQ on medical records and claims. | https://spotpet.com/faqs | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot publishes that claims are reimbursed in 48 hrs or less. | '48 hrs or less' is based on Spot admin data from 2019 to 2024; actual reimbursement varies by plan and claim. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
| A Spot claim appeal must be made in writing by emailing [email protected] with your reasons and supporting documentation. | Appeals may take around 30 days to be reviewed; the number of days to appeal varies by the state your policy was issued in. | https://spotpet.com/faqs | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot publishes a downloadable claims form PDF on its official site. | The page offers the latest claims form as a PDF download; phone support for claims is 1-800-905-1595, Mon-Fri 8am-8pm EST. | https://spotpet.com/claims-form | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot emails you when it receives your claim, when it needs more information and when the claim is complete; status is also visible behind the claims icon. | Stated in Spot's official FAQ. | https://spotpet.com/faqs | 2026-09-25 |
| Fetch requires the claim to be submitted within 90 days of your pet's treatment, including the paid vet bill and the pet's medical record. | Stated in the official FAQ; claims can be submitted on the member portal or in the app. | https://www.fetchpet.com/faqs/when-to-claim-pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Fetch requires a finalized invoice showing a zero balance or paid in full, plus detailed medical records from the most recent checkup. | Ask the vet for 'SOAP notes' (exam notes and lab results); Fetch notes records let it see what it can cover. | https://www.fetchpet.com/faqs/claim-submission | 2026-09-25 |
| Fetch states its claims are typically processed in less than 10 days. | Published on the official claims page; the claims-submission FAQ separately states claims are typically processed within 15 days from when all documents are received. | https://www.fetchpet.com/claims | 2026-09-25 |
| Fetch says direct deposit pays claims 5 to 10 days faster than paper checks, and its plans reimburse up to 90% of covered vet bills. | Payment follows approval and the deductible being met; an explanation of benefits (EOB) is issued with each reimbursement. | https://www.fetchpet.com/claims | 2026-09-25 |
| Fetch's waiting period is up to 15 days for accidents and illness, and 6 months for knee, hip (CII) and ACL issues. | The 6-month knee wait can be bypassed if your vet examines the knees before the 6 months are over. | https://www.fetchpet.com/faqs/when-to-claim-pet-insurance | 2026-09-25 |
| Fetch claim status can be tracked anytime in the app or online account under Claims, with email updates along the way. | Click an individual claim to see its status, per the official tracking FAQ. | https://www.fetchpet.com/faqs/track-claim | 2026-09-25 |
| Spot's sample claim shows a $12,345 total vet bill reimbursed at $11,110 by a Spot plan. | Based on an actual 2023 policyholder claim on an accident and illness policy at $75.01/month with a $500 deductible, 90% reimbursement and unlimited annual benefit; individual results vary. | https://spotpet.com/ | 2026-09-25 |
FAQ
How long do I have to file a pet insurance claim?
The official windows are different for each brand: Lemonade says within 180 days of treatment (90 days if your policy is in Texas), Spot says within 270 days from the date of treatment, and Fetch says within 90 days of your pet's treatment. Each figure is linked in the table above, so check the one for your provider before you delay filing.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ · checked 2026-09-25
Do I have to pay the vet before filing a claim?
Yes - all three brands use a reimbursement model. You pay the vet bill up front, then file; Lemonade subtracts your deductible and applies co-insurance before wiring the payout, Spot reimburses eligible expenses after your annual deductible is met, and Fetch pays you back after approval and your deductible, by direct deposit.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ · checked 2026-09-25
What documents do I need to submit a pet insurance claim?
An itemized paid invoice plus your pet's medical records. Fetch is the strictest on paper: the invoice must show a zero balance or paid in full, and it wants detailed records from the most recent checkup (SOAP notes). Spot asks for the bill and contacts your vet directly only if records are needed, though sending them may speed things up. Lemonade asks for the vet invoice or paid receipt and the records from that visit.
Source: https://www.fetchpet.com/faqs/claim-submission · checked 2026-09-25
How long does reimbursement take?
Published speeds differ: Lemonade says 50% of eligible claims are processed instantly by AI Jim and most others within 5 business days; Spot says claims are reimbursed in 48 hrs or less; Fetch says claims are typically processed in less than 10 days, and its FAQ adds that processing typically takes within 15 days from when all documents are received. Direct deposit with Fetch is 5 to 10 days faster than paper checks.
Source: https://www.fetchpet.com/claims · checked 2026-09-25
Can I file a claim without an app?
With Lemonade, no - the official guide states the claims process is app-based. Fetch lets you file either in the app or on a computer through the member portal (Claims, then Submit a claim). Spot lets you submit the claim online through your Member Center and also publishes a claims form PDF for download.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/how-to-file-a-pet-insurance-claim/ · checked 2026-09-25
What if my claim is denied?
Lemonade's official guidance is to review the denial explanation in the app and then appeal through the app with additional documentation from your vet. Spot requires the appeal in writing, emailed to [email protected] with your reasons and supporting documents; reviews take around 30 days and the appeal window varies by state. Fetch does not publish an appeal process on its official site as of the check date.
Source: https://spotpet.com/faqs · checked 2026-09-25
Will filing a claim raise my pet insurance rate?
Lemonade publishes that filing claims will never result in a rate change to your Lemonade Pet policy. Neither Spot nor Fetch publishes a matching statement on its official pages as of 2026-09-25, so for those two the answer is not published on the official site - check your policy terms.
Source: https://www.lemonade.com/pet/insurance-guide/lemonade-pet-renewals/ · checked 2026-09-25
The three brands compared, page by page
Lemonade
Starts at $10/mo
Basic accident and illness coverage; actual price varies by coverage choices, breed, age and location (Lemonade cost guide, last updated Jun 3, 2026).
Lemonade pet insurance starts at $10/month for basic accident and illness coverage, reimburses on a customizable co-insurance/deductible basis, and pays claims through its app.
Spot
Dogs from $15/mo, cats from $9/mo
Advertised premiums: the dog figure is from an accident and illness plan with 80% reimbursement rate, $500 annual deductible and $2,500 annual limit for a 2-year-old small mixed dog (11-25 lbs) in ZIP 32009; the cat figure is from 80% reimbursement, $750 annual deductible and $2,500 annual limit for a 2-year-old mixed cat in ZIP 33801. Plan costs vary.
Spot pet insurance advertises dog plans from $15/month and cat plans from $9/month, reimburses up to 90% of covered vet bills, and pays most claims in under 2 business days.
Fetch
Avg $35/mo dogs, $22/mo cats
Based on U.S. annual premiums using the most common coverage configuration of a $10,000 annual limit, $300 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate for the period 07.01.2024 through 06.30.2025.
Fetch pet insurance averages $35/month for dogs and $22/month for cats on its own published figures, reimburses up to 90% of covered vet bills, and covers exam fees up to $250 per sick visit.
This page is not affiliated with Lemonade, Spot or Fetch. It repeats only what each brand publishes on its own official claim pages and FAQs, with the source and condition attached to every figure; policy terms always govern and your own claim timeline will differ. Facts last checked 2026-09-25.