A pet insurance pre-existing condition is an illness or injury that your pet had before your coverage started. Pet insurance companies generally do not cover pre-existing conditions. For example, if your dog had diabetes before your coverage began, the policy will not pay for any diabetes-related veterinary expenses.
Some pet insurers cover “curable” pre-existing conditions (such as an ear infection) if your pet has not had treatment and remains symptom-free for a specific period of time (such as six months).
What Are Pet Pre-Existing Conditions?
Some pet insurance companies put pre-existing conditions into two buckets: curable and incurable.
Curable Pre-Existing Conditions
Pet insurance companies such as Embrace cover curable pre-existing conditions as long as any recurrence is at least 12 months from the date of the last problem. ASPCA’s pet insurance plan will not consider a condition “pre-existing” if it’s curable and there are no symptoms for 180 days (excluding knee and ligament conditions). If the condition recurs after 180 days, it can be covered like a new problem.
Some examples of curable conditions include:
- Bladder infections
- Diarrhea
- Ear infections
- Respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Vomiting
Incurable Pre-Existing Conditions
On the other hand, there are pre-existing conditions that pet insurance companies consider incurable, such as:
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Bladder crystals
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Heart disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Kidney disease
- Orthopedic conditions
- Urinary blockages
Many of these conditions require repeat veterinarian visits, ongoing medication and sometimes even surgery. Incurable pre-existing conditions won’t be covered by pet insurance.
Bilateral Exclusions
A bilateral illness or injury is a condition that impacts the left and right sides of the body, such as hip dysplasia or a cruciate ligament tear.
Since there is a greater chance of a pet experiencing the same condition on the opposite side of their body, many insurance companies have bilateral exclusions in their policies. In other words, if your pet had treatment on one side of its body before the policy started, then the other side won’t be covered later.
If your pet experiences a bilateral condition after coverage starts, it’ll be covered just fine.
Which Pet Insurance Companies Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Here’s a look at coverage from some pet insurers for curable pre-existing conditions. Pet insurers do not cover incurable pre-existing conditions.
| Company | What’s covered? | View More | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Curable pre-existing conditions (except for knee and ligament conditions) if your pet is free of symptoms and treatments for 180 days. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable pre-existing conditions if your pet is symptom and treatment free for 12 months. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
| Felix |  |
Pre-existing conditions may be eligible after a 365 day waiting period and only for treatment that occurs after the waiting period. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | |
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Curable pre-existing conditions if your pet does not show any symptoms within 12 months from the day you purchased your plan. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Figo recommends you call their Customer Experience to determine if your pet’s curable pre-existing conditions qualify for coverage after being symptom free within 12 months of last treatment. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Does not cover curable pre-existing conditions. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Pre-existing conditions that have been cured and resolved for at least 12 months. Eligibility requirements depend on your state. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable conditions that have been treated by a vet and resolved for at least 18 months. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable pre-existing conditions when they have been resolved and free of symptoms for a period of time. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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You can ask Nationwide to review pre-existing conditions that have been cured and an exception may be added. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable pre-existing conditions if the condition has been free of symptoms and treatment for 12 months. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable pre-existing conditions (except for knee and ligament conditions) if the condition has been free of symptoms and treatment for 180 days. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Cover an illness or injury that is a one-time incident that resolves on its own or through treatment. If your pet’s condition has been resolved by a licensed veterinarian and remains free of treatment for related symptoms for at least 365 days your pet’s condition may be covered. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable conditions (except for knee and ligament conditions) that have been free of treatment and symptoms for 180 days. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Curable conditions if your pet was free of symptoms and professional treatment for 180 days (except for knee and ligament conditions). | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website | ||
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Does not cover any pre-existing conditions. | Compare Plans | Via PetInsurer.com's Secure Website |
Source: Forbes Advisor research
How To Determine What Pet Conditions Are Insurable
Some pet insurance companies, such as Embrace and Pets Best, run medical history reviews on your pet to determine if they have pre-existing conditions. The medical review takes place after you apply for a policy. Once the review is complete, the insurers often give you the option to cancel if you feel the coverage isn’t sufficient for your pet’s needs.
Finding the Right Insurance for a Pet with Pre-Existing Conditions
Jason Metz
Insurance Lead Editor
Ashlee Valentine
Insurance Editor
Amy Danise
Insurance Managing Editor
Michelle Megna
Insurance Lead Editor
Buy a Pet Insurance Plan Early On
I encourage you to buy a plan before your pet develops any health issues, like diabetes or orthopedic conditions. If you wait until after your pet develops health problems, you won’t be covered for vet bills related to those issues.
Insurance Lead Editor
Be a Proactive Pet Owner
I would urge pet owners to be proactive with their pet’s health care. Address any injuries and illnesses so they don’t worsen and stay current on your pet’s vaccinations to help reduce the chances of developing an incurable condition.
Insurance Editor
Look at Pet Insurance Special Waiting Periods
I suggest you take special waiting periods into consideration. For example, some pet insurance companies have special waiting periods of six to 12 months for orthopedic issues. If your pet develops an orthopedic condition during the waiting period, it will be considered a pre-existing condition.
Insurance Managing Editor
Not All Insurers Require a Vet Exam
If you want to skip the veterinary exam before buying a policy, I recommend looking for a company that doesn’t require it, such as ASPCA pet insurance.
Insurance Lead Editor
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Does My Pet Need To Be Examined Before Enrolling in a Pet Insurance Plan?
Some pet insurance companies may want to see your pet’s medical records or proof of a full veterinary exam to check for any pre-existing conditions or health conditions before enrolling your pet.
But not all pet insurance companies have this requirement. For example, ASPCA pet insurance does not require a veterinary exam or medical records to purchase a pet insurance policy.
What if a Condition Hasn’t Been Diagnosed Yet?
Conditions that have not been diagnosed could still be considered pre-existing conditions.
For example, let’s say your dog starts limping in May and you take your pup to the vet but the cause of the limp is undetermined. If you buy a pet insurance policy in June and your pet starts limping again, treatments related to this issue might not be covered because the symptoms occurred before your coverage began.
Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions Frequently Asked Questions
How do pet insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions?
Your pet insurance company may require your pet’s medical records or a full veterinary exam to assess your pet’s overall health before enrollment. Any symptoms or treatments for a health condition that occur before your coverage begins or during the waiting period may be considered a pre-existing condition.
It’s generally a good idea to buy a pet insurance policy while your pet is relatively young and healthy.
Can symptoms be considered pre-existing conditions?
Even if your pet has not been diagnosed with a condition, symptoms can be considered a pre-existing condition if they are documented by your veterinarian before your coverage begins. If the symptoms are of a condition that is incurable, it’s unlikely treatment for the underlying problem will be covered.
For example, if your dog has documented symptoms such as an increased appetite, thirst, urination or weight loss, that could be a sign of diabetes, which is an incurable pre-existing condition.
Can I get pet insurance after a diagnosis?
Yes, you can still buy pet insurance even if your pet has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition. Your pet insurance plan can help pay for medical expenses for health conditions that are not related to your pet’s pre-existing condition.
For example, if your German Shepherd’s hip dysplasia won’t be covered because it is an incurable pre-existing condition, but your dog develops an upper respiratory infection, medical expenses will be covered by an accident and illness plan.
Can I get pet insurance for a pet who has pre-existing conditions?
Yes, you can get pet insurance for a pet who has curable pre-existing conditions—such as broken bones and infections (including ear or respiratory)—if your pet has remained treatment and symptom free for a certain amount of time, such as 12 months. But you won’t be covered for incurable pre-existing conditions, such as cancer or hip dysplasia.
Pet insurance is still a good idea even if your pet has incurable pre-existing conditions. That’s because it covers emergencies (like getting struck by a car or an ingested foreign object) and illnesses your pet has not yet developed, like diabetes or a skin infection.
Does my premium increase if my pet has a pre-existing condition?
No, your pet insurance premium does not increase if your pet has a pre-existing condition. However, you won’t be covered for vet expenses for incurable pre-existing conditions, like orthopedic problems or heart disease. Your vet may cover curable pre-existing conditions like vomiting and skin infections if your pet has remained treatment and symptom free for a certain period of time (such as 180 days or 12 months depending on the insurer).
How do I find the best pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions?
To find the best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, you’ll want to look for companies that cover curable pre-existing conditions like skin infections and digestive issues. For example, Pets Best pet insurance covers curable pre-existing conditions if your pet remains free of symptoms and treatment for 180 days. If the conditions recur after 180 days, it will be covered like a new problem. But some companies, like Trupanion, do not cover any pre-existing conditions.
Pet insurers do not cover incurable pre-existing conditions like cancer, diabetes and orthopedic conditions.
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