Best Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions (2024 Review)

Pre-existing conditions is a big buzz term when it comes to any health policy – be it for your dog, cat or even a human. Read on to learn what pre-existing conditions mean in the pet insurance world.

What is a Pre-existing Condition?

According to Embrace, a pre-existing condition is any injury, illness or irregularity that your pet exhibits prior to the end of your waiting period. This is true even if your pet never went to the vet for this condition. Unfortunately, no affordable pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions.

Compare Pet Insurance Companies for Pre-existing Conditions

*Certain conditions, such as cruciate ligaments or orthopedic conditions, may have longer waiting period times, usually six months to a year. This is common among many pet insurance providers, but most illnesses will be covered after the waiting period listed above.

The Best Pet Insurance Companies for Pre-existing Conditions

In this review, you’ll find a breakdown of the best pet insurance that covers pre-existing below: 

• Spot: Best overall 
• Lemonade: Most affordable
• Embrace: Best for deductibles
• Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
• ASPCA: Most experienced
• Prudent Pet: Best for dog and cat parents who want basic options
• Figo: Most flexible reimbursement rates
• Wagmo: Best for immediate reimbursement
• Trupanion: Most flexible deductible

Curable vs. Non-Curable Pre-existing Conditions

Some companies do cover what they call ‘curable’ pre-existing conditions. These are defined as conditions that can be completely resolved. Then, if your pet experiences a period of time (usually 12 months) symptom-free, they can then receive coverage for those ailments.

A non-curable condition is something chronic, such as diabetes, hip dysplasia, allergies or cancer. These conditions require a lifetime of treatment once diagnosed, and no insurer will cover these conditions once they are in the medical history. That’s why it is important to get pet insurance while your pet is young and healthy so there is not a time where you are faced with non-coverage.

If you do have a pet with a non-curable pre-existing condition, don’t despair. You can still get the coverage, just not for that issue. But, if you have a pet with diabetes that later develops cancer, they can still get coverage for cancer treatments.

Medical History Review

Most pet insurance companies will go through a medical history review with you once you enroll. Since most companies have a waiting period for illness (and a shorter one for accidents), they will use that time to review medical records and determine the limits of your policy.

Here are some of the likely illnesses that will be considered preexisting:

• Cancer
• Heart disease
• Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
• Urinary tract problems
• Kidney problems
• Skin lumps
• Orthopedic conditions

If your pet has an ACL injury, some insurance companies won’t cover the other leg at all, while others make you wait six to twelve months. Make sure you read the policy documents carefully to determine what the case is for your situation.

Vet Visit Terms

Most pet insurance policies have a clause that requires you to have a documented vet visit within the last 12 months prior to getting your policy. If you haven’t taken your pet to see their vet recently, you will need to get them to the vet ASAP, usually within 30 days. If your vet finds anything wrong with your pet, this may be considered a pre-existing condition and not get covered.

If you have a current policy, you will most likely need to take your pet to the vet every 12 months, regardless of if they exhibit any health concerns, or you risk voiding your policy.

Hope For Pre-existing Conditions

While pre-existing conditions aren’t likely to be covered anytime soon, insurance policies are getting more competitive and more and more hereditary and congenital conditions are now covered (these used to be considered pre-existing conditions). It’s likely as the pet insurance industry evolves that these policies evolve too, and hopefully the preexisting condition clause, or at least the waiting periods, become a thing of the past.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

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