How do pet insurance companies know about pre existing conditions

What does pet insurance consider a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition for cat or dog insurance is typically an illness or injury your pet shows signs of any time before the end of your pet insurance waiting period. This may include conditions not yet diagnosed by a veterinarian. Depending on your pet's age and health, common pre-existing conditions include any existing health issue, from allergies to heart disease to epilepsy. With Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best, curable issues like broken bones and kennel cough typically can be covered outside of waiting periods.

Whether you're welcoming a new puppy into the family or thinking about pet insurance for an older dog or cat with pre-existing conditions, schedule a wellness appointment with your vet. Be sure to ask about common diseases for the breed. Some breeds, for example, are prone to breathing problems or other serious conditions. Cats can also develop serious health challenges, including cancer, kidney disease, and even diabetes. It may be wise to purchase pet insurance early if your pet will be prone to certain issues later on.

How do pet insurers know about pre-existing conditions?

Depending on your insurer, when you submit a pet insurance claim, they will typically request your pet's medical records to evaluate the claim and determine if the issue predates your waiting period. Always be honest when applying for pet insurance or filing a claim. Withholding known information, like a pre-existing condition, to obtain coverage could be considered insurance fraud.

Can you get pet insurance after a diagnosis?

Yes, you can still get pet insurance to cover future injuries and/or illnesses, depending on your pet insurance coverage type. The policy simply wouldn't cover any pre-existing conditions, diagnosed or not. Note that with Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best, if your pet has certain pre-existing severe chronic conditions, your pet may only be eligible for accidental injury coverage.

Is it worth getting cat or dog insurance if they have pre-existing conditions?

While some pet insurance companies won't cover pre-existing conditions and non-medical needs like holistic therapies, food, supplements, or boarding, it can still be worth it for covering future accidents and illnesses that require expensive treatment.

Is there any pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions?

While pet insurance often doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, other options might help you pay for expensive health costs. For example, your veterinarian may be willing to set up a payment plan so your pet can get the care they need when they need it.

How can I get pet insurance?

You can get a pet insurance quote online. You'll be asked some questions; then you'll choose your payment amount, term length, and other policy details. You can also call 1-877-298-0639 to speak with a licensed representative who can help you find the right policy for you.

This content was reviewed by our licensed insurance agent, Michelle Schenker.

To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.

Will pet insurance cover your dog’s pre-existing condition? That depends on what your dog’s ailment is. Some pet insurance companies cover certain pre-existing conditions. Find out if your dog’s malady is eligible for coverage. And if so, which provider is best for you?

Winner (Tied)	Runner-Up	Third Place	Fourth Place
Visit Spot | Visit ASPCA	Visit Figo	Visit Fetch	Visit Pets Best
Read Reviews	Read Review	Read Review	Read Review

What Is Classified As A Pre-Existing Condition?

The definition of what a pre-existing condition means (and many other industry terms) varies for each pet insurance company. We know this is highly frustrating and can be confusing. Fortunately, you can expect some standardization of industry terminology coming in the near future, thanks to what is called the pet insurance model law.

However, a general rule is that a pre-existing condition is an accident or illness which has manifested before the policy’s effective date or during the waiting period. It doesn’t matter whether or not this condition was treated or not by a licensed veterinarian. For an exact definition of pre-existing conditions, read the specific policy you’re considering purchasing.

No pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions that aren’t curable.

What’s A Curable Pre-Existing Condition?

Each pet insurance provider defines a curable pre-existing condition differently. We include how each provider defines it in our company reviews below.

Are Hereditary Conditions Considered Pre-Existing?

If your dog’s hereditary condition presents itself before the policy’s effective date or during the waiting period, it will be considered pre-existing. However, if symptoms, treatment, or diagnosis don’t present until after the policy’s effective date, it’s most likely eligible for coverage. Most pet insurance companies cover hereditary conditions in their accident and illness policies as long as they’re not pre-existing.

How Do Pet Insurance Companies Know About Pre-Existing Conditions?

There are two common ways pet insurance providers obtain records for your pet’s pre-existing conditions.

The first is by requiring a vet exam within a period of time (often 30 days) before the policy’s effective date. During this visit, your veterinarian will check your dog’s health status. The pet insurance company may also require a thorough assessment of your dog’s legs and hips for any signs of orthopedic issues.

The second way pet insurance companies collect information about your dog’s pre-existing conditions is by obtaining your dog’s vet records. Depending on the notes the doctor has documented about your dog’s health, the provider will determine what’s considered pre-existing. If your dog hasn’t had a recent vet exam, the pet insurance company may require a current assessment before enrollment.

This article only includes companies in our pet insurance reviews that offer coverage for curable pre-existing conditions. If you don’t see a provider mentioned, then it doesn’t provide this type of coverage. This includes Healthy Paws, Embrace, Lemonade, Nationwide, and Trupanion.

Now, let’s learn more about the companies that could help cover your dog’s curable pre-existing maladies.

1st Place (Tie): Spot & ASPCA Pet Insurance

Visit Spot | Visit ASCPA

Both ASPCA Pet Insurance and Spot cover curable pre-existing conditions that have been free from treatment and symptoms for 180 days before your policy’s effective date. Ligament and knee conditions are excluded from this. These companies offer the best coverage available for curable pre-existing conditions.

2nd Place: Figo

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Figo is also one of the few providers that cover curable pre-existing conditions. What are the terms? If your pet’s pre-existing ailment has been cured, treatment-free, and symptom-free for one year, it is no longer considered pre-existing.

What are the exceptions? This doesn’t apply to ligament and knee conditions, cancer, intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), hyperthyroidism,* and renal disease.**

Examples of cured pre-existing conditions eligible for coverage may include dermatological issues and undiagnosed vomiting and diarrhea as long as treatment and symptoms have been non-existent for one year or longer.

*If hyperthyroidism is a pre-existing condition, Figo will not cover medications for any kidney, heart, and high blood pressure issues that may evolve.
**Renal disease is the gradual loss of kidney function. If your dog is diagnosed, treated, or showing signs of renal disease before the end of your policy’s waiting period, additional conditions are not covered, including vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, constipation, blood pressure or pH issues, and cardiac complications.

3rd Place: Fetch

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Fetch covers curable conditions, but read carefully because it can be a little confusing to understand.

Any curable condition observed, identified, or recorded at least one year before the policy’s inception date is subject to a one-year curable exclusionary period from the policy inception date. Medical conditions that don’t reoccur during the exclusionary period are eligible for coverage if an annual exam is done by a vet dated after the exclusionary period and before the first reoccurrence of the curable medical condition.

If the curable condition reoccurs during the exclusionary period, a second curable exclusionary period will apply after the first year. Any curable medical condition that doesn’t reoccur during the second curable exclusionary period is coverable if an annual exam is conducted by a vet dated after the second exclusionary period and before the second reoccurrence of the curable medical condition. If the curable medical condition reoccurs during the second exclusionary period, it’s excluded from coverage for the life of your dog.

4th Place: Pets Best

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Pets Best policies exclude conditions that were present 18 months preceding the policy’s effective date. What does this mean for your pet?

Let’s say your dog has a random bout of diarrhea when she’s one year old. There’s no underlying cause to it that the vet has diagnosed. Then, when your dog turns three years old, you decide to sign up for Pets Best. Because diarrhea took place more than 18 months before the policy’s effective date and there haven’t been any continuing instances, diarrhea may be eligible for coverage as long as it’s not related to any other pre-existing condition.

Additionally, chronic ailments, bilateral conditions, and IVDD are all considered pre-existing if they are present at any point before the policy’s effective date.

Pet Insurance Comparison

To compare the pet insurance providers in this article to other top companies, you can take a peek at our pet insurance comparison. It features multiple comparison tables for price quote examples, coverage details, waiting periods, and plan customizations.

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The information provided through this website should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease; it is not intended to offer any legal opinion or advice or a substitute for professional safety advice or professional care. Please consult your health care provider, attorney, or product manual for professional advice. Products and services reviewed are provided by third parties; we are not responsible in any way for them, nor do we guarantee their functionality, utility, safety, or reliability. Our content is for educational purposes only.

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