Pre-Existing Condition

by Pawlicy Advisor
Dictionary
>
Pet Insurance Terms
>
Pre-Existing Condition

What is a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any health condition that was diagnosed before your pet’s health insurance took effect. All health conditions that develop prior to or during your pet insurance policy’s waiting period will be labeled as pre-existing health conditions and will not qualify for coverage. While this may be a scary thought for pet owners whose companion has a pre-existing condition, there are still many benefits to insuring your pet, such as coverage for accidents and other illnesses.

How Do Pre-Existing Conditions Work?

Some pre-existing conditions are considered “curable,” such as ear infections, diarrhea, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). In these instances, an insurance provider may extend future coverage under a pet insurance plan once the condition is cured. The cost of treatment for chronic pre-existing conditions, such as arthritis and diabetes, will not be covered under any pet insurance policy, but other payment assistance options are available.

Keep in mind that even if your pet has a pre-existing condition, insurance can still provide access to care due to unrelated accidents and illnesses they could develop later in life. Pet insurance gives you peace of mind knowing that you have a financial buffer should your pet need expensive treatment in an emergency.

How are Pre-Existing Conditions Diagnosed?

Pet insurance companies rely on the veterinarian's notes to determine when an accident or injury first occurred. Some insurers will have you do a nose-to-tail exam before your coverage can begin to set your benchmark for any conditions.


Key Takeaways

  • Pre-existing conditions are health conditions that have been diagnosed before you enrolled your pet in a health insurance plan, or before the required waiting period has passed.
  • It’s best to enroll your pet in an insurance plan at a young age while they’re still in good health, so that any health complication that arises in the future will be covered by your provider’s insurance plan. Most companies will not cover the cost of treatment, management, or ongoing supportive care often required for chronic conditions
  • Some curable pre-existing conditions, like ear infections, may be treated and then fall under eligible coverage if it were to happen again later on.

Continue Reading

Premium Rates
A pet insurance premium (also known as your “rate”) is the amount of money you pay for your pet insurance policy.
Read More.
Quote
Quotes are temporary snapshots of what your expected monthly pet insurance premium will cost based on the information you provide.
Read More.
Referral
A referral happens when your veterinarian refers you to another veterinarian, usually a specialist, to have more in-depth tests run on your pet.
Read More.

See related articles

This pet insurance comparison guide will help you understand the types of pet insurance available, find out what each plan covers, discover top providers, and find the best coverage and price options across the web.

17 minute read

How To Compare Pet Insurance Plans

Pet insurance can help you pay for the cost of veterinary care if your pet becomes sick or injured. Learn more about how pet insurance works and what it covers here.

18 minute read

How Pet Insurance Works: Your Essential Guide

Is pet insurance is worth it for your dog or cat? We cover EVERYTHING pet parents should consider when making the decision to enroll in coverage.

16 minute read

Is Pet Insurance Worth It In 2024? Here’s A Vet’s Perspective

If your pet has a pre-existing condition, don’t panic just yet. You can still get pet insurance coverage, and you likely have other options to save on your vet bills, too.

7 minute read

Is There Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions?

Girl holding dog

Compare Top Pet Insurance Companies

A family with pets that are insured by Pawlicy Advisor
Pawlicy Advisor is the leading independent marketplace for finding the best coverage for your pet at the lowest rate.
Join 2,438,795+ insured dogs and cats across the US.
Get a Quote
Our pet insurance partners
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Logo
Pets Best Pet Insurance Logo
Embrace Pet Insurance Logo
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Logo
MetLife Pet Insurance Logo
Prudent Pet Insurance Logo