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Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-existing Conditions

  • Our top pick for pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions is Spot Pet Insurance thanks to its short lookback period, broad coverage options, and affordability.
  • Some pet insurance plans can cover expenses for pre-existing conditions that have been cured, meaning your pet hasn’t required ongoing treatment and has shown no symptoms within your policy’s lookback period.
  • Pets with chronic pre-existing conditions can still qualify for coverage for unrelated medical issues, but pre-existing conditions won’t be covered and may increase premiums.

Compare Top Pet Insurance Plans

Embrace Lemonade Pets Best Paw Protect Healthy Paws Spot Fetch Figo ASPCA Pumpkin
Embrace Lemonade Pets Best Paw Protect Healthy Paws Spot Fetch Figo ASPCA Pumpkin
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Our top picks for pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions

Advertiser Disclosure

Our Top Pick | 180 Day Lookback Period

Spot Pet Insurance

4.9
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$2,500 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

With Spot insurance, after 180 days, an injury or illness that is curable and free of treatment and symptoms will no longer be regarded as pre-existing, except for knee and ligament conditions.

Spot offers a wide range of annual coverage and deductible options to suit all budgets and is one of a few providers that offer a discount for owners with multiple pets (10%). They also tend to cover more things than other providers such as advanced care and alternative therapies. There is no maximum enrollment age, meaning elderly pets can get coverage at any time.

Spot offers several plan options including an accident-only plan, an accident & illness plan, and 2 tiers of wellness add-ons (Gold & Platinum) which can cover things like teeth cleaning. Another benefit to Spot is that euthanasia and exam fees (for covered conditions) are included with their accident & illness plan.

Spot has a 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, and ligament/knee conditions. Spot will also cover curable pre-existing conditions if your pet has been symptom-free for at least 180 days.

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Various options to customize your policy
  • Preventive care add-on available
  • Affordable plans

CONS

  • Doesn’t cover prescription food
  • Longer waiting period for accident coverage than many insurers

Great Optional Add-ons | 12 Month Lookback Period

Lemonade Pet Insurance

4.8
GET A QUOTE on Lemonade's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - $100,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Lemonade pet insurance may cover pre-existing conditions if your pet’s condition has been cured for at least 12 months. Recurring conditions are also covered in most states.

Lemonade is popular for its affordable accident & illness coverage and its many customizable plans. They are one of the few pet insurance providers that offer dental coverage and have a convenient app that allows you to manage your policy online.

Add-ons from Lemonade include coverage for preventative care, vet visit fees, dental illness, physical therapy, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life care and remembrance.

With Lemonade’s accident and illness plan, there is no waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a 30-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions in most states.

While Lemonade offers excellent coverage at an affordable price, they 诲辞苍’迟 offer telemedicine, 诲辞苍’迟 cover spay/neuter costs for pets over 2 years old, and vet fees are extra unless you purchase the add-on.

PROS

  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Discount for bundling with other policies from Lemonade
  • Various add-ons available

CONS

  • Age restrictions
  • Not available in certain states
  • No unlimited coverage option

Carryover Coverage from Previous Provider | Variable Lookback Period

MetLife Pet Insurance

4.7
GET A QUOTE on MetLife's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$1,000-$10,000
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $250, $500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Metlife Pet Insurance may cover certain curable pre-existing conditions when they have been resolved and free of symptoms for some time, such as 180 days or 12 months. They also have the unique benefit of possibly covering a pre-existing condition if it was covered by a previous policy with a different provider.

We love that MetLife has same-day accident coverage, which goes into effect at midnight on the day you buy a policy, a far shorter wait than many pet insurance companies require.

We also like how they offer a variety of discounts for pet parents, like multi-pet discounts, employer benefit discounts, first-responder discounts, health care worker discounts, and more. On top of that, your deductible has the potential to decrease each year you 诲辞苍’迟 file a claim!

Metlife offers a family plan that allows you to buy one policy, with one deductible and one annual limit, that can be shared between up to 3 pets. This can save you money instead of buying 3 individual policies. However, if one pet has an accident and you reach your annual limit, it means you’ve reached it for all pets on the plan and no more expenses will be covered.

With MetLife, you 诲辞苍’迟 need an initial exam to enroll your pet, there is no upper age limit, and many accidents and illnesses are covered as part of your insurance plan. Although traditional MetLife accident and illness policies 诲辞苍’迟 include wellness exams and dental cleanings, you can opt into their preventative care add-on to get coverage for these things and more.

Accident coverage (and wellness coverage, if you choose to opt-in) goes into effect at midnight on the day you enroll your pet. Illness coverage requires a 14-day wait before coverage is effective. Many orthopedic conditions are also covered at the time that illness coverage kicks in.

PROS

  • Deductible as low as $50
  • Coverage for exotic animals
  • No initial exam required for enrollment
  • Super short waiting period of accident coverage

CONS

  • No unlimited coverage option
  • No vet-direct pay
  • Max 3 pets for multipet/family policy

Discounts Available | 12 Month Lookback Period

Embrace Pet Insurance

4.8
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Embrace pet insurance covers curable pre-existing conditions if your pet has not had any symptoms or treatment for that specific illness for 12 months.

Embrace offers highly customizable plans and discounts to customers with multiple pets (10% off) or who are military members (5% off). Embrace offers an accident & illness plan with optional wellness coverage as an add-on, which covers things like exam fees and prescription drugs. Additionally, Embrace offers a diminishing deductible, meaning that every year you 诲辞苍’迟 file a claim, your deductible is lowered by $50.

In case of an emergency, you’ll also get access to 24/7 virtual assistance via telemedicine calls which can help you diagnose if it’s necessary to rush to an in-person emergency vet. This feature alone could save you hundreds on vet bills, which is another reason we love Embrace.

With Embrace’s accident and illness plan you’ll have a two-day waiting period for accidents and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. There is a six-month waiting period for canine orthopedic conditions, which can be reduced to 14 days if you complete an orthopedic exam and waiver process.

PROS

  • Affordable plans
  • Many options to customize plans
  • Various discounts available

CONS

  • Doesn’t pay vet directly
  • No exotic pet coverage

100% Reimbursement Option | 12 Month Lookback Period

Figo Pet Insurance

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%, 100%
Deductible choices
$100, $200, $500, $750, $1,000, $1,500
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Figo may consider covering a pre-existing condition if your pet has been symptom-free for at least 12 months but will review each case to determine if your pet’s condition will be covered.

Figo is known for its fast claim processing which is a huge benefit to its customers. It’s one of the few providers that offer 100% reimbursement (on plans with deductibles of $500+). It’s also great for elderly animals as it has no age limit for enrollment.

Figo has lots of plan options to suit all types of budgets. It offers several pre-set accident & illness plans but also allows you to customize your plan based on your desired coverage limits, deductible, and reimbursement level. You can also opt for add-ons that offer continued wellness coverage and reimbursement for vet exam fees. All plans come with 24/7 vet assistance text-chat, however, video/phone telehealth consultations are also available as part of the wellness add-on.

With Figo, there is a 1-day waiting period for accidents and injuries and 14 days for illnesses.

For dogs, there is also a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions. However, this can be waived if you get an orthopedic exam within the first 30 days of your policy and your pet is deemed healthy.

PROS

  • Fast claim processing
  • No max age limit for enrollment
  • Short waiting period for accidents and injuries
  • 100% reimbursement option

CONS

  • Doesn’t pay vet directly
  • No accident-only plan option
  • More expensive than some insurers

Highly Customizable | 180 Day Lookback Period

Pets Best Insurance

4.6
GET A QUOTE via Petinsurer.com's secure website
Maximum annual coverage
$5,000 - Unlimited
Reimbursement choices
70%, 80%, 90%
Deductible choices
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000
Why We Like It

Editor's take

Pets Best insurance will cover a variety of curable pre-existing conditions (excludes knee and ligament conditions) if your pet has been free of symptoms from that condition for at least 180 days.

We like Pets Best as it offers competitively priced plans with a wide range of deductible options. Pets Best offers multiple plans including an Accident-only plan, as well as 3 tiers called Essential, Plus, and Elite.

You can also opt for an add-on for wellness / routine care plans for an extra fee which offers good coverage versus other plans on the market. There is no age limit for sign-ups, meaning you can purchase coverage for your pet later in life. You’ll also get unlimited access to a 24/7 emergency vet hotline for quick consultations at all hours of the day.

Last, but not least, Pets Best is one of the few providers who can pay the vet directly for you. Simply download the reimbursement release form from their website and have your vet’s office sign and agree to receive payment directly from the provider and Pet’s Best will handle the rest.

With Pets Best you can expect a waiting period of 3 days for accidents, 14 days for illnesses, and 6 months for cruciate ligament conditions. When choosing, note that exam fees are not included in the Essential plan, which is why we recommend opting for a higher-tier plan, such as the Elite plan, with a wellness add-on.

PROS

  • Unlimited coverage option
  • Many deductible options
  • No age limit for enrollment
  • Vet-direct pay option

CONS

  • Doesn’t cover alternative therapies
  • Doesn’t cover breed-specific issues
Hide topics we'll cover Show topics we'll cover

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Most pet insurance policies 诲辞苍’迟 cover pre-existing conditions, but there are a few caveats.
If conditions are curable and not chronic, then these conditions can usually be covered by your pet insurance if they have been cured for a certain amount of time.

When you sign up for pet insurance, you’ll be asked to submit your pet’s medical history, and from this, the insurer will determine what conditions are excluded from the policy. Many providers have a lookback period between 1 year and 180 days. If your pet had a condition that was cured before the lookback period, then usually the insurer will cover new acute onset illnesses related to the condition.

It’s also important to note that pets with chronic pre-existing conditions can still qualify for a pet insurance policy, but the insurer won’t pay for expenses related to your pet’s chronic condition.

Simply put, pet insurance coverage is meant to protect you from future expenses, not to pay for current ones.

Which pet insurance companies will cover pre-existing conditions?

These insurance companies may be able to cover your pet’s pre-existing conditions.

Pet insurance company Do they cover pre-existing conditions? Length of lookback period
Spot Yes, if curable 180 days
Lemonade Yes, if curable 12 months
MetLife Maybe, if curable or covered previously No specified time
Embrace Yes, if curable 12 months
Figo Yes, if curable 12 months
Pets Best Yes, if curable 180 days
Pumpkin Yes, if curable 180 days
Paw Protect Yes, if curable 12 months
Fetch by The Dodo Yes, if curable 12 months

If your pet has pre-existing conditions, it’s important to consider the lookback period. This is how far back the company will check to see if your pet has any illnesses or health conditions that need to be excluded from the policy coverage.

Dog Product Hero Reminder Join the over 2,438,795+ insured cats & dogs across the US Compare pet insurance plans & prices from top providers in minutes LEARN MORE Cat Product Hero Reminder

What are pet pre-existing conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are health issues your pet had before signing up for pet insurance or that begin during the waiting period after buying your policy.

According to Doctor Stephanie Liff, a doctor of veterinary medicine, pre-existing conditions can range from minor to severe.

“Allergies and diarrhea are the most common issues that arise and lead to the exclusion of coverage prior to the end of a pet insurance waiting period. Many young pets will present to the vet at first visit with diarrhea due to parasites. Then insurance companies will consider this ‘pre-existing’ and won’t cover diarrhea or other GI issues going forward.

Allergies are also commonly excluded – especially if a pet has ear infections or itching upon the initial vet visit. Even if that issue is not allergy related, the insurance companies often lump these clinical signs under the ‘allergy’ umbrella.” - Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM

Based on Doctor Liff’s expertise, if your pet shows any signs of an illness before your policy fully begins, you run the risk of having other related conditions excluded from your policy.
For this reason, we recommend:

  1. Signing up for pet insurance as soon as possible while your pet is still healthy to avoid exclusions
  2. Opting for a policy with a short waiting period so your pet has less chance to develop a condition that could be excluded from your policy.

Types of pre-existing conditions & eligibility

Pre-existing health conditions for pets are broken down into four categories:

  1. Curable conditions
  2. Incurable conditions
  3. Genetic conditions
  4. Bilateral conditions

Here is a closer look at each one.

Curable pre-existing conditions

Curable conditions are ones your pet can recover from with treatment. Curable pre-existing conditions can usually be covered under your pet insurance policy after your pet has been cured or healed and symptom-free for a certain time period stipulated in your policy.

Examples of curable pre-existing conditions include issues like:

If your pet currently has symptoms and you purchase an insurance policy, coverage for the pre-existing condition will be excluded. However, if your pet is healed and symptom-free for the set time period, the condition can usually be covered under future vet visits. This is especially important to note when looking for insurance plans for older dogs and cats.

It’s important to highlight that some conditions, like cruciate ligament issues, may be permanently excluded from the curable pre-existing conditions category even if they can be healed. Cruciate ligament conditions can be cured through surgery, but most pet insurance plans won’t cover treatment, even if a pet is healed and symptom-free for years.

Incurable pre-existing conditions

Pet insurance companies won’t usually pay for expenses related to incurable health problems since they are long-term issues. Incurable pre-existing conditions are chronic conditions, with a low chance of curability, that a dog or cat will have for life.

Examples of incurable pre-existing conditions include:

Genetic conditions

Pet insurance typically won’t pay any vet bills related to hereditary or genetic conditions. Genetic conditions are those passed on to a dog or cat from their parents and are most common among purebred dogs and cats.

Examples of genetic conditions include:

Bilateral conditions

Bilateral conditions are medical issues that can occur on both sides of a pet’s body.

Examples of bilateral conditions include:

An insurance company may cover some bilateral conditions, such as the cost of dog cataract surgery, when they occur for the first time on one side of a dog or cat’s body. However, many policies then consider the condition pre-existing and won’t pay to treat the problem if it affects the other side in the future.

There are some exceptions, however. Some pet insurance providers offer an add-on to standard coverage for bilateral health issues. You pay an extra fee per month for this additional benefit.

Dog Product Hero Reminder Join the over 2,438,795+ insured cats & dogs across the US Compare pet insurance plans & prices from top providers in minutes LEARN MORE Cat Product Hero Reminder

How do pet insurance companies identify pre-existing conditions?

Pet insurers identify pre-existing conditions in three ways:

As previously mentioned, it’s not necessary for a vet to diagnose a pet with a condition for it to be considered pre-existing. If your pet has a symptom of a condition when you apply for coverage, the insurance policy is unlikely to cover blood work, x-rays and other tests to diagnose the symptom as well as related treatments in the future.

How much does pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions cost?

The cost of pet insurance for a dog or cat with medical conditions depends on a variety of factors.

For example, dog insurance is typically more expensive that cat insurance.

Other factors that determine the cost of pet insurance for animals with pre-existing conditions include:

Here’s a quick rundown of the average annual premiums.

Type of plan Average dog insurance cost Average cat insurance cost
Accident-only $387.01 $122.19
Accident and illness $640.04 $200.58

This data comes from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association.

How to find the best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions

Pre-existing conditions shouldn’t prevent you from getting pet insurance for your dog or cat.

In fact, they only make coverage more important. After all, you already know you’ll have ongoing vet expenses. Even though the policy likely won’t cover pre-existing conditions, pet insurance may still be worth it by helping to limit your costs and make care more affordable.

To get the cheapest pet insurance possible, follow these tips:

1

Ask about discounts:

Some companies offer discounts that can reduce costs. For example, you might get a multi-pet deal if you buy policies for more than one pet through the same company or bundle other types of insurance like car or homeowners policies with pet insurance.

See More See Less
2

Act now:

Pet insurance costs go up as your pet ages. Buying a policy as soon as possible can help you lock in a lower rate, making premiums more affordable even with pre-existing conditions.

See More See Less
3

Focus on preventive care:

Being a responsible pet owner may help reduce the costs of vet care. Take your dog or cat for wellness visits as often as recommended and keep their vaccinations up to date.

See More See Less
4

Explore alternatives:

Payment plans and discount membership services like Pawp and Eusoh can help make vet care more affordable and manageable. You can use these services to help cover costs associated with pre-existing conditions not covered by your policy.

See More See Less
5

Shop around:

Premium costs can vary greatly between providers. To get the best deal, obtain quotes from multiple insurers. Remember that deductibles, coinsurance rates and coverage limitations also affect your total cost, so consider these factors as well as premium amounts.

See More See Less

Finding the right pet insurance coverage

Try comparing plans using the tool below, and alternatively, read our guide to choosing pet insurance plans.

Compare Coverage
Accident & Illness Plan
Available
Available
Accident-Only Plan
Available
Not Available
Surgery
Covered
Covered
Hereditary and Congenital Conditions
Covered
Covered
Chronic Conditions
Covered
test-product-property-111
Dental Disease
Covered
Covered
Allergies
Covered
Covered
Cancer Treatment
Covered
Covered
Physical Therapy
Covered
Covered
Alternative Therapies
Covered
Covered
Behavioral issues
Covered
Covered
Breed Specific Issues
Covered
Covered
Emergency Vet Visits
Covered
Covered
Telehealth Visits
Covered
Covered
24/7 Vet Chat
Covered
Covered
Specialist Visits
Covered
Covered
Exam Fees
Covered
Covered
Blood Tests
Covered
Covered
Laboratory Testing
Covered
Covered
X-Rays & CT Scans
Covered
Covered
Wellness Coverage
Add On
Add On
Prescription Medication
Covered
Covered
Prescription Food
Covered
Add On
Microchipping
Covered
Add On
Boarding
Not covered
Not covered
Euthanasia
Covered
Covered
Max Enrollment Age
No Max
14 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
2 days
Illness Waiting Period
14 days
14 days
Orthopedic Waiting Period
14 days
6 months

FAQ: Pet pre-existing conditions

What is considered a pre-existing condition for pets?

A pre-existing condition is a health problem a pet has been diagnosed with or has a symptom of when you apply for insurance coverage.

How do pet insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions?

Pet insurance companies usually require that pets undergo a veterinary exam or ask to review your pet’s medical records before approving an application. In some cases, they may also require that you to fill out a questionnaire.

Can I get pet insurance after a diagnosis?

Yes, you can usually still obtain insurance for a pet after a diagnosis, but the policy likely won’t cover any expenses related to the pre-existing condition.

Can I get reimbursed for previous wellness services?

No, pet insurance typically only pays for services your pet receives after you purchase coverage. It’s meant to protect you from future costs rather than to pay for previous expenses.

What is a pre-existing condition waiting period?

In some cases, pet insurance companies impose a pre-existing condition waiting period that begins on the date the policy takes effect, known as the effective date. If you purchase a policy with a waiting period, the insurance may not cover any health conditions your pet develops during this period.

About the Author

Hayley Harrison
Hayley Harrison Personal Finance

Hayley Harrison is an active personal finance contributor for LA Times Compare. She is passionate about helping consumers make informed financial decisions and achieve their financial goals by simplifying complex topics relating to insurance and personal finance.

Hayley brings first-hand knowledge of the finance industry thanks to her previous experience as a branch manager for a mid-sized regional bank and as a licensed accident and health insurance agent.

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