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Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.
Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.
She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.
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Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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Most pet insurance plans exclude anything labeled “pre-existing,” including problems that show up during the waiting period.[1] For most insurers, a pre-existing condition is just about anything your pet dealt with before coverage started, even if it was minor or short-lived.
That said, some companies — like AKC, Spot, and Pets Best — offer some coverage for “curable” pre-existing issues if your pet stays symptom-free for a while. And a few may help with long-term, ongoing conditions.
Let’s explore how pre-existing conditions work, which companies offer coverage, and what to know before you sign up.
Most pet insurance plans won’t cover anything your pet showed signs of before enrollment or during the waiting period.
If your pet stays symptom-free long enough, a few insurers will consider covering past issues that are curable.
Pet insurance can still be worth it to protect against future illnesses or accidents, even if your policy doesn’t cover an existing health problem.
If your pet had an issue before your plan began, insurers will likely consider it pre-existing. Companies would lose money if everyone waited to sign up until after their pet was sick, then canceled when their pet got better.[2] That’s why they don’t cover pre-existing health problems.
Pet insurers ask for your pet’s medical records to verify when conditions started. If your vet noted related symptoms at any point prior to your policy starting, insurers may deny coverage.
If a condition is hereditary or congenital, most insurers won’t cover it either.[3] Policies can also treat bilateral conditions, such as hip dysplasia that affects both sides of the body, as a single pre-existing issue.
Some pet insurance plans may cover curable pre-existing conditions if your pet stays clear of symptoms for a certain amount of time. Here’s an overview of different conditions that insurers consider curable and incurable.
Curable Pre-Existing Conditions  | Incurable Pre-Existing Conditions |
|---|---|
| Bladder infections | Allergies |
| Ear infections | Arthritis |
| Diarrhea | Bladder crystals |
| Respiratory infections | Cancer |
| Urinary tract infections | Diabetes |
| Vomiting | Epilepsy |
| Broken bones | Heart disease |
| Lacerations | Hip dysplasia |
| Sprains | Kidney disease |
| Dental fractures | Orthopedic conditions |
| Pyometra | Urinary blockages |
A lot of pet insurance companies won’t pay for any health issues your pet already has, leaving you to handle those bills on your own. And the ones that cover pre-existing conditions often have wildly different requirements and coverage variations.
If you’re wondering which pet insurance company gives you the best shot at coverage, start with the five companies outlined below.
The only option for incurable pre-existing conditions
Includes coverage for hereditary conditions
Covers claims from any licensed vet or clinic in the U.S. and Canada
365-day waiting period for pre-existing coverage
Incurable pre-existing coverage isn’t available in all states
Pets older than 9 years only get accident coverage
AKC’s pre-existing condition coverage is a standout in the industry if you have the patience to wait a full year before coverage kicks in. Certain conditions — like cruciate ligament issues — require only 180 days, but that means six months of crossing your fingers every time your pup limps. Still, for new injuries, the waiting period is only two days.
Covers curable pre-existing conditions
No vet exam required to enroll
Unlimited annual coverage available
Doesn’t cover incurable conditions
180-day waiting period for curable pre-existing conditions
Strict bilateral exclusion for knee and ligament issues
Spot doesn’t put an age cap on coverage and pays for treatment of curable conditions if your pet hasn’t shown signs of the illness for 180 days. It’s great for temporary issues like ear infections, but not so helpful if your pet’s condition is chronic or likely to come back.
While some states have a next-day waiting period for accidents, most make you wait 14 days before coverage begins.
Accepts pets with pre-existing conditions
Flexible policy options, including unlimited annual coverage
Accident-only plans available for pets with severe chronic conditions
Very low lifetime coverage cap for hereditary conditions
No coverage for chronic pre-existing conditions
Some policy changes trigger new waiting periods and exclusions
Pets Best won’t cover chronic conditions but will reconsider curable ones once they’re fully healed, such as kennel cough or a sprained leg. The waiting periods are simple — three days for injuries and 14 days for illnesses.
And if your pet has a chronic issue, you might still qualify for an accident-only plan to keep some kind of safety net in place.
Covers some curable conditions
Plans available for cats, dogs, and even your horse
Hereditary and congenital coverage available
Pre-existing knee and ligament issues permanently excluded
Plans don’t cover ongoing, chronic health issues
Health issues can count as pre-existing without a formal diagnosis
ASPCA pet insurance covers some curable conditions if your pet doesn’t show signs of illness for 180 days, which is pretty standard. But policies draw a hard line for chronic issues and knee and ligament conditions.
Preventive care coverage starts right away, while accident and illness protection doesn’t begin for 14 days.
May cover bilateral issues diagnosed after enrollment
No waiting period for accidents and preventive care
Approves some curable conditions after no symptoms for 180 days
Six-month waiting period for some orthopedic issues
Pre-existing conditions are the reason behind most claim denials
Pre-existing hyperthyroidism also blocks related kidney, heart, and blood pressure meds
MetLife generally doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, but it makes a few key exceptions. For example, if you switch from a group insurance plan that already covered your pet’s condition, MetLife may continue that coverage. The company also considers some curable conditions after 180 days without signs of illness.
Comparing quotes saves pet parents an average of 57%.
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The majority of pet insurers won’t make you haul your dog or cat in for a vet visit before you sign up, but some will ask for your pet’s health records and proof of a recent checkup.
But just because a vet visit isn’t required up front doesn’t mean insurers won’t review old records when you file your first claim. If your pet has had symptoms before and they’re in the file, it could trigger a pre-existing condition exclusion. A recent checkup can help you avoid surprises later.
If you need coverage for a pet with existing health issues, we’ve got answers to the questions that matter most.
No, don’t lie about pre-existing conditions for pet insurance. Insurance companies check your pet’s medical records when you file a claim, and they’ll spot any health issues your vet has documented. A lie could mean the insurer denies your claim and cancels your coverage.
It depends. Most companies won’t cover existing health problems, but a few will cover “curable” conditions if your pet stays healthy for six months. AKC Pet Insurance is the exception. It covers some ongoing conditions after you wait a full year.
Anything your vet has written down can count as a pre-existing condition. That can include symptoms like limping, throwing up, skin problems, and excessive scratching that happen before your coverage starts.
No. Pet insurance companies won’t raise premiums because of the condition itself, but age definitely bumps up your rates. Older pets cost more to insure because they’re more likely to need medical care.
Yes. While your pet’s current issue may not be covered, future care could be. Coverage for issues like broken bones, infections, or cancer can help ensure the next big bill doesn’t catch you off guard.
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Amy Beardsley is a seasoned insurance expert who’s been writing for Compare.com since 2023. She has more than 12 years of industry knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, commercial, and other insurance products. Amy’s work has been published by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, Legal & General, NerdWallet, Robinhood, Insurify, NEXT Insurance, and more.
Amy worked as a court administrator before becoming a content marketing writer. Her legal background has equipped her with the ability to simplify complex technical language into easy-to-understand content.
She graduated magna cum laude from Ferris State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Legal Studies.
Nick Versaw leads Compare.com's editorial department, where he and his team specialize in crafting helpful, easy-to-understand content about car insurance and other related topics. With nearly a decade of experience writing and editing insurance and personal finance articles, his work has helped readers discover substantial savings on necessary expenses, including insurance, transportation, health care, and more. As an award-winning writer, Nick has seen his work published in countless renowned publications, such as the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and U.S. News & World Report. He graduated with Latin honors from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Digital Journalism.
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