Understanding Pet Insurance and Pre-existing Conditions
Most pet insurance companies won’t cover costs related to pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition refers to any illness or injury that occurred before you bought your pet’s policy or during your waiting period. However, some insurers offer exceptions for curable conditions after a symptom-free period.
Top Pet Insurance Companies for Pre-existing Conditions
- AKC: Best for incurable pre-existing conditions. AKC covers both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 consecutive days of coverage.
- ASPCA: Best for broad coverage. ASPCA offers generous coverage and multiple plan options, covering curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days.
- Hartville: Best for straightforward waiting periods. Hartville has a 14-day waiting period for all accident and illness coverage, including orthopedic problems.
- Nationwide: Best for exotic pets. Nationwide covers a variety of pets beyond dogs and cats and may cover curable pre-existing conditions after a review.
- Pumpkin: Best for high reimbursement rates. Pumpkin reimburses 80% or 90% of vet expenses and covers curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days.
- Spot: Best for older pets. Spot has no upper age limit for enrollment and covers some pre-existing conditions if they’ve been cured and treatment-free for 180 days.
Key Considerations
- Curable vs. Incurable Conditions: Many insurers differentiate between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. Curable conditions may be covered after a symptom-free period.
- Bilateral Conditions: Pet insurance may not cover bilateral conditions like hip dysplasia if one side was affected before the policy began.
- Hereditary or Congenital Conditions: Many policies cover hereditary or congenital conditions if symptoms haven’t appeared before coverage starts.
Tips for Finding Insurance for Pets with Pre-existing Conditions
- Look for exceptions in insurance policies for curable conditions.
- Review your pet’s medical history to understand potential pre-existing conditions.
- Enroll your pet early to minimize existing issues.
- Consider self-insuring if pet insurance is too expensive or doesn’t cover your pet’s conditions.
By understanding these factors and choosing the right insurance provider, you can find coverage that meets your pet’s needs despite pre-existing conditions.
