Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
Key takeaways:
Standard pet insurance does not typically cover pre-existing conditions. Most plans are designed to cover unexpected vet bills.
It’s important to know if your pet’s pre-existing condition is curable or incurable. Some providers may cover curable conditions if there are no symptoms for a specific period of time. Certain plans cover hereditary and congenital conditions, too.
You can still buy pet insurance even if your pet has a pre-existing condition. Plans can help cover the costs of preventive care, accidents, and illnesses.
Table of contents
Pre-existing conditions are the top reason at least one pet insurance company denies claims. A standard pet health plan helps cover unexpected veterinary costs. However, many pet insurance policies have exclusions, and the list typically includes pre-existing conditions. If your pet had an illness or injury before you enrolled them in a pet health plan, most insurance companies won’t cover treatment for that condition. But they are typically covered if their symptoms show up after you have had the insurance for a certain period of time.
Pet health plan coverage varies by insurance company — and some offer more flexibility on pre-existing conditions than others. Understanding how pet insurance providers define pre-existing conditions can help you choose the right plan for your pet and budget.
What is considered a pre-existing condition for pet insurance?
Pet insurance companies usually place pre-existing conditions into two categories: curable and incurable.
Curable conditions: These are temporary illnesses or injuries. They can be healed with treatment. Some pet insurance companies may cover curable pre-existing conditions. However, your pet must be free of treatment and symptoms for a specific period of time — typically at least 6 months — that is determined by the pet insurance plan.
Incurable conditions: These are chronic conditions that your pet will have for their lifetime. Some incurable conditions can be hereditary (inherited) or congenital (present at birth). Hereditary conditions, such as polycystic kidney disease in certain cat breeds, are genetic and may not affect your pet until later in their life. Your pet may be born with congenital conditions, such as hypothyroidism in dogs and hypothyroidism in cats. Some conditions, such as hip dysplasia in dogs, can be hereditary or the result of a malformation at birth. Most pet insurance companies won’t cover incurable pre-existing conditions, but some will.
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As noted in the chart below, a pre-existing condition can include symptoms and doesn’t have to be a diagnosed condition.
Types of Pet Pre-Existing Conditions
Curable condition examples | Incurable condition examples |
|---|---|
Bladder infections | Allergies |
Broken bones | Arthritis |
Diarrhea | Cancer |
Ear infections | Diabetes |
Kennel cough | Epilepsy |
Upper respiratory infections | Heart disease |
Vomiting | Kidney disease |
Beware of bilateral coverage exclusions
Many pet insurance providers exclude bilateral conditions. Bilateral conditions are injuries or conditions that can affect both sides of the body. For example, if your pet experiences a torn ligament on one knee, the other knee would be excluded for the same condition. This exclusion applies even if the injury occurs after the policy’s coverage begins. The reason for this exclusion is that insurance plans expect that conditions affecting one side of a pet’s body are likely to affect the other side.
How do pet insurance companies know about an animal’s pre-existing conditions?
When you apply for pet insurance, many companies require you to submit your pet’s medical records and/or the results of a veterinary exam. They use this documentation to determine whether your pet has any pre-existing conditions. If your pet is less than a year old, you may need to provide medical records from your pet’s birth to the enrollment date. Some companies don’t require a physical exam, but they typically request records when you make your first claim.
The documentation you need depends on where you live. Healthy Paws requires pets in Alabama to have a full-body physical exam by a licensed veterinarian to qualify for coverage, for example, but ASPCA Pet Health Insurance doesn’t require veterinary exams or medical records before enrolling your pet.
Are pet insurance premiums higher for animals with pre-existing conditions?
No. Pet insurance premiums won’t increase if your pet has pre-existing conditions. Instead, veterinary bills related to treatment of those conditions won’t be covered.
However, predisposition to medical conditions and diseases may affect what you pay for your plan. For instance, pet insurance companies consider factors such as age, breed, and location when determining premiums, because certain dog and cat breeds are prone to particular medical conditions and diseases. As a result, insurance plans for those breeds will likely cost more.
Understand what pet insurance won’t cover: Learn about seven common coverage exclusions for most standard pet insurance plans.
Get help with veterinary costs. Find out how pet insurance, animal advocacy nonprofits, and veterinary schools can lower your vet bills.
The importance of getting insurance early: Read how one man avoided restrictions on pre-existing conditions by getting pet insurance before his dog was diagnosed with a heart condition that required surgery and other costs exceeding $62,000.
Should I still get pet insurance for an animal with pre-existing conditions?
Yes. Even if your pet has pre-existing conditions, pet insurance still could be beneficial for issues unrelated to any pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance can help cover the costs of unexpected events and illnesses, such as broken bones and infections.
Which pet insurance options are best for an animal with pre-existing conditions?
Finding a plan that covers your pet’s particular pre-existing condition may be your best option.
Most pet insurance companies offer these types of insurance plans:
Accident and illness: These plans are also known as comprehensive policies. They cover accidents and illnesses unrelated to pre-existing conditions.
Accident-only: This type of plan covers the cost of emergency care and treatment after an unexpected injury.
Wellness: This option is for routine checkups, vaccines, and other preventive care. It is sold as a stand-alone plan or as an add-on to comprehensive and accident-only plans.
Pet insurance companies that do not cover pre-existing conditions
Trupanion doesn’t cover any pre-existing conditions. Nationwide, ASPCA, HealthyPaws, and Fetch only cover curable pre-existing conditions. AKC Pet Insurance is one of the only plans that covers both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions — but only after at least 365 days of continuous coverage.
Tips for navigating pet insurance for animals with pre-existing conditions
It's important to think of pet insurance as a long-term commitment. Allowing lapses in coverage or switching plans could unintentionally increase the cost of coverage.
If your pet has a curable pre-existing condition, providers may require proof that they’ve had no symptoms or treatment for at least 6, 12, or 18 months — or longer. Before enrolling your pet in an insurance plan, check the company’s coverage rules.
Frequently asked questions
Pet insurance is intended to protect against issues in the future, not the past. Therefore, insurance plans typically don’t cover medical expenses for conditions that existed before you enrolled your pet.
It depends. Not all pet insurance companies require a veterinary exam to apply for pet insurance. If you live in the U.S., the veterinary exam requirement will depend on your state. Check the insurance company's eligibility requirements for more details.
Yes. Previously documented symptoms can be considered pre-existing conditions. This is true even without a diagnosis. If those symptoms reappear after you enroll your pet in pet insurance, treatments related to those symptoms may not be covered.
Yes. But, the surgery might not be covered. Pet insurance providers won’t cover surgeries related to pre-existing conditions or claims filed before your waiting period ends.
If you can’t afford the surgery, check with your veterinarian about financing options. Nonprofit animal groups such as The Humane Society may be able to help you find affordable veterinary care near you.
If you aren’t truthful about a pet’s pre-existing condition, your application is likely to be rejected. This is because some insurance providers review medical records and/or require a physical exam by a veterinary professional before enrollment. Even if your application is approved, insurance companies can request medical records when you submit a claim. If your pet’s symptoms or condition first occurred before you began their insurance coverage, your claim will be rejected.
The bottom line
Pre-existing conditions generally aren’t covered by standard pet insurance plans. However, some companies may offer coverage if the condition is curable and symptom-free for a certain period. Even if your pet has a pre-existing condition or symptoms, you can still enroll them in an insurance plan. Most standard pet health plans cover preventive care, accidents, and illnesses — but some will also pay for chronic and pre-existing conditions.
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References
American Animal Hospital Association. (2023). How does pet insurance work?
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. (n.d.). Pet insurance and pre-existing conditions.
Bays, M. (2023). Understanding pet insurance: Pre-existing conditions. American Kennel Club Pet Insurance.
Goodnight, D. (n.d.). Pet insurance. VCA Animal Hospitals.
Healthy Paws. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions.
Humane World for Animals. (n.d.). Are you having trouble affording your pet?
ManyPets. (n.d.). ManyPets insurance: Pre-existing conditions and exceptions.
MetLife Pet Insurance. (n.d.). Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
MetLife Pet Insurance. (2024). Does pet insurance require an exam for enrollment?
Metz, J. (2025). Pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions. Forbes.
Meyers, H. (2024). What is a pre-existing condition in the world of pet insurance? American Kennel Club.
Stinson, R. (2025). Vet care can be expensive. Should you get pet insurance? The Washington Post.
