Pet insurance for older dogs with pre existing conditions

What does pet insurance consider a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition for cat or dog insurance is typically an illness or injury your pet shows signs of any time before the end of your pet insurance waiting period. This may include conditions not yet diagnosed by a veterinarian. Depending on your pet's age and health, common pre-existing conditions include any existing health issue, from allergies to heart disease to epilepsy. With Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best, curable issues like broken bones and kennel cough typically can be covered outside of waiting periods.

Whether you're welcoming a new puppy into the family or thinking about pet insurance for an older dog or cat with pre-existing conditions, schedule a wellness appointment with your vet. Be sure to ask about common diseases for the breed. Some breeds, for example, are prone to breathing problems or other serious conditions. Cats can also develop serious health challenges, including cancer, kidney disease, and even diabetes. It may be wise to purchase pet insurance early if your pet will be prone to certain issues later on.

How do pet insurers know about pre-existing conditions?

Depending on your insurer, when you submit a pet insurance claim, they will typically request your pet's medical records to evaluate the claim and determine if the issue predates your waiting period. Always be honest when applying for pet insurance or filing a claim. Withholding known information, like a pre-existing condition, to obtain coverage could be considered insurance fraud.

Can you get pet insurance after a diagnosis?

Yes, you can still get pet insurance to cover future injuries and/or illnesses, depending on your pet insurance coverage type. The policy simply wouldn't cover any pre-existing conditions, diagnosed or not. Note that with Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best, if your pet has certain pre-existing severe chronic conditions, your pet may only be eligible for accidental injury coverage.

Is it worth getting cat or dog insurance if they have pre-existing conditions?

While some pet insurance companies won't cover pre-existing conditions and non-medical needs like holistic therapies, food, supplements, or boarding, it can still be worth it for covering future accidents and illnesses that require expensive treatment.

Is there any pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions?

While pet insurance often doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, other options might help you pay for expensive health costs. For example, your veterinarian may be willing to set up a payment plan so your pet can get the care they need when they need it.

How can I get pet insurance?

You can get a pet insurance quote online. You'll be asked some questions; then you'll choose your payment amount, term length, and other policy details. You can also call 1-877-298-0639 to speak with a licensed representative who can help you find the right policy for you.

Pet Insurance and Pre-existing Conditions

Pet insurance plans usually do not cover pre-existing conditions. These are injuries or illnesses that come up or show symptoms before your plan goes into effect or during a waiting period. Here are a few examples:

• If your dog tumbled down the steps and fractured a paw before you enrolled in pet insurance, expenses for X-rays and other treatments related to the break would not be covered. Also, future related expenses for the same condition would not be covered unless the condition becomes eligible for coverage as a cured condition.
• Pet insurance providers may define and handle pre-existing conditions differently. Please read the policy carefully so you know what to expect.
• For example, an ASPCA Pet Health Insurance plan states that a condition will no longer be considered pre-existing if it's cured and free of symptoms and treatments for 180 days, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. If a knee or ligament condition occurs before the coverage effective date or during a waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.

Conditions that have not been diagnosed or treated yet can still be considered pre-existing conditions. For instance, imagine your dog starts limping in March before you sign up for pet insurance. You take your dog to the veterinarian, but they are not sure what is causing your pooch to limp. If you enroll in pet insurance in April and your dog starts limping again, any treatments that might now be needed related to this issue would not be covered because symptoms occurred before the plan went into effect.

To help identify pre-existing conditions and assess the overall health of your pet, some providers may require proof that your pet has had a full medical exam prior to enrolling in their pet insurance. They may also ask for past veterinary records. The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program does not require a veterinary exam or any medical records for enrollment.

Pet insurance providers may define and handle pre-existing conditions differently, so it depends on the plan. Our policy states that a condition will no longer be considered pre-existing if it's cured and free of symptoms and treatments for 180 days, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. If a knee or ligament condition occurs before the coverage effective date or during a waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.

So, if your cat had an upper respiratory infection (URI) when you enrolled, treatment for it would not be covered. However, if your cat came down with another URI 180 days after the first one was cured and treatment free, it would be eligible for coverage.

When you think about the purpose of most insurance, it makes sense that pre-existing conditions typically aren’t covered by pet insurance. Insurance is generally intended to protect you for things that might happen in the future, not the past. For instance, if you purchased home insurance today, you would not be able to get reimbursed for repairs due to a flood that happened a few months ago.

There’s no way to guarantee that your pet won’t have a pre-existing condition, but it can help to enroll in a pet insurance plan sooner rather than later. Our curious, energetic, and playful pets can get injured when you least expect it or get sick out of the blue. The longer you put off enrolling, the more time there is when something could happen to your pet. That injury or illness would then be considered a pre-existing condition and not eligible for coverage.

Pets with a pre-existing condition are still eligible for pet insurance and that condition should not stop you from considering coverage. While you may not be able to get reimbursed for treatments related to that particular condition, you can receive payouts for future injuries or illnesses. Complete CoverageSM also covers congenital and hereditary conditions, alternative therapies, and behavioral conditions. In addition, the pre-existing condition may be covered in the future depending on your plan.

Past wellness treatments are similar to pre-existing conditions in that they are not covered. For instance, if your pet had an annual exam along with vaccines and a dental cleaning a few weeks before you enrolled, these services would not be covered.

However, there is no waiting period for our preventive care coverage. It starts as soon as your plan takes effect. That means you can enroll in this coverage on Monday, take your pet in for their annual check-up on Tuesday, and get reimbursed for covered services.

It’s easy to enroll in preventive care coverage. Simply get a free quote and choose your base plan. Then you will be able to add it to your plan at a low additional cost. We have two preventive care coverage options, which have different lists of covered services and payouts. There is no deductible or reimbursement percentage with this coverage.

You can review a sample policy to see all of the details related to our coverage. Our friendly representatives can also answer any questions or help you choose a plan and customize it to fit your budget and coverage needs. They are available at 1-888-716-1203 during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday between 8:00 am and 9:00 pm EST
• Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST
• Sunday 11:00 am to 3:00 pm EST

If you call after hours, you can leave us a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

Ready to get started? See the options and pricing available for your pet with a free quote.

What is the oldest age you can get pet insurance?

How do I know if my dog has a pre existing condition?