No standard pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions — anything that showed signs before your coverage (or waiting period) started.
A pre-existing condition is any illness or injury that showed symptoms, was diagnosed, or was treated before your policy began or during its waiting period. Every major insurer excludes them, with no exceptions.
Some insurers distinguish "curable" pre-existing conditions (like a one-time ear infection) that may be covered again after a symptom-free period, from "incurable" ones (like diabetes or allergies) that are excluded for life.
This is the single biggest reason to enroll while your pet is young and healthy: once a condition appears, switching insurers won't get it covered.
If your pet is still healthy, enrolling now locks in coverage before anything becomes "pre-existing." Use the worth-it calculator to see if a policy makes sense.
Try next: Is pet insurance worth it? · Reimbursement calculator · Vet cost estimator
No standard pet insurance covers pre-existing conditions — anything that showed signs before your coverage (or waiting period) started.
Yes. Pet insurance never covers pre-existing conditions, so enrolling while your pet is young and healthy is when coverage is broadest and cheapest.
After your deductible, the insurer reimburses your plan percentage (commonly 70%, 80%, or 90%) up to your annual limit. Use the reimbursement calculator to see the exact figure for any bill.