What is pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?
When you take out a pet insurance policy, it is common to have pre-existing conditions excluded from coverage. If your pet suffers from an accident or illness before taking out the policy, the related health costs will not be covered by insurance.
Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions is a specialist policy that helps to cover the costs of medical issues for pets if it is diagnosed before a policy is effective. Depending on the terms, the policy can help provide you with some coverage that can reduce the financial burden of your pet’s health needs.
What is considered a pre-existing medical condition in pets?
A pre-existing medical condition is a health issue that was diagnosed before the effective date of your policy. They are typically categorized as curable and incurable conditions.
Curable pre-existing conditions can include ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, bladder infections, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, and respiratory infections. Many pet insurers can cover you for curable pre-existing conditions if your pet has been symptom-free for a specified period of time.
Incurable pre-existing conditions also referred to as chronic illnesses, are health-related issues that can require treatment and medication throughout the pet’s life. Common chronic conditions can include allergies, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, heart disease, kidney disease, and skin diseases. These are typically excluded from your policy.
In addition to curable and incurable conditions, be mindful to take into account bilateral exclusions in your policy. A bilateral condition occurs when a health issue affects both sides of the body, such as hip dysplasia and cataracts. If your pet has a pre-existing condition on one side of the body, it becomes more likely that the condition can develop on the opposite side, which won’t be covered after your policy starts.
Will pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Coverage for pre-existing conditions can vary between pet insurers. Some insurers have a blanket exclusion without exception. While other insurers provide coverage for specific pre-existing conditions if the medical issue has been cured and there have been no symptoms for a minimum of one or two years.
If your pet suffers from a specific medical condition, it’s a good idea to read the policy documentation and obtain confirmation from the policy provider before you take out your pet insurance plan.
Do you need to inform the insurance provider of pre-existing conditions?
When taking out a pet insurance plan, you’ll need to inform your provider of any health issues your pet has incurred before you take out a policy. Some insurers may ask you to ring customer service, to provide more information and tailor the policy to your pet’s needs.
Alternatively, it can be a good idea to take your pet to the vet for a medical examination, so that your insurer can conduct a medical history review and tell you precisely any conditions that are not covered.
If you do not inform your insurer of pre-existing conditions, you could risk exclusion of future claims from your policy.
Does pet insurance for pre-existing conditions cover emergency care?
While there are limitations to taking out pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, if your pet suffers from an accident or illness unrelated to the prior condition you could be covered.
For instance, if your dog has an allergy, medical treatment related to the allergy may be excluded. But if your dog later breaks a leg in an accident, this can be covered for emergency care according to the limits and terms of the policy.
Should you get pet insurance if your pet has a pre-existing condition?
Even if your pet suffers from a pre-existing condition, it can be worth it to take out pet insurance in the event that your pet develops another illness or has an accident unrelated to the pre-existing condition.
Vet bills can be very costly over the long term and while the pre-existing condition may not be covered, if your pet develops further health issues, this could become a financial burden on your household budget during a stressful and emotional time.
How to choose the best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions
While no pet insurance plan can cover you for every health-related illness or accident, you can get the most out of your policy by comparing policies from multiple providers to ensure that you are getting the best pet insurance plan for your pet’s health needs.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when buying your pet insurance policy:
- Purchase insurance while your pet is young: As pets get older, they can become more susceptible to age-related illnesses and genetic health conditions. It can be cheaper to insure your pet while they are young and healthy instead of looking for an insurance provider once your pet has developed a serious health condition. Plus, it can be difficult to change providers later on as many insurers will not cover pre-existing conditions.
- Take your pet for routine examinations: Staying up to date with vaccinations and treating health issues early on can help keep your pet safe and healthy over the long term. In addition, many insurers require a full medical examination if your pet has pre-existing conditions to determine the level of coverage you are eligible to receive.