Pet insurance for dogs that covers pre existing conditions

As with other pet insurance plans, Pets Best plans have some exclusions in order to keep prices affordable. This includes exclusions for pre-existing conditions. However, we still accept dogs and cats with pre-existing conditions, and can help keep unrelated veterinary expenses manageable for thousands of other covered conditions.

What is Considered a Pre-Existing Condition for a Pet?

A pre-existing condition is any illness or injury that begins before your pet insurance policy's effective date or during your waiting period. Some conditions, like broken legs or kennel cough, heal or are curable and require no further treatment. Once healed or cured, these conditions are no longer considered pre-existing by Pets Best and can be covered by your plan should they reoccur.

Common curable pre-existing conditions in dogs and cats include:

• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Bruises
• Sprains

• Upper respiratory infections
• Dental fractures
• Pyometra

Incurable pre-existing conditions include illnesses that require life-long care or extended treatments and care. Some incurable conditions include:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Bladder crystals
• Allergies
• Heart disease

• Kidney disease
• Epilepsy
• Arthritis
• Hip dysplasia

Common Pre-Existing Conditions in Cats

• Cystitis or urinary tract disease
• Periodontitis/Tooth infection
• Gastropathy
• Renal disease or failure
• Enteropathy

• Hyperthyroidism
• Feline upper respiratory infection
• Diabetes mellitus
• Valvular heart disease or murmur

Common Pre-Existing Conditions in Dogs

• Atopic or allergic dermatitis
• Otitis externa
• Benign skin neoplasia
• Pyoderma
• Enteropathy
• Gastropathy

• Degenerative arthritis
• Periodontitis/Tooth infection
• Cystitis or urinary tract infection
• Anal gland sacculitis/Expression

How Pets Best Can Help Pets with Pre-Existing Conditions

We understand that pre-existing conditions can be difficult to understand when it comes to selecting pet insurance and providing the best care for your pet. Although pre-existing conditions aren’t covered, Pets Best Accident and Illness plans cover thousands of other conditions. No matter the pre-existing condition or past medical history, we are always happy to help you find the accident and illness coverage that fits your budget and your pet’s needs.

For pets with a pre-existing condition, combining a Pets Best pet insurance policy with a CareCredit credit card can give you the flexibility you need to provide your pet the best care possible at CareCredit enrolled providers.* Together, Pets Best and CareCredit offer a complete financial solution for a lifetime of care for your pet.

Let us know how we can help you and your pet get the coverage they need to keep on wagging or purring.

*Subject to credit approval.

This content is subject to change without notice and offered for informational use only. You are urged to consult with your individual medical providers with respect to any information presented. Pets Best and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) makes no representations or warranties regarding this content and accepts no liability for any loss or harm arising from the use of the information provided. Your receipt of this material and/or participation in this presentation constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.

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Pet Insurance has become more popular as veterinary medical expenses continue to rise. If you’re looking into getting pet insurance for your dog or cat, one important question is whether their health issues are considered to be “pre-existing conditions” and whether any policy will cover them.

What Is a Pre-Existing Condition?

A pre-existing condition is defined as any medical condition that your pet has shown signs of or been diagnosed with before the insurance policy’s effective date. Here are a few examples:

• Your Pitbull was diagnosed with allergies during the waiting period (a set amount of time after you get a policy until it kicks in). As a result, any treatments, such as medications or prescription foods, will not be covered by your pet’s policy.

• Before you signed up for pet insurance, you took your Siamese cat to the vet, who said that they were showing signs of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Even though your cat has not yet had testing to confirm a diagnosis, because your kitty had symptoms consistent with IBD, any future diagnostic testing or treatment for this condition will not be covered by their policy.

• Your German Shepherd is more prone to hip dysplasia due to their breed. If your pup does not show any signs of hip dysplasia before the policy’s effective date, any treatment or diagnostic testing for hip dysplasia is likely to be covered by the policy. However, some policies have specific rules for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia, such as your pet must be under a certain age when they enroll in the policy, or that it won’t be covered if symptoms of hip dysplasia emerge within the first year of coverage. Check the FAQs or the policy for these exclusions.

Do Any Pet Insurance Policies Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

In general, pre-existing conditions are not covered by most pet insurance plans, but there are exceptions. It all goes back to what the insurance company defines as pre-existing.

Here are some of the most common types of illnesses and conditions, when they are considered to be pre-existing, and how that affects whether they’re covered or not.

Hereditary and Congenital Conditions

Many companies cover congenital and hereditary conditions as long as your pet hasn’t shown any signs or been diagnosed with one before coverage starts. Some companies even have separate “hereditary and congenital coverage” policies.

Hereditary (genetic) conditions are common, especially in purebred animals, and are inherited from a pet’s parents. Some examples include:

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Cherry eye (entropion)

• Patellar luxation

• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)

• Allergies

• Some types of cancer

• Thyroid disease

• Diabetes

A congenital condition is one that your pet is born with, although they might not show any signs right away. Examples include:

• Hernia

• Congenital heart disease

• Some liver diseases, like portosystemic shunts and copper-associated hepatopathy

• Nervous system issues

Curable Pre-Existing Conditions

Curable conditions are defined as any medical condition/illness that your pet has been treated for and cured of. Most insurance companies require 180 symptom-free days to consider a condition cured, while some require a whole year. Some examples of curable conditions are:  

• Ear infections

• Urinary tract infections

• Upper respiratory infection

• Vomiting/diarrhea not related to a chronic illness

Incurable Pre-Existing Conditions

These are conditions that cannot be cured; instead, they must be managed. Most pet insurance plans will not cover incurable pre-existing conditions that were diagnosed before the policy’s effective date. Some examples of incurable conditions are:

• Arthritis

• Some types of cancer

• Allergies

• Diabetes

• Hip dysplasia

• Many types of heart disease

• Torn cruciate ligament

• Epilepsy

• Disc disease

• Urinary blockages, crystals, or idiopathic cystitis

Bilateral Conditions

A bilateral condition is a health condition that can happen to both sides of a pet. An example is hip dysplasia, which can occur in either the left or right hip, or often both.

Most insurance policies will not cover a bilateral health condition if the issue was diagnosed before the coverage date, just like any average pre-existing condition. For example, if your pet was diagnosed with hip dysplasia on their left side before enrollment, and years later developed hip dysplasia on their right side, your policy will not cover either.

Some other types of bilateral conditions are:

• Torn cruciate ligaments

• Glaucoma

• Uveitis

• Patellar luxation

• Cataracts

Insurance companies exclude bilateral conditions because there is a good chance that a condition that occurs on one side of your pet’s body will develop on the other side. For example, a dog with left hip dysplasia will tend to shift their weight to their right side to avoid discomfort. As a result, they are at higher risk of developing hip dysplasia on their right side as well. The underlying genetics that predispose pets to many bilateral conditions also, obviously, affects both sides of the body.

Hip dysplasia is also incurable, so it can be excluded for that reason if your pet had shown any signs before coverage. However, some bilateral conditions may be considered curable and will be covered.

For example, let’s say your dog was diagnosed with an ear infection in the right ear before enrollment but develops an ear infection in the left ear after the policy kicks in. The insurance company will likely cover the left ear infection as long as your dog had been symptom-free for 180 days (or maybe longer) after the first ear infection. Be sure to read the fine print and ask your insurance company about bilateral conditions.

Can Symptoms Be Considered Pre-Existing Conditions?

Yes! Even in the absence of a diagnosis, symptoms can also be considered pre-existing conditions if they are documented before a pet is covered. But it also matters if it’s a symptom of something curable or incurable.

For example, if your pet excessively licks their feet but has not been formally diagnosed with allergies, any claims related to this will likely not be covered. This is because excessive paw licking is considered a common sign of skin allergies, which fall under the category of incurable pre-existing conditions.

On the other hand, if your pet has symptoms of head shaking and ear scratching, which are known signs of ear infections, your policy is likely to cover treatment, as ear infections are deemed curable.

Do Pet Insurance Companies Ask for Medical Records?

Yes! Pet Insurance companies do require medical records in order to enroll any pet in a policy. These companies employ teams of veterinary specialists that are trained to review your pet’s medical records in order to determine if your pet has any pre-existing medical conditions.

Careful review of these records will ensure that your pet receives appropriate coverage and that you are reimbursed for your medical expenses as soon as possible.

If your pet has never been to a vet, or has not been recently, the insurance company will usually require you to take your pet to a local veterinarian for an exam and provide records from the visit before enrolling your pet in a policy.

Should I Get Pet Insurance for a Pet That Has Pre-Existing Conditions?

Absolutely! Do not let your pet’s pre-existing condition discourage you from pursuing pet insurance. Even if the pre-existing condition isn’t covered, your pet insurance policy will still cover other things, like accidents or new illnesses. The policy should cover any future unrelated conditions that are diagnosed, depending on the type of policy you buy.

In short, regardless of your pet’s medical history, pet insurance can be a good investment, particularly as pets age and are more likely to develop serious illnesses such as heart disease, kidney disease, or even cancer. Having that financial support can drastically improve your pet’s treatment options.

So do your research, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to shop around for a policy that will best protect your pet from unforeseen medical costs.

References

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