When it comes to pet insurance, many pet owners wonder if their beloved companions with pre-existing conditions can still get covered. Understanding what constitutes a pre-existing condition and what options are available can make a big difference in managing pet healthcare costs.
What is a Pre-Existing Condition in Pets?
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue your pet was diagnosed with before your pet insurance policy starts. From the insurer’s perspective, covering a pet with a pre-existing condition is considered high-risk because the likelihood of claims being made is much higher. This includes both curable and chronic conditions that were identified before insurance was in place.
Do Any Pet Insurance Plans Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
No traditional pet insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions. If your pet has a pre-existing health issue, you will need to pay for treatment out-of-pocket. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t still benefit from getting insurance. Future, unrelated illnesses or injuries are typically covered even if your pet has a pre-existing condition.
In some cases, “curable” pre-existing conditions may be covered after a waiting period, once the condition is resolved.
Curable Pre-Existing Conditions
Some conditions, while pre-existing, are considered “curable” and may be eligible for coverage after they are fully resolved and have not recurred within a specified time frame. Followings are considered curable pre-existing conditions:
- Urinary tract infections
- Ear infections
- Upper respiratory infections
- Diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues
If your pet recovers from any of these conditions, insurers may begin covering them again once the waiting period is over.
Chronic Pre-Existing Conditions
Unlike curable conditions, chronic pre-existing conditions last throughout a pet’s lifetime and will not be covered by any pet insurance plan. These include conditions such as:
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Kidney disease
Since these conditions are permanent, insurers see them as too costly to cover. However, insurance will still cover any new, unrelated issues your pet may encounter in the future.
Breed-Specific and Genetic Conditions
Breed-specific and genetic conditions, such as hip dysplasia or heart problems common in certain dog breeds, are generally covered by pet insurance if they are diagnosed after you enroll. However, if these conditions are diagnosed before your policy begins, they are treated as pre-existing conditions and will not be covered.
Why You Should Still Get Pet Insurance
Even though pre-existing conditions aren’t covered, it’s still worthwhile to get pet insurance. Unrelated accidents, injuries, or illnesses could end up being incredibly costly if they occur. For example, if your pet develops an unrelated issue like a broken leg or an ear infection, those expenses could be covered.
By enrolling your pet in insurance early—before any major health problems develop—you can reduce future costs significantly. Insuring a young, healthy pet is the best way to avoid dealing with pre-existing condition exclusions in the first place.
Financial Assistance for Pets with Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have a pet with a chronic pre-existing condition and are facing high vet bills, there are financial assistance options to help ease the burden. Some organizations and pet insurance providers offer veterinary discount plans, which can reduce the overall cost of treatment. For example, Pet Assure offers a 25% discount on vet bills at participating clinics, even for pets with pre-existing conditions.
Additionally, some charities and non-profit organizations offer grants or financial aid to help cover the cost of veterinary care for pets with pre-existing conditions. It’s a good idea to explore these options if you need help managing ongoing treatment costs.
Conclusion
While pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, it’s still an essential tool to protect yourself from the high costs of future veterinary care. By enrolling your pet early and exploring financial assistance options, you can make sure your pet gets the care they need, even with pre-existing health issues.
- Pre-existing conditions are not covered by any pet insurance plan. However, curable conditions can sometimes be covered after they are fully treated and don’t recur for a set period.
- Chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and cancer will not be covered if they are diagnosed before insurance kicks in.
- Despite having a pet with a pre-existing condition, insurance is still valuable for covering future illnesses or injuries.
- Financial assistance and discount plans are available to help cover the cost of treating pre-existing conditions.
So that was all about Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions. If you have any further questions comment down below. We are always here to help you!
FAQs
Will pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No, pre-existing conditions aren’t covered by any pet insurance plan. However, some curable conditions may be covered after a waiting period if your pet fully recovers.
Can I get pet insurance if my pet is already sick?
Yes, even if your pet is already sick, you can still get insurance. The pre-existing condition won’t be covered, but any new, unrelated health issues that arise will be.
What is considered a pre-existing condition?
Any medical condition diagnosed before your pet insurance policy takes effect is considered a pre-existing condition. This includes symptoms present before the policy begins, even if the diagnosis occurs later.
Is there a pet insurance plan that covers everything?
No plan covers pre-existing conditions. However, you can find plans that cover a wide range of other medical expenses, including accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, and even dental care.
