Top 10 Best Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions in 2023- More people are buying pet insurance coverage as they spend more money on their pets. It’s critical to realise that not all policies will be able to cover your pet, especially if they have pre-existing conditions. We’ll rank the top pet insurance for pre-existing conditions in this article.
The essence of pet health insurance will be defeated if your pet has a preexisting condition. Especially, when it is life-threatening. However, this article explains in detail the possibilities of finding pet insurance that covers preexisting conditions.
Also, it x-rays all the possibilities and answers all questions pertaining to finding such a pet insurance policy.
Read: Travel Insurance Coverage for Students
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance is a type of indemnity insurance that covers pet medical expenses related to accidents and illnesses. Most companies primarily offer dog and cat insurance — some providers do extend coverage to exotic pets like birds and reptiles, but it accounts for less than 1% of U.S policies, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA).
A significant difference between pet insurance coverage and your own health insurance is that preventive pet care is sold separately. This includes expenses like vaccines, parasite prevention, dental cleanings and microchipping.
Generally, there are no network restrictions with pet insurance — coverage applies to any licensed vet or specialist nationwide. Some providers extend coverage to Canada and overseas territories like Puerto Rico, as well.
Types of pet insurance
When you’re looking to insure your pet, the first thing to do is take a good look at your finances — and how much you’re able and willing to spend in case of an emergency. Pet insurance policies vary in their coverage and, of course, premiums. Understanding the various types of policy, and what each offers, is crucial for understanding how to buy pet insurance.
- Accident-only policies – An accident-only plan may suit you best if your main concern is your cat or dog’s propensity for mishaps (such as poisonings, broken bones, bloating). They’re usually more affordable than plans with more expansive coverage.
- Accident & Illness policies – These are the popular, all-inclusive pet insurance plans, covering both accident and illness coverage. They can be expanded to be truly comprehensive by buying wellness coverage, which is usually an add-on rather than an integrated part of the plan.
- Comprehensive policies – Some insurers offer comprehensive policies covering everything, from accidents to illnesses to wellness and routine care. For example, they may cover the cost of pet dental care, chiropractic care, spaying, vaccinations and even dog therapy. Naturally, these plans have the heftiest price tag but might be worth it to you for the peace of mind they provide.
If you want to evaluate whether an insurer is right for you, it’s a good idea to download its sample policy, which is usually available on the company website.
Read all its inclusions, exclusions, and restrictions thoroughly. If you’re comfortable with them, and they’re competitive with those of other companies, move on to enroll your pet
How Does Pet Insurance Work?
Like health insurance for humans, pet insurance involves deductibles, copays or coinsurance, and coverage limits. Most pet insurance companies pay claims through reimbursement, so the policyholder pays for the pet’s care at the veterinarian’s office at the time of treatment and submits a claim afterward. If the insurer approves the claim, the company sends the policyholder reimbursement via check or electronic transfer.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, approximately 98% of pet insurance policies issued are accident and illness plans. These policies cover treatments for unexpected injuries and diseases, including cancer, kennel cough, and broken limbs. The remainder of the plans tends to be accident-only plans that only cover unexpected injuries, not illnesses or chronic conditions.
Pet insurance doesn’t usually cover routine care or preventative treatments like vaccinations, wellness exams, or dental cleanings. However, it may be possible to get partial coverage for these expenses by purchasing a separate discount plan or wellness plan, or by adding a wellness rider to your policy.
Is Pet Insurance Worth the Cost?
In 2021, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association reported that the average annual premium for accident and illness coverage for a dog was $583.91, and it was $342.84 for a cat. Those amounts are significant, so how do you know if pet insurance is worth the cost? When deciding whether to enroll your pet in a policy, consider these variables:
Pre-existing conditions
All pet insurance companies exclude coverage for treatment of pre-existing conditions (Though some will cover them as non-preexisting after a lengthy period). If your pet already has serious health issues, such as ligament conditions or diabetes, you may find that your policy is less useful because your pet’s current treatments aren’t covered. By contrast, insuring healthy pets before any illnesses or conditions appear ensures that their treatments will be covered if conditions develop later on (as long as they aren’t specifically excluded by the policy).
Age of pet
Older pets are much more expensive to insure than younger pets. They’re also more likely to have existing health issues, which the insurance company wouldn’t cover if the conditions were diagnosed before the pet’s enrollment date. Insurance is more affordable for younger pets and securing a policy before your pet develops health issues will help minimize treatment costs down the line.
Breed of pet
Some breeds of cats or dogs are more prone to health issues than others. For example, some dog breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, a serious orthopedic condition. Some companies exclude particular breeds or charge higher premiums because of the higher risk of developing health issues.
Savings
If your pet needed emergency care, would you be able to cover the cost yourself? Treatments can be expensive and, without insurance, you’d have to cover the entire cost yourself. For example, treatments for broken bones usually cost over $2,000.
Guide for Choosing the Best Pet Insurance Companies
If you aren’t sure if you should buy pet insurance, consider your budget and pet’s needs. For example:
- If your pet has chronic health conditions or is a senior pet: An accident and illness policy may be too expensive, and it may not cover your pet’s care. A discount plan may provide more value, since they don’t exclude senior pets or pre-existing conditions.
- If you want inexpensive coverage: If you want the least expensive coverage possible—but still want some protection in case of an emergency—an accident-only plan may be a good choice. Available for a few dollars a month, accident-only plans cover treatments for sudden injuries, like broken bones or bite wounds.
- If your pet is relatively young: Young, healthy pets—that haven’t shown any signs of health issues—are inexpensive to insure. Locking in coverage while your pet is young ensures you have protection against accidents and illnesses later on.
- If your pet needs surgery or chemotherapy: If your pet is already injured or ill and needs treatment, unfortunately, pet insurance won’t help you. Companies have waiting periods before coverage goes into effect, and any issues that existed before your policy enrollment will be excluded.
What does pet insurance cover?
Pet insurance coverage reimburses pet owners for the diagnosis and treatment (including medication and hospitalization) of accidents and illnesses.
Pet owners who purchase an accident-only policy will see a significant decrease in coverage benefits, as the policy will only reimburse them for issues defined as accidents and exclude everything else that’s considered an illness.
The following list outlines common injuries and illnesses covered by pet insurance providers:
Accidents
- Ingestion of a foreign object
- Poisoning
- Bite wounds, cuts or broken bones (including teeth)
- Ingesting a foreign object
- Poisoning
- Torn ligaments
Illnesses:
- Cancer
- Hepatitis
- Diabetes
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Skin or ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Stomach and intestinal problems
- Epilepsy
- Orthopedic conditions such as a torn ligaments or hip dysplasia
What is excluded from pet insurance coverage?
Pet insurance coverage exclusions may vary by provider, so it’s best practice to read the sample policy thoroughly before enrolling. But don’t worry: We’ve got you covered. The following bulleted list explores five of the most common exclusions across the industry.
- Pre-existing conditions – Pet insurance providers will not reimburse for conditions your dog, cat, or other pet already had before you bought the pet insurance policy. Some examples include diabetes, allergies, cancer or arthritis.
- Pre-existing bilateral conditions – Let’s say your pet’s knee suffered a cruciate ligament injury before enrolling in pet insurance. That injury isn’t covered because it’s a pre-existing condition, but if the other knee develops the same issue in the future, it won’t be covered either. The same restriction may apply to other bilateral conditions (issues that occur on both sides of the body) such as cataracts or hip and elbow dysplasia.
- Routine care – Insurance providers exclude routine pet care from coverage but offer reimbursement benefits through wellness packages and riders. These add-ons reimburse a fixed amount for annual checkups, vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental cleanings and spay/neuter surgeries.
- Illnesses caused by lack of preventive care – If your pet gets heartworm after you forgot to administer preventive medicine, pet insurance won’t cover treatment. The same restriction applies to dental illnesses if your pet doesn’t get professional cleanings, flea and tick-borne diseases, and conditions that are preventable with vaccinations.
- Injuries or illnesses linked to owner negligence – Pet insurance won’t cover issues that result from organized fighting, racing or guarding. This exclusion also applies to any harm inflicted by you or a member of your household.
Coverage Exclusions and Pre-Existing Conditions for Pets
All insurance plans exclude pre-existing conditions: issues that were present before your pet’s policy effective date or that occurred during the policy waiting period.
If a pre-existing condition is considered curable, some companies will remove the exclusion if your pet is symptom-free for some period of time, like 6 to 12 months.
Some companies have bilateral exclusions, meaning if your pet is diagnosed with an issue on one side of the body, treatments for that condition on the other side are excluded from coverage.
And besides those common exclusions, most pet insurance companies have their own lists of excluded treatments (you can sometimes find these in sample policies). Be sure to understand the policy exclusions so you aren’t surprised later on.
How to Compare Pet Insurance Companies
Pet insurance companies vary a great deal in terms of coverage, pricing, and exclusions. When comparing companies, consider the following:
- Premium: Premiums will vary quite a bit from company to company, depending on your location and the age and breed of your pet. The best way to compare premiums is to get some sample quotes from a variety of companies, like the ones on our list above.
- Coverage limit type: Depending on the company, coverage limits can be annual, per condition, or per incident. Annual coverage limits have a single deductible, and it starts over every year. With per-condition coverage, each condition has its own deductible, but you only have to meet the deductible once for the pet’s lifetime. At the same time, you can quickly reach the condition’s maximum over your pet’s lifetime. Per-incident coverage means the same deductible applies to every incident, and it starts over for every new incident.
- Deductible: The deductible is how much of the cost you have to pay before your insurer will reimburse you for claims. The lower the deductible, the higher your premium.
- Reimbursement percentage: The reimbursement percentage is how much your insurer will cover after you reach your deductible. For example, if your bill is $1,000 and the insurer offers 70% reimbursement, you’re responsible for $300 of the bill.
- Included and excluded treatments: As described above, insurance companies have many different policy exclusions. Take the time to understand those exclusions so you’re not left on the hook for a big unexpected bill.
Selecting a Pet Insurance Company
Once you choose a company, you can usually get a quote for coverage and enroll your pet online. Most pet insurers have online portals (and some have mobile apps) where customers can view their policies, make payments, and submit claims.
When you purchase a policy, be sure to read the fine print. Some companies require you to submit all of your pet’s medical records after you enroll; otherwise, your claims will be denied.
Pet insurance discounts
Don’t forget to apply any available discounts to reduce your monthly payment. Common discounts include:
- Multipet discount – discounted rates for each additional pet you enroll with the same provider
- Annual pay discount – lower rates if you pay for the policy annually instead of monthly
- Spay/neuter discount – reduced premium if you spay/neuter your pet upon enrollment
- Military discounts – discounts for active and former members of the armed forces
- Group discounts at work – lower rates for employer-provided pet insurance
- Bundle discounts – discounted rate for bundling with homeowners or renters insurance under the same provider
The majority of companies honor a money-back guarantee in eligible states — also called a “cooling off” or “free look” period. Pet owners are entitled to cancellation with a full refund up to 30 days after enrollment, provided they haven’t received payment or submitted a claim.
Do Pet Insurance Premiums Increase With My Pet’s Age?
It is possible to get coverage for senior pets, but you should expect higher premiums.
Health risks tend to increase as a pet ages, so enrolling an older pet will be significantly more expensive than insuring a younger one. Once your pet is insured, you can expect the premiums to increase as your pet gets older.
Some pet insurance companies have maximum enrollment ages for certain policies, such as 10 or 12 years; after that age, you won’t be able to enroll your pet. If you enroll before your pet reaches the cutoff age, coverage will typically continue regardless of your pet’s age, as long as there are no gaps in coverage. Your best option is to find a carrier that has no age limit.
Why Pet Insurance?
Generally, the aim of insurance is to reduce financial uncertainty and make accidental loss manageable.
Pet insurance minimises the overall cost of veterinary expenses. If you have pet insurance, it reduces your getting financially handicapped if the unexpected happens.
If you have the right plan, pet insurance is worth it. You can not predict when or how your pets will get sick and how much their treatment will cost.
This makes pet insurance important. It saves pet owners from taking on lasting debt or forgoing veterinary care.
Pets Pre-existing Condition
Your pet’s medical record determines a pre-existing condition. A preexisting condition is defined as any signs or diagnoses of an illness that shows up before your policy waiting period.
Pre-existing conditions can also refer to any conditions that have not been diagnosed or treated yet. Trupanion defines a pre-existing condition as any injury or illness your pet shows symptoms of before coverage begins.
Pet insurance cost with pre-existing conditions
No pet insurance company covers chronic pre-existing conditions. Some, however, will cover curable pre-existing conditions subject to certain limitations. The cost of pet insurance depends on many variables, including the type of pet, breed, sex, age, where you live, the different types of coverages offered, and your deductible. Here are the average costs for both accident-only and accident and illness (comprehensive) coverage.
Accident-only average premiums
- Dog
- Annual: $218.13
- Monthly: $18.17
- Cat
- Annual: $133.61
- Monthly: $11.13
Accident and illness average premiums
- Dog
- Annual: $594.15
- Monthly: $49.51
- Cat
- Annual: $341.81
- Monthly: $28.48
Can You Lie about Pre-existing Conditions for Pet Insurance?
Pre-existing conditions do not stop you from getting insurance coverage. However, they may influence your coverage options.
So, you can still insure a pet with medical conditions. There is no need to lie about it. Find a specialist insurer if you need coverage that covers any medical condition your pet has.
Lying about preexisting conditions for pet insurance is a pet insurance fraud. The penalties of a conviction depend on the amount at hand. If the amount is small, this pet insurance fraud is considered a misdemeanour. However, it is a felony when large amounts are involved.
Do Any Pet Insurances Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
Although a pre-existing condition won’t stop you from obtaining pet insurance coverage, no pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions. Depending on your pet’s pre-existing condition, you may choose from coverage options available for that condition.
Mostly, pets with pre-existing conditions get insurance options from specialist insurers for that particular condition. Most standard pet insurance does not cover any pre-existing medical conditions.
Pre-existing Conditions should not stop pet owners from considering coverage.
Can You Get Pet Insurance if Your Pet is Already Sick?
Yes, you can get pet insurance even if your dog has a pre-existing condition. However, the costs of treating that particular issue can not be covered by your new plan.
You can expect coverage for future illnesses and injuries. So, you can get pet insurance that covers conditions not related to the pre-existing condition.
Does Tesco Pet Insurance Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
No, Tesco pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. Tesco bank pet insurance policy booklet makes this clear.
It does not cover health issues, concerns, illnesses and injuries that you or your vet were aware of before taking out the policy. However, there are good pet insurance companies that offer insurance for specific medical conditions.
How Do Insurance Know About Pre-existing Conditions?
With your permission, pet insurers can snoop through old records. Basically, they are in search of things they can use against you.
If they find any pre-existing condition, they can deny your claims on such grounds. Also, some insurance will consider your pet’s medical history in its entirety.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Pet insurance varies greatly and it’s quite dependent on a number of factors. Average pet insurance monthly premiums can range as low as $10. It can also be as high as $100.
However, most pet owners pay between $30 to $50 per month. This usually covers for decent coverage. Specifically, dog pet insurance costs between $25 to $70 per month. On the other hand, insuring a cat cost between $10 to $40 for decent coverage.
Best Pet Insurance that Covers Pre-existing Condition
Pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions is offered by specialists. While most standard pet insurance companies do not cover a pre-existing conditions, these insurance companies below do.
Basically, they offer policy plans that cover specific medical conditions in pets. In selecting the best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, we will x-ray each insurance plan, its cost alongside its terms and conditions.
#9. 24 Pet Watch
24 Pet watch offers a pet insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions. This is only possible if the pet has not shown symptoms after 24 months.
It is one of the best because it offers a high annual limit and pre-existing conditions are re-considered after 24 months symptom-free.
Also, coverage includes trip cancellation and boarding. And, you can visit any licensed veterinarian. Its notable cons include its expensive premiums and age limits for dogs and cats.
The starting price for a pet insurance policy from 24 Pet watches is $340 per year.
#8. Trupanion Policy
Trupanion is underwritten by the American Pet Insurance company. It offers a policy that covers pre-existing conditions.
This insurance policy is one simple plan that gives 90% coverage. Pet owners who adopt the Trupanion policy gets comprehensive coverage without anxiety. The coverage is designed to ease financial commitment in a time of worry.
Other unique incentives that come with this package include no payout limits and direct payments. There is no exact amount for pet insurance. To get a quote, you need to visit the official website. Afterwards, input the details of your pet.
Based on the information you provide, a quotation is sent to. However, dog insurance cost at Trupanion is $38.89 per month for a $1, 000 deductible. A one-year-old female mixed-breed dog weighing between 50 and 90 pounds may cost $155.34 per month for a $0 deductible.
Enrol for this coverage now.
#7. Pets Assure
Pet assure is a great option for pets with pre-existing conditions. Although it is not a pet insurance company, it has a great offer for pets with pre-existing conditions.
Pet Assure is a veterinary discount plan that offers you discounts on vet care for your pets. It is simple, efficient, and all-inclusive.
Interestingly, you do not need to submit past vet records nor do you need to prove your pet is healthy. Pet Assure accepts all types of pets including dogs, cats, birds, horses etc.
To get pricing for your pets insurance, click the button below.
#6. Pet Plan
Pet plan approaches pre-existing conditions uniquely. Basically, they ask about any pre-existing condition once your application comes in. From your application, they decide out rightly if they will insure your pet or not. It insures over 1.3 million dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses.
With a pet plan, pet owners looking forward to insuring their pets with a pre-existing condition can get one of three replies below.
- Get cover for pre-existing condition if it happens again
- Policy can’t cover pre-existing condition but may sometime in future
- Policy can’t cover Pre-existing condition
#5. Lemonade
Lemonade prides itself on being America’s most loved homeowners insurance. It offers a zero-hassle, great prices pet insurance policy. Interestingly, it is trusted by your lender.
It offers insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions. However, there are specific terms and condition and pricing is based on each case. To know how much this pet insurance policy costs, click the button below to get an insurance quote.
#4. ASPCA Pet Insurance Coverage
ASPCA offers a complete coverage plan which oversees pre-existing conditions. This plan covers exam fees, treatment, hereditary conditions and behavioural issues.
Basically, pet owners may choose to get reimbursed for 70%, 80%, or 90% of their covered bill. They can also choose deductible of $100, $250, or $500. Benefits limits for this coverage will include $3,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or unlimited.
#3. Spot Pet Insurance
With a score of 91 out of 100, spot pet insurance is one of the best pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions.
According to “this old house”, Spot has amazing customer service, plan options, overall coverage and is quite affordable. Its pet insurance policy has 70%, 80%, and 90% reimbursement packages.
And, a maximum annual coverage of $2,500, $4,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, Unlimited. Annual deductible of $100, $250, $500, $750, $1,000 also exists. Its pet insurance policy covers for chronic issues.
This policy states that if your pet has a pre-existing condition that is curable, you will be eligible for preventive pet coverage options.
However, the pre-existing condition of your pet must have been treated and has been symptom free and treatment free for 180 days. Click the button below to get free quote.
#2. Embrace Pet Insurance
Embrace offers pet insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions. However, the coverage options are determined by the severity and if the condition is curable.
In fact, Embrace is one of the few companies that distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. The policy allows for great long term coverage.
For curable pre-existing conditions, your pet may get covered if the pet goes 12 months symptoms and treatment free.
Embrace offers $5,000, $8,000, $10,000, $15,000, $30,000 maximum annual coverage. Deductible choices of $200, $300, $500, $750, $1,000 also exist with reimbursement choices of 70% – 90%.
#1. Pets Plan
Pets Best insurance policy is the best for pets with pre-existing conditions. They offers three general types of plans, accident-only coverage, accident and illness, and wellness benefits. It offers a $5, 000 or unlimited maximum annual coverage.
Also, it offers deductible choices of $50, $100, $200, $250, $500, $1,000 which makes a great choice for deductibles. Reimbursement choices range from 70% to 90%.
To get pricing and quotation, click the button below.
Conclusion
Pet insurance helps you cut costs. However, for pets with pre-existing conditions finding the best insurance plan can be tactical.
Lying about pre-existing conditions in your pet is considered fraud. And, it is punishable by law. This article answers all pertinent questions as regards pet insurance for pets with pre-existing conditions.