Pre-Existing Conditions Pet Insurance

If your pet has a pre-existing medical condition, it can be difficult to get cover for that particular illness or complaint with a standard pet insurance policy.

Instead, you may have to turn to a specialist insurer that will offer pet insurance for pre-existing conditions.  

Here, we explain all you need to know about pre-existing conditions pet insurance.   

What is pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?

Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions is a type of pet insurance designed to cover any medical issues your pet suffers from before taking out a policy.

The majority of standard pet insurance policies will automatically exclude pre-existing conditions from the outset, meaning your cat or dog won’t be covered if you have to make a claim due to that illness.

In some cases, you may find a standard policy that covers pre-existing conditions providing you haven’t made a claim for that condition for more than two years.

But should you want more comprehensive insurance for your pet’s medical issue, pre-existing conditions pet insurance is likely to be the more appropriate choice.   

What is a pre-existing medical condition?

The definition of a pre-existing medical condition varies depending on the provider, so it’s important to read your policy documents carefully.

Most often it’s defined as a condition that occurred before the insurance policy was bought. But it may also be defined as a condition that is caused by, results from, or is closely related to, a condition your pet had before you bought cover.

What pre-existing medical conditions can be covered?

Each insurer has a list of the pre-existing medical conditions that it covers, so be sure to check before buying a policy.

If you can’t find a particular condition on the policy documents, contact the insurer to find out whether it’s covered.

Policies can cover your pet for:

• Chronic conditions: illnesses that can’t be cured and require ongoing treatment, such as diabetes, cancer, allergies and arthritis
• Historic conditions: illnesses or injuries your pet had previously but no longer suffers from, such as recurring joint pain
• Bi-lateral conditions: conditions that affect both sides of your pet’s body, such as hip dysplasia
• Hereditary or congenital conditions: illnesses or conditions passed down from your pet’s family, probably due to breeding, such as heart disease.

How do I find pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?

To find pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, you’ll need to shop around and compare quotes carefully, ensuring you check which conditions are covered. If you’re struggling to find cover, it may be worth asking your vet whether they know of an insurer who could help.

You will also need to check the excess on the policy. This is the amount you will need to pay towards the cost of any claim you make, and it tends to get higher as your pet gets older.

Many policies give you the option to increase your excess to lower your premiums, but it’s important not to push your excess so high you couldn’t afford to pay it in the event of a claim.

Bear in mind that you may only need to pay the excess for each new condition you make a claim for, so if you are claiming for a continued condition in the same policy period, the excess may only be applied once.

Do I have to declare my pet’s pre-existing conditions?

Yes, it’s crucial that you are honest about any pre-existing conditions your pet has when taking out insurance. If you don’t declare a pre-existing condition, any future claims you make are likely to be rejected, and your cover could be cancelled.

Will my pet insurance policy cover new conditions?

Yes, your existing pet insurance policy will cover any new conditions your dog or cat develops. How long this cover will last, however, will depend on the policy type.

If you have a maximum benefit policy, your pet will be covered for a condition up to a set amount and once you exceed this limit, you won’t be able to make any further claims for that condition.

If you have a time-limited policy, each condition will be covered for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the first treatment – assuming the policy is renewed. There is also usually a maximum claim limit.

If you have a lifetime policy, there will be a limit to how much you can claim for each illness or injury which either resets each year or lasts for your pet’s lifetime.

What happens if I want to change insurer?

If your pet has a pre-existing condition, you may find it difficult to change insurer as your new insurer may not provide cover for that particular medical issue.

What’s more, if you’ve claimed on an existing policy, you may find it harder to get a new pet insurance policy at a competitive price. You may therefore find it preferable to stick with your existing insurer.

What alternatives to pre-existing conditions pet insurance?

If you don’t want to take out pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, one alternative is to self-insure. This simply means putting a sum of money into a savings account each month which you can then use to pay veterinary costs should your pet need treatment.

The downside of self-insurance for pre-existing conditions is that you would need to build up a sizeable savings pot to cover the bills.

Alternatively, there are veterinary charities, such as the PDSA or RSPCA, that may be able to help you cover your pet’s condition. However, these are often oversubscribed, and you will need to meet certain criteria, relating to your income or location, to qualify.