Are pre-existing conditions covered?

Generally no, conditions diagnosed before coverage begins are excluded from most pet insurance policies.

Pre-existing conditions are health issues that a pet has before you apply for insurance coverage. Most pet insurance companies define a pre-existing condition as any illness, injury, or health problem that is present before the start of your policy. Because insurance is meant to cover unforeseen and unexpected events, pre-existing conditions are typically not covered by standard pet insurance policies. This means that if your pet is diagnosed with a condition such as diabetes or arthritis before you purchase an insurance plan, any treatments related to these conditions will likely be excluded from coverage. Some insurers might offer coverage for certain 'curable' pre-existing conditions after a waiting period, provided there are no recurring symptoms, but this is not common and policies can vary.

Imagine you have a dog named Bella, who has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia before you decided to get her insured. When you shop around for pet insurance, you'll find that this particular condition, along with any treatment, surgery, or therapy related to it, won't be covered by the insurance. This is because it was diagnosed before the insurance policy came into effect. So, any costs arising from Bella's hip dysplasia will have to be handled out-of-pocket.

When considering pet insurance, it's crucial to get your pet insured when they are healthy and young to avoid issues with pre-existing conditions. Always read the terms and conditions of the insurance policy to understand what is covered and excluded. If your pet already has a pre-existing condition, you might want to look for insurers that offer customizable plans or a limited coverage option for such conditions, although these policies might be rare. Keeping detailed medical records and discussing options with your vet can also help manage costs effectively.