A common question pet parents ask when it comes to pet insurance is “why doesn’t pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?” It’s an important question! There are several reasons why pet insurance does not provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. We’ll talk through these reasons to help explain what pet insurance does and does not cover.
What is a pre-existing condition?
First, what is a pre-existing condition? A pre-existing condition is any illness or injury that begins before the policy’s effective date or during a policy waiting period. This includes conditions that have not been diagnosed yet or that you might not be aware of.
What if a condition hasn’t been diagnosed yet?
Cancer is a good example of a condition that can develop slowly over a long period of time, eventually requiring expensive treatment. That’s why it’s important to insure your pet as soon as possible. The sooner your pet is insured, the less likely he or she will develop a pre-existing condition.
What are curable pre-existing conditions?
For pet parents considering pet insurance, very few pet insurance policies provide coverage for pre-existing conditions. If your pet does have a pre-existing condition, pet insurance can still cover thousands of other conditions and unexpected veterinary expenses. New curable conditions like broken bones or kennel cough aren’t considered pre-existing and can be covered outside of waiting periods by a Pets Best pet insurance policy. For more examples of common curable pre-existing conditions see our Pre-Existing Coverage page.
Why aren’t pre-existing conditions covered?
A key reason pet insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions is because it would drive the cost of policies up for all policy holders. Pet health insurance works by insuring thousands of pets and pooling the premiums to take advantage of the law of large numbers: Not all pets will require vet care during the year. Some will have no claims, while others will have large claims. If a pet enters the insurance pool expecting a known medical condition to be covered, it’s a certain cost to the pool. It would be like purchasing car insurance after an accident and expecting the company to pay to repair your car.
How do pre-existing conditions affect a pet’s pet insurance coverage?
Pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage when it comes to pet insurance. Simply stated, any treatment received for a pre-existing condition would not count towards your deductible, nor would it be reimbursed.
Why get pet insurance?
Pre-existing conditions can be a point of confusion when researching pet insurance options. Understanding your pet’s health and medical history can help you decide if pet insurance is right for you and what to expect when it comes to whether a condition will be covered or not. Pet insurance can help you afford the best treatment available and be proactive when it comes to your pet’s health. Pets Best also offers a wide range of pet insurance options to help you customize your coverage, deductible, and overall policy cost.
A Pets Best pet insurance policy can provide you with peace of mind in the event your pet requires veterinary treatment. Learn more about pet health insurance and get a quote to start protecting your pet today!
Terms and conditions apply. See policy for details.