Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions and illnesses

At a glance

• It can be possible to source pet insurance if your pet has pre-existing health conditions, but the options will be more limited and it will likely be expensive.
• There may be conditions attached, such as your pet should have been symptom-free for a certain length of time.
• Failing to disclose pre-existing conditions could render the policy invalid.

Getting pet insurance can be a great way to help keep your pet healthy without footing expensive veterinary bills, but what if they already have an illness?

Many insurers exclude pre-existing conditions from their policies, which means sourcing suitable pet insurance can be difficult – but not impossible. Let’s take a closer look.

Can you get pet insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Yes, but it may be more difficult to find a suitable policy as your options are likely to be far more limited, with higher premiums than for standard policies.

Some insurers won’t cover any existing condition at all if your pet was officially diagnosed or even just showing symptoms before taking out cover, and this can include conditions that your pet has recovered from – if there’s a chance of it recurring, insurance will be more difficult to find.

However, others are more flexible and may be able to provide some form of cover if your pet has a pre-existing illness.

Most policies have an “initial period” after you take out the policy, typically around 14 days, during which time any illnesses or conditions that are diagnosed won’t be covered. This is why many pet owners choose to take out cover when their pet is younger, as the older the animal, the higher the chances of them developing a health condition.

Can you get pet insurance covering pre-existing conditions?

Some specialist insurers may be able to provide cover for certain conditions. For example, some insurers are able to offer time-limited cover for past conditions, provided your pet hasn’t displayed any symptoms or had treatment for the condition for a certain amount of time (this can also be known as a historic condition).

Others are able to provide specialist cover for ongoing treatment of a long-term condition, but this will likely be from specialist insurers and will almost certainly be more expensive with a number of additional terms (such as a higher excess).

Check the terms of an insurer and its policies if you want to see whether a particular condition or illness will be included in the cover.

Do you have to tell pet insurers about pre-existing conditions?

Yes. This is a condition of your contract, and if you’re found out, your policy could be null and void.

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to hide the condition anyway. Insurers can see your pet’s medical records and will be able to find out if they’ve had previous treatment, and they can also ask vets for their opinion over the condition of your pet.

If you fail to disclose a previous condition – or anything else that the insurer deems necessary – any claim that you make for it will likely be rejected, and because you’ve broken the contract, you could have your whole policy cancelled.

What is a pre-existing condition for pets?

A pre-existing condition is typically classed as any condition that your pet was diagnosed with, or displayed symptoms of, prior to the policy being taken out. This applies whether or not they had any treatment for it.

Note that this can also apply to conditions that are diagnosed during the policy – you’ll be able to claim treatment for the condition during the existing policy term, but when it’s time to renew, it may count as a pre-existing condition and be excluded.

There are different types of pre-existing conditions too:

Congenital or hereditary conditions are those that your pet inherited from its parents, such as hip dysplasia or epilepsy. They’re particularly likely to affect pedigree breeds, and if you have a breed that is known to suffer from certain conditions, it’ll probably be more expensive to insure, and your provider may not even cover your pet for those conditions.

Chronic conditions are those that are likely to be lifelong issues that require continued treatment, such as allergies, arthritis, cancer or diabetes. Insurance for these conditions is likely to be expensive – if they’re covered at all – and insurers may limit the amount of cover for these conditions, either annually or over your pet’s lifetime.

Historic conditions are those that your pet had in the past but no longer suffers from, though there’s the chance it could recur. These could be anything from eye infections to digestive problems. Though this can also apply to any condition that develops as a result of a previous illness or injury, and as such may not be covered.

Different insurers often have different definitions of what counts as a pre-existing condition. Make sure to read the small print thoroughly of any insurance policy you’re taking out so you know exactly what’s covered, and crucially, what isn’t.

What pre-existing conditions aren’t covered?

This will depend on your insurer. Some won’t insure any pre-existing conditions at all, while others may be able to offer a certain amount of cover, though there will likely be limitations and premiums will almost certainly be higher. Always check with your insurer if you’re unsure about what pre-existing conditions are and aren’t covered.

What happens if you don’t disclose your pet’s pre-existing condition?

If you don’t disclose a pre-existing condition, any claim you make for that condition won’t be upheld, and your entire policy could be invalidated. This not only means that you’ll need to pay to cover the cost of any treatment now, but it could make it more difficult to find a policy in the future. So while it may seem tempting to “forget” about a condition your pet suffers from in order to reduce your premiums, it probably won’t be cost-effective in the long long-run.

Changing pet insurance with pre-existing conditions

If your pet has a pre-existing condition, it can make it more difficult to switch insurance providers, but not impossible. It means that you’ll need to either look for a policy that will offer cover for the condition (the more expensive option), or one that excludes it (the cheaper option), and it’s important to weigh up the options carefully.

Make sure to consider if it’s really worth switching though. For example, if you’ve got a lifetime policy and your pet develops a chronic condition, it might be worth staying put, as moving elsewhere means it may not be covered. The flip side is that you may be able to switch to a specialist provider that can offer the cover you need; it’s all about comparing the options and checking the small print of each policy you’re considering.

Is it worth getting pet insurance with a pre-existing condition?

Is it really worth getting pet insurance if there are pre-existing conditions involved? Let’s break it down.

It’s all about weighing up the options to see what works best for you and your pet, and crucially, your finances. Always compare the options thoroughly so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money, and get the reassurance you need.

See our guide on whether it's worth getting pet insurance.

Ready to compare policies? Head to our pet insurance comparison chart to get started.