At a glance
Looking for pet insurance with cover for pre-existing conditions? Here are the main need-to-knows:
Policies that cover pre-existing conditions typically have substantial limitations.
Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions is likely to be very expensive.
Failure to declare any pre-existing conditions could invalidate your cover.
Shopping around and comparing quotes could help you find more affordable pet insurance, even if your pet has a pre-existing condition.
What is a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue that developed before you took out your pet’s insurance policy. There are two types:
Chronic conditions: these are conditions that can’t be cured and need constant ongoing treatment or medication – for example, diabetes, cancer or epilepsy. Pedigree dogs are particularly at risk of developing ongoing medical issues, such as hip dysplasia.
Historic conditions: illnesses or injuries your pet has had in the past, which it has now recovered from. This could be anything from ear or eye infections to digestive problems and skin allergies.
Typically, when it comes to pet insurance, a pre-existing condition is any medical issue your pet has been diagnosed with or received treatment for in the past. What’s considered a pre-existing condition for pet insurance may differ among insurance providers, though, so read your policy carefully.
Does my pet insurance cover me for pre-existing conditions?
Pet insurance policies typically won’t cover pre-existing conditions. That said, some do but with exceptions. Polices fall into three groups:
Pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions if you haven’t claimed for that condition, or your pet hasn’t had symptoms of it, in a specified time period.
Pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions but with very limited cover.
Pet insurance that doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions at all.
Some insurance providers will cover new treatment arising from a pre-existing condition, as long as your pet hasn’t been treated for that illness in a specified amount of time.
Other policies may exclude treatment for a condition that results from or is linked to a pre-existing condition, even if your pet recovered and has been in good health since.
Pet insurance for a pet with chronic conditions
If your pet has a chronic condition, you may find it harder to get cover for that condition from a new provider.
Examples of chronic conditions in cats and dogs include:
Diabetes
Constipation
Allergies
Obesity
Cancer
Asthma
Epilepsy.
If your pet has a chronic long-term condition that requires regular, expensive treatment, it’s unlikely you’ll find an insurance provider that will cover you for that condition. And if you did, the premiums would likely be very high.
If you’re struggling to find a policy that will cover your pet’s condition, it’s worth asking your vet if they can recommend an insurance provider who could help.
Pet insurance for a pet with bilateral conditions
Bilateral conditions are those that affect both sides of the body – for instance, hip dysplasia or cruciate injuries. Certain pedigree breeds, such as Labradors and German Shepherds, are prone to hip dysplasia.
If hip dysplasia appears in one hip, it will probably count as a pre-existing condition on your pet insurance if it later appears in the other. This could mean that you’ll find it difficult to get cover for that condition in future.
Pet insurance for a pet with congenital conditions
Congenital conditions are those your pet was born with, which are likely passed down through their genes.
These are more common in pedigree dogs and pedigree cats. Pugs, for example, are commonly born with stenotic nares (abnormally narrow nostrils) as well as other medical conditions.
Breeds such as pugs, which are known to suffer with congenital conditions, are likely to be more expensive to insure over their lifetime. You might even find that many pet insurance providers refuse to cover you for these conditions.
Do I have to declare my pet’s conditions?
Yes, it always pays to be honest and upfront about any pre-existing conditions when you compare pet insurance.
If you try to claim for vet treatment and your insurance provider finds that it’s linked to a pre-existing condition that you failed to disclose, it could cancel your pet insurance policy. This could leave you with a hefty vet bill to cover.
Your insurance provider will ask to see your pet’s vet records when you make a claim. This means it will find out if you’ve failed to disclose any pre-existing conditions.
Does pet insurance increase over time?
If you take out a pet insurance policy when your pet is young, you’ll probably find that your insurance provider starts to increase your premiums over time.
Or you may find that it adds additional limits, a higher excess or exclusions as your pet becomes susceptible to age-related conditions.
Always check your level of cover with your insurance provider.
If your pet insurance premiums start to go up because of long-term illnesses, it can be tempting to cancel your cover. But this could be risky as medication and treatments can be extremely expensive, and you could end up covering the cost yourself.
For example, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates that the cost of treating elbow dysplasia in large dog breeds can be more than £50,000.
Will pet insurance continue to cover an illness if I renew the policy?
Whether your policy continues to cover you for the same condition depends on the type of policy you’ve bought and its limits.
If you want to keep covering the condition, you may find that your annual premium goes up when it’s time to renew.
If you can’t afford the increased premiums, you could look for a specialist policy that covers your pet’s condition. Or you could choose to take out pet insurance that excludes that condition but covers you for any new illnesses or injuries.
If you’re not sure whether renewing your pet insurance policy will cover you for a pre-existing illness, check with your insurance provider.
Will my pet insurance cover any new chronic conditions?
Your pet insurance policy should cover treatment for any new conditions that your pet develops after you take out your policy, unless you opt for accident-only cover.
The cover you get for your pet’s condition will vary depending on the type of policy you choose and the policy limits and terms:
A maximum benefit policy will cover your pet’s new condition for treatment up to a certain limit
A time-limited policy will cover your pet for up to 12 months from when the condition is diagnosed or until the policy end date, whichever is sooner
A lifetime policy will cover your pet up to a maximum limit each year.
My pet has a pre-existing condition, how can I reduce the cost of my pet insurance?
If your pet has a pre-existing condition, you could potentially lower the cost of your pet insurance by:
Shopping around for pet insurance that offers limited cover for pre-existing conditions
Switching to a new pet insurance policy without cover for pre-existing conditions.
But you’ll need to be comfortable with having very limited or no cover on your pet insurance for your pet’s pre-existing condition. This could prove costly in the long run.
Can I get quotes for pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions at Compare the Market?
No, we currently don’t offer cover for pets that includes pre-existing conditions.
Start comparing quotes to check out cover for your cat or dog.
FAQs
Will my pet insurance cover existing conditions that were undiagnosed when I took out my policy?
If your pet was showing symptoms before you took out insurance, it’s unlikely you’ll be covered if they are then diagnosed for a condition that requires ongoing treatment.
Most pet insurance policies will also include a waiting period at the start of the policy (often 14 days). So, they won’t cover any illnesses that are diagnosed within this time frame.
How can I find out if a pre-existing condition is covered?
To find out if your pet’s medical issue is covered, check your policy documents and read the terms of any policy carefully before you buy.
Bear in mind that even those pet insurance policies that do cover pre-existing conditions will normally come with substantial limitations.
For example, they might not cover any ongoing care or treatment your four-legged friend needs for its existing condition, such as repeat prescriptions, continuing therapy or regular tests and scans to monitor their condition.
I can’t afford to treat my pet’s existing condition. What can I do?
If the cost of treating your pet becomes a real issue for you, contact an animal charity such as Blue Cross or the PDSA, who may be able to help.
The RSPCA could also help you find financial assistance for your pet’s treatment depending on where you live.
How can I make a complaint to my pet insurance provider?
If you believe your pet’s condition has been wrongly classed as pre-existing, you could complain to your insurance provider. It may help if you can get your vet to write a statement supporting your claim.
If you’re not happy with the response from your insurance provider or it fails to respond in eight weeks, you could take your case to the Financial Ombudsman. They will review the policy wording and the evidence and make a final decision on your case.
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Allie has spent her career helping people quickly understand complicated topics, to help them save money and focus on what matters. With almost 10 years’ experience writing, leading and managing content, she is an expert in personal finance and insurance products.
Stephen Maunder is an experienced personal finance editor, having spent more than a decade working for consumer print and online titles. He won several industry awards for his personal finance features at Which?, before becoming Deputy Editor at Compare the Market.
Amy helps make sure you get the best value when choosing insurance. Thanks to more than four years’ experience at Compare the Market, she understands what people look for, working closely with insurance providers to offer you deals and services that are fair, easy to understand and right for your needs.
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