Does Pet Insurance Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?
As with other pet insurance plans, Pets Best plans have some exclusions in order to keep prices affordable. This includes exclusions for pre-existing conditions. However, we still accept dogs and cats with pre-existing conditions and can help keep unrelated veterinary expenses manageable for thousands of other covered conditions.
What is Considered a Pre-Existing Condition for a Pet?
A pre-existing condition for dog or cat insurance is any illness or injury that begins before your pet insurance policy's effective date or during your waiting period. Some conditions, like broken legs or kennel cough, heal or are curable and require no further treatment. Once healed or cured, these conditions are no longer considered pre-existing by Pets Best and can be covered by your plan should they reoccur.
Common curable pre-existing conditions in dogs and cats include:
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Bruises
- Sprains
- Upper respiratory infections
- Dental fractures
- Pyometra
Incurable pre-existing conditions include illnesses that require life-long care or extended treatments and care. Some incurable conditions include:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Bladder crystals
- Allergies
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Epilepsy
- Arthritis
- Hip dysplasia
Common Pre-Existing Conditions in Cats
- Cystitis or urinary tract disease
- Periodontitis/Tooth infection
- Gastropathy
- Renal disease or failure
- Enteropathy
- Hyperthyroidism
- Feline upper respiratory infection
- Diabetes mellitus
- Valvular heart disease or murmur
Common Pre-Existing Conditions in Dogs
- Atopic or allergic dermatitis
- Otitis externa
- Benign skin neoplasia
- Pyoderma
- Enteropathy
- Gastropathy
- Degenerative arthritis
- Periodontitis/Tooth infection
- Cystitis or urinary tract infection
- Anal gland sacculitis/Expression
What if a Condition Has Not Been Diagnosed Yet?
If your pet hasn’t been diagnosed by a veterinarian, they still may have conditions that could be considered pre-existing due to the timing of the when the condition first occurred. For example, if your dog started itching its ears in May, and after a few days they seemed to stop this behavior, it might mean they had an allergic reaction and had a mild ear infection. If you didn’t take your dog to the vet, the underlying condition of allergies may have gone undiagnosed. Fast forward to July and you’re ready to purchase pet insurance. Your dog starts itching their ear again and you take them in to find out your pet has another ear infection likely caused by allergies. This condition would be considered pre-existing because it first happened before the policy effective date.
How Pets Best Can Help Pets with Pre-Existing Conditions
We understand that pre-existing conditions can be difficult to understand when it comes to selecting pet insurance for your dog or cat and providing the best care for your pet. Although pre-existing conditions aren’t covered, Pets Best Accident and Illness plans can cover thousands of other conditions, making pet insurance worth your while. No matter the pre-existing condition or past medical history, we are always happy to help you find the accident and illness coverage that fits your budget and your pet’s needs.
For pets with a pre-existing condition, combining a Pets Best pet insurance policy with a CareCredit credit card can give you the flexibility you need to provide your pet the best care possible at CareCredit enrolled providers.* Together, Pets Best and CareCredit offer a complete financial solution to help you provide a lifetime of care for your pet.
Let us know how we can help you and your pet get the coverage they need to keep on wagging or purring.
Start protecting your loved ones today!
*Subject to credit approval.
This content is subject to change without notice and offered for informational use only. You are urged to consult with your individual medical providers with respect to any information presented. Pets Best and any of its affiliates, including CareCredit, (collectively, “Synchrony”) makes no representations or warranties regarding this content and accepts no liability for any loss or harm arising from the use of the information provided. Your receipt of this material and/or participation in this presentation constitutes your acceptance of these terms and conditions.