What Is A Curable Versus Incurable Condition
There is another distinction that insurance companies often make when trying to decide if a condition can be covered. A curable condition is one that can be successfully treated, resulting in a full recovery that leads to a healthy state in your animal. An incurable condition, on the other hand, is often going to result in a chronic problem needing continuous care. There are no cures for these health conditions, and some companies will not only exclude them from coverage, but many even refuse to insure your pet altogether if he is suffering from one.
What’s excluded :
Will My Pet Insurance Policy Cover New Conditions
Yes, your existing pet insurance policy will cover any new conditions your dog or cat develops. How long this cover will last, however, will depend on the policy type.
If you have a maximum benefit policy, your pet will be covered for a condition up to a set amount and once you exceed this limit, you wont be able to make any further claims for that condition.
If you have a time-limited policy, each condition will be covered for a maximum of 12 months from the date of the first treatment assuming the policy is renewed. There is also usually a maximum claim limit.
If you have a lifetime policy, there will be a limit to how much you can claim for each illness or injury which either resets each year or lasts for your pets lifetime.
What Are Specific Kinds Of Pre
Pre-existing conditions can cover/include a wide range of illnesses and injuries in pets.
What’s included:
- Urinary tract infections, crystals or blockages
- Orthopedic conditions such as luxating patellas, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia
- Complications from previous accidents or trauma
- Chronic conditions requiring continuous care
If any of these conditions were present before you were enrolled in your insurance policy, and they were treated, any further treatment or related complications will not be covered. This includes any further appearances of cancer in a recovered cancer patient. Any bilateral conditions will not be covered if one side had a problem previous to enrollment, such as a luxating patella that was treated in the left leg, then appears in the right leg after your policy begins.
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Why Doesnt Pet Insurance Cover Pre
If pet insurance companies made exceptions for all pre-existing conditions, they would go out of business since the payments going out on all claims would be much higher than the money coming in on premiums. That does not mean they will not cover any condition that takes place before the policy begins.
Many pets will have an illness or injury that takes place prior to their owner buying a policy. In the case that it is not ongoing/chronic, and is a one-time incident that resolves on its own or through treatment, Prudent Pet may cover the illness or injury. Our policy states that if a pre-existing condition is considered cured or resolved by a licensed veterinarian, and 365 days pass without related treatment, any future incident would be considered eligible for coverage. Explore what is covered with Prudent Pet and learn whats best for your special pet!
Are you still not sure if pet insurance is right for your dog or cat? Our FAQs and Pet Insurance 101 can help you decide.
How Do Pet Insurance Companies Know About Preexisting Conditions
Some pet insurance companies require a vet exam prior to enrollment in coverage. If not, pet owners are usually asked to submit their pets medical records when they file a claim. One way or another, your pet insurance provider will need to know about your pets medical history, and from that it can determine whether a condition is preexisting.
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Can I Insure My Pet If They Have A Pre
Yes, you can still get pet insurance with us but pre-existing conditions wonât be covered by any of our cover levels. These are health issues, concerns, illnesses and injuries which you or your vet were aware of before you took out your pet policy.
The same also applies to any pre-existing conditions that your pet is no longer receiving treatment for, as we’ll always consider it to be pre-existing, no matter how long ago the issue occured. This means it won’t be ever covered throughout the entirety of your policy if you decide to insure with us.
Can You Get Pet Insurance After A Diagnosis
Yes, you can still get pet insurance to cover future injuries and/or illnesses, depending on your pet insurance coverage type. The policy simply wouldn’t cover any pre-existing conditions, diagnosed or not. Note that with Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best, if your pet has certain pre-existing severe chronic conditions, your pet may only be eligible for accidental injury coverage.
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Which Pet Insurance Companies Cover Pre
Generally, pet insurance companies do not cover incurable pre-existing conditions such as cancer, diabetes and hip dysplasia. But some pet insurance companies will cover what are considered curable pre-existing conditions, such as bladder infections, diarrhea and ear infections.
Here are examples of pet insurance companies that cover curable pre-existing conditions.
What Is The Best Pet Insurance For Pre
This commonly-asked question is a bit of an oxymoron, and unfortunately, there is no easy answer.
The best pet insurance for you and your pet depends on a variety of factors. From your deductible amount, to your annual coverage limit, to what best suits your pets breed and behavior, there is so much to consider.
Regardless of what pet insurance plan you choose, our best advice is to enroll in one as early as you possibly can! The earlier in your pets life you enroll, the healthier they will likely be which means the more help you can get them throughout the course of their life. So long as you do your homework and find a plan with amazing coverage, you will be one step closer to prioritizing your fur babys health and happiness.
At Pumpkin, we know a thing or two about prioritizing pets health and happiness. Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans help pay back 90% of eligible vet bills for cats and dogs every day. With no upper age or breed restrictions, plus coverage for eligible behavioral issues and even alternative therapies prescribed to treat covered conditions, the plans we offer help get pets the best veterinary care pawsible.
Dont wait fetch a free quote today!
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Best Pet Insurance For Pre
This content was reviewed by our licensed insurance agent, Michelle Schenker.
To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. Our review process.
Will pet insurance cover your dogs pre-existing condition? That depends on what your dogs ailment is. Some pet insurance companies cover certain pre-existing conditions. Find out if your dogs malady is eligible for coverage. And if so, which provider is best for you?
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How Do Pet Insurers Know About Pre
Depending on your insurer, when you submit a pet insurance claim, they will typically request your pet’s medical records to evaluate the claim and determine if the issue predates your waiting period. Always be honest when applying for pet insurance or filing a claim. Withholding known information, like a pre-existing condition, to obtain coverage could be considered insurance fraud.
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Are Hereditary Conditions Considered Preexisting
Hereditary or genetic conditions are considered preexisting if symptoms or a diagnosis arose before enrollment or occurred during the waiting period. Much like any other condition that could affect your pet, as long as the symptoms, treatment or diagnosis occurs after your policy becomes effective, a hereditary condition will most likely be covered.
Can I Get Pet Insurance After A Diagnosis
Yes, you can still buy pet insurance even if your pet has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition. Your pet insurance plan can help pay for medical expenses for health conditions that are not related to your pets pre-existing condition.
For example, if your German Shepherds hip dysplasia wont be covered because it is an incurable pre-existing condition, but your dog develops an upper respiratory infection, medical expenses will be covered by an accident and illness plan.
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Financial Assistance For Pets With Pre
Even though you cant get insurance coverage for your pets pre-existing condition, there are other ways you can prepare for the costs of treatment and reduce your overall vet bills.
Remember I mentioned my own cat, Greyson, having a pre-existing condition?
Pawlicy Advisor has an option to help you reduce the costs of your pets treatment regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition or not. Because of a special partnership with PetAssure, you can get 25% off all your vet bills when you sign up for their Veterinary Discount Plan. Hallelujah!
Keep in mind you can only use this plan with participating vets, so dont hesitate to call your local veterinarians to ask if they participate before enrolling.
UPDATE: Pawlicy Advisor launched another free tool to help you afford your vet bill. Get matched to a charity program you might be eligible for 🙂
Lastly, its important to prepare financially if your pet has a pre-existing condition that isnt covered by insurance. Research the average yearly and lifetime costs of your pets condition, then put money aside so you can cover your vet bills for preventive care, wellness visits, and emergencies.
I highly recommend leveraging Pawlicy Advisors policy analyzer to ensure youre getting the best bang for your buck when it comes to pet insurance.
The Bottom Line: Should I Purchase Pet Insurance For A Pet With A Preexisting Condition
Even if your pet has a preexisting condition, it is still eligible for pet insurance. Although its current condition may not be eligible for reimbursement, you can still submit claims and receive payouts for any future illnesses or injuries that befall your pet. This will save you from hefty out-of-pocket vet expenses while still getting your loyal companion the care it needs.
As a veterinarian, Dr. Barrett said that she uses pet insurance for her own pets. My German Shepherd tore his CCLhis surgery was $4,000. My insurance company reimbursed me $3,600, she said. They also paid for part of his physical therapy following surgery. Over the years, pet insurance has paid me more than I have paid them.
Each provider on our list has unique features and specific requirements for preexisting conditions. We recommend getting multiple quotes to ensure you get the best coverage for your pets needs and your budget.
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Have You Visited Your Vet In The Last 12 Months
Your policy terms and conditions require you to have a documented visit to the vet in the 12 months before you purchased your policy. Your pet must be examined and documented by a veterinarian for coverage to start. You should get this done as soon as possible so you don’t find yourself without coverage when you need it most.
How Policies Work
Many pet owners believe pet insurance is a variation of human health insurance however, pet insurance is actually a form of property insurance. As such, pet insurance reimburses the owner after the pet has received care and the owner submits a claim to the insurance company. Pet insurance policies primarily cover dogs, cats and horses though more exotic species of animal can obtain coverage.
UK policies may pay 100% of vets fees, but this is not always the case. It is common for UK pet insurance companies to discount their policies by offering customers the chance to pay an “excess”, just as with motor insurance. Excess fees can range from £40 to £100.
Policies in the United States and Canada either pay off a benefit schedule or pay a percentage of the vet costs , after reaching a deductible, depending on the company and the policy. The owner usually pays the amount due to the veterinarian and then sends in the claim form and receives reimbursement, which some companies and policies limit according to their own schedules of necessary and usual charges. For very high bills, some veterinarians allow the owner to put off payment until the insurance claim is processed. Some insurers pay veterinarians directly on behalf of customers. Most American and Canadian policies require the pet owner to submit a request for fees incurred.
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How Is A Pre
The definition of just what constitutes a pre-existing condition can vary from company to company. It is important to find out what the company you are researching considers a pre-existing condition, as you may be able to be covered under certain circumstances.
Most companies consider a pre-existing condition as an illness or injury that was present before the policy begins, or before the end of the waiting period. The waiting period is a feature included in all insurance policies that is intended to prevent fraud, and designates a time frame from the beginning of coverage that any illnesses, accidents or other conditions that may appear will not be covered. There is a tremendous amount of variation in these waiting periods, from a day to 2 weeks for accidents, up to a month for illnesses, and even up to a year for conditions such as hip dysplasia.
Some policies extend this time frame for pre-existing conditions to before your date of enrollment. One policy considers any signs of illness, internal injuries, symptoms, or irregularities within 18 months prior to your enrollment in a policy as evidence of a pre-existing condition.
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Both ASPCA Pet Insurance and Spot cover curable pre-existing conditions that have been free from treatment and symptoms for 180 days before your policys effective date. Ligament and knee conditions are excluded from this. These companies offer the best coverage available for curable pre-existing conditions.
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What Are Some Pre
A pre-existing condition could be just about anything, but some of the most common are allergies, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and epilepsy. Many congenital conditions, which occur at or before birth, are considered pre-existing conditions if they are diagnosed before you get dog insurance.
Should I Just Open A Pet Health Savings Account
Some people recommend that you open a pet health savings account instead of paying monthly premiums, arguing that most policies arent worth the cost over a long period of time, especially when you have a generally healthy animal.
Though its true that most pet owners wont get back in benefits what theyve paid in premiums, this is actually a good thing, since it means your pet was healthy. The idea behind pet insurance is to help defray the costs for emergency treatments that youd have trouble paying for out-of-pocket, and a savings account may not actually be enough to do so.
Many pet owners adopt a three-pronged strategy for financing their pets needs and opt for some insurance for emergencies and unexpected situations, a savings account for wellness care, and either a regular credit card or something like CareCredit for deductibles.
This means theyve covered all the bases and can rest assured that life-and-death decisions for their pet wont be determined by an immediate lack of funds.
Whatever decision you make, bear in mind that since most insurance policies dont offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, it behooves you to insure your animal friend as soon as possible. That way, if any condition does develop, it will happen after its already covered.
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Curable And Incurable Pre
Some pre-existing conditions may be resolved, either on their own or with the care of a veterinarian. A fractured bone, for instance, can eventually heal without causing any long-term health issues. The same may be true for things like ear infections or insect bites.
In the case of a curable pre-existing condition, a pet insurer may choose to extend coverage after a set waiting period. For example, your pet may need to be symptom-free for six to 12 months for the insurance company to consider them cured. During this waiting period, any claims made related to the pre-existing condition would not be covered.
In the case of incurable pre-existing conditions, insurers may choose to limit the coverage offered to pet owners or exclude those conditions entirely. Examples of incurable conditions can include cancer, diabetes, hyper- or hypothyroidism, allergies, and other lasting health conditions.
Why Arent They Covered
When you think about the purpose of most insurance, it makes sense that pre-existing conditions typically arent covered by pet insurance. Insurance is generally intended to protect you for things that might happen in the future, not the past. For instance, if you purchased home insurance today, you would not be able to get reimbursed for repairs due to a flood that happened a few months ago.
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How Can I Avoid A Pre
Theres no way to guarantee that your pet wont have a pre-existing condition, but it can help to enroll in a pet insurance plan sooner rather than later. Our curious, energetic, and playful pets can get injured when you least expect it or get sick out of the blue. The longer you put off enrolling, the more time there is when something could happen to your pet. That injury or illness would then be considered a pre-existing condition and not eligible for coverage.
Hereditary And Congenital Conditions
Many companies cover congenital and hereditary conditions as long as your pet hasnt shown any signs or been diagnosed with one before coverage starts. Some companies even have separate hereditary and congenital coverage policies.
Hereditary conditions are common, especially in purebred animals, and are inherited from a pets parents. Some examples include:
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Urinary blockages, crystals, or idiopathic cystitis
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