Does pet insurance cover pre-existing respiratory conditions?

There are a few common respiratory conditions that may affect your pet at different times in their lives. Common respiratory conditions can include illnesses like kennel cough, upper respiratory infections, or pneumonia. Regardless of what’s causing your pets respiratory condition, if your pet has signs, symptoms, or an existing diagnosis when you enroll into a pet insurance policy, these will be considered pre-existing and not eligible for coverage. 

There are two prevalent categories of pre-existing conditions: Curable and Incurable. The majority of pet insurance providers offer coverage for curable pre-existing conditions that have remained symptom-free for a consecutive period ranging from 180 days to 12 months depending on the policy.

Curable pre-existing conditions typically involve temporary health concerns that were successfully addressed and resolved prior to your insurance purchase. These can encompass issues such as respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, as well as episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Some pet insurance companies will use the term “temporary condition” instead of “curable condition”.

While pet insurance policies generally do not offer coverage for pre-existing conditions, there are many policies that will cover a pre-existing condition if it is considered curable. Some pet insurance companies will consider a condition cured if it has not required treatment or shown symptoms for a specific period of time such as 180 to 365 consecutive days. In this case, if your pet had a skin condition when you enrolled in your pet insurance policy, but remains cured during this timeframe the next time your pet develops the condition may be considered a new occurrence. Check your specific policy for the timeframe your pet must not have signs or symptoms of their condition to be considered cured.

Can you get pet insurance retroactively?

Pet insurance can be purchased anytime however coverage cannot be provided retroactively. If your pet exhibits signs of an illness or injury prior to obtaining the policy or during the waiting period, it is classified as a pre-existing condition and is generally not eligible for coverage.

Please note that specific coverage details and exclusions may vary depending on the insurance provider and the policy you choose. It’s essential to carefully read the policy terms, ask questions to the insurance provider, and ensure you understand the coverage and limitations before enrolling in a pet insurance policy.