We offer cover for pets with pre-existing conditions through our partner providers – just click through your preferred option below and answer a few questions to get a quote for your pet.
Pet insurance for pre-existing medical conditions is a type of pet insurance designed for people whose pets already have a medical condition before they take out an insurance policy.
Specific definitions might vary between insurers, but most categorise a pre-existing condition as:
If your pet has a pre-existing illness or injury you’ll still be able to take out pet insurance, but it’s unlikely that your insurer will cover veterinary treatment for that particular condition, as there is too much risk that the condition might flare up again.
Because pre-existing conditions are excluded from most pet insurance policies, you’ll need to look for specialised cover if you want to be covered for those conditions. You should bear in mind that if you do find a policy that covers pre-existing conditions, you might not be able to claim immediately, or receive full cover.
Cover for pre-existing conditions is also likely to be more expensive and more restrictive than a standard pet insurance policy.
The exact list of pre-existing medical conditions covered by a pet insurance policy will vary between insurers, which is why it’s important to check all policy documents and compare providers. This way you’ll be sure of what’s covered and what’s not, to ensure it meets your needs.
Insurers try and draw a distinction between several categories of ongoing health conditions in pets.
Examples of chronic conditions that cats and dogs can suffer from include:
Some insurers will provide a limited amount of cover if your pet’s pre-existing condition has been treatment and advice free for a specified period.
We have some providers that may be able to offer you a quote in this circumstance.
Once you have claimed on a pet insurance policy, you may find it more difficult to switch to a new insurer because it’s unlikely they’ll offer the same cover for the same condition.
This cover can often be very expensive, however if you do go to a new provider and you lose your cover for the pre-existing condition, this could be a way to bring the policy price down.
Aside from cover for pre-existing conditions, you’ll still be able to take advantage of other benefits pet insurance can provide – including:
Pet insurance can often be quite expensive, but there are some ways to mitigate the cost. One is to offer to self-fund certain common conditions which are inexpensive to treat. Your insurer will reward you with cheaper premiums because they know they’re not going to be liable for the cost of ongoing treatment should your pet fall ill.
Thyroid pills are a good example of this. If your dog develops a thyroid problem, it will probably work out cheaper in the long run to buy the treatment yourself and leave it out of your policy.
If you’re struggling to find an insurance policy that will cover your pet’s condition and vet fees are looking high, you might be able to apply for funding help from veterinary charities. Many will have certain criteria you need to meet relating to income or location, but it’s always worth enquiring to see if you’ll qualify.
Ready to save on your pet insurance? Or need to know more before you get a quote? We’re here to help.
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