1-Is There pet insurance without waiting period?
A waiting period in pet insurance refers to the time frame between purchasing a policy and when the coverage actually kicks in. For instance, if your policy has a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and your dog develops an ear infection two days after getting the insurance, the costs for treating the infection won’t be covered.
Typically, the waiting period for illnesses averages around 14 days, though accident coverage usually has a shorter waiting period. Notably, companies like Embrace, Paw Protect, MetLife, and Figo offer some of the shortest waiting periods for accidents.
In the case of specific orthopedic conditions, such as hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament issues, some insurers enforce a longer waiting period, often ranging from six to 12 months. However, there are insurers like ASCPA, ManyPets, Pumpkin, and Spot that do not impose an extended waiting period for these conditions. Additionally, insurers like Embrace may waive this extended period if an orthopedic exam is completed.
Can I Get Pet Insurance With Immediate Coverage?
While pet insurance doesn’t provide immediate coverage, some companies do offer very quick activation for accident coverage. For example, MetLife begins accident coverage at midnight Eastern Time on the day after you sign up. Likewise, Embrace and Paw Protect start their accident coverage just a minute past midnight the next day.
When it comes to coverage for illnesses, most insurers have a standard 14-day waiting period. However, if you’re transitioning from another pet insurance provider, ManyPets offers a shorter option, reducing their usual 15-day waiting period for both accidents and illnesses to just 24 hours.
If your focus is on accident-only plans, the top emergency pet insurance providers often feature quick activation for accidents, 24/7 telehealth services for pets, direct vet payments, and coverage
Pet Insurance Providers with the Quickest Waiting Periods :
If you’re looking for pet insurance with the shortest waiting times for coverage, here are some top options:
- MetLife: Accident coverage starts at midnight (ET) the day after you purchase a policy.
- Embrace: Accident coverage becomes active at 12:01 a.m. (ET) the day following your policy purchase.
- Paw Protect: Coverage for accidents kicks in at 12:01 a.m. (ET) the day after you buy a policy.
- ManyPets: If you’re switching from another pet insurance provider, they offer a reduced waiting period for accidents and illnesses to just 24 hours.
- Figo: Features a 1-day waiting period for accident coverage.
- AKC: Offers a 2-day waiting period for accident coverage.
- Felix: Has a 2-day waiting period for accident coverage, but is only available for cats.
- Lemonade: Provides a 2-day waiting period for accident coverage.
Certain pet insurance providers offer the option to reduce or waive extended waiting periods if your pet undergoes a veterinary examination within a specified timeframe. Here are some examples:
- Embrace: The extended waiting period can be reduced to 14 days if an orthopedic exam is completed for your pet within the first 14 days of the policy start date.
- Paw Protect: Similar to Embrace, they will reduce the extended waiting period to 14 days if your pet has an orthopedic exam within the initial 14 days of coverage.
- Figo: They will waive the extended waiting period for orthopedic conditions if a veterinarian signs a waiver within the first 30 days of the policy.
- Prudent Pet: They will waive the extended waiting period for knee or ligament issues if your pet successfully passes a veterinary exam within the first 30 days of coverage.
2-Pet insurance with pre existing conditions
Pet insurance policies generally exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, which are defined as any medical issues that were present before the policy’s effective date or arose during the waiting period. However, some insurers offer partial coverage or exceptions under specific circumstances. Here’s an overview of how different pet insurance companies handle pre-existing conditions:
- Pets Best: Covers curable pre-existing conditions, excluding knee and ligament issues, if the pet has been symptom and treatment-free for 180 days.
- Embrace: Offers coverage for curable pre-existing conditions if the pet has been symptom and treatment-free for 12 months.
- Felix: May cover pre-existing conditions after a 365-day waiting period, provided the treatment occurs after this period.
- Fetch: Covers curable pre-existing conditions if the pet shows no symptoms within 12 months from the policy’s start date.
- Figo: Recommends contacting customer service to determine if curable pre-existing conditions are eligible for coverage after being symptom-free for 12 months post-treatment.
- Healthy Paws: Does not cover curable pre-existing conditions.
- Lemonade: Covers pre-existing conditions that have been cured and resolved for at least 12 months, with eligibility requirements varying by state.
- Nationwide: Offers a review for cured pre-existing conditions, and exceptions may be made.
- Paw Protect: Covers curable pre-existing conditions if the pet has been free of symptoms and treatment for 12 months.
- Spot: Covers curable conditions if the pet has been symptom and treatment-free for 180 days, excluding knee and ligament conditions.
- Trupanion: Does not cover any pre-existing conditions.
These policies vary in their definitions and requirements, so it’s essential to read the fine print and consult directly with the insurance providers to understand the specifics of coverage.
3-Pet insurance with No Waiting Period and pre existing conditions
finding pet insurance without waiting period and pre existing conditions can be challenging, but it is possible with some providers offering unique policies and exceptions. It’s crucial to thoroughly review the terms and conditions of each plan, especially if your pet has pre-existing health issues. By choosing the right coverage, you can ensure your pet receives the necessary care without unexpected financial burdens, providing peace of mind and comprehensive protection for your furry friend.
| Company | Waiting Period | Pre-existing Conditions Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Pets Best | 180 days | Curable pre-existing conditions (except for knee and ligament conditions) if your pet is free of symptoms and treatments for 180 days. |
| Embrace | 12 months | Curable pre-existing conditions if your pet is symptom and treatment free for 12 months. |
| Felix | 365 days | Pre-existing conditions may be eligible after a 365 day waiting period and only for treatment that occurs after the waiting period. |
| Fetch | 12 months | Curable pre-existing conditions if your pet does not show any symptoms within 12 months from the day you purchased your plan. |
| Figo | 12 months | Figo recommends you call their Customer Experience to determine if your pet’s curable pre-existing conditions qualify for coverage after being symptom free within 12 months of last treatment. |
| Healthy Paws | None | Does not cover curable pre-existing conditions. |
| Lemonade | 12 months | Pre-existing conditions that have been cured and resolved for at least 12 months. Eligibility requirements depend on your state. |
| Lemonade | 18 months | Curable conditions that have been treated by a vet and resolved for at least 18 months. |
| Lemonade | Varies | Curable pre-existing conditions when they have been resolved and free of symptoms for a period of time. |
| Nationwide | Varies | You can ask Nationwide to review pre-existing conditions that have been cured and an exception may be added. |
| Paw Protect | 12 months | Curable pre-existing conditions if the condition has been free of symptoms and treatment for 12 months. |
| Pets Best | 180 days | Curable pre-existing conditions (except for knee and ligament conditions) if the condition has been free of symptoms and treatment for 180 days. |
| Spot | 180 days | Curable conditions if your pet was free of symptoms and professional treatment for 180 days (except for knee and ligament conditions). |
| Trupanion | None | Does not cover any pre-existing conditions. |
