It is very difficult to get pet insurance cover if your pet has an existing medical condition. This is because most standard pet insurance providers exclude pre-existing medical conditions which means you will need to get cover from a specialist insurer. It is for this reason that it is recommended to get insurance for your pet when they are young as a more comprehensive pet insurance policy, such as lifetime pet insurance, may cover your pet if it develops a condition at a later date.
In this article, we take a look at what a pre-existing condition is, what is covered by insurers and what insurers offer pre-existing cover.
What is pet insurance for a pre-existing condition?
Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions will provide cover for your pet if it already has a medical condition prior to taking out a policy. Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions is generally more expensive than a standard pet insurance policy and is likely to have more restrictions. It is best to check the policy terms and conditions to ensure you know how much cover is provided for the pre-existing condition as some insurers may restrict when and how much you can claim.
What is a pre-existing condition?
Each pet insurer has its own way of defining a pre-existing medical condition, however, a pre-existing condition is generally defined as:
- A condition that occurred prior to taking out a pet insurance policy
- An illness or injury that leads to the same diagnosis as a condition that was diagnosed prior to taking out a pet insurance policy
- A condition that has developed as a result of an illness or injury that happened prior to taking out a pet insurance policy
What are the different types of pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are divided into categories when it comes to pet insurance and are separated into pre-existing, hereditary/congenital conditions, bilateral conditions and chronic illness. Each condition is described in more detail below:
- Historic - This is a condition that your pet has suffered from in the past but is no longer affected by e.g. joint pain. Some insurers may be able to offer cover for a historic condition if the pet has not suffered from any problems related to the condition for a specified amount of time.
- Hereditary/congenital conditions - This is a condition that is likely to have been passed down from your pet’s family. Particular breeds, such as pedigree dogs or cats, are more susceptible to certain illnesses or injuries such as hip or breathing problems.
- Bilateral conditions - A bilateral condition is defined as a condition that can affect both sides of the body. For example, hip dysplasia may be present in one hip and therefore is more likely to appear in the other hip in the future.
- Chronic illness - A chronic illness is an illness that your pet is going to need treatment for over a long period of time such as diabetes or arthritis.
When taking out pet insurance for a pre-existing condition it is best to check with the pet insurance provider beforehand so that you know what is included and excluded from the policy.
What pre-existing conditions are covered by pet insurers?
Few insurers offer a policy that covers your pet for a condition that existed prior to taking out a pet insurance policy. Each insurer has its own definition of a pre-existing condition so check that the policy you have chosen covers the condition required before taking out the policy.
Insurers that offer pet insurance for a pre-existing condition
Below we list some insurers that offer pre-existing condition pet insurance cover and highlight the key differences between each one. To get a quote for pet insurance with a pre-existing medical condition you will need to visit the pet insurance provider's website.
| ManyPets* | VetsMedicover | Petsure* | |
| Policy type | Annual limit lifetime | Annual limit lifetime | Annual limit lifetime |
| Number of policies | 1 pre-existing condition policy
(3 other lifetime policies) |
3 | 9 |
| Maximum vet fee cover | Up to £15,000 (restrictions apply, see below) | Up to £10,000 | Up to £15,000 |
| Excess | £69/£99/£130/160^ | £90 | £0/£100/£200/£300/£400/£500 |
| Percentage co-payment | Optional 20% this becomes compulsory when your pet is over 9 years of age |
10% for pets over 4
20% for pets over 6 |
Optional 0% 10% 20% or 30% |
| Upper age limit | No | Does not cover pets over the age of 8 for new policies (or over the age of 5 for some breeds) | No |
| Covers recent pre-existing conditions | Yes | No | Yes |
| Terms... | All ManyPets policies cover pre-existing conditions if symptom-free for 24 months. Its pre-existing condition policy will cover conditions if symptom-free for 3 months prior to taking out a policy | Insures your pet for pre-existing conditions if your pet has not suffered from or received veterinary care for the condition in 24 consecutive months | Will consider all pre-existing conditions within the last 2 years. Must declare all conditions and will be notified if the condition is not covered. Will not cover an undiagnosed condition if your pet is still under investigation. |
^Pets over 9 years old must pay a minimum fixed £99 excess + 20% co-payment
ManyPets
- Insures your pet for pre-existing conditions under its pre-existing condition policy* if your pet has not received treatment, advice or medication for the condition in 3 consecutive months prior to the policy start date
- Insures your pet under all of its policies if your pet has not received treatment, advice or medication for the condition in the past 24 months
- The pre-existing condition policy insures the pre-existing condition for £1,500 per year. If your pet has no symptoms, medication or treatment for the condition for 24 consecutive months the cover will increase to £7,000 per year.
- Any new conditions on the policy are insured up to £7,000 per year.
- You have to pay 20% of any claim with a pre-existing condition policy if your pet is over the age of 9.
For more information read our ManyPets review.
VetsMedicover
- Insures your pet for pre-existing conditions if your pet has not suffered from or received veterinary care for the condition in 24 consecutive months.
- Does not cover pets over the age of 8 (or over the age of 5 for some breeds)
- Its Gold, Platinum and Diamond policies offer cover for pre-existing conditions (as defined above) up to £10,000.
For more information visit the VetsMedicover website.
Petsure
- Choose from 9 pet insurance policies with varying levels in cover up to £15,000 which can be amended to better suit your budget
- Declare any pre-existing condition throughout the quote process and find out if the cover will be accepted
- No upper age limit meaning it is a good option for senior pets
- Can choose to reduce the cost of your pet insurance with an excess and optional co-payment
- A pre-existing condition is defined by Petsure as "Any Condition for which Your Pet has been subject to examination, consultation, advice, tests, X-rays, medication, surgery, nursing or other care provided by a vet in the 24 months prior to the Cover Start Date or within the Waiting Period." or "Any ongoing Condition or Symptom, that was diagnosed over 2 years ago, that you may not have needed to see a Vet about in the 24 months prior to the Cover Start Date, or within the Waiting Period, e.g. diabetes controlled by diet."
For more information visit the Petsure website.
How much does pet insurance for a pre-existing condition cost?
The below table shows the average monthly pre-existing condition pet insurance premium for a 5-year-old male medium-sized mixed-breed dog with arthritis on existing medication and with one flare-up in the past 24 months. Quotes are correct as of 20/08/24 and will differ depending on the type, age, breed and location of your pet.
You can choose to compare the cost of your pre-existing pet insurance via a comparison site such as Quotezone* or MoneySuperMarket*. This allows you to compare multiple pet insurance policies at once to find the best insurance policy for your pet. One thing to consider, however, is that not all comparison sites are whole of market which could mean that there may be a better deal elsewhere.
How much does pre-existing pet insurance cost for a dog?
| Insurer | Excess | Policy Name | Cover amount |
Cost (monthly £)
|
| VetsMedicover | £90 + 10% | Gold | £4,000 | £41.44^ |
| £90 + 10% | Platinum | £6,000 | £48.98^ | |
| £90 + 10% | Diamond | £10,000 | £52.98^ | |
| ManyPets* | £99 | Complete | £15,000 | £45.43 |
| £99 | Regular | £7,000 | £35.73 | |
| £99 | Pre-existing | £7,000 | £56.13 | |
| Petsure* | £100 | £2k | £2,000 | £70.42 |
| £100 | £3k | £3,000 | £81.71 | |
| £100 | £4k | £4,000 | £91.29 | |
| £100 | £5k | £5,000 | £100.22 | |
| £100 | £6k | £6,000 | £116.61 | |
| £100 | £8k | £8,000 | £135.34 | |
| £100 | £10k | £10,000 | £148.00 | |
| £100 | £12k | £12,000 | £157.29 | |
| £100 | £15k | £15,000 | £164.28 |
(Quotes correct as of 20/08/24) ^A 10% online discount has been applied
How much does pre-existing pet insurance cost for a cat?
The below table shows the average monthly pre-existing condition pet insurance premium for a 5-year-old male mixed-breed cat with arthritis on existing medication and with one flare-up in the past 24 months. Quotes are correct as of 20/08/24 and will differ depending on the type, age, breed and location of your pet.
You can choose to compare the cost of your pre-existing pet insurance via a comparison site such as Quotezone* or MoneySuperMarket*. This allows you to compare multiple pet insurance policies at once. One thing to consider, however, is that not all comparison sites are whole of market which could mean that there may be a better deal elsewhere.
| Insurer | Excess | Cover Type | Cover amount |
Cost (monthly £)
|
| VetsMedicover | £90 + 10% | Gold | £4,000 | £20.52^ |
| £90 + 10% | Platinum | £6,000 | £23.66^ | |
| £90 + 10% | Diamond | £10,000 | £25.33^ | |
| ManyPets* | £99 | Complete | £15,000 | £25.33 |
| £99 | Regular | £7,000 | £20.46 | |
| £99 | Pre-existing | £7,000 | £34.44 | |
| Petsure* | £100 | £2k | £2,000 | £67.72 |
| £100 | £3k | £3,000 | £80.37 | |
| £100 | £4k | £4,000 | £88.96 | |
| £100 | £5k | £5,000 | £97.02 | |
| £100 | £6k | £6,000 | £115.00 | |
| £100 | £8k | £8,000 | £129.89 | |
| £100 | £10k | £10,000 | £141.55 | |
| £100 | £12k | £12,000 | £150.50 | |
| £100 | £15k | £15,000 | £157.61 |
(Quotes correct as of 20/08/2024) ^A 10% discount has been applied for getting an online quote
Does the cost of my pet insurance premium increase over time with a pre-existing condition?
Pet insurance premiums are known to increase over time whether or not you have made a claim and numerous factors can contribute to the price increase including:
- Advances in medical treatment and care
- Where you live
- Pet type and breed
- Pet age
- Whether you have claimed in the past and the condition you have claimed for
You can find out more in our article 7 factors that affect the cost of pet insurance.
Do I need pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?
Pet insurance policies for pre-existing conditions are quite restrictive and so you may be wondering whether it is even worth getting pet insurance to provide cover for a pre-existing medical condition. Despite not many pet insurance providers offering cover for pre-existing conditions, it is still possible to get your pet insured. You can choose to get your pet insured with a regular provider for a standard pet insurance policy, however, it is likely that the pre-existing condition will be excluded due to the risk of the condition flaring up again throughout the duration of the pet insurance policy. Alternatively, you can get your pet insured with a specialist provider and hope to get your pet insured for its pre-existing condition. Although in some instances this may not be possible due to restrictions.
If pet insurance that covers both injury and illness is becoming expensive because your pet has a pre-existing condition, an alternative could be an accident-only pet insurance policy. While this will not cover your pet for any treatment due to illness, it will ensure that your pet is covered should it require treatment due to an accident. More information on accident-only pet insurance can be found here, 'Accident-only pet insurance explained'.
Do I need to declare any pre-existing medical conditions?
Yes. If you do not declare any medical conditions that your pet has had in the past and you go to claim for the condition in the future your claim is likely to be rejected. When taking out pet insurance, providers will ask for the medical history of your pet and a medical report from your veterinary practice. If your pet has been registered at more than one veterinary practice, it is likely that they will ask for a medical report from each one.
Should I renew my pre-existing condition pet insurance policy?
If your pet has developed a condition or is insured for a pre-existing condition it is unlikely that another insurer will offer cover for the health problem. If you are shopping around for a cheaper deal make sure you check the terms & conditions closely to ensure you are getting identical cover.
How can I reduce the cost of my pet insurance policy?
Pet insurance can be expensive, particularly if you are paying for pet insurance for a pet with a pre-existing condition. The below points may help to reduce the cost of your monthly premiums, but additional information can be found in our article, 'How to save money on pet insurance'.
- Insure your pet as young as possible to ensure you are protected before any conditions develop.
- Research your pet before you buy/rescue it and the illnesses that are most likely to affect the particular breed. Pedigree pets are more susceptible to certain illnesses.
- Spaying or neutering your pet reduces the risks of health conditions and vet fees.
- Microchip your pet for easier location if your pet is lost or stolen.
Alternatives to pet insurance for pre-existing conditions
The following are alternatives to pet insurance for pre-existing conditions:
Accident-only pet insurance
If pet insurance is becoming expensive or you are struggling to find cover for your pet because it has a host of pre-existing medical conditions, you may wish to consider accident-only pet insurance. While this type of pet insurance does not offer cover for treatment due to illness, it will cover your pet for veterinary treatment due to an accident. Accident-only pet insurance is usually cheaper than other types of pet insurance policy because it doesn't cover illnesses but it still offers some protection against high veterinary fees due to an accident. You can find out more about accident-only pet insurance in our article, 'Accident-only pet insurance explained'.
Self-insurance
Putting away a regular amount each month instead of paying for pet insurance is called self-insurance and will help towards the cost of veterinary treatment should your pet become ill or injured. A problem with self-insurance is that it can take a long time to build a sizeable amount and you may find that the amount you have saved does not cover the amount needed to cover the vet bills. This could be particularly problematic if your pet is being treated for a pre-existing condition and needs regular veterinary care.
Charities
There are some charities that offer help in the event that you cannot afford veterinary treatment for your pet, however, these tend to be oversubscribed and are designed to help those on income support and benefits. A list of some of the charities can be found below:
If a link has an * beside it this means that it is an affiliated link. If you go via the link, Money to the Masses may receive a small fee which helps keep Money to the Masses free to use. The following link can be used if you do not wish to help Money to the Masses or take advantage of any exclusive offers - ManyPets, Petsure, Quotezone, Moneysupermarket