What is a Pre-existing Medical Condition?

A pre-existing medical condition is a condition that your pet developed (e.g., showed symptoms for or had already been diagnosed) before you took out pet insurance coverage. It’s important to check your policy documents as different providers will have different definitions of pre-existing medical conditions. Some insurance providers may not cover pets with certain medical conditions.

It’s also crucial to disclose any pre-existing medical conditions your pet may have with your insurance provider to ensure peace of mind that you have the right coverage for your furry friend.

Can you insure pets with pre-existing conditions?

It is possible to get pet insurance for a pet with a pre-existing medical condition, but the insurance likely won't cover the current condition. For example, if your pet has diabetes, it won't be covered for this particular condition, but it will be covered for other health issues or injuries that might arise in the future.

Typical pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions, so you’ll need to find specialist insurance to do this which can be hard to come by. Even then you will need to double-check that they cover the specific condition your pet has as there are usually restrictions.

 As with the majority of providers, Asda Money pet insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions.

Is it worth getting pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?

If your pet has a pre-existing condition it is still worth taking out insurance with a specialist pet provider. The likelihood is that the policy will be more expensive due to ongoing treatments, but if your pet is treatment-free for a certain period of time then you may be able to get a better level of coverage. 

It is important to check policy documents or speak with the insurer you’re thinking about choosing to ensure that your pet’s condition will be covered.

We have weighed up the pros and cons of taking out pet insurance for pre-existing conditions below to help you make your decision.

Pros

• Pet insurance means you can rest assured that your furry friend will be covered if their existing condition flares up
• Pet insurance protects you against costly vet fees
• Several providers offer coverage for prescribed medication, food, and therapies.

Cons

• Premiums will likely be much higher than standard pet insurance
• Some conditions may be rejected for cover
• It's important to note that coverage for pre-existing conditions may be restricted or available for only a limited period of time when making a claim

What conditions are covered?

Each specialist insurer that covers pre-existing medical conditions will have conditions they do and don’t cover. The best way to ensure your pet’s condition is covered is to check the policy documents or call the insurer.

Policies can include:

• Chronic conditions such as diabetes can limit the types of cover you can take out and how much you can claim back for the condition
• Historic conditions which are illnesses or ailments your pet previously had, but no longer does
• Congenital conditions which have been passed down from your pets family
• Bi-lateral conditions which affect both sides of your pet’s body. These conditions can be fiddly to navigate

It’s important to shop around to find the best pet insurance for your pet’s pre-existing condition.

Exclusions and exemptions

Some providers may cover a pet who has had a pre-existing medical condition, providing they have been free of it for a certain period of time.

Asda Money pet insurance does not cover the following, including but not limited to:

• Pre-existing medical conditions
• The cost of treating an illness that first shows clinical signs in the first 14 days of cover
• The cost of treating an accident that took place in the first 48 hours of cover
• Routine examinations, vaccinations and preventative treatments

To see the full list, visit the policy wording page.

Do I need to disclose my pet's condition?

It is crucial to disclose any conditions your pet has currently or has had in the past, to ensure that you get the right cover. Not disclosing this information could lead to your cover being cancelled, which can increase your premiums in the future.

Do existing conditions increase premiums?

If you are looking for pet insurance for a pet with a pre-existing condition, you will have to use a specialist provider which will likely cost more.

With pet insurance in general, your premium will increase annually as your pet gets older but there will be other factors that affect this such as any claims you have made during the year. With Asda Money pet insurance, the .

If you have pet insurance but are looking to change providers on your next renewal, it is important to bear in mind that any existing conditions your pet has developed, whether diagnosed or not, may not be covered elsewhere.