Best Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions

AKC offers add-ons that allow pet owners to build a robust package of coverages, including coverage for hereditary and congenital diseases along with chronic conditions like arthritis. AKC Pet Insurance, which is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, also covers commonly excluded alternative therapies and pays to treat behavioral conditions. All pre-existing conditions are covered after a one-year waiting period. There’s no dental disease coverage, but you can purchase a wellness add-on that covers teeth cleaning. There’s also an extended waiting period for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and cruciate ligament injuries. 

AKC offers flexible deductible and reimbursement options along with many choices of annual limits, including an unlimited plan. You can add coverage for exam fees, breeding coverage (a unique product), and two wellness plans with a schedule of annual benefits. AKC also offers a budget-friendly plan with a $500 incident limit that can’t be customized. You’ll pay a monthly service fee if you pay your premium in monthly installments. Note that AKC Pet Insurance pre-existing condition coverage is not available in all states. 

If your pet had a curable pre-existing condition, like an ear infection, prior to starting your policy with ASPCA, there’s only a six-month, symptom-free period required before the condition will be covered again. There’s also only a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses—whereas some providers have extended waiting periods. 

ASPCA’s pet policy is comprehensive, offering coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions, behavioral issues, and dental disease. Alternative therapies and prescription food and supplements are even covered. And you can choose up to 90% reimbursement. 

ASPCA offers an accident-only plan for budget-conscious pet owners or pets that are already ill. However, there are no high-deductible plans, and ASPCA’s premiums are more expensive than average. ASPCA’s wellness plan also uses a defined benefits model that offers less coverage than some other companies. 

Learn more in our ASPCA pet insurance review. 

Spot covers most curable pre-existing conditions after your pet has been symptom- and treatment-free for just 180 days, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. There’s also a 14-day waiting period with no extended waiting period for certain conditions. Spot has no upper-age limits and offers a 10% discount if you enroll multiple pets. The coverage is similar to what ASPCA offers, including coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, and dental disease along with alternative therapies and even stem cell therapies. 

Spot policies are underwritten by the same company as ASPCA policies are and offer similar pricing as well. The wellness plans are equally limited and Spot is a newer company than ASPCA. However, it has more deductible options than ASPCA and also offers an unlimited annual plan. 

MetLife offers many unique benefits, including the ability to get coverage for pre-existing conditions as long as they started after a prior policy took effect and aren’t excluded from that policy. The company also doesn’t exclude bilateral conditions from coverage. MetLife offers a variety of discounts, including an online purchase discount, and your deductible will shrink each year that no claim is paid. You can also cover multiple pets under one policy and roll over benefits from the prior year. Accident coverage starts the same day, and the waiting period for illnesses is just 14 days. But some policies may have an extended orthopedic waiting period. 

There are no age limits or breed exclusions. MetLife policies are comprehensive as well, offering coverage for congenital and hereditary conditions, dental disease, and alternative therapies. MetLife will cover cured pre-existing conditions, such as an ear infection or episode of vomiting unrelated to a chronic condition, but the provider doesn’t specify a waiting period. You may want to inquire about your pet’s specific pre-existing condition before starting a policy with MetLife, so that you understand when it will be covered. 

Learn more in our MetLife pet insurance review.

Figo has no bilateral clause, imposes no age limits, and covers curable pre-existing conditions after 12 months. Coverage is comprehensive, including dental illness, hereditary and congenital conditions, and alternative therapies. Figo offers an add-on for exam fees, a wellness package, and a top-tier endorsement with coverage for pet loss and more. And reimbursement options go up to 100%. However, the maximum deductible is $750 and there’s no accident-only plan. 

Discounts include a 5% multi-pet discount and a 15% discount for Costco members who purchase through Costco or call Figo directly. Your deductible will be reduced $50 for each year that you don’t get reimbursed for a claim. Figo also pays claims quickly and offers free cloud storage for your pet data and free telehealth with every policy. 

Read more in our Figo pet insurance review. 

Nationwide covers most curable pre-existing conditions after vet records show your pet has been symptom-free for six months. There’s no bilateral exclusion, but if your pet had a pre-existing condition on one side, there’s a 12-month waiting period before it will be covered on the other side. Nationwide also offers coverage for birds and exotic animals. 

While we don’t recommend Nationwide’s Major Medical plan due to its many exclusions and annual limits on benefits for each condition, the Whole Pet plan is more comprehensive. It offers coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions, dental diseases, behavioral issues, and more. Still, it only offers 50% or 70% reimbursement, and the only deductible option is $250. You can’t add Nationwide’s wellness package to the plan, either.

Read more in our Nationwide pet insurance review.

USAA offers pet insurance through a partnership with Embrace. Embrace covers most commonly excluded conditions and treatments, including congenital and hereditary conditions, behavioral issues, preventable conditions, rehabilitation, specialist visits, and more. The company looks back 12 months in assessing pre-existing conditions, and will cover curable ones after your pet has been symptom-free for a year. However, the company won’t cover a bilateral condition that was pre-existing on the other side. 

Embrace deductibles decrease $50 for each year you don’t get a claim paid. Embrace also offers great discounts through USAA—you’ll save 15% automatically as a member, plus up to 25% if you have multiple pets or are current or former active-duty military. However, even with those discounts, Embrace premiums can be more expensive than those at other companies. And the wellness rewards plan only saves you $25 per year.

Learn more in our USAA pet insurance review. 

Unlike most pet insurance companies, Companion Protect doesn’t impose a waiting period before coverage starts, nor does the company increase premiums as your pet ages. Companion Protect also doesn’t exclude bilateral conditions from coverage and covers curable pre-existing conditions. The timeframe for coverage may vary depending on the condition, but will be identified in your policy. Coverage is robust and includes alternative therapies and even one to two wellness exams per year, depending on your pet’s age. 

Though Companion Protect has no annual limit, there’s a $100,000 lifetime cap on benefits ($20,000 per year in Illinois). You don’t get to choose your deductible or reimbursement percentage, and a 10% copay applies to all claims. You should also be aware that any non-emergency service in excess of $2,500 must be pre-approved by the insurer in order to be covered.

Learn more in our Companion Protect pet insurance review.