Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions And Pet Insurance

When looking for pet insurance, it’s crucial to be aware of the policy’s restrictions, such as the cost of treatment for pre-existing conditions.

Pet insurance for dogs normally won’t cover any costs connected to illnesses or injuries that are already present, just like vehicle insurance, which doesn’t cover incidents before coverage begins. The definition of a “pre-existing condition” must be understood.

What Conditions Are Covered by Pet Insurance?

Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered by pet insurance due to the high cost of treating them and the relatively short lifespan of a pet (dogs live an average of 10 to 13 years, depending on the breed). It’s a money issue since pet insurers can’t afford to collect premiums for a long period of time to cover pre-existing condition claims.

A pre-existing condition is typically defined by pet insurance providers as a disease or injury that began before coverage began, including any waiting period.

It’s crucial to note that even if the injury or sickness wasn’t officially diagnosed, an insurer could still refuse coverage if the pet shows any symptoms prior to the coverage beginning.

For instance, the plan wouldn’t pay for the treatment of the limb if your dog had a limp before the waiting period and coverage began.

What Pre-Existing Conditions Can Affect A Pet?

Pre-existing diseases may be categorised into curable and incurable conditions by some pet insurance providers. Take a look at them below.

Curable Conditions that Already Exist

Pet insurance companies like Embrace cover curable pre-existing conditions as long as any recurrence takes place at least a year after the initial incident. With the exception of knee and ligament diseases, the ASPCA’s pet insurance plan will not label an ailment as “pre-existing” if there have been no symptoms for 180 days and it is treatable.  After 180 days, if the ailment returns, it may be treated as a brand-new issue.

Curable situations include, for example:

  • Urinary infections
  • Diarrhea
  • Infected ears
  • Breathing infections
  • Infections of the urinary tract
  • Vomiting
  • Previously existent, incurable illnesses

However, several pre-existing diseases are regarded as incurable by pet insurance for dogs carriers, including:

  • Allergies
  • Crystalline bladder inflammation
  • Cancer Diabetes Epilepsy
  • Heart condition
  • Dysplastic hips
  • Kidney illness
  • Orthopaedic ailments
  • Urinary obstructions

Numerous of these illnesses necessitate routine veterinary visits, continuous treatment, and perhaps even surgery. Dog pet insurance won’t cover pre-existing incurable diseases.

Bilateral exclusions should be observed.

A bilateral illness or injury is one that affects both the left and right sides of the human body, such as hip dysplasia or a ruptured cruciate ligament.

Bilateral exclusions are common in insurance policies because it’s more likely for a pet to have the same illness on the opposite side of its body. In other words, if therapy was given to one side of your pet’s body before the pet cover began, the other side of their body won’t be covered.

If your pet gets a bilateral ailment after coverage starts, it will be completely covered.

Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.

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