What to know about pet insurance waiting periods in 2025

Understanding pet insurance waiting periods

Pet insurance policies include waiting periods, which are set time frames before coverage takes effect. These periods help prevent fraud by stopping pet owners from signing up for insurance only after their pet becomes sick or injured. While it’s difficult to think of any pet missing out on care, this kind of policy is necessary for insurance companies to remain financially viable.

Waiting periods vary between insurers and policy types. Accident-only policies may have a wait time of just a few days, while illness coverage can take up to 14 days to begin. Some conditions — like hereditary issues passed down from parents or orthopedic problems, such as cruciate ligament tears or hip dysplasia — often have even longer waiting periods.

Your policy's effective date is the day your coverage officially starts, meaning you can begin submitting claims. Make sure you know when your policy's effective date is and be aware of any related limitations before seeking reimbursement.

» MORE: How does pet insurance work

How waiting periods affect your coverage

Waiting periods don’t typically impact your pet insurance coverage unless, of course, your pet needs care during that time. If your pet becomes ill or injured before coverage takes effect, delaying treatment could lead to a denied claim. Even if a diagnosis comes after your policy starts, insurance providers may consider it a preexisting condition if symptoms appear earlier.

Pet insurance companies generally define a preexisting condition as any illness or injury that showed symptoms, was diagnosed or required treatment before coverage began. Common examples include arthritis, allergies, ear infections and dental disease. Because many conditions develop gradually, insurers often assume they existed before a formal diagnosis.

The longer your pet has been insured, the less likely it is that your insurance company can deny claims based on preexisting conditions.

Take dental disease, for example. Most adult dogs will develop some level of dental disease, and veterinarians widely recognize that it progresses over time. If your pet has significant dental disease at the time of enrollment, an insurance provider may deny coverage for related treatments, regardless of when you seek care.

The best way to avoid claim denials for conditions that could be classified as preexisting is to enroll in pet insurance early. Many providers allow puppies and kittens to enroll as early as six to eight weeks old, reducing the chance of exclusions for future health issues.

Comparing different waiting periods among insurers

Pet insurance waiting periods typically range from a few days to several months, depending on the provider and condition. Because policies vary, it’s important to review the details before enrolling.

The table below shows waiting periods for a selection of top-rated pet insurance providers based on information available at the time of publishing.

Since waiting periods differ between insurers, consider both your pet’s current health and potential future risks. For example, enrolling a large breed puppy like a golden retriever or rottweiler early can help ensure coverage for hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia or cancer before they are classified as preexisting.

Special considerations for preexisting conditions

One special consideration for preexisting conditions is that some insurers will cover curable ones if the pet remains symptom-free and treatment-free for a set period. Although most preexisting conditions won’t be covered, certain short-term illnesses or injuries may qualify for future coverage after a waiting period.

Both Embrace Pet Insurance and Spot Pet Insurance offer coverage for curable preexisting conditions after a waiting period that ranges from 30 days to 12 months. Some conditions, however, are never covered if they’re preexisting.

Amber Batteiger, a PR and Communications Specialist at Embrace Pet Insurance, said the most commonly approved curable preexisting conditions include ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle sprains or strains, pruritus (itchiness), urinary tract infections, periodontal disease, coughing and conjunctivitis.

If your pet has a noncurable preexisting condition, like diabetes, pet insurance can still be valuable for covering unrelated new illnesses or injuries. However, anything related to the preexisting condition will also be excluded. For example, Embrace specifically states that cancer, allergies and diabetes are considered incurable and won’t be covered if they’re preexisting. That means if a diabetic dog develops cataracts as a result of the disease, treatment for the cataracts wouldn’t be covered either.

Pet insurance waiting periods: What to consider

• How often will your pet need vet visits? Puppies and kittens need frequent vet visits for vaccines and checkups in their first few months. If you want coverage for early expenses, look for a plan with a wellness add-on and short waiting periods for illnesses and accidents.
• Does the insurer offer a waiting period waiver? Some companies, like Figo Pet Insurance and Trupanion, allow you to waive waiting periods if your pet gets a veterinary exam within a set time frame. If you’re adopting a pet or already planning a vet visit, this could help you avoid waiting for coverage to start.
• How do accident and illness waiting periods compare? Many companies offer shorter waiting periods for accidents — sometimes as little as one day — which can be helpful if your pet gets injured. Illness waiting periods are often longer, so compare these time frames when selecting a policy.
• What are the waiting periods for specific conditions? Some insurers have extended waiting periods for conditions like cruciate ligament injuries, hip dysplasia or IVDD. If your pet is at risk for these issues based on breed or age, look for a provider with shorter waiting periods for those conditions.

Can I avoid pet insurance waiting periods?

You can’t avoid waiting periods entirely, but some insurers waive them for certain conditions if your pet gets a recent vet exam. Since pet insurance won’t cover illnesses or injuries that happen during the waiting period, enrolling early is the best way to ensure your pet gets coverage when it matters most. While waiting periods are an important factor, they’re just one part of choosing the right policy — be sure to compare coverage limits, reimbursement rates and exclusions before making a decision.