Pet insurance and pre-existing conditions

At Petcover we’re proud of the fact we’re the top experts in the industry – pet insurance is all we do; it’s all we have ever done – we’ve been insuring the nation’s beloved companions for 20 years. Now that’s a lot of Fidos and Fluffys!

Being a pet insurance specialist has a significant impact on the way we handle pre-existing conditions and at Petcover, a pre-existing condition will never stop your pet from getting pet insurance coverage. Our approach has always been to work with you and your vet to understand your fur baby’s medical history and then apply our specialist knowledge to provide you with the best possible cover and limit any exclusions on our best-in-class products. Our transparent and individual approach to pre-existing conditions means that instead of declining cover, we often place temporary exclusions lasting no more than three months on policies or no exclusions at all.

Find out more about our specialist approach to exclusions:

 What is a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury, or symptom identified by you, or your veterinarian, prior to your policy start date or during your policy waiting period(s). 

There are two types of pre-existing conditions: those that will be cured or heal so are deemed temporary; and those that may never be cured, and therefore deemed permanent. 

What are temporary pre-existing conditions?

A temporary pre-existing condition is considered as any condition that has been experienced by the pet for a period of time but is no longer present as a result of treatment. For example, sickness and diarrhoea often experienced when a pet first arrives in a new home would usually be considered a temporary pre-existing condition. Temporary pre-existing conditions include:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Broken bones
• Urinary tract infections
• Ear infections
• Respiratory infections
• Bladder infections
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea

What are permanent pre-existing conditions?

A permanent pre-existing condition is considered as any condition, or conditions, that are current before the starting date of the policy (including waiting periods), ongoing and pre-existing lifelong illnesses. For example, diabetes and arthritis would be considered a permanent condition.  Permanent pre-existing conditions include:

• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Orthopaedic conditions
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Bladder crystals
• Epilepsy
• Arthritis
• Hip dysplasia
• Allergies
• Chronic skin disease

Permanent conditions normally require repeat veterinarian visits, ongoing medication, and sometimes even surgery.

Can my pet be insured with a pre-existing condition? 

Yes, Petcover can still insure your pet despite a pre-existing condition. While a permanent pre-existing condition will not be eligible for cover, you will still be covered for all other issues that could happen in future, including chronic conditions.

Where we place a temporary condition on your policy, we will then review this at a later stage. If, at the end of this period of exclusion, your vet advises that these conditions are fully cured and no longer relevant to your pet’s ongoing health, the exclusion will be removed and your pet will benefit from the full cover you have selected. Once removed it is as if the exclusion was never there.

How can I avoid a pre-existing condition? 

While there is no guarantee that your pet won’t have a pre-existing condition, you might find that it’s worth considering taking out insurance while your pet is young and healthy. By doing this early, you will ensure your beloved family member is covered for the care they deserve and avoid not being covered for conditions that may occur in their early years and become lifelong. Just like their humans, they can develop health issues early that continue in the long term.

Our pets can get sick out of the blue or injured when we least expect it. The longer you delay getting pet insurance, the higher the chance of something happening to your pet, and that injury or illness would then be considered a pre-existing condition and therefore not eligible for coverage. 

How can Petcover help?

Petcover aims are to support every Australian pet owner and use it specialist knowledge to limit exclusion impacts and offer the widest cover possible for every pet under its umbrella. As experts, we use our in-house veterinary team to determine if exclusions need to be applied and we seek to avoid placing exclusions where possible.

As pet insurance specialists, we offer Australia’s best range of policy options packed with added benefits to suit every budget. Our plans are affordable and designed to cover the unexpected. As long as you continue to renew your pet’s policy each year, without a gap in your cover, we will continue to pay claims for lifelong illnesses, you can rest easy knowing that your furry friend is covered.

We are a multi-award-winning pet insurer with over 40 years experience in the pet insurance business therefore we know that every pet’s situation is unique, so we recommend calling our friendly pet-loving team on 1300 731 324 to chat about how pre-existing conditions could affect your policy.