Most pet insurance policies let you claim starting when ready after your coverage begins, but there are waiting periods for specific conditions

You can usually file a claim the day your pet insurance coverage starts, but the policy will have waiting periods — gaps of time before certain types of claims are covered. A waiting period for accidents is often 0 to 14 days. Waiting periods for illnesses are typically 10 to 30 days. Some conditions, like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament tears, may have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months or may never be covered if your pet already showed signs before the policy began.

The exact waiting periods depend on your insurance company and the plan you chose. Before you sign up, the policy documents will list every waiting period. If your pet gets sick or injured before a waiting period ends, that claim will be denied — the insurance company will not pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Accident coverage usually has a waiting period of 0 to 14 days from when your policy starts, meaning you can claim for injuries almost when ready.
  • Illness coverage typically has a waiting period of 10 to 30 days, so a sudden illness on day 3 of your policy will not be covered.
  • Pre-existing conditions — anything your pet had before the policy began — are never covered, even after waiting periods end.
  • Some hereditary and congenital conditions have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months or longer, or are excluded entirely depending on the plan.
  • You should read the waiting period section of your policy documents before you need to file, so you know what is and is not covered on any given date.

How waiting periods work and why they exist

A waiting period is a set number of days after your coverage starts during which the insurance company will not pay claims for certain conditions. The company uses waiting periods to prevent people from buying insurance only after their pet is already sick or injured. Without them, someone could wait until their dog limps, then buy a policy and when ready file a claim.

Waiting periods are different from pre-existing condition exclusions. A waiting period is a time limit that applies to everyone. A pre-existing condition exclusion means the insurance company will never pay for something your pet had before the policy began, no matter how long you hold the policy. If your cat had a urinary tract infection before you bought insurance, that condition is excluded for life.

Most companies have three separate waiting periods: one for accidents, one for illnesses, and one for specific conditions like orthopedic problems. This means your pet could be covered for an accident on day 5 but not for an illness until day 20.

Accident coverage waiting periods are usually shortest

Accident waiting periods range from zero days to 14 days depending on the company. Some insurers cover accidents when ready — your policy is active at midnight on the day it starts. Others have a 5-day or 14-day waiting period before accident claims are paid.

An accident means sudden injury from an external cause: your dog is hit by a car, eats something toxic, breaks a bone, or tears a ligament during normal play. If your pet is injured during the waiting period, the claim will be denied. Once the waiting period ends, any accident that happens afterward is covered (unless it involves a pre-existing condition).

Check your policy documents for the exact accident waiting period. Some companies list it as "0 days" or "when ready coverage," while others specify "14-day waiting period." This is one of the first things to confirm when you receive your policy.

Illness waiting periods are longer and start from day one

Illness waiting periods typically run 10 to 30 days from the date your coverage begins. This means if your pet develops a cough, vomiting, or any other sign of sickness during this window, the claim will be denied. The waiting period applies to any illness, whether it is a minor infection or a serious disease.

The illness waiting period is separate from the accident waiting period, so your pet could be covered for an accident on day 5 but still be in the illness waiting period on day 15. Once the illness waiting period ends, any new illness that develops after that date is covered — but only if your pet showed no signs of that illness before the policy began.

Some companies have a shorter illness waiting period (10 days) if you purchase coverage within a certain number of days of getting your pet, or a longer one (30 days) if you wait longer. Read your policy to see if this applies to you.

Hereditary and congenital conditions have much longer waiting periods

Conditions that are genetic or present from birth — like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, heart murmurs, or patellar luxation — often have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months or longer. Some policies exclude these conditions entirely and will never cover them, regardless of how long you hold the policy.

The reason is that these conditions are often already developing when a puppy or kitten is born, even if no symptoms are visible yet. An insurance company cannot tell whether a 6-week-old puppy already has early-stage hip dysplasia, so they use a long waiting period to protect themselves. If your pet is diagnosed with a hereditary condition after the waiting period ends, the claim will be covered — but if symptoms appeared before the waiting period ended, the claim will be denied.

If your pet is a breed prone to hip dysplasia or another hereditary condition, ask the insurance company about their waiting period for that specific condition before you buy. Some companies have shorter waiting periods for certain breeds.

Pre-existing conditions are never covered, no matter how long you wait

A pre-existing condition is anything your pet had, was treated for, or showed symptoms of before your policy started. This includes conditions that were diagnosed, conditions that were suspected but not confirmed, and conditions that caused symptoms even if your pet was never seen by a veterinarian.

Pre-existing conditions are excluded for the entire life of the policy. If your dog had an ear infection before you bought insurance, ear infections are excluded forever — even if the infection clears up and never happens again. If your cat had a bout of vomiting before coverage began, digestive issues may be excluded or flagged for review on every claim.

Some insurance companies are stricter than others about what counts as pre-existing. One company might exclude only the specific condition that was diagnosed, while another might exclude the entire body system. Before you buy, ask the company how they define pre-existing conditions and whether they look at your pet's medical history.

What to do if your pet gets sick or injured during a waiting period

If your pet needs veterinary care during a waiting period, you will have to pay the full cost out of pocket. The insurance company will not reimburse you. This is why it is important to know your waiting periods before you need them.

Keep all veterinary records and receipts. If your pet is treated during a waiting period, that condition becomes a pre-existing condition and will be excluded from coverage even after the waiting period ends. For example, if your dog is treated for an ear infection on day 8 of your policy (during the illness waiting period), ear infections will be excluded from coverage for life.

If you are unsure whether a condition is covered, contact your insurance company before you take your pet to the veterinarian. They can tell you whether the waiting period has ended and whether the condition would be covered. Getting this in writing can help if there is a dispute later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim on my pet insurance the day I buy it?

It depends on the type of claim. Accident coverage often starts when ready or within a few days, so you could claim for an injury on day 1. Illness coverage usually has a 10 to 30-day waiting period, so a sickness on day 1 would not be covered. Check your policy documents for the exact waiting periods.

What happens if my pet gets sick during the waiting period?

The claim will be denied and you will pay the full veterinary bill yourself. That condition also becomes pre-existing and will be excluded from coverage forever, even after the waiting period ends. This is why it is important to know your waiting periods before you need them.

Does the waiting period start over if I switch insurance companies?

Yes. When you buy a new policy with a different company, the waiting periods start from day one of the new policy. Your old insurance company's waiting periods do not transfer. However, conditions that were treated under your old policy may be considered pre-existing by the new company.

Are waiting periods the same for every pet insurance company?

No. Waiting periods vary by company and by plan. One company might have a 0-day accident waiting period while another has 14 days. Illness waiting periods range from 10 to 30 days. Before you buy, compare the waiting periods across different companies to find the one that works for you.

If my pet has a pre-existing condition, can I get any insurance coverage?

Some companies offer coverage for pre-existing conditions if your pet has been symptom-free for a certain period (often 12 to 24 months), though this is rare and usually costs more. Most companies exclude pre-existing conditions entirely. If your pet has a pre-existing condition, call companies directly to ask whether they cover it before you buy.