Pet insurance with no waiting periods (2024)

Most pet insurance policies have waiting periods before coverage takes effect. This prevents pet owners from purchasing a policy and filing a claim immediately after finding out their pet has a health condition or accident.

“Many customers assume their furry loved one is protected as soon as they enroll,” said Brian Jorgensen, CEO of MetLife Pet Insurance. However, pet insurance policies often have multiple waiting periods: one for accidents, one for illnesses and one for orthopedic or cruciate ligament conditions. There may even be a waiting period for routine wellness plans. Depending on the specific policy and claim type, these can range from one day to six months.

Learn more about how waiting periods work and find out if pet insurance policies with no waiting periods exist.

What is pet insurance with waiting periods?

After applying for a new pet insurance policy, you must wait a certain amount of time before using your coverage. This window is called a waiting period.

“Owners are usually surprised to learn that the time frame they’re required to wait can vary by company and even by service,” said Kari Steere, a licensed property and casualty (P&C) insurance agent at Pawlicy Advisor.

Companies enforce waiting periods to prevent fraudulent claims. “Waiting periods make it more difficult to purchase a policy, use it the same day a pet is injured and then cancel,” said Steer.

The average waiting period for accidents is eight days and slightly over two weeks for illnesses, according to our research. Orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament tears typically have waiting periods of six months or more. Many insurance companies offer routine wellness coverage the day after your policy takes effect.

Does pet insurance with no waiting period exist?

Unfortunately, pet insurance with no waiting periods is rare. In our study of the best pet insurance companies, we only found four insurers that offer immediate pet insurance coverage (this is based on when your policy is effective, not when you enroll):

• MetLife offers a zero-day waiting period for accidents.
• Embrace offers immediate coverage for accidents.
• Pets Best offers no waiting period for accidents in Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington.
• Lemonade offers a zero-day waiting period for accidents in Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington. It will be introducing this feature to all states it operates in throughout 2024.

Finding immediate coverage for illnesses is even more uncommon. However, some insurers may offer waivers if you’re switching from one policy to another, if you’re eligible for a promotion or if you take your pet in for a qualifying exam within a certain time frame after purchasing a plan. However, these waivers may simply shorten the applicable waiting period rather than providing immediate coverage.

How pet insurance waiting periods work

Waiting periods begin after you purchase a policy and it takes effect. During this time, your insurance company will not provide any coverage for claims you may file.

Accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions often have varying start dates. For example, say your policy takes effect on Jan. 1. If you have a three-day accident, a 14-day illness and a six-month orthopedic waiting period, here’s when you can expect your coverage for these conditions to start:

• Accidents: Jan. 4
• Illnesses: Jan. 15
• Orthopedic conditions: July 1

So, if your dog breaks their leg (accident) on Jan. 5, it would be covered — but if they get an ear infection (illness) on Jan. 10, this claim would not be.

The importance of pet insurance waiting periods

Pet insurance waiting periods are important for determining preexisting conditions. Only illnesses and accidental injuries that develop after your waiting periods will be covered. “If the pet has shown any symptoms during the designated waiting period, coverage will be denied, and the injury or sickness will be deemed preexisting,” said Steere.

Insurance companies generally don’t cover future medical expenses for preexisting conditions, even after your policy becomes active. However, some insurers will cover curable conditions and injuries after a specific time frame. For example, ASPCA won’t consider illnesses and injuries other than knee or ligament issues as preexisting conditions once they are symptom-free for at least 180 days after treatment.

Steere also said to consider your pet’s breed when evaluating a policy’s waiting period.

“Breed-specific conditions like intervertebral disc disease could be a major concern, which would lead me to encourage a pet parent to look for a company with a shorter orthopedic waiting period,” she said.

Steere suggested looking for shorter waiting periods if you have a new puppy.

“Pups are more likely to get hurt or swallow something that could be harmful and need to visit an emergency vet or even surgery,” she said.

The sooner you apply for pet insurance, the sooner you’ll have coverage for claims. Getting a policy while your pet is young can help ensure they’re covered against potential injuries and illnesses as they age.

Can I get retroactive pet insurance?

No, you can’t get retroactive pet insurance (coverage that takes effect on a past date). Insurers will not cover accidents, illnesses and conditions that occur before a policy becomes active or during the applicable waiting periods.

Exploring pet insurance coverage options

In addition to waiting periods, consider the following when exploring your options and choosing the best pet insurance plan for you.

First, you’ll want to take stock of your coverage needs. Your pet’s age, breed and lifestyle can help determine what potential health issues they may face and what type of coverage you may need. For instance, if you have an older dog, you’ll want to find a pet insurance company that doesn’t have an age limit. Or, if you frequently take your dog hiking, having accident coverage for injuries like broken bones and animal bites may be essential.

Second, comparing quotes from multiple insurers will help you find budget-friendly options. Seeing how different deductibles, reimbursem*nt percentages and annual coverage limits impact monthly premiums can also help. You’ll generally see higher premiums for higher reimbursem*nt percentages and annual coverages and lower monthly premiums for higher deductibles.

Finally, choosing a company with a good reputation can help ensure you receive satisfactory customer service and claims processing. Look at online reviews and customer testimonials from third-party sites like Trustpilot to get an idea of what it’s like to work with an insurer. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) also lists member pet insurers on its website.

Pet insurance companies with short waiting periods

The table below shows various insurers’ waiting periods for accidents and illnesses based on our research to find the best pet insurance. Accident waiting periods range from zero days to 15 days, while illness waiting periods are typically 14 or 15 days, although Trupanion’s is 30 days. Waiting periods generally start on your policy’s effective date.