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It can be difficult to figure out how to get pet insurance, especially if your pet already has health problems. Finding an insurance plan that protects your pet and gives you peace of mind as a responsible pet parent is important. This has a list of some of the best options for pets that already have health problems.
If you’re new to owning a pet or want to switch providers, you’ll find useful information about each provider’s coverage details, policy limits, and customer service experiences. By the time you finish looking at our carefully chosen list of the best options, you’ll be able to choose a plan that gives your pet the care they need without costing you a lot of money.
- Embrace Pet Insurance
- Pets Best
- Trupanion
- Figo Pet Insurance
- Citrusbox Pet Insurance
- Spot Pet Insurance
- Fetch by The Dodo
- Pawlicy Advisor’s Custom Plans
- AKC Pet Insurance (American Kennel Club)
- Pumpkin Pet Insurance
- Hartville Whole Coverage Plan
- Lemonade Dog & Cat Health Protection
- Conclusion
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a pre-existing condition in pet insurance?
- Can pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
- Which pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions?
- Are hereditary and congenital conditions considered pre-existing?
- What is a waiting period in pet insurance?
- Can I get pet insurance for an older pet with pre-existing conditions?
- Is it worth getting pet insurance if my pet already has health issues?
- Recommended Reads
Embrace Pet Insurance
Known for its flexibility, Embrace offers coverage for a wide range of pre-existing conditions after a waiting period. This makes it ideal for pet owners seeking protection for pets with prior health issues.
Benefits
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Coverage for a Wide Range of Pre-Existing Conditions: After a waiting period, many previously diagnosed health issues become eligible for coverage.
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Caring Customer Support: Their service team is knowledgeable and ready to assist clients with personalized policy recommendations.
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No Age Limits on Coverage: Unlike many other providers, Embrace has no upper age limit for enrolling pets.
This flexibility ensures peace of mind by making treatment costs more manageable, even for conditions that existed before coverage began.
Pets Best
As one of the pioneers in the pet insurance industry, Pets Best offers unique coverage options that include certain manageable pre-existing conditions under specific circumstances.
Highlights
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Tailored Plans: Customize your policy based on your pet’s needs, especially helpful for minor, previously diagnosed issues.
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Underwriting Flexibility: Evaluates recovery history and time since diagnosis.
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No Waiting Periods for Accidents: Immediate coverage for accidents, even if they involve pre-existing ailments.
Pets Best provides reassurance and choice, helping you cover expenses related to prior medical conditions without undue financial strain.
Trupanion
Whole Pet with Wellness
Trupanion offers coverage for hereditary and congenital pre-existing conditions once a pet has been symptom-free for 18 months, making it ideal for long-term health planning.
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Simple Policy Structure: Easy to understand terms and conditions.
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Comprehensive Coverage: Includes both common and complex conditions after the waiting period.
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No Payout Limits: Ensures access to care without worrying about annual or lifetime caps.
Trupanion’s approach is especially valuable for pet owners managing genetic or long-term health conditions.
Figo Pet Insurance
Figo provides pet insurance that covers documented chronic conditions, provided they are stable at the start of the policy.
Advantages
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Mobile App: Manage claims, track vet records, and access policy info with ease.
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Strong Customer Service: Quick, responsive assistance enhances customer experience.
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Stable Chronic Conditions Covered: If conditions are under control at policy inception, coverage applies.
Figo’s technology and flexibility make it a go-to option for tech-savvy pet parents with ongoing health concerns.
Citrusbox Pet Insurance
Citrusbox delivers comprehensive plans that include both accidents and illnesses, with tailored options for pets with past health issues.
Features
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Comprehensive Plans: Covers vet visits, surgery, and medications.
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Flexible Options: Choose the level of coverage that suits your pet’s needs.
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Prior Health Conditions Considered: Chronic issues may still be eligible under customized plans.
Citrusbox offers well-rounded coverage and a dependable option during medical emergencies.
Spot Pet Insurance
Spot provides transparent pet insurance policies and covers curable pre-existing conditions after a 180-day symptom-free period.
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Clear Policy Terms: Easy-to-understand documentation.
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Covers Curable Conditions: After 180 days without symptoms, coverage is available.
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Streamlined Claims: Simplified process helps reduce paperwork stress.
Spot balances clarity and flexibility, making it a strong option for proactive pet parents.
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Fetch by The Dodo
Fetch evaluates chronic conditions individually. If no new symptoms arise during a set waiting period, older ailments may become eligible for coverage.
Strengths
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Case-by-Case Evaluation: Suitable for pets with unique medical histories.
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No New Symptoms Required: Allows coverage of stable conditions.
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Encourages Policy Check-Ins: Customer service can guide updates or clarify policy eligibility.
Fetch’s adaptable model is beneficial for pets with fluctuating or previously treated chronic illnesses.
Pawlicy Advisor’s Custom Plans
Pawlicy Advisor connects pet owners to multiple insurance companies offering customized quotes. This can result in better terms for pets with pre-existing conditions.
Why it works
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Direct Comparison Tool: Review multiple insurers side by side.
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Custom Coverage: Tailor quotes to fit specific medical histories.
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Data-Driven Choices: Makes decision-making easier with transparent plan details.
Pawlicy Advisor’s platform simplifies the search for coverage that matches your pet’s history and your budget.
AKC Pet Insurance (American Kennel Club)
Specifically geared toward dogs registered through AKC breeders, this policy accommodates various medical histories, including hereditary or long-standing diseases.
Standout features
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Tailored for Purebreds: Designed with breed-specific conditions in mind.
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No Age Restrictions: Open enrollment regardless of your dog’s age.
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Dedicated Support: Guidance for navigating treatment plans and coverage questions.
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Wellness Add-ons: Optional exams and preventative care services.
AKC Pet Insurance provides trusted, breed-sensitive coverage for dogs with known medical risks.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Pumpkin offers customizable wellness plans that allow you to design coverage around both preventive services and existing medical conditions.
Benefits:
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Preventive Services Included: Covers checkups, vaccinations, and flea/tick prevention.
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Emergency Care: Available without additional financial barriers.
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All Ages Welcome: Ideal for older pets who may already have health concerns.
Pumpkin’s mix of wellness and emergency care ensures practical support for long-term pet health.
Hartville Whole Coverage Plan
Nicknamed “The Flexible Choice,” Hartville is designed with transparency in mind, making it easy to understand what is and isn’t covered.
Core advantages
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Inclusive Coverage: Broad protection for illnesses and injuries.
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Transparent Exclusions: Detailed documentation on pre-existing condition rules.
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No Age Limits: Open to pets at any age, subject to waiting periods.
Hartville’s clarity and depth of coverage allow pet owners to plan effectively for both known and unexpected health events.
Lemonade Dog & Cat Health Protection
Lemonade uses technology to help pet owners quickly understand their coverage and make informed decisions.
Features
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AI-Driven Evaluations: Accelerates coverage decisions and treatment assessments.
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User-Friendly Interface: Easily navigate policy info and customize plans.
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Fast Claims Process: Often approved instantly for minimal stress.
Lemonade’s tech-forward approach makes pet insurance more accessible and easier to manage, especially when dealing with previous health concerns.
Conclusion
It doesn’t have to be hard to find pet insurance that covers conditions that already exist. Pet owners now have more control than ever because more and more providers are offering flexible, case-by-case coverage and clear policy terms. The providers in this guide can help you with a variety of needs, whether you have a long-term illness, need to be ready for unexpected emergencies, or just want peace of mind.
Your pet deserves good care, and the right insurance plan can help make sure they get it, no matter what their health history is.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pre-existing condition in pet insurance?
A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or medical issue that your pet showed symptoms of or was diagnosed with before the start of your insurance policy. Most insurers define these conditions based on your pet’s medical records prior to enrollment.
Can pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Some pet insurance providers offer limited coverage for pre-existing conditions, especially if they are curable or have been symptom-free for a specified period (e.g., 180 days or 18 months). Chronic or incurable conditions are generally excluded, but select providers assess eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Which pet insurance companies cover pre-existing conditions?
Companies like Embrace, Trupanion, Pets Best, Fetch by The Dodo, and Spot offer varying levels of coverage or exceptions for certain pre-existing conditions. The specific terms and waiting periods vary by provider.
Are hereditary and congenital conditions considered pre-existing?
Yes, if your pet has already shown symptoms or been diagnosed with a hereditary or congenital condition before the insurance policy begins, it is generally treated as a pre-existing condition. However, some insurers offer breed-specific plans or coverage for hereditary issues under certain conditions.
What is a waiting period in pet insurance?
A waiting period is the time between when your policy starts and when your coverage becomes active. For pre-existing conditions, some insurers will only provide coverage after your pet has been symptom-free for a certain number of days or months.
Can I get pet insurance for an older pet with pre-existing conditions?
Yes, several providers allow enrollment regardless of age and may offer coverage if the condition is stable or has improved. Always check for age restrictions and condition-specific rules.
Is it worth getting pet insurance if my pet already has health issues?
Yes. While pre-existing conditions may not be fully covered, insurance can still help with new illnesses, accidents, or preventive care. It also provides financial peace of mind if other medical issues arise in the future.

Reviewed and edited by Albert Fang.
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Article Title: Best Pet Insurance for Pre Existing Conditions
https://fangwallet.com/2025/08/02/best-pet-insurance-for-pre-existing-conditions/
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