Pet insurance can help you pay for unexpected accidents and illnesses, and make sure you'd be able to afford the care your pet needs.
However, pet insurance can be tricky if your pet has already developed a few health issues. Most plans typically exclude pre-existing conditions, which are injuries or illnesses your pet had before you enrolled them.
A select number of carriers cover issues that have been "cured" for a certain amount of time. And, one company, AKC Pet Insurance, will pay for treatment related to incurable conditions after 365 consecutive days of coverage.
CNBC Select picked the best pet insurance companies for pre-existing conditions in a variety of categories. (See our methodology for more information on how we made our list.)
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Best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions
- Best for older pets: Pets Best
- Best for customization: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- Best for incurable conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
- Best for high reimbursement rate: Pumpkin
- Best for affordability: Figo
- Best for preventative care: Spot
- Best for speedy claims processing: Lemonade
- Best for bundling: Nationwide
Best for older pets: Pets Best
- Deductibles as low as $50
- No maximum age limit
- Offers direct-payment option
- Exam fees not included with basic plan
- Multi-pet discount is lower than other providers
- Only top-tier plan covers alternative therapies
Policies are issued by MS Transverse Insurance Company (MST). New business issued by MST effective September 2, 2025. In California, existing Pets Best policies will transfer to MST beginning November 1, 2025.
Premiums are based on and may increase or decrease due to the age of your pet, the species or breed of your pet, and your home address. For terms and conditions visit: https://www.petsbest.com/policy. Products are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company (NAIC #12190), or Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581), or MS Transverse Insurance Company (NAIC #21075) and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, (NPN #8889658, CA agency #0F37530).
Who's this for? While some other pet insurance companies limit coverage for pets under age 10, Pets Best has no upper age limit for coverage, making it a good choice if you have a senior dog or cat.
Standout benefits: Get a 5% discount when you insure more than one pet.
Pre-existing condition policy: Pets Best will cover conditions it considers curable if there have been no symptoms for 180 days, including broken bones, sprains, upper respiratory infections and dental fractures.
Best for customization: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
- 10% discount for enrolling multiple pets
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Coverage for horses
- Bilateral conditions not covered
- Must call to get info on some plans
Who's this for? ASPCA's Pet Health Insurance allows you to customize your policy's deductibles, annual coverage limits and reimbursement limits. With a variety of options, you can use these limits to make your premium fit your budget.
Standout benefit: Policies include a 30-day money-back guarantee if no claims have been filed.
Pre-existing condition policy: Curable pre-existing issues are covered if the pet is symptom-free for 180 days, except for knee and ligament conditions.
Best for incurable conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
- Pre-existing conditions covered after a year
- Offers breeding insurance
- Unlimited coverage available
- $3 monthly service fee if paying monthly
- Pets over 9 are restricted to accident-only policies
- Hereditary and congenital conditions cost extra
- No coverage for dental illnesses
Who's this for? AKC Pet Insurance is the only pet insurance company we've found that covers incurable, chronic pre-existing conditions like diabetes, cancer and hip dysplasia. You'll need to have your policy for 12 months for the benefit to kick in.
Standout benefits: AKC also covers expenses relating to breeding, something most pet insurers won't.
Pre-existing condition policy: Incurable pre-existing conditions are covered with some exceptions, including diabetes and Cushing's disease
Best for high reimbursement rate: Pumpkin
- Plans include exam fees and microchipping
- No upper age limits or breed restrictions
- Unlimited coverage standard
Who's this for? All Pumpkin policies offer 80% to 90% cash back on covered vet bills — higher than some other brands, which offer 70% reimbursement rates.
Standout benefits: You can get a 10% discount when you insure more than one pet. Plus, you can get routine care benefits through Pumpkin Wellness Club, which can help you pay for vaccinations, wellness exams and more starting at $20.95 per month for dogs and $15.95 per month for cats.
Pre-existing condition policy: A curable pre-existing condition may be covered in the future if your pet is symptom-free for 180 days, except for knee and hind leg ligament conditions.
Best for affordability: Figo
- Costco members can save 15%
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- 100% reimbursement option available
- Claims close on average in under 3 business days
- Covers curable conditions that have been healed for 12 months
- Vet exam fee not covered by basic plan
- Doesn’t offer an accident-only plan
- Multiple-pet discount lower than many competitors
Who's this for? Figo Pet Insurance is a great option for budget-minded pet parents, with a 5% discount for multiple pets and 15% off for Costco members. Plus, Costco Executive members get the $15 enrollment fee waived.
Standout benefits: Figo offers a 100% reimbursement option.
Pre-existing condition policy: Figo covers conditions that have been cured for at least 12 months.
Best for preventative care: Spot
- no upper age limits for enrollment
- Exam fees covered
- 10% discounts for additional pets
- 14-day waiting period for accidents
- 30-day money-back guarantee not available in New York or Maine
- Average rate for cats is higher than competition
Who's this for? Spot's wellness plan is more comprehensive than others on the market, and includes dental treatments, behavioral issues and spaying/neutering. It starts 24 hours after purchase, so you can take advantage of the benefits quickly.
Standout benefits: There's no age limit on coverage, so even older pets can be covered.
Pre-existing condition policy: Spot says it may cover curable conditions if they have been free of symptoms and professional treatment for 180 days, except for knee and ligament conditions.
Best for speedy claims processing: Lemonade
- 10% bundling discount available
- 2-day waiting period for injury coverage
- Not available in all states
- 5% multi-pet discount is lower than competitors
- Strict age limits may make it hard to enroll older pets
Who's this for? Lemonade combines affordability and convenience with an AI-powered interface that it claims settles nearly 40% of claims in seconds. Upload your claim on the website or mobile app, and your reimbursement is wired directly to your bank account.
Standout benefits: Bundle your pet insurance policy with renters, homeowners or car insurance from Lemonade and save up to 10%.
Pre-existing condition policy: Select conditions that have been asymptomatic for 12 months may be eligible for coverage.
Best for bundling: Nationwide
- Covers birds, reptiles and other exotic pets
- Preferred pricing for prescriptions at Walmart and Sam’s Club
- Curable conditions covered if symptom-free for six months
- Enrollment limited to pets 10 and under
- No coverage for hereditary conditions
- No direct payment option
Who's this for? In addition to issuing pet insurance, Nationwide is one of the 10 largest providers of both home and auto insurance, so you can keep all your policies in one place and enjoy a 5% bundling discount in the process.
Standout benefit: Nationwide is one of the few insurers that covers exotic pets, including birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Pre-existing condition policy: Nationwide covers curable illnesses after six months without symptoms.
How much does pet insurance cost?
In 2024, accident-only pet insurance for dogs averaged $16.10 a month, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association. For cats, accident-only policies averaged $9.17 a month.
Accident and illness policies for dogs averaged $62.44 a month in 2024, while policies for cats were cheaper at $32.21 per month.
Your premiums will vary based on your pet's age and breed, where you live, the policy you select and other factors.
Pet insurance can still be worth it if your dog or cat has an excluded condition, since your policy will still cover unrelated issues. If you're worried about paying for illness coverage and not being able to use it, premiums for accident-only policies are generally much lower.
Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.
Offers accident-only, accident and illness and wellness plans
Cats and dogs as young as seven weeks old can enroll and there is no upper age limit.
$5,000 or unlimited
$50, $100, $200, $250, $500 or $1,000
Lemonade offers accident and illness and wellness policies in 39 states
At least 8 weeks old with a maximum of 10 to 14 years, depending on breed
$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or $100,000
$500 to $750.
What is a pre-existing condition?
A pre-existing condition is any illness or injury your pet had before you bought their policy.
Most pet insurance companies don't cover pre-existing conditions: If your dog was diagnosed with diabetes before you purchased insurance, for example, any treatments related to diabetes would not be covered.
All of the providers we've selected here cover pre-existing conditions that are considered cured. This typically means there have been no symptoms or treatment for a minimum amount of time. If symptoms reappear later, the condition may be covered.
Every pet insurance company has different criteria for what constitutes a curable or incurable health issue. You may be required to submit medical records or take your pet for a vet exam before your policy is approved.
Incurable pre-existing conditions
Except for AKC Pet Insurance, most carriers don't cover pre-existing conditions that can't be cured if they were diagnosed before you bought your policy. These conditions can include:
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Hip dysplasia
- Kidney disease
However, if your pet develops one of these conditions while they're insured, they may be covered. It's one of the reasons it makes sense to get a policy when your pet is young and healthy.
Curable pre-existing conditions
Some companies will cover certain conditions if your pet has been symptom-free and has not received treatment for a predetermined period (typically 6 to 12 months). They include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Ear infections
- Eye infections
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Kennel cough
- Respiratory infections
- Urinary tract infections.
Bilateral exclusions
Bilateral conditions affect both sides of the body. Your provider may consider illnesses diagnosed on one side of the body to be incurable pre-existing conditions if they appear on the other side later. These include:
- Cruciate ligament tears or damage
- Cataracts
- Hip or elbow dysplasia
- Luxating patella
Does my pet need to get a vet exam before being enrolled?
Some pet insurance companies require a veterinarian to examine your animal before determining if they have any pre-existing conditions that won't be covered.
| Company | Exam required to enroll |
|---|---|
| Spot pet insuarnce | No |
| Pets Best Pet Insurance | No |
| Pumpkin Pet Insurance | No |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance | No |
| Lemonade Pet Insurance | Yes |
| Figo Pet Insurance | No |
| Nationwide Pet Insurance | In some circumstances |
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FAQs
What is a pre-existing condition?
Any illness or injury your pet was diagnosed with before your policy took effect is considered a pre-existing condition. Most pet insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions that are considered incurable, although AKC will after 12 months.
What is a curable pre-existing condition in a pet?
Curable pre-existing conditions are usually defined as illnesses or injuries that have been fully treated and have not recurred for a certain period, often 6 to 12 months. Each provider has a different list of conditions it considers curable, so check whether your pet qualifies.
How do pet insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions?
Your insurance company will request your pet's vet records when you apply for a policy or file a claim to determine when the problem started. Some pet insurance companies also require an exam before enrollment.
Does pet insurance cover hereditary conditions?
Most pet insurance won't cover hereditary or genetic conditions like hip dysplasia, patellar luxation and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) if they presented before you bought your policy. Some won't cover them even if they develop after enrollment, so read your policy to see what is excluded.
Does pet insurance cover congenital conditions?
A congenital condition is one that your pet is born with, though they might not show symptoms right away. Common congenital conditions include dysplasia, hernia, heart defects and hypothyroidism. Some pet insurance companies will cover congenital conditions so long as your pet was not diagnosed before coverage took effect.
Can I get pet insurance for a pet with pre-existing conditions?
All of the providers we've chosen will approve coverage for animals with a curable pre-existing condition if your pet has remained symptom- and treatment-free for a certain period. AKC Pet Insurance will also cover a number of incurable conditions once your pet has been covered for 365 days.
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Our methodology
CNBC Select analyzed more than two dozen pet insurance companies, looking at their policies regarding pre-existing conditions and the length of time required for a condition to be considered "cured."
In addition, we reviewed the types of policies available, choices of deductibles, reimbursement levels, annual coverage limits, waiting periods, nationwide availability and customer reviews from the Better Business Bureau.
We also considered CNBC Select audience data when available, such as general demographics and engagement with our content and tools.
Based on those criteria, our selections for the best pet insurance for pre-existing conditions are:
Best for older pets: Pets Best
Best for customization: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance
Best for incurable conditions: AKC Pet Insurance
Best for high reimbursement rate: Pumpkin
Best for affordability: Figo
Best for preventative care: Spot
Best for speedy claims processing: Lemonade
Best for bundling: Nationwide
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every pet insurance review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of insurance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
