{"menuItems":[{"label":"What is a pre-existing condition for pets?","anchorName":"#what-is-a-pre-existing-condition-for-pets"},{"label":"Can you get pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?","anchorName":"#can-you-get-pet-insurance-for-pre-existing-conditions"},{"label":"Request cover for your pet's pre-existing condition with these providers","anchorName":"#compare"},{"label":"What you can do if your pet has a pre-existing condition","anchorName":"#what-you-can-do-if-your-pet-has-a-pre-existing-condition"},{"label":"Can you take out pet insurance after diagnosis?","anchorName":"#can-you-take-out-pet-insurance-after-diagnosis"},{"label":"Does lifetime insurance cover pre-existing conditions?","anchorName":"#does-lifetime-insurance-cover-pre-existing-conditions"},{"label":"What are bilateral conditions?","anchorName":"#what-are-bilateral-conditions"},{"label":"What about insurance for older pets?","anchorName":"#what-about-insurance-for-older-pets"},{"label":"Are congenital conditions covered?","anchorName":"#are-congenital-conditions-covered"},{"label":"What conditions are normally excluded?","anchorName":"#what-conditions-are-normally-excluded"}]}
What you need to know
Pet insurance does not usually automatically cover pre-existing conditions.
In some cases, if your vet advises that your pet is now fully cured and the condition is no longer relevant to their ongoing health, your pet can get covered for that ailment.
If you already have pet insurance, and they have an ailment, be careful about switching because it could lead to exclusions.
What is a pre-existing condition for pets?
A pre-existing condition is an illness or ailment that existed prior to the date you took out a pet insurance policy for your dog or cat. It's generally something that you or your vet were aware of or that any reasonable person in similar circumstances would be aware of.
It doesn't matter whether the condition has been treated or diagnosed by a vet or not. If there are any noticeable signs your pet was unwell prior to being insured, then the condition causing the problem will be defined as pre-existing.
Can you get pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?
Generally no, you can't get pet insurance for pre-existing conditions. If a condition exists or occurs before you take out a policy, it's likely to be excluded from cover as a pre-existing condition.
However, there are exceptions. Some insurers can cover pre-existing conditions on a case-by-case basis. For example, Vets Choice states that if your pet hasn't shown any signs or symptoms of a curable condition for a specific period of time (usually 18 months), you can apply for that pre-existing condition to be waived.
Coles pet insurance will also cover cured pre-existing conditions. All you need to do is show proof from your vet that the condition is fully cured and you'll be covered for claims related to that illness in the future.
Even if you can't get cover for a pre-existing condition, pet insurance is still worth getting, not least because if your pet develops another illness while you hold a policy, you'll be covered. It can also help pay vet bills for accidents and some even cover routine care treatments like dental and vaccinations.
Switching to a different insurance company could cost you money in the future. There is a tendency to try and swap to a cheaper insurance company. But what you need to keep in mind is that the definition of pre-existing conditions, as well as the policies, vary from company to company. Before making the decision on a change of insurance companies, be sure you do your research and seek clarity on what your pet may not get covered for.
Request cover for your pet's pre-existing condition with these providers
Pre-existing conditions are typically assessed on a case-by-case basis. The likelihood of getting covered is up to each provider and also depends on whether the pre-existing condition is considered temporary or chronic. You can submit a request with the following providers:
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
You pay the same price as buying directly from the pet insurer.
We're not owned by an insurer (unlike other comparison sites).
We don't ask for your phone or email.
We've reviewed over 35 policies on the market, so you don't have to.
What you can do if your pet has a pre-existing condition
If your pet has a pre-existing medical condition, here's what you can do.
Take out a pet insurance policy
While they won't be covered for the recurrence of a specific illness, for example arthritis, they will still most likely be insured for an unrelated problem, for example an ear infection that develops after your insurance is in full swing.
If your pet has several pre-existing conditions and you're finding it hard to get cover, one way of minimising your likelihood of being hit with even larger vet bills is to purchase accident-only insurance. This covers a wide variety of health emergencies, ranging from snakebites to fractured bones.
Apply for a review of exclusions
If you've been hit with a pre-existing exclusion but your pet has gotten better and shown no signs of the condition for at least 18 months, you may be able to apply for a pre-existing condition review. These are considered temporary conditions and they normally resolve with treatment. However, you will generally find that chronic conditions and some other specified conditions will not be categorised as a temporary condition and will always be excluded from cover.
Can you take out pet insurance after diagnosis?
Yes, you can take out pet insurance after the diagnosis of an illness, but you won't be able to claim for any treatments related to that condition — rather, it'll be listed as a pre-existing condition by your insurer and excluded from cover. When you make a claim, insurers will ask for the medical history of your pet. You can get this information from your vet.
Does lifetime insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Some insurers offer a lifetime cover guarantee. This means that they'll pay benefits towards treatment for your pet's chronic and/or recurring conditions as long as you keep your policy.
So as long as you get insurance before your pet has developed any conditions and continue paying premiums, your pet should be covered.
What are bilateral conditions?
In pet insurance, bilateral conditions typically fall under the umbrella of pre-existing health problems. The term "bilateral" refers to parts of your pet's body that have a "left" and "right" version, such as its ears or limbs. Bilateral conditions can affect the left side of your pet's body, the right side or both.
As an example, this means that if your pet suffers from dysplasia in its left hip, then dysplasia in its right hip will not be covered because it is considered to be pre-existing. This is despite the fact that only the left hip was previously affected.
What about insurance for older pets?
You can still get pet insurance for older dogs and cats, but they won't be covered for any pre-existing conditions they have.
Most insurers won't let you take out a policy after your furry friend reaches a certain age, usually 9 years old, but there are a handful that can cover your pet after they reach this age. You can find them here.
Are congenital conditions covered?
Yes. Fortunately, most insurers agree to cover both congenital and hereditary disorders as long as there is no clinical indication of these affecting your pet's health until after the waiting period has elapsed.
Hereditary and congenital conditions are something that your furry friend is predisposed to since birth, rather than developing as a result of illness or injury. By definition, such conditions already exist at the time you purchase an insurance policy and may not affect your pet's health until later in life.
Remember though, you won't be covered for specific health problems mentioned in the list of exclusions on your insurance certificate, so check the product disclosure statement (PDS) before taking out a policy.
What conditions are normally excluded?
There is no single list of conditions that all insurers place in the "pre-existing" category, but the problems below generally make the grade.
Allergies
Arthritis
Bilateral conditions
Bladder crystals and urinary blockages
Cancer
Cruciate ligament problems
Diabetes
Heart disease
Hip or elbow dysplasia
Skin lumps
Thyroid problems
Why you can trust Finder's pet insurance experts
We're free
You pay the same as buying directly from the pet insurer. Better still, we regularly run exclusive deals that you won't find on any other site – plus, our tables make it easy to compare policies.
We're experts
Our team of pet insurance experts have researched and rated 25+ policies as part of the Finder Awards. We've produced guides on everything from the best policies to jargon-free explainers.
We're independent
Unlike other comparison sites, we're not owned by an insurer. That means our opinions are our own and we work with lots of pet insurance brands, making it easier for you to find a good deal.
We're here to help
Since 2016, we've helped 110,000+ people find pet insurance by explaining your cover options, simply and clearly. We'll never ask for your number or email. We're here to help you make a decision.
Gary Ross Hunter is an editor at Finder, specialising in insurance. He’s been writing about life, travel, home, car, pet and health insurance for over 6 years and regularly appears as an insurance expert in publications including The Sydney Morning Herald, news.com.au, The Telegraph, Explore Travel and Escape. Gary holds a Kaplan Tier 1 General Insurance (General Advice) certification and a Kaplan Tier 1 Generic Knowledge certification which meets the requirements of ASIC Regulatory Guide 146 (RG146).
Owning a dog can cost way more than you think. On this episode of Pocket Money, we learn why certain breeds are more expensive, and other pet ownership FAQs.
My dog has a reduced vision and the vet has referred him to an eye specialist. I am going to see the eye specialist today. My dog a 6 year old labrador is very healthy and goes to the vet yearly for vaccinations only. No health problems at all.
Will any pet insurance company in Australia will cover this condition. What is the best option I have.
Your pet’s reduced vision may or may not be covered depending on the level of cover you take for your pet. So best to check this first with the insurer and if possible check the T&Cs/PDS of the policy first.
There are different brands you can choose from above list, you may click the name of your preferred insurance to know more the details and click on the green “Get Quote” to request for a quote from their official site.
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Important information about this website
finder.com.au is one of Australia's leading comparison websites. We are committed to our readers and stands by our editorial principles
We try to take an open and transparent approach and provide a broad-based comparison service. However, you should be aware that while we are an independently owned service, our comparison service does not include all providers or all products available in the market.
Some product issuers may provide products or offer services through multiple brands, associated companies or different labeling arrangements. This can make it difficult for consumers to compare alternatives or identify the companies behind the products. However, we aim to provide information to enable consumers to understand these issues.
We make money by featuring products on our site. Compensation received from the providers featured on our site can influence which products we write about as well as where and how products appear on our page, but the order or placement of these products does not influence our assessment or opinions of them, nor is it an endorsement or recommendation for them.
Products marked as 'Top Pick', 'Promoted' or 'Advertisement' are prominently displayed either as a result of a commercial advertising arrangement or to highlight a particular product, provider or feature. Finder may receive remuneration from the Provider if you click on the related link, purchase or enquire about the product. Finder's decision to show a 'promoted' product is neither a recommendation that the product is appropriate for you nor an indication that the product is the best in its category. We encourage you to use the tools and information we provide to compare your options.
Where our site links to particular products or displays 'Go to site' buttons, we may receive a commission, referral fee or payment when you click on those buttons or apply for a product. You can learn more about how we make money.
When products are grouped in a table or list, the order in which they are initially sorted may be influenced by a range of factors including price, fees and discounts; commercial partnerships; product features; and brand popularity. We provide tools so you can sort and filter these lists to highlight features that matter to you.
Please note that the information published on our site should not be construed as personal advice and does not consider your personal needs and circumstances. While our site will provide you with factual information and general advice to help you make better decisions, it isn't a substitute for professional advice. You should consider whether the products or services featured on our site are appropriate for your needs. If you're unsure about anything, seek professional advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan and read any disclosure documents (such as any Target Market Determination (TMD) and/or Product Disclosure Statement (PDS)) issued by the provider before making a decision.
Providing or obtaining an estimated insurance quote through us does not guarantee you can get the insurance. Acceptance by insurance companies is based on things like occupation, health and lifestyle. By providing you with the ability to apply for a credit card or loan, we are not guaranteeing that your application will be approved. Your application for credit products is subject to the Provider's terms and conditions as well as their application and lending criteria.
Please read our website terms of use and privacy policy for more information about our services and our approach to privacy.
Hello,
My dog has a reduced vision and the vet has referred him to an eye specialist. I am going to see the eye specialist today. My dog a 6 year old labrador is very healthy and goes to the vet yearly for vaccinations only. No health problems at all.
Will any pet insurance company in Australia will cover this condition. What is the best option I have.
Deepika
Hi Deepika,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Your pet’s reduced vision may or may not be covered depending on the level of cover you take for your pet. So best to check this first with the insurer and if possible check the T&Cs/PDS of the policy first.
There are different brands you can choose from above list, you may click the name of your preferred insurance to know more the details and click on the green “Get Quote” to request for a quote from their official site.
Best regards,
Rench