Pet insurance can help with unexpected vet bills, but you may not be able to claim straight away for your cat or dog’s care. While no waiting periods may apply for certain treatments, most conditions require you to serve one before you’re covered. Understanding how waiting periods work and when you can claim can help you avoid unwanted surprises if your pet needs medical attention soon after you take out a plan.
What is a waiting period in pet insurance?
A waiting period is the time you need to serve after buying pet insurance before coverage takes effect. This means your pet won’t be covered for claims until the relevant waiting period has passed.
Waiting periods are standard across pet insurance providers. They help prevent people from:
- Claiming for pre-existing conditions if their pet is already sick or injured
- Taking out pet insurance just to claim for a planned or expected treatment, then cancelling their policy shortly after
Reducing these risks helps insurers manage claim costs and keep cover and prices fair for all policyholders.
Standard pet insurance waiting periods
Waiting periods for pet insurance can vary depending on the provider and the condition being claimed for. The table below provides a general overview of the types of waiting periods you may expect.
| Cover for | Examples | General waiting period |
|---|---|---|
|
Accidents
|
|
0 – 21 days |
|
Illness
|
|
21 – 30 days |
|
Routine care
|
|
None |
|
Alternative treatments
|
|
30 days |
|
Serious conditions
|
|
6 months |
|
Dental illness
|
|
6 months – 2 years |
Can I get pet insurance with no waiting period?
You may be able to get pet insurance with no waiting period, but this is generally limited to accident-only cover and routine care. For illnesses and other conditions, cover usually won’t start immediately, so you’ll need to serve the relevant waiting period outlined in your product disclosure statement (PDS).
Some providers may waive or reduce certain waiting periods after assessing your pet’s health or medical history. For example, some providers allow the waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions to be waived if a vet confirms your pet has no history or signs of the condition. Others may impose shorter waiting periods for pets under one year old, as they typically have a limited medical history and are less likely to have pre-existing conditions.
However, this isn’t standard across the board. Each insurer will have its own rules, and not all conditions will be eligible for a waiver.
Are there pet insurance waiting periods for pre-existing conditions?
If there’s an injury or health issue your pet showed signs or symptoms of before your policy started, the condition will be ineligible for coverage. While you may still be able to take out pet insurance, any claims related to that pre-existing condition will be excluded.
If the condition is deemed temporary rather than chronic and resolves with treatment, it may become eligible for coverage if no signs or symptoms appear after a set period, often around 18 months. However, it’s important to check the policy details for the insurer’s specific requirements, as these vary.
What if my pet becomes ill during the waiting period?
If your cat or dog gets sick with an illness or condition outlined in your pet insurance plan before the end of the specified waiting period, you won’t be covered under your insurance policy. This means that you’ll be responsible for paying all costs associated with the treatment for that issue and won’t be able to claim any reimbursement from your insurance provider.
Depending on your insurer and the circumstances, there’s also a chance that the condition will subsequently be deemed pre-existing, which may mean it’s excluded from your policy.