Based on MoneyGeek's analysis, AKC is the best pet insurance for dogs with pre-existing conditions, while Pumpkin is the top choice for cats with pre-existing conditions. We also identified Spot, Rainwalk and ASPCA as solid alternatives for curable pre-existing conditions coverage.
Best Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions
Updated: August 16, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
AKC provides the best pet insurance for dogs with pre-existing conditions, earning a 4.4 out of 5 score. Pumpkin is the best pet insurance company that covers cats with pre-existing conditions, receiving a 4.45 out of 5 score.
Pumpkin offers the cheapest pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, with average monthly rates starting at $20 for cats and $46 for dogs.
To find the best cheap pet insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage, get multiple quotes, look for customer reviews and read the policy's terms and conditions.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Pet Type:Dog
| AKC | 4.4 | $705 |
| Rainwalk | 4.25 | $718 |
| Pumpkin | 4.25 | $548 |
| ASPCA | 4.1 | $580 |
| Spot | 4.05 | $684 |
| Hartville | 3.8 | $665 |
| Nationwide | 2.8 | $1,127 |
AKC
Best for Dogs With Pre-Existing Conditions
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ of 5
3.6/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate
$59Overall Reddit Sentiment
86% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$10,000Most Unique Coverage Inclusion or Add-On
Curable and incurable pre-existing conditions coverage
Pumpkin
Best for Cats With Pre-Existing Conditions
MoneyGeek Rating
4.5/ of 5
5/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
1.7/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate
$20Overall Reddit Sentiment
79% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
UnlimitedMost Unique Coverage Inclusion or Add-On
Curable pre-existing conditions coverage
What Are the Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies for Pre-Existing Conditions?
Pumpkin is the cheapest pet insurance company that covers pre-existing conditions for both dogs and cats. It offers average monthly premiums starting at $20 for cats and $46 for dogs. These rates reflect our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with $5,000 annual limits, $500 deductibles and 80% reimbursement rates.
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Pet Type:Cat
| Pumpkin | $20 | $238 | 37% |
| Hartville | $23 | $277 | 27% |
| Spot | $23 | $284 | 25% |
| ASPCA | $30 | $352 | 7% |
| Rainwalk | $30 | $359 | 5% |
| AKC | $35 | $416 | 10% |
| Nationwide | $41 | $489 | 29% |
What Are Pre-Existing Conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are any health issues, symptoms or injuries your pet has before your insurance policy starts or during waiting periods. Most pet insurance companies exclude these conditions because they represent known costs rather than unexpected risks, which would make insurance financially unsustainable if covered immediately.
What Are Considered Pre-Existing Conditions for Pet Insurance?
Insurance companies differentiate between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions when determining coverage eligibility. This distinction matters as some insurers may cover curable conditions after a waiting period if your pet remains symptom-free.
- Ear infections
- Bladder infections
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Respiratory infections
- Kennel cough
- Chronic vomiting
- Broken bones
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Hip dysplasia
Curable pre-existing conditions
Curable conditions are health issues that can be completely treated and resolved with proper veterinary care. Some insurers, like Pumpkin, Spot, Rainwalk and ASPCA, provide coverage for these conditions if your pet stays symptom-free for six months to a year.
Examples of curable pre-existing conditions include:
Incurable pre-existing conditions
Incurable conditions are health problems your pet will have for life and need continuous treatment to manage. All pet insurers apart from AKC don't cover these conditions because they represent ongoing costs, making them too expensive to insure.
Incurable pre-existing conditions may include:
DOES PET INSURANCE COVER BILATERAL CONDITIONS?
Bilateral conditions affect both sides of your pet's body and present unique coverage challenges for pet insurance. If your pet is diagnosed with a condition on one side (like a torn ACL in the left knee), most insurers will exclude the same condition on the opposite side as a pre-existing condition.
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions?
Even with limited options, finding the best value for pet insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage doesn't have to be challenging. Here's how to start.
- 1
Decide on your coverage needs
Start by assessing your pet's specific pre-existing conditions and determining the level of coverage you can afford. Balance your monthly budget against potential claim costs to find the right combination of deductible, annual limit and reimbursement rate for your financial situation.
- 2
Look for providers that cover pre-existing conditions
Narrow your search by focusing on pet insurance companies with pre-existing conditions coverage. For example, AKC covers curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after you've had continuous coverage for a year, while Pumpkin covers curable conditions after a 6-month symptom-free period.
- 3
Compare multiple quotes
Get multiple quotes from the list of pet insurance providers you're considering to ensure you get the best rate for your situation. Compare monthly premiums and options for deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates. The cheapest monthly premium isn't always the best option if it comes with high deductibles or limited coverage.
- 4
Look out for customer reviews and recommendations
Before purchasing pet insurance, research customer experiences with claims processing, especially for pre-existing conditions, since this coverage is more complex than standard policies. Check Trustpilot, Reddit and other review platforms, paying close attention to reviews from pet owners with similar conditions to your pet's health issues.
- 5
Read the fine print
Once you have your policy, carefully review what's covered, excluded and what waiting periods apply to your pet's specific conditions. Pre-existing condition coverage often includes bilateral condition clauses, breed-specific restrictions or cure requirements that could affect your benefits.
What Is the Best Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions: Bottom Line
AKC is MoneyGeek's pick for the best pet insurance that covers dogs with pre-existing conditions, while Pumpkin is our top choice for cats with pre-existing conditions. Pumpkin also offers the most affordable pet insurance for pre-existing conditions, with average monthly premiums of $20 for cats and $46 for dogs. That said, compare multiple quotes, research customer reviews and understand the provider's terms and conditions to ensure you get the best coverage that fits your budget.
The Best Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions: FAQ
We've answered some frequently asked questions about pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions below:
What is the best pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions?
AKC is the best pet insurance for dogs with pre-existing conditions, covering both curable and incurable conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage. Pumpkin is the best pet insurance for cats with pre-existing conditions, providing coverage for curable conditions after 180 symptom-free days.
What is the cheapest pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?
Pumpkin is the cheapest pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, with premiums as low as $20 monthly for cats and $46 monthly for dogs.
Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
Most pet insurance companies permanently exclude pre-existing conditions because they are costly and require continuous treatment. However, some providers differentiate between curable and incurable conditions, providing coverage for the former after a specified period.
How do pet insurance companies know about pre-existing conditions?
Pet insurance companies review your pet's complete medical history and veterinary records during the application process and claims review. Conditions become "pre-existing" once they're documented in your pet's medical records, even during waiting periods.
Can you get pet insurance if your pet already has health issues?
You can get pet insurance for pets with existing health issues, though claims related to their pre-existing conditions will likely be denied unless they're considered curable.
How We Found the Best and Cheapest Pet Insurance With Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage
MoneyGeek analyzed seven major pet insurance providers in the United States to identify the best and cheapest options for pets with pre-existing conditions. Our research focused on gathering quotes, evaluating customer experience and examining detailed coverage terms to tailor our recommendations.
To ensure fair comparisons across all providers, we used our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with $5,000 annual limits, 80% reimbursement rate and $500 deductibles for every quote.
How We Rated Each Provider
Affordability (50% of score): We collected proprietary quote information across multiple coverage combinations, pet ages, and breed categories to create affordability scores for each provider. While we considered available discounts in our evaluation, these played a minimal role due to limited variation between companies.
Customer Experience (30% of score): We gathered customer feedback from Trustpilot and Reddit to assess real-world experiences with claims processing and customer service quality.
Coverage Options (20% of score): We reviewed complete contract terms for all providers across every state, analyzing add-on coverage options, policy inclusions, exclusions and specific restrictions to calculate coverage scores.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.