Based on MoneyGeek's analysis, AKC is the best overall 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: March 13, 2026
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Key Takeaways
AKC provides the best pet insurance for dogs with pre-existing conditions, earning a 4.5 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.
Before purchasing a policy with pre-existing condition coverage, compare pet insurance costs from multiple insurers, look for customer reviews and read the fine print.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies for Pre-Existing Conditions?
AKC
Best for Dogs With Pre-Existing Conditions
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
3.6/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Points
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/ 5
5/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
1.7/5Coverage Points
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?
Pet insurance prices depend on the type of pet you have. Dogs usually cost more to insure than cats because they’re larger, live longer and often need more expensive veterinary care.
Our analysis identified Pumpkin as 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.
Cheapest Pet Insurance for Dogs With Pre-Existing Conditions
Pumpkin offers the cheapest pet insurance for dogs with pre-existing conditions at $46 monthly, followed closely by ASPCA at $48 monthly. These rates reflect our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever profile with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Pumpkin | $46 | $548 | 24% |
| ASPCA | $48 | $580 | 20% |
| Hartville | $55 | $665 | 8% |
| Spot | $57 | $684 | 5% |
| AKC | $59 | $705 | 2% |
| Rainwalk | $60 | $718 | 1% |
| Nationwide | $94 | $1,127 | 56% |
Cheapest Pet Insurance for Cats With Pre-Existing Conditions
Cat owners can find affordable pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, with rates starting at $20 monthly from Pumpkin. Hartville offers the second-lowest premium at $23 monthly. Both figures are based on our seven-year-old Ragdoll profile with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| 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 the unexpected risks insurance is designed to cover, which would make coverage financially unsustainable if included immediately.
What Are Considered Pre-Existing Conditions for Pet Insurance?
Pet insurance companies distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions when determining eligibility for coverage. Some insurers cover curable conditions after a waiting period, provided your pet stays 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 financial 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 except 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 their left knee), most insurers exclude the same condition on the opposite side as pre-existing.
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance That Covers Pre-Existing Conditions?
Even with limited options, you can get pet insurance that offers solid value for pre-existing conditions. Here's how to get started.
- 1Decide on Your Coverage Needs
Assess your pet's specific pre-existing conditions and determine how much pet insurance you need. Balance your monthly budget against potential claim costs to find the right pet insurance coverage level for your financial situation.
- 2Look for Providers That Cover Pre-Existing Conditions
Focus your search on companies that explicitly cover pre-existing conditions. AKC covers both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after a year of continuous coverage, while Pumpkin covers curable conditions after a six-month symptom-free period.
- 3Compare Multiple Quotes
Pull quotes from several providers on your shortlist and compare monthly premiums, deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates. The cheapest premium isn't always the best deal if it comes with high deductibles or limited coverage. Check for available pet insurance discounts and pet insurance low-income programs that could reduce your rate.
- 4Look Out for Customer Reviews and Recommendations
Research customer experiences with claims processing before committing. Pre-existing condition claims are more complex than standard policies, so real-world feedback matters. Check Trustpilot, Reddit and other review platforms, prioritizing reviews from pet owners managing conditions similar to yours.
- 5Read the Fine Print
Review what's covered, what's excluded and which waiting periods apply to your pet's specific conditions. Pre-existing condition policies often include reimbursement terms for bilateral conditions, 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 top pick for dogs with pre-existing conditions, while Pumpkin earns that title for cats. Pumpkin also leads on affordability, with average monthly premiums of $20 for cats and $46 for dogs.
Before choosing a policy, compare multiple quotes, check customer reviews and read the provider's terms closely to find coverage that fits your budget.
Learn more about the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pets:
The Best Pet Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions: FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about pet insurance with pre-existing condition coverage:
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 six-year-old Labrador Retriever and seven-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. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.