You can still get pet insurance after a diagnosis, but your pet’s diagnosed condition becomes a pre-existing condition that won't be covered by your new policy. Your pet's future illnesses and injuries will be covered as long as they're not related to the pre-existing condition. This means pet insurance still provides financial protection by reimbursing eligible costs for unexpected health issues based on your policy’s terms, just not for the condition your pet already has at enrollment.
Can You Get Pet Insurance After a Diagnosis?
Updated: September 26, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Pet insurance still provides financial protection after a diagnosis by covering new, unrelated accidents and illnesses, though the diagnosed condition becomes a pre-existing exclusion.
Consider your pet's age, breed-specific health risks and lifestyle when deciding if getting coverage still makes financial sense after a diagnosis.
Research providers that cover pre-existing conditions, compare multiple quotes and policies and maintain continuous coverage to maximize chances of future coverage for your pet’s diagnosed condition.
How Does Pet Insurance Work After a Diagnosis?
How Do Pet Insurance Terms and Conditions Differ By Provider?
Pet insurance companies approach coverage after a diagnosis differently, as detailed in the table below.
AKC | Covers the diagnosed condition after 365 days of continuous enrollment, regardless of whether it’s curable or incurable |
ASPCA | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 180 days |
Embrace | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 12 months |
Fetch | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 365 days |
Figo | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 12 months |
Healthy Paws | Permanently excludes the diagnosed condition from coverage, regardless of whether it’s curable |
Lemonade | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s non-chronic and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 12 months |
Liberty Mutual | Permanently excludes the diagnosed condition from coverage, with no exceptions for curable conditions or symptom-free periods. |
MetLife | Covers the diagnosed condition if you switch providers through your employer |
Nationwide | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after six months |
Pets Best | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s cured and no further treatment is needed |
Prudent Pet | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 365 days |
Pumpkin | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 180 days |
Rainwalk | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 180 days |
Spot | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 180 days |
Trupanion | Permanently excludes the diagnosed condition from coverage, with no exceptions for curable conditions or symptom-free periods |
Wagmo | Covers the diagnosed condition if it’s curable and your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 12 months |
Coverage varies by state and policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents to understand exact coverage terms, exclusions and limitations.
Is It Worth It To Get Pet Insurance After a Diagnosis?
Getting pet insurance after a diagnosis can still provide valuable financial protection for future accidents and unrelated illnesses your pet may face. While the diagnosed condition won't be covered as it’s considered pre-existing, your pet could develop completely separate health issues that would qualify for coverage.
How to Determine if Pet Insurance Is Worth It After a Diagnosis
Several key factors can help you decide whether pet insurance makes financial sense for your pet's situation after receiving a diagnosis.
Your pet’s age and life expectancy
Younger pets with many years ahead benefit most from pet insurance since they have more time to develop unrelated conditions. Older pets may still benefit if they're healthy otherwise, but the window for new coverage becomes smaller. Consider whether your pet has enough remaining years to make the premiums worthwhile.
Your pet’s breed
Certain breeds face higher risks for specific conditions that may be unrelated to your pet's current diagnosis. For example, if your German Shepherd was diagnosed with allergies, they could still develop hip dysplasia later. Research your pet's breed to understand what future health issues might arise.
Your pet’s behavior and lifestyle
Active pets who spend time outdoors, interact with other animals or have adventurous personalities face higher risks for accidents and injuries unrelated to their current diagnosis. Consider your pet's daily activities and temperament when weighing whether future accident coverage justifies the premium costs.
Your financial situation
Pet insurance reimburses you for covered costs when new, unrelated health issues arise after your pet's diagnosis. Evaluate whether the potential reimbursements for future conditions justify the ongoing premium costs, especially considering your pet's remaining years and health risks.
How To Get Coverage For Your Pet's Diagnosis
While most insurers won't cover your pet's current diagnosis as a pre-existing condition, a few may offer limited options for certain situations. Here's how to explore potential coverage for your pet's diagnosed condition.
- 1
Research providers that cover pre-existing conditions
Look into providers that may cover curable or incurable conditions after specific waiting periods. Compare each company's definition of “curable” and its required symptom-free periods.
- 2
Gather your pet’s complete medical records
Request all veterinary records from the past 12 months, including the diagnosis, treatment plans and any follow-up visits. Insurance companies will review these records to determine what qualifies as pre-existing and what might be eligible for future coverage.
- 3
Get multiple quotes and compare policies
Collect quotes from at least three insurers and inquire about coverage for your pet's condition. Look into each company's sample policy documents to understand exact terms, waiting periods and exclusions before enrolling.
- 4
Enroll and maintain coverage
Submit your application with all required documentation and maintain consistent premium payments to avoid coverage gaps. Keep detailed records of your pet's ongoing health status and any new symptoms that may develop. Remember that most coverage for pre-existing conditions requires continuous enrollment without lapses.
Can You Still Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis: Bottom Line
Getting pet insurance remains worthwhile even after a diagnosis as it covers future accidents and illnesses unrelated to your pet's current condition. Think about your pet's age, breed risks and how active they are as these things shape the odds of future health problems. After making your choice, look into insurers that handle pre-existing conditions and maintain continuous coverage to get better financial protection for your pet's medical needs.
Can You Get Pet Insurance After Diagnosis: FAQ
Below are common questions about pet insurance coverage after your pet's diagnosis:
Can I get pet insurance if my pet already has a diagnosed condition?
You can still get pet insurance after your pet receives a diagnosis. The diagnosed condition will be considered pre-existing and won't be covered, but your policy will provide financial protection for new, unrelated accidents and illnesses.
Which pet insurance companies cover diagnosed conditions before enrollment?
AKC covers both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage. Several providers like ASPCA, Pumpkin, Rainwalk and Spot cover curable conditions after 180 symptom-free days. Meanwhile, Embrace, Figo and Wagmo require 12 symptom-free months for curable conditions.
What factors should I consider when deciding if pet insurance is worth it after a diagnosis?
Consider your pet's age and remaining life expectancy (younger pets benefit more), breed-specific health risks unrelated to the current diagnosis and your pet's lifestyle (active pets face higher accident risks) to determine whether getting pet insurance makes sense after a diagnosis.
Does pet insurance cover accidents that happen after I get a policy, even if my pet has a pre-existing condition?
Pet insurance covers new accidents and injuries that occur after your policy begins, even if your pet has a pre-existing condition. The pre-existing condition exclusion only applies to the diagnosed condition and related issues. If your pet breaks a bone, gets hit by a car or faces any other unrelated emergency, those costs would be covered according to your policy terms.
What's the difference between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions?
Curable pre-existing conditions are temporary health issues that can be fully resolved, like ear infections, urinary tract infections or broken bones. Incurable conditions are chronic, lifelong issues like diabetes, allergies or arthritis that require ongoing management. Most insurers only consider covering curable conditions after a symptom-free period, while incurable conditions remain permanently excluded except at AKC.
Should I wait until my pet's diagnosed condition is cured before getting insurance?
If your pet's condition is curable and treatment is complete, you might benefit from waiting until they meet a provider's symptom-free requirements before enrolling. However, this strategy carries risk since new accidents or illnesses could occur while you wait.
What happens if my pet develops a condition related to their pre-existing diagnosis?
Insurance companies won't cover conditions related to your pet's diagnosis. If your pet was diagnosed with diabetes before enrollment, future health issues like diabetic cataracts or neuropathy wouldn't be eligible for reimbursement.
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.