What Are Pet Insurance Waiting Periods? (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Waiting periods are mandatory delays before pet insurance coverage starts to prevent people from buying insurance after their pet gets sick.

Some companies offer zero-day accident coverage, while most require waiting periods of 14 days for illness and six months for orthopedic conditions.

Get a vet exam, transfer from previous coverage or research your state's laws to minimize pet insurance waiting periods.

What Is a Pet Insurance Waiting Period?

A waiting period in pet insurance refers to the time you must wait after purchasing a policy before coverage begins for certain types of care. You'll pay your monthly premiums like usual, but you won't be able to file claims for covered services until the waiting period ends. Most insurers use waiting periods to prevent pet owners from buying insurance only after their pet gets sick or injured.

Waiting periods are different from pre-existing condition exclusions. Pre-existing conditions are health issues your pet had before coverage started, and these are typically excluded from coverage permanently, regardless of waiting periods.

Types of Pet Insurance Waiting Periods

Not all waiting periods are the same. Accident coverage might start immediately, while orthopedic conditions could leave you waiting up to a year.

Accidents

Accidents have the shortest waiting period, ranging from zero to 15 days. This covers injuries from unexpected events like car accidents, torn ligaments or ingesting foreign objects. Some insurers may offer immediate accident coverage with no waiting period.

Illness

Illness waiting periods usually last 14 to 30 days after your policy starts. This applies to conditions like infections, digestive issues, cancer or chronic diseases that develop over time. The longer waiting period gives insurers time to ensure pets don't have early symptoms of illness that owners haven't noticed yet.

Orthopedic and cruciate conditions

Some insurers have separate waiting periods for specific orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament injuries (like when your dog tears their ACL when playing), which can have longer wait times than general orthopedic coverage. These waiting periods often last six to 12 months. These cover joint problems, hip dysplasia, torn ACLs and other musculoskeletal issues common in certain breeds.

Wellness and preventive care

You can buy extra coverage that pays for everyday vet care like vaccines and teeth cleanings alongside your main pet insurance plan. These add-ons often start working immediately, so you can get reimbursement as soon as your coverage begins.

Is There Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period?

Most pet insurers require waiting periods before coverage begins, but a few companies offer immediate accident coverage or shorter-than-average wait times for certain conditions. MetLife and Embrace, for example, provide 0-day accident coverage while maintaining standard illness waiting periods.

Here's how waiting periods compare across major pet insurance companies:


AKC	2 days	14 days	180 days for cruciate ligaments
ASPCA	14 days	14 days	14 days
Embrace	0 day	14 days	6 months
Fetch	15 days	15 days	6 months
Figo	1 day	14 days	6 months
Healthy Paws	15 days	15 days	12 months
Lemonade	2 days	14 days	30 days for orthopedic conditions, 6 months for cruciate ligament
Liberty Mutual	14 days	14 days	14 days
MetLife	0 day	14 days	6 months
Nationwide	2 days	14 days	12 months
Pets Best	3 days	14 days	6 months
Prudent Pet	5 days	14 days	6 months
Pumpkin	14 days	14 days	14 days
Rainwalk	14 days	14 days	Not specified
Spot	14 days	14 days	14 days
Trupanion	5 days	14 days	14 to 30 days for cruciate knee injury based on coverage type
Wagmo	15 days	15 days	3 to 15 days

*These waiting periods may vary by state. Some states have adopted regulations that may limit or eliminate certain waiting periods. Check with your state insurance department for specific requirements that may apply to your coverage.

Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:

ASPCA vs. Figo Pet Insurance

ASPCA vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

ASPCA vs. Met Life Pet Insurance

ASPCA vs. Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Embrace vs. ASPCA Pet Insurance

Embrace vs. Fetch Pet Insurance

How to Minimize Your Waiting Period

Most companies make you wait before coverage starts, but some will let you skip the wait or shorten it. You just need to know what they require and how to qualify.

1
Transfer from previous coverage
Some companies offer shorter waiting periods if you switch from another pet insurer without a coverage gap. You'll typically need to provide proof of your previous policy and show continuous coverage.
2
Get a vet exam
A comprehensive veterinary examination can be your ticket to faster coverage with some providers. If your vet confirms your pet is healthy and shows no signs of underlying conditions, several companies will reduce or eliminate their standard waiting periods. You'll need to submit a waiver form along with the exam results within a specific window around your enrollment date.

Here are some companies that offer waiting period waivers with vet exams.
- AKC
- ASPCA
- Embrace
- Fetch
- Figo
- Prudent Pet
- Spot
- Wagmo
3
Know your state's law
Several states have adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Pet Insurance Model Act, which prohibits waiting periods for accidents and limits orthopedic waiting periods to 30 days or less. These include California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington. Understanding your state's regulations can help you choose insurers that offer the shortest possible waiting periods or find companies required to waive them completely when getting pet insurance.

What Is a Waiting Period for Pet Insurance: Bottom Line

Pet insurance waiting periods exist to prevent fraud, but they don't have to delay your coverage unnecessarily. Companies like Embrace and MetLife let you skip accident waiting periods, plus getting a vet exam and submitting a waiver form can reduce standard waiting periods for certain conditions.

Waiting Period for Pet Insurance: FAQ

We've answered common questions about pet insurance waiting periods:

What is meant by the 'waiting period' when signing up for pet insurance?

A waiting period is the required time you have to wait after getting pet insurance before it covers certain conditions. During these weeks or months, you'll still pay your monthly bill but you can't submit any claims until the wait is over. Pet insurance companies set up these delays so people won't just buy policies right after their animal gets hurt, which keeps costs lower for all pet owners.

How long do I have to wait for different types of pet insurance coverage?

Waiting periods vary by condition type. Accidents typically require zero to 14 days, with some companies offering immediate coverage. Illness coverage usually starts after 14 to 30 days. Orthopedic conditions have the longest waits at six to 12 months, though some states limit this to 30 days maximum.

Which pet insurance companies have no waiting period for accidents?

MetLife and Embrace offer zero-day waiting periods for accident coverage, meaning protection starts immediately after enrollment. Most other companies require two to 15 days for accident coverage.

What happens if my pet gets sick during the waiting period?

If your pet develops symptoms or gets sick during the waiting period, that condition won't be covered and will be considered pre-existing going forward. You'll need to pay for treatment out of pocket.

Can I avoid or reduce my pet insurance waiting period?

You can't completely eliminate waiting periods, but if you get a comprehensive vet exam within your enrollment window, companies like ASPCA, Fetch and Wagmo may waive waiting periods with clean health certificates.

Do waiting periods reset if I switch pet insurance companies?

Waiting periods typically restart when switching companies unless you qualify for transfer benefits. To avoid new waiting periods, maintain continuous coverage without gaps and provide proof of your previous policy. Some insurers offer reduced waiting periods for transfers, but you'll usually face new waiting periods for any coverage increases or new conditions not previously covered.

Are wellness plan waiting periods different from regular coverage?

Wellness plans have no waiting periods and benefits start immediately after enrollment. This differs from accident and illness coverage, which requires standard waiting periods.

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.

Read Full Bio »

sources

National Association of Insurance Commissioners. "Pet Insurance Model Act." Accessed August 8, 2025.