Waiting periods
Almost every plan has a delay before coverage begins. What the NAIC's 2022 Pet Insurance Model Act sets as the standard:
- A waiting period for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not caused by an accident may not exceed 30 days.
- Waiting periods for accidents are prohibited.
- Insurers must disclose any waiting period.
The model act is a template. It applies in a state only if the state has enacted it, so check your own state and read your policy.
Pre-existing conditions
Pet insurers generally do not cover a condition that existed before coverage began. The model act sets rules around this:
- Insurers must disclose whether they exclude pre-existing conditions, hereditary disorders, congenital anomalies or chronic conditions.
- The insurer has the burden of proving that a pre-existing condition exclusion applies to the condition behind a claim.
| Concept | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing condition | A problem your pet had, showed signs of or was treated for before coverage began. How the policy defines it decides which claims are excluded. |
| Hereditary or congenital condition | A condition present from birth or passed through the breed. Some policies exclude them, and insurers must disclose it if they do. |
| Chronic condition | A long-lasting problem such as arthritis or diabetes. Coverage depends on the policy and on when the condition first appeared. |
| Curable conditions | Some insurers treat a condition that has resolved differently from a lasting one. Ask each insurer how it handles this. |
How to protect yourself
- Buy coverage while your pet is healthy, before symptoms, tests or vet visits for a problem.
- Read the definition of a pre-existing condition, and the list of excluded conditions, before you pay.
- Keep your pet's veterinary records. Insurers may ask for them when you file a claim.
- Ask what happens to a condition that appears during the waiting period.
- Use the free-look period, if your policy has one, to read the full policy and cancel if it does not suit you.
- If a claim is denied because of a pre-existing condition, ask the insurer to show why the exclusion applies. Your state department of insurance handles complaints.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the waiting period for pet insurance?
The NAIC model act limits waiting periods for illnesses and orthopedic conditions not caused by an accident to 30 days, and prohibits waiting periods for accidents. Actual periods depend on the insurer and on whether your state has enacted the model.
Are hereditary conditions covered?
It depends on the policy. Insurers must disclose it if they exclude hereditary disorders or congenital anomalies, so read that part of the policy carefully.
Who has to prove a condition was pre-existing?
Under the NAIC model act, the insurer has the burden of proving that the pre-existing condition exclusion applies to the condition behind a claim.
Can I cancel if I change my mind after buying?
The NAIC model act includes a 15-day free-look period: you can return the policy for a full premium refund within 30 days after the insurer receives it, provided you have not filed a claim. Check your policy and your state.
Sources
Figures and statements on this page were checked against the following sources on 20 September 2026. Prices, rules and policies change, so always confirm details in the policy documents and with your state department of insurance.