What to ask before buying pet insurance
Two of these decide most denied claims.
Pet insurance generates more claim disputes than most personal lines, and nearly all of them trace to two things: how the insurer defines a pre-existing condition, and what happens to a condition at renewal.
Ask those two first. Then work through the rest.
The two that matter most
**"How do you define a pre-existing condition, and does a resolved condition still count?"** Definitions genuinely differ between insurers. Some distinguish curable from incurable conditions; some don't. If your pet has any history, this determines whether the policy is worth buying.
**"If my pet is diagnosed with something this year, is it still covered next policy year?"** For any chronic condition, this matters more than the reimbursement rate. A plan that stops covering a condition at renewal is not insurance against chronic illness.
About limits and payment
- Is the annual limit per condition, per year, or per lifetime?
- Is the deductible annual or per condition?
- Is reimbursement based on my actual bill or on a benefit schedule?
- How much do premiums typically increase as my pet ages?
- Is there an upper age limit for renewal?
About claims
- Can I use any licensed vet?
- Do I pay upfront and get reimbursed, or can you pay the vet directly?
- How long does reimbursement usually take?
- Is pre-authorisation needed for major procedures?
- What's the deadline for submitting a claim after treatment?
- What documentation do you require with a claim?
About the waiting periods
- How long until accident coverage begins?
- How long until illness coverage begins?
- Are there longer waits for specific conditions such as joint issues?
- Does anything diagnosed during a waiting period count as pre-existing?
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This page is general information, not advice about your specific circumstances. A licensed insurance professional can tell you what’s actually available to you.
General information only, not insurance advice. Coverage, availability, and terms vary by insurer and by state, and are subject to underwriting. Quote My Policy LLC is a licensed insurance producer. Nothing here binds coverage.