Does Spot Pet Insurance Cover Pre Existing Conditions

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Spot pet insurance can be a lifesaver for pet owners, but it's essential to understand what it covers and what it doesn't. If your furry friend has a pre-existing condition, you might be wondering if Spot pet insurance will cover it.

According to Spot's policy, they do offer coverage for pre-existing conditions in some cases, but it depends on the specific condition and the time frame since the condition was diagnosed.

Spot's policy states that if your pet's condition is stable and not expected to worsen, they might consider covering it. However, if the condition is progressive or expected to worsen, they typically won't cover it.

It's also worth noting that Spot has a 14-day waiting period for new policies, which means that if your pet has a pre-existing condition, you won't be able to purchase a policy until after this waiting period has passed.

What Spot Pet Insurance Covers

Spot Pet Insurance covers curable pre-existing conditions, which means if your pet's condition can resolve on its own or with veterinarian care, it can be eligible for coverage after a symptom-free period.

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Spot is one of the pet insurance companies that will cover curable pre-existing conditions, giving you peace of mind and financial protection for your pet's health.

The waiting period for Spot's policy is usually longer for illnesses, at around two weeks, while accidents are covered only a few days after the policy goes into effect.

If your pet has an incurable condition, such as orthopedic issues, diabetes, allergies, or other chronic conditions, Spot may exclude it entirely from coverage.

It's essential to read Spot's policy fine print and ask questions if you're unsure about your pet's coverage, as insurance providers have varying rules for handling pre-existing conditions.

Pre-Existing Conditions and Insurance

Pet insurance companies understand that incurable pre-existing conditions can be emotionally and financially straining for pet parents.

You can still get pet insurance if your pet has a pre-existing condition, but it won't cover the condition itself. For example, if your pet has diabetes, the insurer won't cover costs related to diabetes.

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Pet insurance does cover pre-existing conditions, but it depends on the condition and insurer. Some companies may cover curable pre-existing conditions, like diarrhea or respiratory infections.

Insurers will ask for your pet's medical history or veterinary records when you apply for a policy, which can help clarify what will be considered a pre-existing condition.

If your insurer differentiates between curable and incurable conditions, they can tell you which of your pet's issues might be covered after a symptom-free period.

Always read the policy's fine print and ask questions if you're unsure about your pet's coverage, as insurance providers have varying rules for handling pre-existing conditions.

You can request a medical history review from some insurers to get a full breakdown of what will be considered pre-existing for your pet.

Insurance Companies and Pre-Existing Conditions

Spot pet insurance doesn't cover incurable pre-existing conditions, but they do cover curable conditions after a symptom-free period.

If your pet has a curable condition, you can still get Spot pet insurance, but you'll need to wait 180 days symptom-free before it's covered.

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Some pet insurance companies differentiate between curable and incurable conditions, so it's essential to read the policy's fine print and ask questions if you're unsure about your pet's coverage.

Here's a breakdown of how some popular pet insurance companies handle pre-existing conditions:

It's worth noting that some pet insurance companies may cover curable conditions after a symptom-free period, but this can vary depending on the company and the condition. Always read the policy's fine print and ask questions if you're unsure about your pet's coverage.

Types of Pre-Existing Conditions

There are several types of pre-existing conditions that affect pets. A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness, or abnormality noticed by you or your veterinarian before your policy started, even if your pet never went to see the vet for it.

Curable pre-existing conditions can heal completely with treatment, and some insurers will cover them if your pet remains symptom-free for a set amount of time, often six to 12 months. Examples of curable pre-existing conditions might include diarrhea, vomiting, or respiratory infections.

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Incurable pre-existing conditions, on the other hand, are those that your pet will have for a lifetime, and insurance policies typically don't cover these conditions if they're present before the policy starts or during a waiting period. Examples of incurable pre-existing conditions might include allergies, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and heart disease.

Here are some examples of incurable pre-existing conditions that may not be covered by pet insurance:

  • Allegies
  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Hip dysplasia
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart disease

What Is a Condition?

A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness, or abnormality noticed by you or your veterinarian before your policy started, even if your pet never went to see the vet for it.

These conditions are a part of your pet's unique health profile, which is why they're categorized differently.

Curable pre-existing conditions can be eligible for future coverage if your pet remains symptom-free and treatment-free for 12 months.

This means that if your pet has a curable condition, it's possible to get future coverage if your pet stays healthy for a year without any symptoms or treatment.

Curable vs Incurable

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Curable pre-existing conditions can heal completely with treatment, and some insurers will cover them if your pet remains symptom-free for a set amount of time, often six to 12 months.

Examples of curable pre-existing conditions might include respiratory infections, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Incurable pre-existing conditions, on the other hand, are those that your pet will have for a lifetime, and include chronic diseases or conditions with no known cure.

Examples of incurable pre-existing conditions might include allergies, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, chronic kidney disease, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and heart disease.

Here's a comparison of curable and incurable pre-existing conditions:

It's worth noting that some pet insurance companies require a recent vet checkup to establish a baseline of your pet's health, which can also help identify any potential pre-existing conditions.

Bilateral

Bilateral conditions can be a challenge for pet owners, and it's essential to understand how pet insurance handles them. If your pet has previously faced a bilateral condition on one side, recurrence on the opposite side is more likely.

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Bilateral conditions involve body parts that come in pairs, like hips or knees. Pet insurance may not cover bilateral conditions like hip dysplasia if one side was affected before the policy began.

Pre-existing conditions like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament tears can be a concern for pet owners. If your pet previously had issues with one side, insurers often exclude the other side, too.

If your pet develops a bilateral condition after waiting or exclusionary periods with a pet insurance provider, they'll have both sides covered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most pet insurance companies exclude all pre-existing conditions, but Embrace considers covering certain curable pre-existing conditions if your pet is symptom-free and treatment-free for 1 year.

You can get pet insurance after a diagnosis, but the diagnosed condition will be considered pre-existing and won't be covered.

Pet insurance companies review your pet's medical history and require a vet examination to identify any pre-existing conditions.

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A pre-existing condition is any illness, injury, or condition observed or diagnosed before the insurance coverage started or during any policy waiting periods.

If a condition was not diagnosed prior to enrollment, it would still be considered a pre-existing condition if you noticed symptoms or your veterinarian observed something before coverage started.

To get pet insurance with a pre-existing condition, you'll need to provide a full physical exam within the first 14 days of the policy, and Embrace will review your pet's medical history, including chart notes from your vet.

We may cover curable pre-existing conditions after your pet has been symptom-free and treatment-free for 12 months, making it worth exploring Embrace as your pet insurance provider.

How to Find

Finding the right pet insurance for Spot can be a challenge, especially if they have pre-existing conditions. Some insurers may cover a condition they consider curable if your pet has been symptom-free for a specified period, usually six or 12 months.

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You can look for exceptions in pet insurance policies, which can be a game-changer. Companies like AKC cover all pre-existing conditions once you've had continuous coverage for a year, even if they're incurable.

Enrolling your pet in a health plan early on is crucial. The sooner you sign them up, the less likely they are to have existing issues.

Reviewing your pet's medical history is also essential. This will give you a feel for what the insurance company might classify as pre-existing, and your veterinarian can help clarify which conditions might be considered chronic or curable.

Self-insuring might be a better option if you have an older pet with one or more pre-existing conditions. In these cases, pet insurance might be prohibitively expensive or not cover the medical problems your pet has.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does spot not cover?

Spot plans do not cover pre-existing conditions, including knee and ligament injuries, unless they have been cured and symptom-free for 180 days

Is spot pet insurance effective immediately?

No, spot pet insurance is not effective immediately. A 14-day waiting period applies, during which any condition is considered a pre-existing condition and is not eligible for coverage.

Sean Dooley

Lead Writer

Sean Dooley is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging content. With a strong background in research and analysis, Sean has developed a keen eye for detail and a talent for distilling complex information into clear, concise language. Sean's portfolio includes a wide range of articles on topics such as accounting services, where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of financial concepts and a ability to communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.

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