Can You Get Pet Insurance for a Dog With Pre-Existing Conditions?

The Short Answer: Yes, But With Limits

You can absolutely get pet insurance for a dog with pre-existing conditions. The policy will cover new, unrelated conditions going forward. What it won't cover is the pre-existing condition itself — or conditions related to it.

What Counts as Pre-Existing?

A pre-existing condition is anything that showed symptoms or was diagnosed before your policy's effective date (including the waiting period). This includes:

• Diagnosed conditions: Diabetes, hip dysplasia, cancer, allergies
• Symptoms noted in vet records: Limping, vomiting, lethargy, skin issues
• Conditions with observable signs: Even if never formally diagnosed

The Vet Records Issue

When you file a claim, your insurer requests your pet's complete veterinary records. They review everything — annual exams, notes, test results. If your vet wrote "mild lameness in right rear leg" two years ago and you now file a claim for a torn ACL in that same leg, it will likely be denied as pre-existing.

Curable vs. Incurable Pre-Existing Conditions

Some insurers distinguish between these:

Curable Conditions

Conditions that can be fully resolved:

• Ear infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Upper respiratory infections
• Vomiting/diarrhea episodes
• Minor skin infections

Some carriers (like Embrace) will cover curable conditions if your pet has been symptom-free for 12 months after your policy starts.

Incurable Conditions

Conditions that are chronic or permanent:

• Diabetes
• Hip dysplasia
• Cancer (previous diagnosis)
• Heart disease
• Epilepsy
• Allergies (chronic)

These are typically permanently excluded from coverage.

What IS Covered for Dogs With Pre-Existing Conditions

Even with exclusions, pet insurance still covers:

• New, unrelated conditions: A dog with hip dysplasia is still covered for cancer, eye conditions, infections, and everything unrelated to the hips
• Accidents: Broken bones, lacerations, poisoning, foreign body ingestion
• New illnesses: Kidney disease, liver conditions, thyroid issues (if not pre-existing)
• Emergency care: For any new condition

Example

Your 5-year-old Lab has a history of allergies (pre-existing — excluded). After getting insured, he develops:

• Torn ACL → Covered (unrelated to allergies)
• Cancerous tumor → Covered (new condition)
• Skin allergy flare-up → Not covered (pre-existing)
• Foreign body surgery → Covered (accident)

Is It Still Worth It?

The Math

• Monthly premium for a 5-year-old Lab with pre-existing allergies: ~$50-$70/month ($600-$840/year)
• Average cost of ACL surgery: $4,000-$6,000
• Average cost of cancer treatment: $5,000-$10,000+

One major new condition pays for years of premiums, even with the pre-existing exclusion.

When It's Definitely Worth It

• Your dog is young or middle-aged with a minor pre-existing condition
• You want protection against future accidents and new illnesses
• Your breed is prone to multiple conditions (not just the one that's pre-existing)

When It's Questionable

• Your dog is elderly (10+) with multiple pre-existing conditions
• Premiums exceed $100/month due to age and breed
• Most potential health issues are related to existing conditions

Carriers That Handle Pre-Existing Conditions Best

• Embrace: Covers curable pre-existing conditions after 12-month symptom-free period
• ASPCA Pet Insurance: Clear pre-existing condition policy, competitive pricing
• Healthy Paws: Straightforward exclusions, good coverage for everything else
• Trupanion: Offers a 30-day waiting period with no annual limits on new conditions

Tips for Enrolling

1. Get a clean vet exam first: A current clean bill of health (for conditions other than the known one) provides a baseline
2. Be honest on your application: Hiding conditions leads to denied claims
3. Review your vet records: Know what's documented before applying
4. Ask about the curable condition policy: Can exclusions be removed after a symptom-free period?
5. Enroll sooner rather than later: The longer you wait, the more conditions become pre-existing

The Bottom Line

Pre-existing conditions don't make pet insurance worthless — they just make it more targeted. Your dog can still develop dozens of expensive conditions that would be fully covered. The key is understanding exactly what's excluded and making sure the remaining coverage justifies the premium.