Pet health insurance includes a waiting period, which is the time between when your policy starts and when coverage begins. During this time, treatments aren’t covered, and any illness that shows symptoms or is diagnosed is considered pre-existing and excluded.
What are the standard waiting periods for pet health insurance?
Pet health insurance coverage begins only after the waiting period has expired, counting from the policy start date. Both the Surgery and Plus plans have a general waiting period of 30 days. This means treatment or surgery costs will be covered only if they occur after this period.
How do pre-existing conditions affect pet health coverage?
If clinically significant symptoms appear or an illness is diagnosed before the waiting period ends, that condition and any related treatment are permanently excluded from coverage—even after the waiting period has passed.
Which conditions and procedures have extended waiting periods?
Certain conditions and operations require longer waiting periods before insurance coverage applies.
The waiting period is 6 months for insured cases due to the following diagnoses or for the following operations:
Entropion
Umbilical hernia
Castration/sterilization (surgical), which must be carried out because of gynecological, andrological or oncological diseases (exclusively in the case of inflammation or tumorous changes in the reproductive organs, other hormone-dependent tumors)
The waiting period is 18 months for insured cases due to the following diagnoses:
Ectropion
Elbow joint dysplasia (ED)
Hip dysplasia (HD)
Patellar luxation
Radius curvus
What happens if treatment is needed during the waiting period?
If your pet needs treatment or surgery during the waiting period, that condition won’t be covered—even after the waiting period ends. Coverage only applies if the first symptoms or need for treatment arise after the appropriate waiting period has fully elapsed.
How can I get more assistance regarding waiting periods for pet health insurance?
You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.