Pre-Existing Conditions and Pet Insurance
A pre-existing condition is any injury or illness your pet showed symptoms of, was diagnosed with, or was treated for before your policy started (or before its waiting period ended). Pre-existing conditions are the single most common reason pet insurance claims get rejected — and the rules around them are stricter, and less forgiving, than most owners expect.
Curable vs Non-Curable Pre-Existing Conditions
Some insurers distinguish between conditions that can resolve — a bout of gastroenteritis, an ear infection — and those that are considered permanent, such as hip dysplasia or diabetes. A small number of insurers will reconsider a 'curable' pre-existing condition for cover if your pet has been symptom-free for a defined period (commonly 12–18 months), but many exclude it permanently regardless.
Bilateral conditions add another layer: if your dog has already had surgery on one knee for a cruciate ligament tear, most insurers will treat the other knee as pre-existing too, since the underlying predisposition affects both sides of the body.
How Insurers Find Out
Insurers can and do request your pet's full veterinary history when a claim is lodged, going back to before the policy began. Vet clinics keep detailed digital records, and most insurers have contractual access to request them directly from your vet, so non-disclosure is not a viable strategy — an insurer that discovers an undisclosed pre-existing condition can reject the specific claim, or in serious cases void the policy entirely.
How to Minimise the Risk
- Insure pets while young, before any conditions have had the chance to develop or show symptoms.
- Read the PDS's definition of pre-existing conditions carefully — definitions vary between insurers.
- Keep your pet's full vet history with one clinic where practical, so records are easy to produce.
- If switching insurers, be aware the new insurer will apply its own pre-existing condition rules from scratch.
This page is for educational purposes and isn't personalised advice. Premiums, terms and eligibility vary by insurer, pet and individual circumstances — always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before buying.