Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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Pet owners who buy insurance typically want to get coverage in place as soon as possible so they can provide their animals with the care they need. Most insurers have a waiting period, though.
During a waiting period, insurers won’t cover any costs of care. And if a pet does develop conditions or sustain an injury during that time, the resulting medical issues will likely be treated as pre-existing conditions, meaning they’ll be excluded from coverage.
Here’s how a pet insurance waiting period works and how pet owners can make sure to get their animals covered as soon as possible in case of accidents, injuries, or illness.
Quick Facts
All pet insurance policies have a waiting period so that insurance companies can ensure they’re not paying to treat a pre-existing condition.
Waiting period lengths can vary among insurers.
Some insurers will waive the waiting period if you’ve had coverage and are simply switching insurance companies.
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Is there pet insurance with no waiting period?
All pet insurance plans have a waiting period.[1] Waiting periods exist because pet insurers exclude coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, and insurers don’t want pet owners to sign up for coverage only after a health issue develops. A waiting period prevents this since an insurer won’t be paying for medical treatment right away.
Waiting periods are usually shorter for accidents versus illnesses. But some insurers also impose additional waiting periods for certain medical issues, such as orthopedic conditions. Insurers may also waive or shorten waiting periods if a vet certifies an animal’s health after an exam.
What is the typical waiting period for pet insurance?
Waiting periods typically range from two to 14 days for accident coverage and 14–30 days for illness coverage, although the timeline varies by company.[2] For specific conditions, such as orthopedic conditions or hip dysplasia, many pet insurance companies impose additional waiting periods of six to 12 months before they pay for veterinary care.
Best pet insurance companies with short waiting periods
While pet insurance companies impose waiting periods to protect against fraud, companies apply different rules for when a policy becomes effective. The following insurance companies offer some of the shortest waiting periods available.
Figo has a one-day waiting period for accidents. Pet owners who obtain an orthopedic conditions waiver within their first 30 days after getting covered can also eliminate the six-month orthopedic conditions waiting period.[3]
Pros
Customers can choose plans offering up to 100% reimbursement.
Pet parents can customize plans with Figo’s Pick and Pack system.
Cons
Prescription food is only covered as part of an add-on plan.
Vet exam fees for accidents and illnesses aren’t part of standard coverage.
ManyPets
Average monthly cost: $30–$40 for dogs, $20–$25 for cats
ManyPets has a 15-day waiting period before coverage kicks in. But the insurer will waive the waiting period if you can prove your pet had coverage from another valid pet insurer before you purchased your ManyPets policy. The other insurance coverage must have been in effect within 24 hours of switching companies, and pre-existing conditions will still be excluded.[4]
The availability of this waiver means it’s possible to have no waiting period at all in certain situations.
Pros
It’s possible to get coverage with no waiting period if you have existing pet insurance in place and want to switch companies.
ManyPets has no condition-specific waiting periods, and the wellness plan waiting period is only 24 hours.
Cons
No hip dysplasia coverage is available if pets are 6 or older at the time you buy coverage.
ManyPets requires 18 months of medical records when you submit your first claim.
Lemonade has a two-day waiting period for accidents, a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, and a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament events instead of 12 months, as some competitors require.[5]
Pros
No waiting period when you get the preventative package.
Lemonade offers many discount opportunities, including 10% for bundling coverage with another Lemonade policy such as home or auto, a 5% multi-pet discount, and a 5% annual discount.
Cons
Coverage isn’t available in all states.
You’ll have to purchase add-on packages to cover vet fees and physical therapy.
MetLife Pet Insurance
Average monthly cost: $53 for dogs, $32 for cats
MetLife offers the shortest waiting period in the industry — no wait at all for accident and preventive care coverage. Illness coverage begins after 14 days. Although MetLife’s average rates are comparatively high, the insurer offers policies that start as low as $15 per month for dogs and $9 monthly for cats. A mobile app and 24/7 vet chat make it easy for MetLife policyholders to stay on top of their pets’ health and claims.
Pros
It has the shortest waiting period in the industry.
The Pet Independent Innovation Awards named it the 2023 Pet Insurance of the Year.
Cons
It has higher average monthly prices than some other insurers.
Few online reviews mean ratings aren’t very helpful.
To choose the best pet insurance companies with short waiting periods, we sourced average cost and waiting period information directly from the insurers’ own websites. We also considered verified customer reviews from trusted third-party sites, like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
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Pet insurance plans in case of emergency
Pet insurance injury and illness plans typically cover the kinds of situations that you’d consider an emergency. But you’ll likely need to pay out of pocket for an emergency vet visit and submit your bills for reimbursement from your pet insurer.
Petcube’s Emergency Fund plan can be a cost-effective alternative. The program costs $29 per month and provides unlimited online chats with veterinarians who can help you determine whether your pet’s situation constitutes an emergency.
If it is an emergency, you can go to any nearby vet hospital within four hours of the chat and have your pet treated. The Emergency Fund pays the final vet bill directly and immediately — up to $3,000 per year.
The plan can cover up to six pets for an emergency visit once per year and accepts all breeds, ages, and medical conditions.
Pet insurance waiting period FAQs
Still have questions about pet insurance? Here are some key things you should know to understand how your pet insurance plan will work.
Why do pet insurance companies have waiting periods?
Pet insurance companies have waiting periods to prevent fraud. Insurers don’t want you to wait to sign up until after your animal is sick. To prevent this, they don’t cover pre-existing conditions or pay medical bills incurred during the waiting period. Waiting periods can vary by insurer and location but are typically two to five days for accident coverage and two weeks to one month for illness coverage.
Can you get retroactive pet insurance coverage?
Retroactive pet insurance coverage isn’t available. In fact, when you sign up for pet insurance coverage, many insurers impose a waiting period, so you won’t have immediate coverage for vet bills or pre-existing conditions. It’s important to buy pet insurance before a pet gets sick to avoid exclusions for medical conditions.
Is pet insurance worth it?
It depends. Pet insurance can help you avoid large unexpected expenses and ensure your pet gets the care it needs. Many pet owners find this protection is worth paying for, especially as pet insurance premiums generally cost less than $40 per month. But if you feel that you can afford veterinary bills out of pocket, pet insurance may not be worth it for you.
What’s the average waiting period for pet insurance?
Waiting periods vary by company and plan type. Waiting periods for accident coverage can be up to 15 days, while illness coverage waiting periods can be 14–30 days or longer.
Does MetLife pet insurance kick in immediately?
MetLife has no waiting period for accident or preventive care coverage. But it does have a waiting period of 14 days for illness coverage.
Christy Rakoczy has been a personal finance and insurance writer for over a decade. Her work has been published on USA Today, MSN, Yahoo Finance, Credit Karma, Forbes Advisor, and more. Christy has a JD from UCLA School of Law and previously worked as a data analyst for Blue Cross and as a paralegal studies instructor before transitioning to writing full time.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Mark FriedlanderDirector, Corporate Communications, Triple-I
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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