Pet insurance is made to cover pets in times of unforeseen expenses such as illness and accidents. When you purchase a policy for your pet, you will not get access to your coverage immediately due to certain issues. This process is called a waiting period, and it is practiced in most cases. But what is a pet insurance waiting period?
Before your pet insurance coverage kicks in, you must clear the waiting period. Every pet insurance company has a waiting period after issuing insurance policies. Some insurance companies have longer insurance waiting periods, while the best pet insurance companies have shorter waiting periods.
Generally, you are required to complete the waiting period before you can file a claim on your pet coverage. Every pet company has a different length of waiting period. However, pet parents can get pet insurance that has no waiting period, but this is rare among pet insurance companies.
What Is A Pet Insurance Waiting Period?
A pet insurance waiting period is the time a pet owner has to wait after purchasing pet insurance coverage before they can file a claim.A pet insurance plan includes a 14-day waiting period, so if your dog gets sick and needs urgent medical care, your insurance won’t cover it until the waiting period ends.
Can I get Pet Insurance with Immediate Coverage?
Pet insurance plans do not offer insurance coverage immediately after they issue insurance coverage. There is a waiting period added to your insurance coverage irrespective of type, including illnesses and specific ailments, accidents, hip dysplasia, and knee injuries. Some of the best insurance companies have shorter pet insurance waiting periods, but they do not activate the coverage immediately.
Pet Insurance Companies with the Shortest Waiting Periods
Some of the best insurance companies with the shortest waiting periods are:
· Costco and Figo: This insurer has a single-day waiting period for accidents.
· ASPCA, ManyPets, Pumpkin, and Spot: Their waiting period is not extended for conditions like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament issues.
Most pet coverage companies have only a 14-day waiting period for illnesses. Some insurance companies reduce or waive waiting periods if a licensed vet examines your pet within a specific timeframe. Some of the examples of these companies include:
· Embrace.
· ManyPets.
· Costco and Figo.
· Figo.
· Prudent Pet.
These insurance companies reduce your pet insurance waiting period for certain conditions like orthopedic conditions.
Pet Insurance Company Waiting Periods
As previously stated every pet insurance company has their waiting periods. This means that in every company the waiting period is different. The table below shows different pet insurance companies and their waiting periods.
| Pet Insurance Companies | Accident Waiting Period | Illness Waiting Period | Extended Waiting Period |
| Embrace | A single-day waiting period | 14 days | 6 months |
| ASPCA | 14 days | 14 days | None |
| Fetch | 15 days | 15 days | 6 months |
| Healthy Paws | 15 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| Figo and Costco | 1 day | 15 days | 12 months |
| Lemonade | 2 days | 14 days | 6 months |
| MetLife | 1 day | 14 days | 6 months |
| ManyPets | 1 to 15days | 1 to 15 days | None |
Staying aware of your pet waiting period can help you determine how long it takes for your coverage to kick in.
How Does It Work?
The pet coverage waiting period is classified into three different groups. These groups are:
Waiting Periods for Accidents
This waiting period is how long you are to wait before your coverage covers pet accidents like swallowed objects or broken bones. This waiting period lasts between 1 and 15 days after purchase. However, this depends on your insurance company.
for Illnesses
This is how long a pet owner should wait before their pet insurance coverage begins. It is usually a waiting period of 14 days before it covers illnesses such as cancer and urinary tract infections.
For Other Types of Problems
This is the amount of time you have to wait before your insurance covers certain conditions like hip dysplasia or ligament damage. This waiting period most times ranges from 6 to 12 months after the coverage has been purchased. However, not every insurance company has a waiting period for these types of conditions.
Why Do Pet Insurance Have a Waiting Period?
The pet insurance waiting period helps companies prevent fraudulent claims, often related to pre-existing conditions. An example is when a dog requires surgery because it swallowed an object; the pet owner can’t file a claim for newly purchased pet insurance to cover this expense.
