Guide to pet insurance waiting periods

Key takeaways

• Pet insurance waiting periods typically range from 1-14 days.
• Waiting periods are in place to help prevent fraud and to keep premiums more affordable.
• Pet insurance policies that have little or no waiting periods are generally designed for wellness and preventative care claims.

If your furry companion faces an unexpected illness or injury, pet insurance can offer peace of mind and financial relief. But before your coverage kicks in, there's a key detail that often catches pet owners off guard: the waiting period. Whether you're exploring new coverage or reviewing the fine print on an existing plan, understanding how pet insurance waiting periods work can help you avoid costly surprises and ensure that your pet gets the care they need at a time when they need it most.

What are waiting periods for pet insurance?

A pet insurance waiting period is the time you must wait after signing up your pet for coverage and before you can get reimbursed for a specific health issue.

For example, let's say that your pet insurance policy has a 14-day waiting period for a certain illness. If your dog gets sick three days after you enroll him in the policy, that treatment wouldn't be covered because it happened during the waiting period.

Why do pet insurance policies have a waiting period?

Waiting periods in pet insurance policies exist to keep coverage fair and affordable for everyone. Without them, someone could sign up their pet, file a claim for an expensive procedure the next day and once their pet has received treatment, cancel the policy.

For example, imagine a pet owner with a dog that needs knee surgery that costs $3,000. Wanting coverage to help pay for the procedure, the owners buy pet insurance. The following day the dog has surgery and the owners immediately file a claim and then cancel the policy. If many people did this, insurance companies would be paying out huge claims without collecting enough in premiums to help cover costs. As a result of these losses, companies would be forced to raise prices for everyone.

The bottom line is that waiting periods are in place to help prevent misuse and to ensure that coverage is used only for unforeseen medical issues, not preexisting conditions.

Are there pet insurance policies with no waiting period?

While most pet insurance policies include a standard 14-day waiting period, a few companies offer coverage with little to no delay. In these cases, immediate coverage typically applies only to accidents or wellness care, such as vaccinations, routine checkups, or preventive treatments.

If having coverage right away is important to you, choosing a provider with no waiting period might be a good fit. Just make sure to read the fine print so you understand exactly what's covered—and what isn't—before enrolling.

What are the typical waiting periods for pet insurance claims?

Waiting periods in pet insurance policies can vary significantly depending on the provider and the type of coverage you choose.

According to NerdWallet, accident coverage usually has the shortest waiting period, typically ranging from 1 to 14 days. Coverage for illnesses often requires a longer wait, generally between 14 and 30 days. Orthopedic conditions, such as ligament injuries, tend to have the longest waiting periods, sometimes extending from six months to a full year, depending on the insurer. On the other hand, wellness and preventive care plans, which include services like vaccinations and routine checkups, typically have no waiting period at all.

How to get the best pet insurance

At Liberty Mutual, we offer pet owners affordable and customizable pet insurance coverage. Even better, you can stack multiple discounts to save even more on pet insurance for your furry companion!

• Get a quote for pet insurance online for Liberty Mutual.
• Give our representatives a call so they can walk you through the process: 844-349-8391