Is There Pet Insurance With No Waiting Period?
Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor
If your dog or cat needs veterinary care, you might be wondering whether pet insurance with no waiting period exists.
It’s rare to find pet insurance with no waiting period at all, but some companies offer shorter—or even waived—waiting periods in certain cases. For example, Companion Protect skips the waiting period entirely for pets adopted from its partner shelters. Other providers, such as Lemonade and MetLife, offer faster coverage for accidents, while illnesses typically have longer delays. Be sure to check the fine print in your policy so you know exactly when your coverage begins.
While every pet insurance plan differs by provider, they nearly all share one common trait - a mandatory waiting period before the insurance coverage takes effect.
But is there any pet insurance company that doesn't require you to wait a certain amount of time before filing a claim? The answer is yes.
Use the links below to learn more:
- Which pet insurance has no waiting period?
- What pet insurance has the shortest waiting period?
- Different Pet Insurance Waiting Periods
- Why does all pet insurance have a waiting period?
- Can you get pet insurance and claim right away?
- How Do I Minimize Pet Insurance Waiting Period?
- Can I get retroactive pet insurance?
- Key Takeaways
Which pet insurance has no waiting period?
Currently, Companion Protect is the only provider that has no mandatory waiting period for pet insurance coverage, which means you can file a claim as soon as your pet is approved for enrollment (and for approval, the pet has to be adopted from a participating shelter and medical records need to be reviewed).
The company does review your pet’s medical records beforehand, which might take several days. It also requires prior approval for some treatments like hip dysplasia in dogs, while others, like intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), can take up to 12 months for insurance coverage.
However, some insurers will waive these periods if the owner can show proof that their pet was enrolled in a policy by a different provider leading up to the new policy’s effective date. Alternatively, a provider might waive the pet insurance waiting period for a special promotion.
What pet insurance has the shortest waiting period?
These companies offer faster pet insurance coverage than others.
NOTE: The waiting periods provided below are for general reference and can vary from state to state as well as from company to company. Check the specific terms of your policy's details to confirm the actual effective date of coverage.
- MetLife: 14 days for illnesses
- Lemonade: 14 days for illnesses, 2 days for accidents (waiting period begins on the policy effective date)
- Embrace: 14 days for illnesses and 48 hours/ 2 days for accidents after the policy effective date in most states
- Pets Best: 14 days for illnesses, 3 days for accidents (waiting period begins after policy effective date)
- Nationwide: 14 days for illnesses and accidents after policy effective date. (Group plans will vary, usually starting the first month after purchase)
- ASPCA: 14 days for illnesses and accidents (waiting period begins on the policy effective date)
- Figo: 14 days for illnesses, 1 day for accidents (waiting periods vary by state)
- Healthy Paws: 15 days for illnesses and accidents (waiting period begins on the policy effective date)
- Fetch Pet Insurance: 15 days for illnesses and accidents (waiting period begins on the policy effective date)
- Trupanion: 30 days for illnesses, 5 days for accidents (waiting period begins on the policy effective date)
Different Pet Insurance Waiting Periods
Pet insurance waiting periods can vary depending on the type of coverage you choose. Accident coverage usually kicks in the fastest, while illnesses and orthopedic issues often have longer wait times. Some specific conditions, like cruciate ligament injuries, may have extended waiting periods because they’re costly to treat and common in certain breeds.
Here’s a closer look at how it breaks down:
Accidents
Waiting periods for accidents are typically short, ranging from 0 to 15 days. Some providers even start coverage the day after you enroll, so if your pet has a sudden injury, you can submit a claim almost right away.
Illnesses
Coverage for illnesses tends to take a bit longer to start. Most policies require a 14- to 30-day waiting period after activation. If your pet gets sick during this time, you’ll likely have to cover those costs out of pocket.
Orthopedic Issues
Orthopedic conditions, like joint or ligament problems, usually come with longer wait times. These can range anywhere from two weeks to 12 months, depending on the provider. That’s because treatments for bones and muscles are often complex and expensive.
Specific Conditions
Certain conditions have their own rules. For example, cruciate ligament injuries often have a six-month waiting period or more. Since they’re both costly and common, especially in large breed dogs, insurers tend to be more cautious about when coverage begins.
As you can see, a 14-day waiting period is common for all pet insurance policies with illness coverage. It should also be noted that some insurers also have longer waiting periods for orthopedic conditions such as ligament injuries and hip dysplasia. The length of this waiting period is usually six months, although some companies (such as Nationwide and Healthy Paws) extend it to up to 12 months.
These longer waiting periods may be reduced if the pet has seen a licensed veterinarian for an orthopedic exam before getting coverage that confirms the animal doesn’t have any serious conditions.
Why does all pet insurance have a waiting period?
Pet insurance providers impose waiting periods as a way to protect themselves from pet owners who buy policies only after their pet has developed a medical problem. All types of insurance policies are a form of risk management that provides protection against a possible eventuality. In this case, pet insurance is designed to reduce the potential financial burden created by a pet's expensive and unexpected vet bills — not to pay for known pet health issues that already exist.
That would be unaffordable and unfeasible for insurance providers to pay in claims and it also explains why they don't offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
For this reason, it's very important to sign up for pet insurance while your pet is still healthy. Enrolling your pet in dog insurance or cat insurance at a young age will make sure that your four-legged family member is covered for as many illnesses and/or accidents that they may experience during their lifetime.
Can you get pet insurance and claim right away?
You could, but most pet insurance companies will deny claims for incidents that occur before or within their respective waiting periods. If you get pet insurance and immediately submit a claim for a vet bill you incurred within the past two weeks, you will most likely be denied reimbursement for that vet visit, as well as all future vet costs related to that condition.
How Do I Minimize Pet Insurance Waiting Period?
You can reduce or even avoid pet insurance waiting periods by enrolling your pet early, ideally while they’re still young and healthy. Some insurers may offer faster coverage if you're switching from another plan or have a recent vet visit on file. A few companies also offer short or waived waiting periods for things like accident coverage or wellness care, so it’s worth comparing the fine print before you choose a policy.
Early Enrollment
The sooner you sign up for pet insurance, the better. Enrolling your pet while they are young and in good health helps avoid pre-existing condition exclusions and starts the waiting period immediately, especially if you understand when to buy pet insurance for maximum coverage. If you wait too long, your pet may develop issues that won’t be covered later, even if they’re treatable.
Prior Coverage Benefits
If you’re switching from one pet insurance provider to another, you might not have to start from scratch. Some companies will waive or reduce waiting periods if you can show proof of continuous coverage. This is a great way to maintain protection without gaps when you change plans.
Veterinary Exams
Some insurers will shorten or waive waiting periods if you provide a recent vet exam showing your pet is in good health. In some states, laws require insurance companies to adjust waiting periods based on a clean bill of health from your vet. If you’ve had your pet checked out recently, it could help you get coverage faster.
Specialized Coverage Options
A few insurance companies offer next-day or even same-day accident coverage. Others activate preventive care coverage immediately or provide pet insurance with direct vet pay, which can simplify upfront costs when visiting the vet. If fast coverage is important to you, look for providers that are known for shorter waiting periods and flexible plan options.
Policy Comparison
When comparing pet insurance, make sure to check how long each provider’s waiting periods are. Some plans start coverage sooner than others, especially if you choose certain add-ons. You can also explore emergency fund options, which usually offer faster access to financial help with fewer delays.
Can I get retroactive pet insurance?
No, you can’t purchase a pet insurance policy and have it take effect on a date that has already passed.
When you sign up for pet insurance, the waiting period is something you'll always need to consider. Be sure to always read the policy's fine print to fully understand:
- Exactly what insurance will cover or exclude
- If there's an annual reimbursement limit for filed claims
- Whether premium rates increase for filing a claim
- The reimbursement rate for covered vet bills
- How long it takes the provider to process and pay claims
- Any other pertinent details that could impact your decision
Pawlicy Advisor lets you quickly compare these details across the best pet insurance companies to see which provider suits your budget and your needs. Simply enter your pet's information for customized plan recommendations and enroll in a matter of minutes on the only pet insurance marketplace actively endorsed by veterinarians.
Key Takeaways
- At the moment, there is no pet insurance available on the market without waiting periods. The only exception is Companion Protect, which offers coverage that begins the minute your enrollment is approved (and for approval, the pet has to be adopted from a participating shelter and medical records need to be reviewed)
- Pet insurance companies impose waiting periods to lower the risk of fraudulent insurance claims.
- Waiting periods vary depending on the provider and the type of insurance policy you get. Most insurers have separate waiting periods for illnesses, accidents, and orthopedic conditions. Some insurance companies offer routine care coverage without a waiting period.
- You can’t make claims until the waiting period is over.
Do you want to find the best pet insurance?
Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Ready?
Analyze My PetAbout Pawlicy Advisor
The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. By comparing personalized coverage and pricing differences we can save you a ton of money, up to 83% in some instances!
Instantly Compare Pet Insurance Plans
Guides
Determine If Pet Insurance Is Worth It
Comparison Charts
Find Your State
Dog Insurance
Licensed Insurance Producer - Pawlicy Advisor
Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. As an animal lover with a rescued Terrier named Barry, when she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor, she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.
