How Long Does It Take For Pet Insurance To Kick In?

Securing insurance for your dog can be downright confusing. One common misconception is that pet insurance kicks in as soon as you purchase the policy which, under most providers, is not the case.

Below, we’ll decode exactly how long it takes pet insurance policies to take effect and share when it’s best to invest in pet insurance so that you can protect your pet. 

When Should I Get Pet Insurance?

It’s best to get pet insurance as early as possible in your pet’s life. This is because your policy is not considered active until after the preestablished waiting period has been completed– if your dog or cat is diagnosed with a condition before the waiting period is completed, it will be considered a pre-existing condition and is, therefore, not covered by your insurance policy. 

Pet insurance waiting periods vary based on the nature of the plan. Orthopedic conditions tend to have a longer waiting period since these are considered high-risk and require long-term care. 

When Does Pet Insurance Kick In? 

Pet insurance kicks in after you’ve signed onto a policy and completed the requested waiting period based on your pet’s policy. In some cases, a pet insurance provider may ask for a veterinary exam as well before setting a policy as active. Pet waiting periods vary based on coverage and your pet’s current state of health. 

Why Do Pet Insurance Policies Have Waiting Periods?

Pet insurance policies have waiting periods to help minimize the risk of fraud and incentivize pet owners to take on a policy as soon as possible. The sooner your policy is activated (and your waiting period is completed), the less likely your pet will suffer from a problem before you have insurance; if they do, it’ll be considered pre-existing and not covered even when your insurance kicks in. The sooner you can get a policy for your pet, the better. 

Do Waiting Periods Vary Based On Coverage?

Yes! Depending on your insurance policy of choice, coverage is varied by plan type, your pet’s condition, and conditions that tend to have exceptions (typically long-term orthopedic ailments). 

Here are some of the pet insurance policy waiting periods for some of the most popular pet insurance providers: 

Insurance Policy	Accident Waiting Period	Illness Waiting Period	Wellness	Exceptions
ASPCA Pet Health Insurance	Fourteen Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Fourteen days for knee or ligament conditions
Embrace Pet Insurance	Two Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Six months for orthopedic conditions
Fetch by Dodo Pet Insurance	Fifteen Days	Fifteen Days	N/A	Six months for orthopedic conditions
Figo Pet Insurance	Varies	Varies	N/A	Varies by state
Hartville Pet Insurance	Fourteen Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Fourteen days for ligament conditions
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance	Fifteen Days	Fifteen Days	N/A	A year for hip dysplasia for pets younger than six
Lemonade Pet Insurance	Two Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Six months for cruciate ligament events
Nationwide Pet Insurance	Fourteen Days	Fourteen Days	One Day	A year for cruciate ligament events
MetLife Pet Insurance	No Waiting Period	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Orthopedic conditions have a six-month waiting period
PetFirst Pet Insurance	Fourteen Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Orthopedic conditions have a six-month waiting period
Petplan Pet Insurance	Five Days	Fifteen Days	No Waiting Period	Six months for hip dysplasia and ligament problems
Pets Best Pet Insurance	Three Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Six months  for Cruciate Ligament Conditions
Spot Pet Insurance	Fourteen Days	Fourteen Days	No waiting period	Six months for cruciate ligament events
Trupanion Pet Insurance	Five Days	Thirty Days	No Waiting Period	Orthopedic conditions have a six-month waiting period
Trusted Pals Pet Insurance	Fourteen Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	A year for hip dysplasia and ligament problems
USAA Pet Insurance	Two Days	Fourteen Days	No Waiting Period	Orthopedic conditions have a six-month waiting period

Pet Insurance Waiting Period FAQs

Still have questions about pet insurance waiting periods? Consider these commonly asked questions and answers to help you expand your understanding as a pet parent. 

What is the waiting period for pet insurance?

Waiting periods vary from one policy to the next. Generally speaking, you can expect waiting periods to be around fourteen days, give or take. However, some conditions, like hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament issues can have extended waiting periods of up to six months. 

Is it too late to insure my dog?

Some insurance policies have upper limits for coverage based on a pet’s age. However, in most cases, you can insure a pet at any age, though pre-existing conditions will not be covered by the policy. 

Is there pet insurance without a waiting period?

No. Unfortunately, all pet insurance policies have a waiting period, usually around nine to fifteen days. However, certain conditions, like cruciate ligament issues may have waiting periods of up to six months. 

Why is there a 14-day waiting period for pets?

Pet insurance waiting periods can help prevent fraud and are generally beneficial for insurers since they incentivize pet owners to sign up for pet insurance as soon as possible. 

Can I get pet insurance if my dog is already sick?

You can get pet insurance for your pet, though pet insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Also, note that your pet’s insurance policy doesn’t kick in until after the waiting period is completed. 

At what age is pet insurance the cheapest?

Pet insurance is typically the cheapest around age six since pets are generally fairly healthy throughout the middle years. That being said, pet insurance should be purchased as soon as possible to prevent tacking on out-of-pocket costs from pre-existing conditions.