Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Unfortunately, we can’t cover pre-existing conditions 🙁. These could be any injury, illness, behavioural problem, or other issue that started before your pet’s cover is active (including in any waiting periods ⏱️). This could also include any signs or symptoms you noticed, even if the condition has yet to be seen or diagnosed by a vet.

Pre-existing conditions could include hereditary or congenital conditions, as well as bilateral conditions or linked conditions which are related to other conditions, for example, arthritis following joint damage.

Why doesn’t Fetch cover pre-existing conditions?

Like most pet insurers, we can’t cover pre-existing conditions because our cover and pricing are set at a rate that assumes your pet has the usual chance of having any issues for their breed, not if they already have them. However, we’d like to be able to design a product that could cover pre-existing conditions in the future.

When will I find out about my pet’s pre-existing conditions?

The great thing about Fetch, is our Fast Claims ⚡️ process, where we check for any pre-existing conditions with your vets so you know this upfront, rather than at claim time. Once Fast Claims have been set up and if we’ve also got your vet's payment details, we can check your claims quickly and pay the entire invoice directly to your vet. You only have to pay us your excess and contribution (including any excluded items).

Where can I see my pet’s pre-existing conditions?

You’ll be able to see these and any linked conditions in the plan section of your app.

How does Fetch determine pre-existing conditions?

We base this primarily on your vet notes and we look at pre-existing conditions on a true ‘cause and effect’ basis, rather than just excluding things because they are the same sign or symptom, or happened a few times.

What are some examples of pre-existing conditions for pets?

• Seasonal allergies 🤧: If a pet requires treatment every spring for a seasonal skin condition, it is considered pre-existing.

• Cushing's disease: Once diagnosed, the condition becomes ongoing and is likely to require lifelong treatment.

• Limping following a jump from a car: if the limping is found to be due to a ruptured cruciate which happened when your pet jumped from the car, the ruptured cruciate and any other related issues like arthritis in the joint would be pre-existing. If it was a one off sprain which healed, it wouldn’t be pre-existing.

• Behavioural issues: Unfortunately any previous behavioural issues, even if temporary, mean we can’t provide behavioural cover. See more here.

• Dental disease: If your vet has noticed dental disease, we won’t be able to offer dental cover. Dental cover doesn’t impact other issues in the mouth (like tumours, or fractures) as long as they are unrelated to dental disease or pre-existing dental problems, see more here.

• Elbow Arthritis: Even if diagnosed at an early stage when no treatment is required, the presence of arthritis in a particular location will progress so the condition is pre-existing.

• Hip dysplasia: Diagnosed before taking out a plan or during waiting periods, it won't be covered, including related conditions like arthritis in the hips.

What are some conditions that aren't considered pre-existing?

• Vomiting from eating something on a walk: If your dog ate something on a walk and became sick before your pet's plan started, it’s not considered pre-existing if it happens again after the plan starts.

• Diarrhoea from overeating: As long as it didn’t lead to permanent damage, it’s not considered pre-existing.

If there’s anything else you’d like to know, or if we can be clearer on anything, please let us know!