Can you get pet insurance after you find out your pet needs surgery and will they pay for it?
No, unfortunately if your pet is already sick or injured and needs surgery, it is too late to get pet insurance for that specific illness or injury.
Your pet's surgery will not be paid by the insurance. That sickness or injury is already part of your pet's pre-existing condition and it is automatically excluded from the policy.
That means that the pet insurance will only cover "new" illnesses or injuries, ones that your pet incurs during the course of the insurance. It will also exclude injuries or illnesses that are caused or related to your pet's pre-existing condition.
The same goes for "preventable" medical conditions such as pregnancy. If your pet gets pregnant before (and in most cases, even during) the effectivity of the policy, it is not payable under your medical insurance benefits.
Pet Insurance in Case of a Curable Illness
The good news is that if the sickness or injury is considered curable, the insurance company can evaluate and determine whether that sickness or injury can be reinstated and included in the coverage of the policy.
To do this, you need to prove (using medical reports and records) that that illness or injury has not recurred for a specific period.
This "waiting" period is determined by the insurance company. This is mainly for minor illnesses such as urinary infections or minor problems with the bladder and the respiratory tract.
However, if a pre-existing condition is major, this will not be reinstated or included in the cover. This includes diseases such as skin lumps, orthopedic injuries, allergies and cancers.
That is why it is highly recommended that you get your pet insured while it is in good condition and does not have existing illnesses. That way, when your pet does get sick or injured and subsequently will need surgery, the insurance company will pay for it.
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