So your pet has a history. Now what?

What are
pre-existing conditions?

Understanding how pre-existing conditions can affect coverage can help you make the most of your pet insurance policy.

What’s a pre-existing condition?

Pre-existing conditions can be a confusing part of your fur baby’s pet insurance coverage. The good news? We’re here to break it down, plus share why getting Furkin before surprises pop up can help best protect your pet from the unexpected.

Definition

A pre-existing condition is an illness, injury, symptom, or sign that started or showed up before your Furkin coverage begins or during a waiting period.

It mostly comes down to timing

If your pet showed signs of an illness or injury before coverage started or during an applicable waiting period, it may be considered pre-existing. However, if an unexpected condition occurs after these timeframes, then it may be eligible for coverage.

All pet insurance providers are different. But, with Furkin, you can expect the following waiting periods.

When Furkin kicks in

Accidents

48 hours after policy start date

Illnesses

14 days

Cruciate / knee

180 days

Why it matters

Once these waiting periods end, you’ll have access to claims up to your annual $20,000. And that $20K renews every year — no matter how much you claim.

What are associated + bilateral conditions?

Pre-existing conditions are not always as simple as “this exact thing happened before.”

While some pre-existing conditions are straightforward, sometimes, a veterinarian can identify medical conditions that are connected, even if they don't seem related at first glance. That's where associated conditions and bilateral conditions come in.

Associated conditions

Associated conditions are any medical condition or complication arising from another primary condition.

For instance, scratching at the ears is a sign of allergies. If a pet then is gnawing at their paws, this may also be due to allergies and would be considered an associated condition.

Bilateral conditions

Bilateral conditions are conditions affecting body parts of which your pet has two, one on each side of the body (ie. eyes, ears, kidneys, hips, knees, hocks, wrists, elbows, or shoulders).

If only one body part of the two is affected by a condition prior to enrollment, then this condition would be considered pre-existing should it affect either body part at any time in the future.

The good news? Your pet can still be covered for new conditions 💜

Even if a condition is considered pre-existing, your pet may still be covered for future eligible accidents and illnesses that aren’t related to that condition.

Get Furkin covered

We cover what comes next.

Not what came before.

When you enroll with Furkin, we're jumping in as your pet's new insurance BFF. But like any good relationship, we need a little context about what your pet's been through before we met since pet insurance is there for you for the unexpected.

What counts as pre-existing?

Illness, injury, symptoms, or signs happened before getting some Furkin Pet Insurance

Possible signs or symptoms: limping, vomiting, ear infections, itchy skin, diagnosis from a vet, medication or treatment

🩺

When does coverage start?

Your coverage kicks in at 12:00 am the day after you enroll 💜 From that moment, new eligible accidents and illnesses can be covered after applicable waiting periods.

Heads up: if signs or symptoms show up during a waiting period, they may still be considered pre-existing.

⌛

What are the waiting periods?

There are a few short waiting periods after enrollment before full coverage begins:

Accidents: 48 hours
Illnesses: 14 days
Cruciate/knee conditions: 180 days

🎉

After waiting periods – you're good to go!

New eligible accidents and illnesses covered 🎉

The sooner you enroll, the sooner your pet is protected against whatever new curveballs life throws their way.

Is this pre-existing?

Let’s Furkin see.

Let’s look at some real-ish examples. Every situation is unique, but here are a few simple scenarios to help you understand what may be pre-existing.

Before coverage started

Your dog had recurring ear infections and saw the vet multiple times.

After enrollment

Your dog gets diagnosed with allergies after experiencing itchy paws.

💬 Likely considered pre-existing because the earlier ear issues may be associated with the later allergy diagnosis.

But! If your pet developed skin allergies while insured, then treatment for the allergies and related conditions would be eligible for coverage for as long as you keep the policy in force.

Before enrolling

Your dog had an ear infection once, years ago.

Later

They swallow a squeaker and need emergency care.

💬 This may be eligible for coverage because it’s a new condition ✅

After enrollment + waiting periods are over

Your cat swallows a ribbon for the first time and needs emergency surgery.

💬 This may be eligible for coverage because it’s a new condition ✅

During waiting periods

Your pet starts limping 1 day after enrollment.

💬 Conditions showing signs during a waiting period (48 hours for accidents!) may still be considered pre-existing, even if they didn’t occur prior to enrolling.

Questions?

How can we help? We’d love to hear from you and are here to answer any questions you may have.

Call 1-888-453-1088

So your pet has a history. Now what?

What are
pre-existing conditions?

What’s a pre-existing condition?