Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions: What Fetch covers

Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Fetch does not cover all pre-existing conditions — no pet insurance does. These are injuries, illnesses or conditions your pet had before you signed up or during your policy’s waiting period of up to 15 days. Keep reading to learn more, including how Fetch is one of just a few insurers that covers curable pre-existing conditions.

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Mars the dog outside in the mountains.

Mars

Fetch Member since 2021

Pre-existing conditions defined: What you need to know

Unlike human health insurance, pet insurance doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions. A pre-existing condition is any injury, illness or health condition that you or your veterinarian notice your pet has either before you sign up for Fetch, before your policy’s effective date or during your waiting period of up to 15 days.

How do pet insurance providers know your pet has a pre-existing condition?

Most insurers require you to submit your pet's veterinary medical records to process your claims. Those records show your pet’s medical history and help providers determine what is eligible for coverage and what’s considered a pre-existing condition. Fetch asks that you submit your pet’s medical records for the 1 year prior to signing up. We can also get them for you if you give us your vet’s contact info. If you’ve had your pet for less than a year, simply submit the records from any vet visits you’ve had.
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If you didn't go to the vet prior to signing up, no problem. Just schedule a checkup, and submit your medical records after it. If your pet receives a clean bill of health, Fetch will cover all future accidents and illnesses your pet may encounter throughout their life. If the checkup uncovers any medical issues, those conditions won’t be covered.

Any medical condition that occurs before your waiting period ends is not covered

Knowing if your pet has a pre-existing condition or not starts with understanding when your accident and illness coverage begins. For accidents (think: injuries like broken bones, scratches and poisoning): Your pet is covered if the accident occurs on or after your policy’s effective date (2 days after you sign up). There is no waiting period for accidents. For illnesses (think: vomiting, allergies and dental disease): Coverage begins after the waiting period of up to 15 days. The waiting period begins on your policy’s effective date.

Coverage 101: When does your accident & illness waiting period end?

Accidents that occur prior to your policy effective date are considered pre-existing conditions and not covered. Accidents that occur after your effective date are eligible for coverage. Illnesses that occur prior to the end of your 15-day waiting period are considered pre-existing and not covered. Illnesses that occur after your 15-day waiting period are eligible for coverage.Accidents that occur prior to your policy effective date are considered pre-existing conditions and not covered. Accidents that occur after your effective date are eligible for coverage. Illnesses that occur prior to the end of your 15-day waiting period are considered pre-existing and not covered. Illnesses that occur after your 15-day waiting period are eligible for coverage.

A few examples of pre-existing conditions in dogs & cats

Allergies

Your puppy is excessively licking his paws, so you take him to the vet even though you don’t have pet insurance. Later, after this visit, you purchase a policy with Fetch. The paw-licking continues and now he’s getting skin infections, so you take another trip to the vet. Your vet diagnoses him with allergies. Since the clinical signs appeared before your policy with us, allergies would be a pre-existing condition and not covered.

Fractures

Your kitten was limping on the right front leg before you got pet insurance, and your vet couldn’t identify the cause. After the policy waiting period of up to 15 days, your kitten starts limping again on the same leg. Your vet takes an X-ray and diagnoses her with a fracture. Since the limping was observed prior to purchasing a policy, the fracture would be a pre-existing condition and not covered.

Quinn the dog posing with mom.

Jessica & Quinn

Fetch Members since 2022

Torn ligaments

Your dog accidentally injured the cruciate ligament in her right knee before you signed up for pet insurance with Fetch. A year into the policy, the ligament is completely torn. Because the accident occurred before you purchased the policy, the tear would be considered pre-existing. With orthopedic bilateral conditions, your pet runs a higher risk of the same condition happening on the other side of her body, and future occurrences (such as a cruciate tear on the left side) would be a pre-existing condition and not covered.

Theodore the cat being held by dad.

Theodore & Alex

Fetch Members since 2020

Accidents happen — cover your pet before it becomes a pre-existing condition

The earlier you enroll with Fetch, the sooner your dog or cat is covered should they get sick or hurt in the future. That helps pet parents give their best friend a longer, healthier life and make unexpected vet bills more affordable.

  • Nearly 1 in 4 pet parents are stressed about a $250 veterinary expense

    per the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association), with unexpected emergencies among the top concerns.

  • The cost of veterinary care has gone up by more than 60% over the past decade

    according to the New York Times. Pet insurance can help manage those costs when your pet gets sick or hurt.

  • Any veterinary emergency can “easily result in a bill greater than $2,000,”

    according to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

Unlike others, Fetch covers curable pre-existing conditions to help give your pet a longer, healthier life

What is a curable pre-existing condition?

Curable pre-existing conditions are medical conditions that can be completely cured with no recurrence of signs or symptoms. Think: urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, bite wounds and conjunctivitis.

How does Fetch decide a pre-existing condition is curable?

In order for the condition to be considered curable, your pet must go 1 year completely symptom-free from the issue. It can be during the first or the second year after you sign up.

How it works

  • Year 1 after you sign up for Fetch

    If your pet goes the entire first year of your policy without showing any signs or symptoms of that previous condition and without needing treatment for it, Fetch will cover it moving forward. Just make sure you take your pet in for an annual vet exam after that first year ends and before the condition ever comes back.

  • Year 2 after you sign up for Fetch

    If the condition does come back during the first year of your policy, your pet has a second chance. If your pet goes the entire second year of your policy without showing any signs or symptoms of that previous condition and without needing treatment for it, Fetch will cover it moving forward. Just make sure you take your pet in for an annual vet exam after that first year ends and before the condition ever comes back.

Examples of curable and incurable pre-existing conditions:

Curable

Curable pre-existing conditions are medical conditions that can be completely cured with no recurrence of signs or symptoms.

  • Urinary tract infection

  • Upper respiratory infection

  • Soft tissue injury

  • Burn

  • Bite wound

  • Conjunctivitis

  • Broken nail

  • Infected wound

  • Infected tear ducts

  • Swollen paw

  • Ear infection

  • Diarrhea

  • Pneumonia

  • Hot spot

Incurable

Incurable pre-existing conditions are medical issues that can’t be completely cured, or come back during the first 2 years of your policy.

  • Torn ligament

  • Allergies

  • Chipped bone

  • Ruptured intervertebral disc

  • Arthritis

  • Spinal compression

  • Hot spot

  • Bone marrow disease

  • Elbow dysplasia

  • Metabolic disorders

  • Diabetes

  • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

  • Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

  • Hot spot

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Fetch Wellness keeps your pet healthy with routine & preventive care

Fetch Pet Insurance gives you unmatched coverage when your pet is sick or hurt. Add Fetch Wellness, and you'll also be covered for the routine care that helps keep them healthy. With both, you'll be better prepared for your pet's veterinary needs, plus you'll save big on vet bills.

Our Wellness plan covers preventive treatment like vaccines and routine care like annual exams and dental cleanings.

Learn more about Fetch Wellness

Your questions about coverage for pre-existing conditions & pet insurance — answered

Fetch is on a mission to help you give your pet a longer, healthier life.

Making the best veterinary care accessible to your dogs and cats — no matter the cost — is just the beginning. When you join Fetch, you’re getting the most complete pet insurance and unlocking a world of exclusive Member Perks on products and services that help you enjoy more good days with your pet.

Fetch Pet Insurance | Love Longer.™

Individuals and pets that appear have been insured by Fetch.

Nearly 1 in 4 pet parents are stressed about a $250 veterinary expense based on a survey of pet parents by the American Animal Hospital Association. 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care study, December 2025.

Unexpected emergencies among the top concerns based on a survey of pet parents by the American Animal Hospital Association. 2025 Pet Lifetime of Care study, December 2025.

The cost of veterinary care has gone up 60% over the past decade according to a study by the New York Times. Why You’re Paying Your Veterinarian So Much, June 2024.

Any veterinary emergency can “easily result in a bill greater than $2,000” based on a survey of small animal veterinarians at emergency hospitals by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, December 2025.

The most common ailments dogs and cats of all breeds experience are gastrointestinal issues, urinary tract infections and ear infections based on the North American Pet Insurance Association’s 2025 State of the Industry Report, April 2025.

This information is descriptive only. Policy activation periods, risk free cancellation terms, waiting periods, limitations, exclusions to coverage and other terms and conditions vary by state or province and are subject to change without notice. Please see your policy for full terms and conditions of coverage. If there is any conflict between the policy and this product information, the provisions of the policy shall prevail.

Fetch insurance policies are administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (d/b/a Fetch Pet Insurance, Fetch Pet Insurance Services in New York and British Columbia, Fetch Insurance in Nebraska, Fetch Pet Insurance Services, LLC in Michigan, North Dakota, New Mexico and California) CA license # 0F60627 and underwritten by AXIS Insurance Company, an Illinois Corporation, in the U.S. and AXIS Reinsurance Company (Canadian Branch) in Canada. For more information, visit fetchpet.com. ©2026 Fetch, Inc.

Discounts and offers are subject to approval and may change at any time. Maximum available discount is 10% and may not be available in all states and is not valid with any other offer. Charitable donations offer not available in AK, HI, ID, IN, KS, ND, NY, RI, SC, or TX, limited to $15 in AL and $10 in MI and UT. For policies purchased in LA or NH, the installment fee is waived for the first payment and applied to all remaining payments.

Most comprehensive and most extensive coverage according to Consumers Advocate, January 2023. Based on a comparison of injury and illness coverage between Fetch and North American pet insurance providers on consumersadvocate.org. Consumers Advocate is a Fetch partner. Best pet insurance according to Consumer Rating, August 2023. Based on a comparison of top pet insurance companies on consumerrating.org. Consumer Rating is a Fetch partner. Unmatched according to The Dodo, May 2022. Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot based on consumer reviews as of February 2025.

Fetch is a registered trademark owned by Fetch, Inc. Made for More and Love Longer are trademarks owned by Fetch, Inc. Fetch Wellness is insurance coverage added by endorsement to the core injury and illness policy, if purchased. It is not a “Wellness Program” meaning a subscription or reimbursement-based program that is separate from an insurance policy.

Average monthly premiums are based on U.S. annual premiums for dogs and cats, using the most common coverage configuration of $10,000 annual limit, $300 deductible, and 80% reimbursement rate for the period of 07.01.2024 through 06.30.2025. Exam fees based on average costs. Policies in force and number of pets helped based on Fetch data as of 4.1.2026.

Average savings of $40+ per order derived from actual Fetch member purchase data from April–June 2025 in the U.S. and Canada and displayed in U.S. dollars. Savings represent the difference between retail price and price paid through Fetch Deals. Individual results may vary. Fetch Deals offers access to savings on health and wellness products and services that policyholders may purchase from independent vendors, which are not covered benefits under your policy. Fetch does not recommend, endorse, warrant or guaranty any specific vendor, product or service available under or through the Fetch Deals program or site. Fetch Deals is not insurance and is not provided by AXIS Insurance Company. The service discounts described on this page are not insurance and are not affiliated with AXIS Insurance company. Please click here to review terms and conditions.