Veterinary Experts Warn Against Delaying Pet Insurance Purchases

Veterinary experts and industry data indicate that pet owners should purchase insurance while animals are young and healthy to avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Insurers typically deny claims for any illness or injury that showed symptoms before a policy began, including chronic issues such as allergies or organ failure.

Rebecca Greenstein, Chief Veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital, warned that these exclusions can lead to tragic life-and-death decisions based on financial constraints. This is particularly critical for high-cost procedures like hip surgery, which can reach 10,000 dollars.

Data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association shows average annual premiums are 836 dollars for dogs and 435 dollars for cats. While accident-only plans are cheaper, data from Lemonade, Inc. and Nationwide show that illnesses and chronic diseases constitute the majority of claims. Michael Gore, Medical Director at Billerica Veterinary Hospital and Thrive Pet Healthcare, noted that insurers often link separate symptoms to a single underlying pre-existing condition to justify claim denials.