Pet insurance for pre-existing conditions

Get your pet’s pre-existing conditions covered

A dedicated policy with up to £1,500 of cover for pre-existing conditions.

  • £7,000 vet fee limit that includes £1,500 for pre-existing conditions
  • Cover for conditions where there’s been no treatment, medication or advice for three months
  • No upper age limit
  • Unlimited, 24/7 online vet advice service
  • Extra pet perks worth up to £500
Excellent
4.3 | 1,840
4.3 out of 5
Read more reviews at Feefo

Award-winning pet insurance provider

Voted Pet Insurance Provider of the Year in the 2024 Moneyfacts Consumer Awards; Winners of the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award 2023; Awarded 5 stars by Fairer Finance 2024.

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What is a pre-existing condition?

In the world of pet insurance, a pre-existing condition is usually classed as any medical problem your pet has had signs of, or needed vet advice, medication or treatment for, before taking out your pet insurance policy.

Every insurer talks about pre-existing conditions differently and most won’t cover them at all. This can make it tricky for some pet parents to find insurance.

At ManyPets we don’t think that’s very fair, so we do it a little differently.

We only class an issue as pre-existing if your pet has:

  • Shown signs or symptoms in the last 24 months, or in the first 14 days of the policy

  • Or ​​received treatment, medication or advice in the last 24 months, or in the first 14 days of the policy

Once a condition is free from treatment, medication or advice for two years, it will be considered new.

However, this doesn't mean you can't claim for conditions that have occurred within this time.

Our Value, Regular and Complete policies will cover pre-existing conditions due to untreated signs or symptoms, or a waiting period, if treatment takes place after your pet has been on cover for 12 months.

For pre-existing conditions you'd like covered sooner, there's our Pre-existing policy.

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Can I get pet insurance for pre-existing conditions?

Yes, at ManyPets you can. Our Pre-existing pet insurance covers conditions from the last two years, that you may struggle to get covered elsewhere.

Here’s how it works. We’ll give you up to £1,500 of vet fee cover for pre-existing conditions as part of an overall £7,000 vet fee limit, which you can use for new conditions.

Your pet needs to have been free from treatment, medication or advice for that condition for three months before we can cover it. Once we cover a pre-existing condition, we’ll continue to cover it, no matter how often treatment is needed.

That’s not all. Once a condition has been free from treatment, medication or advice for two years, it’s no longer considered as pre-existing, and will be covered by the full vet fee limit of £7,000.

What’s covered by Pre-existing pet insurance?

We don’t make things difficult when you’re buying Pre-existing pet insurance. There’s no waiting around for an insurer's decision and no need to list your pet’s conditions.
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Historical

Cover for conditions such as digestive, skin and eye problems

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Congential

Genetic conditions such as heart problems and arthritis

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Bilateral

Conditions that affect both sides of the body such as hip dysplasia

We don't cover chronic conditions

We can’t cover chronic conditions. These are conditions that can’t be cured and need regular treatment, check-ups or medication. We can still cover other conditions, as long as they’ve been free from treatment, medication or advice for three months before your policy starts.

Want to chat about our pre-existing condition cover?

Our friendly team are waiting. Call us to get all your pre-existing condition cover questions answered and to get a quote on 03456460749.

Why choose our pre-existing policy?

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For previously ill or injured pets

Get cover for your pet’s recent health conditions.

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Unlimited, 24/7 online vet advice

Unlimited access to a UK-registered vet for help and advice, day or night.

Pet perks

Access exclusive pet health extras worth up to £500, including discounted flea, tick and worming treatment, free pet sitters and much more.

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Lifetime cover

All our policies offer lifetime cover, with your vet fee limit renewing every year.

How our pre-existing condition cover compares

Very few pet insurance providers cover pre-existing conditions. The ones that do sometimes make you fill out lengthy forms at the start of the policy before they decide. Comparisons correct on 30 August 2022.

Many Pets PetplanAnimalFriendsTescoPetSure
Individual pre-existing conditions must be declared at policy start
Not Included
Included Not included Not included Included
Conditions that occurred two years before your policy starts can be covered
Included
Depends on insurer's decision Not included Not includedDepends on insurer's decision
Conditions that ended two years ago are covered as if they were a new conditions
Included
Depends on insurer's decision Included Not included Included
Dr Kirsten Rongrenn

How pre-existing cover helps pets... and owners

Choosing a pet insurance policy that covers pre-existing conditions means that even with previously diagnosed issues, your pet can still receive financial assistance for that problem. This takes much of the financial guessing game out for pet owners worrying about getting treatment going forward.
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All our pet insurance policies offer lifetime cover

But what exactly does it mean? Well, it refers to how your vet fee cover works:

  • Your vet fee limit refreshes every year, regardless of how many times you’ve claimed or what you’ve claimed for, as long as you continue to renew your policy every year with no break in cover.

  • You can continue to claim for a condition, over and over, year after year, up to your vet fee limit.

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Is it worth getting insurance for a pet with a health condition?

A pet’s pre-existing condition can be a constant niggling worry. When will it flare up? How pricey will the treatment be? Will they get the care they need? That’s where a pre-existing policy can give you peace of mind – and save you shelling out a fortune in unexpected vet bills.

With ManyPets, you’re covered for up to £1,500 for pre-existing conditions as part of your overall £7,000 vet fee limit. It’s also a lifetime policy, which means your cover will refresh every year when you renew.

Once a condition is free from treatment, medication or advice for two years, that condition will be considered new, and you’ll be able to claim for it up to your full £7,000 vet fee limit.

And once all your pet’s pre-existing conditions have been free from treatment, medication or advice for two years? You’ll be able to switch to another of our policy types for either an equal or lower level of vet fee cover.

What does our pre-existing pet insurance cover?

Like our other policies, our pre-existing pet insurance is there to cover the cost of unexpected vet bills when your pet has an accident or falls ill. That can include:
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Vet visits

Any consultation or examination that isn’t a routine check up.

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Treatment

Some medications and surgery, when recommended or prescribed by a vet.

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Diagnostic tests

Including blood, urine or stool tests, plus any scans like X-rays, MRIs and CT scans.

But that’s not all we cover

There’s more to our pet insurance than just veterinary treatment. We’ll also cover you for:
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Missing pet

This is an optional add on for some of our policies including Pre-existing.

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Third-party liability

All of our policies include cover for someone taking legal action against you and your dog.

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Overseas travel

You can add cover for vet fees while you’re travelling abroad with your pet as an option with some of our policies.

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Emergency pet care

All our policies have some cover for looking after your pet if you have an unplanned hospital stay.

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Save on preventative care

The ManyPets Flea, Tick & Worm Plan

  • Discounted flea, tick and worming treatment, exclusively for ManyPets members.
  • Safe, proven, non-prescription parasite treatment.
  • Free monthly delivery through your letterbox.

The ManyPets reviews are in

You don’t just have to take our word for it about our pet insurance. Here are just a few of the thousands of five-star reviews ManyPets members have written about our cover on Feefo.

5 out of 5
Feefo independent customer feedback

“Brilliant!”

Our 1 year old cocker spaniel has had a range of problems that have needed vet intervention during his first year. ManyPets have been fantastic! Paying promptly and without quibble for genuine claims. I would thoroughly recommend them.

Angela
5 out of 5
Feefo independent customer feedback

“The Cat’s Whiskers! ”

Lovely, knowledgeable customer service representative. The terms of the policy exceeded my expectations and overshadowed my previous insurer completely. The cost was extremely reasonable for such a high level of cover and pre-existing conditions were not a penalty, since my cat hadn’t shown symptoms within the past 2 years (unlike my previous insurer, who I thought I would be tied into because of this)

Denise – Wakefield
5 out of 5
Feefo independent customer feedback

“Great Insurance for your furry loved ones”

One of my dog has a long term illness that requires tablets everyday. ManyPets have been very supportive and helpful and have promptly paid for these tablets. I am glad we chose to use ManyPets. We took out the most extensive care plans that are available and they have proved their value time after time.

Ian
5 out of 5
Feefo independent customer feedback

“Good company efficient, cover pre existing”

I had only been with them for a little while before having to put to sleep my puppy. They were quick and efficient and paid out for his referral. They also cover pre existing conditions which was great and I found they very helpful after the passing of my puppy. They also sent me a lovely card! Would 1000% use them again

Jade

Pre-existing conditions pet insurance FAQs

Everything else you need to know about your pet's previous conditions and how our policies cover them.

How much will pre-existing pet insurance cost?

The cost of your cover will be based on:

  • Your pet’s age

  • Breed

  • Where you live

  • The policy type you choose - in this case Pre-existing

  • How much you paid for your pet

  • Any extras you add on

You’ll need to weigh up whether you feel it’s worth being insured over the cost of paying for vet treatment yourself. Remember, the Pre-existing policy also covers new conditions, so if your pet needs vet treatment for something new that crops up, it could be covered.

Can you cover behavioural conditions?

Under our Pre-existing policy we can cover behavioural treatment when needed as a result of illness or injury in the last two years, when referred by your vet.

Your pet would need to be free from treatment, medication or advice for 3 months before we offer cover.

Do you cover hip or elbow dysplasia in dogs?

These are considered bilateral conditions. We can cover the affected limb under our Pre-existing policy as long as there’s been no treatment, medication or advice for three months.

We can cover the opposite limb once your pet has been insured with us for 12 months.

How do pet insurers know my dog has a pre-existing condition?

When you make a claim, your insurer will ask your vet for your dog’s medical records, so they can see if they’ve had any previous injuries or illnesses.

Will I be covered immediately?

For all our policies the waiting period is two weeks for illnesses and 48 hours for accidents. But if you previously had cover with another insurance provider and were insured with them for 12 months or more and you switch to us with no break in cover, there’s no waiting period, unless you’re claiming for pet pregnancy or a bilateral condition.

Is there a waiting period for bilateral conditions under the Pre-existing pet insurance policy?

If you’re insured under our Pre-exisiting policy, we’ll cover a bilateral condition three months after your pet last received treatment, medication or advice for it on the affected side of its body.  

The same condition on the opposite side of your pet’s body won’t be covered for 12 months from the date you’re insured with us.

Is there a waiting period for pet pregnancy?

Yes, there’s a waiting period. We can cover first pet pregnancy complications once your cat or dog has been insured with us for 6 months or more.

Is pre-existing condition insurance cover the same for dogs and cats?

Yes, you get the same level of vet fee insurance protection for both cats and dogs, and is subject to policy limits. Liability cover isn’t available for cats.

Are allergies considered a pre-existing condition for pet insurance?

It depends. If your pet had signs or symptoms, or received treatment, medication or advice for its allergies in the two years before buying your policy, then yes, it would be considered a pre-existing condition.

In that case, our Pre-existing condition policy could cover it as long as the allergies have been free from treatment, medication or advice for 3 months at the time of policy purchase.

Why don’t you cover all pre-existing conditions?

We cover all pre-existing conditions, with limits only around when you can claim for them.

For example: All our policies cover pre-existing conditions once two years have passed, with no signs or symptoms, treatment, medication or advice.

For conditions that have occurred within the last two years, there’s our Pre-existing policy. Your pet’s condition will need to have been free from treatment, medication or advice for three months before we can cover it.

For bilateral conditions, we’ll cover the opposite unaffected side of your pet’s body 12 months after you’ve purchased cover.

My dog has epilepsy with occasional flare-ups. It can’t be cured. Can I still buy a policy?

Conditions like epilepsy usually need regular medication or checkups, which make them a chronic condition.

In order to be covered, a condition needs to be free from treatment, medication or advice for three months before your policy starts.

My German Shepherd had hip dysplasia in his left hip treated a year ago. He now has it in his right hip. Does my pet insurance cover this?

Your dog’s hip problems are what’s known as a ‘bilateral condition’, meaning something that can occur in the same body part on the opposite side of your pet’s body.

Most pet insurers would automatically class your shepherd’s right hip as a pre-existing condition because he’s already been diagnosed for his left hip a year ago.

But we don’t think that’s fair. So at ManyPets we’ll cover the right hip after 12 months of being insured with us, as long as it had no signs or symptoms, medication, advice or treatment in the two years before buying your policy.

If it was noticed and diagnosed when the left hip was, it’s part of the same condition, and would be treated in the same way as that.

My Persian cat has a little trouble breathing. It’s an inherited condition. Is she covered for treatment by the Pre-existing policy?

It depends on whether it’s an ongoing, constantly managed condition or just something you’re worried will cause future issues, though she’s healthy right now.

She’ll need to have been free from signs or symptoms, advice, medication and treatment for three months for us to cover her breathing problems.