How long a cured condition must stay clear
Sorted from the shortest wait. Each line links to the clause in the policy.
- ASPCA6 months symptom-free
Excluded. Curable conditions cured and free of treatment and symptoms for 180 days become a new occurrence (not ligament/knee) (from a 2020 sample form; newer forms may be stricter on chronic conditions).p. 4
- Pumpkin6 months symptom-free
Excluded. Curable conditions free of treatment and symptoms for 180 days become a new occurrence (not chronic or ligament/knee).p. 6
- Spot6 months symptom-free
Excluded. Curable conditions free of treatment and symptoms for 180 days become a new occurrence (not chronic or ligament/knee).p. 5
- Embrace12 months symptom-free
Excluded. Temporary (curable) conditions free of signs and treatment for 12 consecutive months are no longer pre-existing.source
- Fetch12 months symptom-free
Excluded. Curable conditions seen in the 365 days before enrollment or during the wait: 365-day exclusion, then coverable with an annual vet exam; if it recurs, a second 365-day period; recurrence in the second period = excluded for life. The policy's wording is unclear on the second year; check with Fetch.p. 10
- Figo12 months symptom-free
Excluded. Curable conditions become coverable after 365 consecutive days without symptoms or treatment; genetic, ligament/knee, orthopedic and chronic conditions are never curable.p. 5
- MetLifeNo cured-condition clause
Excluded. The 2021 sample policy we read has no cured-condition clause; MetLife's website says curable conditions are typically covered.p. 7
- OdieNo cured-condition clause
Excluded. 18-month look-back: anything Present in the 18 months before the effective date (or during the wait) is excluded. No cure clause. Chronic, bilateral and IVDD conditions are excluded if Present at any time before.p. 16
Why the knee and hip rule matters here too
Some policies treat knee and hip problems that show up in the first months as pre-existing for good, even if they were never seen before you bought the policy. Check the waiting-period comparison before you pick a start date.
One website that says more than its policy
MetLife Pet Insurance
Pre-existing conditionsThe website says
“Curable pre-existing conditions — like ear infections, vomiting, or broken bones — can typically be covered by MetLife Pet as long as the incident that occurred after enrollment is unrelated”
MetLife Pet Insurance websiteWhy it matters: MetLife's FAQ says curable pre-existing conditions can 'typically' be covered, with no symptom-free period; the sample policy has no cured-condition clause. A human must confirm the current form.
Common questions
Does any pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?+
None of the 8 policies we read covers a condition your pet already had before cover started. 6 of them will cover a curable condition later if it stays symptom-free and untreated for a set time.
What is a curable pre-existing condition?+
A condition that can clear up completely, like an ear infection or a stomach upset. Policies that have a 'cured condition' rule will cover it again once it has been free of signs and treatment for the period in the policy.
Which pet insurance has the shortest wait for cured conditions?+
In the documents we read, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Pumpkin Pet Insurance and Spot Pet Insurance use 6 months symptom-free.
Do vets decide what counts as pre-existing?+
The insurer decides, usually from your pet's vet records. Policies look back at symptoms, not just diagnoses, so a sign noted before cover started can count even if it was never named.
This reads sample policy documents. Terms vary by state and change over time. It is not insurance or veterinary advice, and we are not an insurance agent.