Pet insurance waiting periods, explained
By Raúl Vaquerizo · Published · Editorial policy
Say you buy a policy on a Monday. On Wednesday your dog starts limping, and by Friday the vet suspects a knee problem. Is it covered?
Probably not, and the reason is the waiting period: a stretch of time at the start of a policy before some or all of the coverage kicks in. Anything that shows up during that window is treated as a pre-existing condition. Under the NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act, a condition that showed signs “during any waiting period” counts as pre-existing, exactly as if it had appeared before you bought the policy.
The legal limits
In states that have adopted the NAIC model (17 at our last review, including California, Florida, Pennsylvania and Washington), the rules are clear:
- Accidents: waiting periods are not allowed. Cover for injuries has to start right away.
- Illnesses and orthopedic conditions not caused by an accident: waiting periods can’t be longer than 30 days.
- Waiver: insurers that use waiting periods must let you waive them after a veterinary exam. You may have to pay for the exam, and the insurer can say what it needs to include.
- Renewals: waiting periods can’t be applied again when you renew.
- Disclosure: waiting periods have to be clearly disclosed before you buy.
“Orthopedic” is defined broadly in the model. It includes hip and elbow dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, kneecap luxation and torn cruciate ligaments.
Your state’s status is on its state page.
What insurers actually do
Waiting periods vary between companies, and in states without the model act they can be longer or apply to accidents too. A few examples reported by MoneyGeek in 2026:
- ASPCA: 14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
- Lemonade: no waiting period for accidents.
- Pets Best: an option to waive the orthopedic waiting period. For cats, an accident waiting period of 1 to 3 days.
- Figo: a 1-day accident waiting period for cats.
Treat these as examples, not a comparison. Policies change, and terms can differ from state to state. The policy documents are the final word.
Why the waiting period matters more than it looks
The waiting period is short, but its effect can last for the life of the policy. If your cat has a bout of vomiting on day 10 and the vet writes it down, a later digestive diagnosis can be excluded for good. That’s how pre-existing conditions work: the condition doesn’t need a name, just signs or a vet note. Our guide to pre-existing conditions goes through the definition in detail.
How to avoid getting caught by it
- Buy before you need it. It sounds obvious, but shopping for insurance after the first worrying symptom is exactly the situation a waiting period is designed to catch.
- Don’t let a policy lapse. If coverage stops and you buy a new one, a new waiting period starts, and anything that came up in between can be excluded.
- Think hard before switching insurers. The new policy starts its own waiting period, and the new insurer can treat anything in your pet’s records as pre-existing.
- Use the exam waiver if your state follows the model and you’re worried about the orthopedic wait.
- Schedule routine vet visits sensibly. A routine visit is fine. Just know that anything the vet notes during the waiting period goes on the record.
For what a policy would actually pay once cover is active, try the claim payout calculator.
Estimates only, not a quote. Not financial or veterinary advice. We are not an insurer, agent or broker. Prices come from public data and change by insurer, ZIP code, policy options and your pet's medical history. Always read the policy and ask your veterinarian about your pet's health. Full disclaimer.