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Summer 2025

Understanding pre-existing conditions in pet insurance

What are they and how might they affect your coverage?
Picture of By Nationwide
By Nationwide

New pet insurance members often wonder, "What exactly is a pre-existing condition?" We're here to help clarify this important aspect of pet insurance.

What is a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition refers to any health issue that your pet had before the effective date of your pet insurance policy or during the waiting period. This includes conditions for which:

  • A veterinarian provided medical advice.
  • The pet received previous treatment.
  • There were signs or symptoms directly related to the condition, based on verifiable sources.

For example, if your pet showed clinical signs of limping before your policy's effective date—even if the underlying cause was unknown—both the limping and its cause would be considered pre-existing. However, if the limping started after the policy's effective date, it would not be considered pre-existing.

How do pre-existing conditions affect a Nationwide® pet insurance policy?

Pre-existing conditions typically are not covered by pet insurance policies. This means:

  1. Exclusion from coverage: Pre-existing conditions are excluded from your pet's coverage.
  2. Related conditions: Other conditions that arise due to a pre-existing condition are also not covered.

For instance, if your pet has allergies as a pre-existing condition and those allergies lead to a skin infection from scratching, neither the allergy medication nor the treatments for the skin infection would be covered.

Determining pre-existing conditions

When you sign up for pet insurance, it's crucial to provide a thorough and accurate medical history for your pet. The underwriting team will review your pet's medical records to determine if any pre-existing condition exclusions apply.

This review includes assessing past treatments and documented signs, symptoms, or concerns your pet has experienced, even if untreated or undiagnosed. For example, if your pet showed signs of vomiting and upset stomach before the policy's effective date and was later diagnosed with gastroenteritis, the gastroenteritis would be considered pre-existing and related tests and treatments wouldn't be covered.

Viewing your pet's pre-existing conditions

Once your pet's complete medical records are evaluated, any defined pre-existing condition exclusions will be listed on the declarations page of your policy. New relevant medical records or related medical information received after this review may lead to additional noted pre-existing conditions. If any pre-existing conditions are identified, you'll receive a communication detailing the new exclusion.

Addressing pre-existing conditions

The good news is that, with Nationwide, not all pre-existing conditions are excluded permanently. Upon request, we can review conditions that have been deemed cured and remained treatment-free for a specified period. However, some chronic conditions may not be eligible for review.

Getting the best care for your pet is always the priority. Even if your pet has a pre-existing condition, you can rest easy knowing that they’re covered for a broad range of other conditions.

Have questions?

If you have any questions about pre-existing conditions on your pet’s Nationwide pet insurance policy, contact Member Care at 800-540-2016 for assistance. You can also watch our pre-existing conditions video.

VetHelpline

Nationwide® pet insurance members have 24/7 telehealth access to connect with veterinary professionals for pet health advice. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play—it’s included with every Nationwide pet insurance policy! Get advice
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
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