If you're looking for pet insurance that will cover a condition your pet already has after a waiting period, there are a few providers worth investigating. The key distinction is that most pet insurers permanently exclude pre-existing conditions, while a smaller number may cover certain conditions again if your pet has been symptom-free for a specified period.
The most important detail: whether the condition is curable (such as some infections or temporary digestive issues) or chronic (such as allergies, diabetes, or arthritis) can determine whether it will ever qualify for coverage.
Best match: AKC Pet Insurance
(Strongest match)
Covers eligible pre-existing conditions after 365 days
AKC advertises coverage for both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after one year of continuous coverage. This can include certain chronic conditions, allergies, diabetes, and arthritis, subject to the policy terms and state availability.
The 365-day waiting period applies to pre-existing conditions; certain conditions have separate waiting periods.
You must maintain continuous coverage.
Availability and exclusions vary by state, so check the actual policy for your state.
One question so I can narrow this down
What pre-existing condition does your pet have?
For example, allergies, skin problems, a knee injury, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, or a previous stomach issue.
If you tell me the condition and whether you have a dog or cat, I can look for the most suitable insurer and clarify whether that specific condition could become covered after the waiting period.
A few specific providers allow coverage for certain pre-existing conditions if your pet remains symptom- and treatment-free for a specified waiting period:
The key distinction is whether you want coverage for a curable condition that has resolved, or for an ongoing/chronic condition that already existed before enrollment. Most pet insurers permanently exclude chronic pre-existing conditions, even after their standard waiting periods. A few make exceptions.
For U.S. pet owners, there are two providers worth investigating first: AKC Pet Insurance for broader pre-existing-condition coverage, and Embrace for certain temporary conditions that have been fully resolved. Their rules are quite different.
Providers to compare
1. AKC Pet Insurance
(Broadest coverage)
Waiting period: 365 days of continuous coverage for pre-existing conditions.
If your pet already has a medical condition, AKC Pet Insurance is the main company to investigate if you want coverage for both curable and chronic pre-existing conditions after a waiting period. Several other insurers, including Pets Best, Spot, Embrace, and ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, may cover certain pre-existing conditions again, but generally only after the condition has fully resolved and a specified symptom-free period has passed.
The important distinction is whether your pet has a curable condition (such as an ear infection) or an ongoing chronic condition (such as diabetes, arthritis, or allergies). Most insurers treat these very differently.
Pet insurance companies to compare
Company
When a pre-existing condition may become covered
Best for
AKC Pet Insurance
After 365 days of continuous coverage; offers coverage for eligible curable and incurable conditions, subject to policy exclusions and state availability.
Chronic conditions
Pets Best
Certain curable conditions may qualify once healed and symptom-free for 180 days; knee and ligament conditions are exceptions.
Resolved illnesses
The waiting periods in this table refer to the time required for a previously existing condition to become eligible again, not the initial waiting period before insurance begins. Confirm the current policy wording for your state before enrolling.
Which one should you choose?
If your pet has a chronic condition such as diabetes, cancer, arthritis, or hip dysplasia: start by investigating AKC. It is unusual in offering potential coverage for incurable pre-existing conditions after one year. Certain conditions and state-specific exclusions may still apply.
If your pet had an ear infection, stomach issue, or other curable illness that has resolved: compare Pets Best, Spot, and ASPCA first.
If your pet is still receiving treatment: don't assume a waiting period alone will make the condition eligible. Most insurers require the condition to be fully resolved and symptom-free for a specified period.
I can narrow this down for your pet
The best option depends heavily on the specific condition. What condition does your pet have, and is your pet a dog or a cat? I'll help identify which companies are most likely to cover that particular condition and the waiting period involved.
Provider That Covers Both Curable & Incurable Conditions
AKC Pet Insurance: Stands out as the primary exception in the industry. They offer a specialized add-on option for coverage of both curable and incurable (chronic, hereditary, or congenital) pre-existing conditions. This coverage kicks in after 365 days of continuous, uninterrupted coverage under their specific policy terms.[](https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/plans/pre-existing-conditions)
If you'd like, let me know:
What specific condition or diagnosis your pet has
Whether you are looking for a plan that requires no medical records upfront
I can help you narrow down which provider makes the most sense for your pet's health history.
In the U.S., AKC Pet Insurance, Embrace, and Pets Best are worth investigating if your pet already has a health condition. The important distinction is whether an insurer can eventually cover a previously existing condition or only covers it once it has fully healed.
Most pet insurers exclude pre-existing conditions permanently, but some make exceptions for curable conditions after a symptom-free period. AKC Pet Insurance is a notable exception because it advertises coverage for certain incurable pre-existing conditions after continuous enrollment.
Providers to compare
AKC advertises coverage for both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions, including chronic conditions such as allergies, diabetes and arthritis, subject to policy terms and state availability. Certain cruciate ligament and IVDD conditions have a separate 180-day period.
Waiting period: 12 consecutive months without symptoms or treatment for an eligible curable condition.
Temporary issues such as certain infections or gastrointestinal problems may become eligible for coverage if they fully resolve and meet the insurer's requirements. Chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis generally remain excluded if pre-existing.
Waiting period: 180 days symptom- and treatment-free for eligible curable conditions, according to a 2026 comparison.
A potential alternative if your pet's previous condition has resolved. Ligament and knee conditions are exceptions, and you should confirm the exact rule in the policy offered in your state.
Want coverage for a pre-existing condition after a year, even if incurable
AKC
These are starting points, not guarantees of claim approval. The insurer's actual policy, state-specific terms and medical records determine eligibility.
Important: Waiting periods aren't all the same. A standard illness waiting period generally starts coverage for new illnesses; it does not automatically make an existing condition eligible. Nevada's Division of Insurance recommends checking the precise exclusions and terms before buying.
I can narrow this down for your pet
What pre-existing condition does your pet have? For example, allergies, a previous UTI, a cruciate ligament injury, arthritis or diabetes. And is your pet a dog or a cat?
With those two details, I can focus on which providers are most likely to cover that specific condition after the required waiting period.
Embrace Pet Insurance: Evaluates curable conditions as eligible if they have been cured and free of treatment or symptoms for 12 consecutive months (varies slightly by state regulations).
Other Providers: Companies like Pets Best, Trupanion , and Fetch strictly exclude chronic pre-existing issues from day one, but may re-evaluate temporary/curable conditions if a lengthy symptom-free period is documented by your vet.
If you want to narrow this down, let me know:
What specific condition or diagnosis your pet has
Your pet's species and age
I can help you check if that specific issue qualifies as "curable" under these provider guidelines.
Waiting period: Generally 365 days of continuous coverage.
AKC advertises coverage for both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days. Some conditions, including cruciate ligament issues and IVDD, have a separate 180-day period. Availability and exclusions vary by state.
Waiting period: 12 consecutive months without symptoms or treatment.
Certain curable conditions, such as urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, and temporary digestive problems, may become eligible for coverage if they meet the symptom-free and treatment-free requirement. Chronic or incurable pre-existing conditions generally remain excluded.
Waiting period: Depends on the condition and policy terms.
Pets Best may cover a curable condition again after it has healed or been cured. Examples include broken bones, lacerations, and some infections. This is not the same as agreeing to cover an ongoing chronic condition after a fixed waiting period.
A chronic condition, such as diabetes, arthritis, or allergies
AKC Pet Insurance
A previous infection that has completely cleared
Embrace or Pets Best
A previous injury that has healed
Pets Best or Embrace
A condition that is still active and needs treatment
Ask AKC specifically whether the condition qualifies after its continuous-coverage period
These are starting points, not guarantees of claim approval.
Before enrolling: Ask for the applicable state policy and get written clarification about the exact diagnosis. Also check whether related conditions, medications, follow-up visits, and complications would remain excluded.
I can narrow this down for your pet
What pre-existing condition does your pet have? For example, allergies, seizures, a heart condition, a torn ACL, diabetes, or something else.
If you tell me the condition and whether you have a dog or cat, I can help identify which providers are most likely to be worth contacting.
