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Compare UK pet insurers

See how 24 UK pet insurers differ on the things that can matter when you claim.

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Showing 24 of 24 insurers

Health problems your pet already had

Also called pre-existing conditions

See how insurers describe conditions, symptoms or treatment from before the policy started.

Listed A–Z. We do not rank this question, because what insurers publish here is wording and bands rather than one comparable figure. No recommendations.

  • Admiral

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Admiral does not cover any illness or injury the pet had before the policy starts, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Agria

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Agria will insure pets that already have pre-existing conditions, but it does not cover the pre-existing condition itself or related conditions.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Animal Friends

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Argos

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Any condition or symptom, or anything related to it, that the policyholder was aware of or that had been noted and/or checked by a vet before the policy started is excluded.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Co-op

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Co-op says it does not cover pre-existing conditions, including any illness or injury that showed signs, symptoms or was treated before the policy started.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Direct Line

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Direct Line does not cover claims arising from any pre-existing condition unless it was fully declared and accepted as covered in writing.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • John Lewis Pet Insurance

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • LV=

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    LV= may insure the pet, but usually does not cover the pre-existing condition.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • ManyPets

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Standard plans exclude pre-existing conditions where there were signs, symptoms, treatment, medication or advice within 24 months before plan start; Standard Care Pre-existing can cover eligible pre-existing conditions up to £1,500 per year where the condition has been free from signs, symptoms, treatment, medication and advice for 3 months before plan start.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • More Than

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    MORE THAN will not cover pre-existing conditions, defined on the FAQ page as health issues, concerns, illnesses and injuries that the customer or vet knew about before the policy started.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Napo

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Napo does not cover any condition that has shown symptoms or been treated within the 24 months before the policy begins; after 24 symptom- and treatment-free months, Napo says it will likely cover the condition going forward if the policy is renewed.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • PDSA

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    PDSA does not cover pre-existing conditions.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Perfect Pet Insurance

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Pet Protect

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Any condition or symptom, or anything related to it, that the customer was aware of or that had been noted and/or checked by a vet before the policy started is excluded.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Petplan

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Public pages conflict.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Post Office

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Post Office does not cover pre-existing conditions.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Purely Pets

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Purely Pets does not cover pre-existing conditions.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Royal Kennel Club

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Pre-existing conditions are excluded.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • RSPCA

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    RSPCA does not cover pre-existing conditions.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Sainsbury’s Pet Insurance

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Scratch & Patch

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Not covered across all current cover levels.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Tesco Pet Insurance

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Pre-existing injuries and illnesses are not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • The Insurance Emporium

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

  • Waggel

    Symptom-free period
    Not clearly stated
    How the insurer describes it
    Pre-existing conditions and symptoms or conditions that occurred before the pet was insured with Waggel are not covered.

    Also published: Varies by plan

    Official wording

Explain like I'm 10

The story of a pre-existing condition

Insurance covers surprises that happen after you buy the policy. Here's how that plays out in real life.

Healthy pet
No symptoms, no vet visits
First symptom
Something's not right
Vet visit
Written in the notes
Diagnosis
Now it has a name
Insurance purchased
A bit too late
New problems → usually covered

Anything that starts after your policy (and waiting period) is usually treatable under your cover.

Old problems → usually not covered

Anything your pet had signs of before cover started is usually treated as "pre-existing" — even if a vet didn't formally diagnose it.

Visual explainer

How insurers usually decide if something is pre-existing

A condition seen or treated before your policy started is usually treated as pre-existing.

Before your policy started

Any signs, symptoms, or vet visits related to a condition.

Policy starts

Cover begins — subject to waiting periods.

Later — same condition returns

Vet treats a flare-up of something noted before.

Usually excluded

Because the condition was known before cover began.

Sometimes reviewed

If the pet has been symptom-free for a set period.

New, unrelated issue

Usually assessed like any other claim.

Every insurer defines this slightly differently — always check your policy wording.

Explore real scenarios

Pick a situation to see what usually happens — and what to ask.

My dog had an ear infection last year

Usually excluded
What usually happens

Most insurers will exclude future ear infections and related ear treatment, at least initially. Some may review the exclusion if your dog has been symptom-free for a set period (often 24 months).

Why

The condition already exists in your pet's clinical history, so insurers see it as an ongoing risk rather than an insurable surprise.

Questions to ask
  • Will the exclusion be reviewed after a symptom-free period?
  • Does the exclusion cover both ears or just one?
  • Does it apply to all ear problems or only this type?

Educational only. Insurer definitions differ — always check your own policy wording.

Why insurers work this way

Three simple reasons — no jargon.

Insurance covers surprises

Insurance is designed to pay for unexpected new problems, not treatment for things your pet already had. That's why the start date of your policy matters so much.

Symptoms count, not just diagnoses

Insurers read your vet's clinical notes. Signs that appeared before cover started can be treated as pre-existing — even without a formal diagnosis.

Some conditions can be reviewed

A number of insurers will re-cover a condition after a set symptom-free period. This isn't universal, and the rules vary — always check the wording.

Still unsure?

Ask Willow about your pet

Willow is our free AI guide. She'll explain how pre-existing conditions might affect your pet — in plain English, no sales pitch.

Related knowledge

Browse all

Waiting Periods

When your cover actually starts after buying a policy.

Waiting Periods (deep dive)

Rules, exceptions and insurer evidence.

Your next step

Thinking of switching insurers?

Pre-existing conditions travel with your pet — switching can restart exclusions. See what to check before you move.

Read the switching guideCompare pre-existing rules

Wondering how a specific condition would be treated? Ask Willow →

You might also need…

Suggestions based on what this page covers — pick the next best step.

Last reviewed 2 August 2026 · Publicly available UK insurer policy documents.