One of several considerations you may have when shopping for the best pet insurance is waiting periods. Most pet insurers require a waiting period before coverage kicks in, although this period differs from company to company, and may vary based on whether the need is for accident, illness, orthopedic or wellness care. Insurers use waiting periods to avoid paying for pre-existing conditions, which are generally not covered. If it is important for you to have full coverage as soon as possible, however, you may want to consider companies such as Lemonade, Embrace or MetLife. These three companies offer pet insurance with no waiting periods for some types of coverage. In many cases, other insurers may also offer same-day pet insurance. Bankrate’s insurance experts reviewed waiting periods for many major pet insurance companies to help you find coverage for your beloved pet that suits your needs. 

Types of pet insurance waiting periods

There are three main types of pet insurance, each with a waiting period that varies by policy and provider. Typically, pet insurers impose waiting periods that differ based on the type of condition covered.

• Accidents: Because they are unpredictable events, such as emergencies, some companies have shorter waiting periods of one to five days.
• Illness: Illnesses may have a two-week or longer waiting period to rule out any pre-existing conditions, which are often not covered by pet insurance companies.
• Orthopedic and cruciate conditions: These conditions typically involve issues that affect bones, joints, tendons and ligaments. Again, to ensure they are not part of a pre-existing condition, coverage may take up to six months to take effect.
• Wellness and preventive plans: There is typically no waiting period for preventive care plans.

Pet insurance companies with no waiting period

Here’s where doing your homework can pay off. While it’s rare for pet insurers to begin coverage on day one, especially for illness or chronic conditions, three companies offer no waiting period for accidents that may happen on the same day you enroll.

Lemonade pet insurance

Lemonade recently updated its waiting periods to be zero days for accidents and preventative care. Lemonade also has a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, 30 days for orthopedic conditions and six months for cruciate ligament events.

Embrace pet insurance

Embrace offers no waiting period for accidents, allowing coverage to begin once you sign up and are approved. So, if your pet breaks a leg chasing their favorite toy, your vet bills are covered according to your policy. However, illness claims still have an industry-standard 14-day waiting period. The orthopedic waiting period is six months in most states.

MetLife pet insurance

MetLife has different waiting periods for different types of coverage. Luckily, one of them is a zero-day waiting period for accidents. Like other pet insurers, MetLife requires a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage. Should you purchase MetLife’s optional preventive care plan, your pet will also be covered as soon as enrollment is approved.

Shortest waiting period by insurance company

Even if they don’t offer a complete waiver, several pet insurance companies have shorter-than-average waiting periods, particularly for accident coverage. Here’s a breakdown of the shortest waiting periods of the top pet insurance companies. (Waiting periods are often state-dependent, so the data below may vary depending on where you live).

Even some of the best cheap pet insurance plans have short waiting periods, so it’s worth getting several quotes to see which is the best for you. Waiting periods vary by state, so ask your chosen insurer to see sample plans, the Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions and Waiting Period Waiver Forms.

Depending on your pet’s needs, shorter orthopedic coverage wait times may be more valuable than same-day accident coverage. This is especially important for dog owners, as orthopedic and cruciate coverage waiting periods do not typically apply to cats.

Here is a breakdown of the shortest waiting periods per category:

• Accident coverage: Aside from the insurance providers that offer no waiting period for accidents, five companies have the shortest accident coverage waiting periods, including Figo (one day), Lemonade (two days), Pets Best (three days), Progressive (three days) and Trupanion (five days). Depending on your state, the waiting period may be voided entirely.
• Illness coverage: While a 14-day waiting period is standard, companies like Trupanion will waive it with a complete veterinarian examination before enrollment. Figo will also waive the 14-day waiting period if a medical exam is performed within seven days of the pet’s original start date.
• Orthopedic coverage: ASPCA, Harville, Liberty Mutual, MetLife, Pets Best, ManyPets and Spot Pet have a two-week waiting period. Lemonade and Trupanion require a 30-day wait for orthopedic coverage.
• Cruciate ligament: If cruciate ligament coverage is top of mind, only ASPCA, Hartville, Liberty Mutual, ManyPets and Spot Pet offer a two-week waiting period. However, Pets Best reduces its cruciate coverage from six months to 30 days if you are in Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota or Washington.

Some insurance companies, such as Trupanion, will waive the waiting period for most coverage if you live in Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska or Washington. Other companies, like MetLife, offer to waive the 14-day illness waiting period if you adopt a pet from a partner shelter.

How to minimize your waiting period

While you can’t always eliminate waiting periods with most pet insurance companies, there are ways to minimize them. Let’s look at a few options you may have to reduce or waive the waiting periods for pet insurance.

Pet insurers work with shelters to reduce waiting periods

Some pet insurers collaborate with shelters and rescue organizations to offer immediate illness coverage from the first day of adoption. This initiative supports the health of newly adopted animals and promotes adoption as a preferred option for those who want a pet. This is a great way to ensure your new furry family member is protected from the start.

Prior pet insurance coverage can waive waiting periods

Transitioning between pet insurance providers? Your new insurer may waive the waiting period if you had prior coverage, provided there’s no lapse or proof of insurance within 24 hours of enrolling. This continuity benefits those looking to upgrade or change their pet insurance provider without losing immediate coverage.

Vet exams can waive pet insurance waiting times

A comprehensive veterinary exam conducted shortly before or after enrollment can prompt an insurer to waive the waiting periods. This is often due to state laws. A vet exam can waive illness or accident waiting periods with some pet insurance carriers and reduce the waiting period from six months to 30 days for orthopedic and cruciate conditions.

Embrace, for example, sticks to the 14-day waiting period for orthopedic coverage if an exam is performed within 14 days of the policy. If the exam takes place after the waiting period, your coverage may be further delayed.

State laws can reduce pet insurance waiting periods

Legislation at the state level may protect consumers and their pets. Several states, including California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington, have measures that either eliminate waiting periods or allow them to be waived.

The bottom line

While it may be nerve-wracking to wait for your pet insurance to kick in after enrollment, enjoying your rambunctious puppy and ensuring you have some savings lined up for out-of-policy expenses can offer peace of mind. Before you know it, your cat or dog will be covered according to their new insurance policy and you can rest easy knowing you have financial support.

Now that you understand the reason for pet insurance waiting periods — and the few insurance companies that offer shorter wait times — consider when you may want to enroll. If your boisterous pet is testing whether they have nine lives, opting for an insurer with little or no waiting period for accidents may be a good choice.

Frequently asked questions

• Are there any pet insurance companies with no waiting period?
  

  Embrace and MetLife do not have waiting periods, but only for accident coverage. Companion Protect has zero wait for illness and accident coverage if you’re approved. It’s rare to find policies with no waiting period for illnesses or orthopedic conditions. However, many wellness plans start immediately.

• How long is the average waiting period for pet insurance?
  

  The average waiting period is around one to three days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. Orthopedic conditions may have a waiting period of up to six months to a year depending on the pet insurer.

• What should I do if my pet gets injured or sick during the waiting period?
  

  Unfortunately, you will need to cover any veterinary expenses for injuries or illnesses out of pocket if your pet is injured or sick during the waiting period. Once the waiting period ends, future incidents will be covered, depending on your plan.

• Why do most pet insurers require waiting periods?
  

  Waiting periods help insurers protect themselves from fraud. Without it, they may end up paying for pre-existing conditions or a sudden major illness, which are generally excluded from coverage. Waiting periods are standard for many types of insurance. If you are looking for the best pet insurance with no waiting period, you may want to consider one of the companies we’ve discussed above, who may offer coverage for your pet either from the start of the policy or soon after.