Waiting periods refer to the length of time before your pet’s conditions may be eligible for reimbursement from your pet insurance provider.
A waiting period is a term found in all pet insurance policies. It refers to the amount of time your pet insurer requires you to wait until your pet is eligible for reimbursement on specific conditions through your pet insurance coverage.
Let’s get into the nitty gritty of how pet insurance waiting periods work, and the typical dates you can expect from a Lemonade Pet policy.
How do pet insurance waiting periods work?
All Lemonade policies are subject to a couple of waiting periods:
- 14 days for illnesses
- 30 days for orthopedic conditions
These waiting periods begin on your policy’s start date. We can only offer reimbursement for your claim after the applicable waiting period ends. That’s why it’s so important that you buy insurance long before you need it.
Why is having a pet insurance waiting period important?
Waiting periods are designed to protect our Lemonade pet insurance community from someone who buys a policy just to cover one procedure-and then drops out.
Waiting periods help keep our policy prices fair for all of our pet parents, and not just for folks who might want to take advantage of coverage.
How do Lemonade’s waiting periods compare to other providers?
Waiting periods are standard across the pet insurance industry, but the specific timeframes can vary quite a bit from one provider to the next. Here’s how Lemonade stacks up against industry norms:
| Coverage Type | Lemonade | Industry Range |
| Accidents | 0 days | 0 to 2 days |
| Illnesses | 14 days | 14 to 30 days |
| Orthopedic conditions | 30 days | 6 months to 12 months |
| Pre-existing conditions | Never covered | Never covered (industry standard) |
Lemonade’s orthopedic waiting period of 30 days is notably shorter than much of the industry, where some providers require 6 to 12 months before joint and bone conditions are eligible. Accident coverage at Lemonade kicks in immediately, with no waiting period at all.
Want to see how Lemonade stacks up provider by provider? Check out our pet insurance compare pages to dig into the details.
AKC Pet Insurance vs. Lemonade Comparison
ASPCA Pet Insurance vs. Lemonade Comparison
Embrace Pet Insurance vs. Lemonade Comparison
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Key terms to know
Pet insurance waiting period language can get confusing. Here’s a quick glossary to keep you grounded:
- Effective date: The date your policy becomes active and waiting periods begin.
- Waiting period: The window of time between your effective date and when coverage begins for a specific condition.
- Pre-existing condition: Any condition your pet showed signs of, was diagnosed with, or was treated for before your waiting period ended.
- Policy anniversary: Your annual renewal date, which is when certain policy terms may reset or update.
- Coverage gap: A period when switching providers where your pet may temporarily lack full coverage, since new waiting periods apply with each new policy.
Is there pet insurance with no waiting periods?
Nope. Pet insurance waiting periods are standard for most major providers-including Lemonade-but some policies have longer waiting periods than others.
Are there any exclusions to pet insurance waiting periods?
Yes, depending on the coverages you include on your policy.
When you include one of Lemonade’s preventative care options on your policy, for example, your coverage related to preventative care kicks in the date your policy becomes effective. These packages help with expenses like annual wellness exams, vaccinations, routine care, and spay/neutering.
What about pre-existing conditions?
A pre-existing condition is any condition your pet showed signs of, was diagnosed with, or was treated for before the waiting period of your pet health insurance policy ended. It’s actually one of the main reasons your insurance company has waiting periods on pet insurance plans.
It’s important to know that you won’t be covered for any pre-existing conditions. Pet insurance companies, including Lemonade, won’t cover anything diagnosed, or a condition that was symptomatic, before your policy’s effective date or during any waiting periods. Once the waiting periods expire, you’ll be covered for new symptoms or conditions unrelated to any pre-existing conditions your pet may experience.
This is one of the reasons it’s so worthwhile for pet owners to get insurance coverage early in their dog or cat’s life. At Lemonade, for example, you can buy a policy for your puppy or kitten from two months old. Some dogs are especially likely to require veterinary care for hereditary conditions, like hip dysplasia or a luxating patella. If these are noted or diagnosed before a waiting period is up, your pet insurance provider (including Lemonade pet insurance) won’t be able to reimburse you for treatments related to those conditions.
But if you get your pet covered when they’re a healthy kitten or puppy, any eligible conditions that arise later in life will be fully covered (factoring in co-insurance and deductibles, of course)!
Is a vet visit required when I buy a pet insurance policy?
Depends on when your pet’s last medical exam was. At Lemonade, we require that you send us your fur fam’s pet medical record that includes info that covers the last 12 and a half months of your pet’s life (this includes the 14-day illness waiting period on your policy). If your pet is less than a year old, the medical record should include info from the first puppy, kitty, or shelter exam your pet had through the illness waiting period.
So if you just bought a policy for your 3-year old Whippet, Beau, who hasn’t been to the vet since puppyhood, he’ll need a medical exam from a licensed veterinarian to be eligible for coverage (even if he’s a vision of health). Your fur fam might not be covered if you file a pet insurance claim without an up-to-date pet medical record.
And trust us, starting a medical record as early as possible in your pup or kitty’s life will pay off in the long run. The earlier you get pet insurance, the more likely your furry friend will be free of pre-existing conditions, which means more savings on treatments and illnesses throughout their life.
Real-world waiting period scenarios
Waiting periods are easy to understand in theory, but they play out in very specific ways depending on when you buy, what breed you have, and what your pet’s health history looks like. Here are some real-world examples to help you think it through.
The new puppy owner
Sarah adopts a healthy 8-week-old Golden Retriever and purchases a Lemonade policy the same day. Three weeks later, the puppy develops vomiting and diarrhea. Because the 14-day illness waiting period has already passed, the condition is eligible for coverage.
But here’s the catch: Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia. If signs of hip problems appear at 6 months old but Sarah had switched providers or let her policy lapse before the 30-day orthopedic waiting period on her new policy had passed, that condition would not be covered. Getting coverage early and keeping it continuous is the best way to protect against this.
Best practice: Purchase coverage immediately after adoption, before any conditions have a chance to develop.
Switching providers
Mike switches from his old provider to Lemonade after his 3-year-old cat had been healthy for two years. During Lemonade’s 14-day illness waiting period, his cat starts showing signs of urinary issues.
Even though this condition never came up under his previous policy, it’s now considered a pre-existing condition under his new Lemonade policy, because it emerged during the waiting period. The timing of a provider switch matters more than most pet parents realize.
Best practice: If your pet is currently healthy, switching providers can work in your favor. Just make sure there are no emerging symptoms during the new waiting period.
The large breed and orthopedic risk
James adopts a 1-year-old German Shepherd and purchases pet insurance. At month two, his dog starts limping. His vet suspects early signs of hip dysplasia.
Because this occurred within the 30-day orthopedic waiting period, the condition is flagged as pre-existing and won’t be covered. Had James purchased coverage before the limping started and cleared the waiting period, the treatment would have been eligible.
Large breeds like German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, and Rottweilers are statistically more likely to develop orthopedic conditions. Getting coverage early is especially important for these dogs.
Best practice: For large or giant breeds, purchase insurance as early as possible, ideally when they’re still a puppy with no orthopedic history.
The rescue pet
Diana adopts a 4-year-old rescue dog with an unknown medical history. She purchases Lemonade pet insurance right away.
Because the dog’s history is unclear, Lemonade will review available medical records to determine what, if any, conditions existed prior to the policy. Conditions that were symptomatic or documented before coverage began won’t be eligible for reimbursement.
Best practice: Get a full veterinary exam as soon as possible after adopting a rescue pet. A clean bill of health from a licensed vet, captured before any new symptoms arise, creates the clearest possible baseline for your policy.
The senior pet adoption
Linda adopts a 9-year-old cat from a shelter. Older pets come with a higher likelihood of pre-existing conditions, which means more exclusions and a narrower scope of coverage.
That said, it’s still worth getting coverage. Any new, unrelated conditions that develop after the waiting periods are cleared will still be eligible for reimbursement. And given that older pets tend to need more veterinary care, even partial coverage can add up to meaningful savings.
Best practice: For senior pets, get a thorough vet exam right after adoption to document their current health status clearly. This gives you and your insurer a clean, agreed-upon baseline going forward.
Before you go…
Waiting periods are one of those things that seem minor until they’re not. The best way to make sure your pet is covered when it counts is simple: don’t wait.
The sooner you get a policy in place, the sooner your pet is protected. Get a free quote in just a few minutes: it’s quick, easy, and your future self will thank you.
FAQs
Can I get pet insurance if my pet is already sick?
Yes, you are able to purchase pet insurance if your pet is already sick. However, a pet insurance policy will not cover pre-existing conditions-meaning any illness your pet currently has, whether the illness has been diagnosed or your pet is showing signs or symptoms of the illness, will not be covered. You can purchase a pet insurance policy for new illnesses that may occur in the future, but a current illness that is pre-existing to the policy and waiting periods will not be covered. Keep in mind: At Lemonade Pet, there is a 14 day waiting period for illnesses from the date your policy goes into effect.
What happens if my pet gets sick or injured during the waiting period?
If your pet gets sick or injured during the waiting period, those specific conditions will not be covered by your insurance policy. You will need to cover the veterinary costs out of pocket, and only new conditions that occur after the waiting period ends will be eligible for coverage.
How can I find out the specific waiting periods for my policy?
You can find out the specific waiting periods for your policy by carefully reviewing your insurance documents or contacting your insurance provider directly. It is essential to understand these details so you can plan your pet’s care accordingly and avoid any surprises.
Does switching pet insurance providers reset the waiting periods?
Yes, switching pet insurance providers generally reset the waiting periods. When you start a new policy with a different provider, you’ll need to adhere to their specific waiting periods, even if your pet was previously covered under another policy.
When will my pet insurance go into effect?
At Lemonade, your pet insurance policy will go into effect at 12:01 AM the day after purchase, and your waiting periods start ticking down from there. If you also purchased one of Lemonade’s three Preventative Care Package options you can start using the coverage as soon as your policy activates.
