The Best Time to Get Pet Insurance (Hint: It's Early)

The moment your pet has any vet visit, a medical record is created. Any condition, symptom, or note on that record can become a pre-existing condition exclusion in any future insurance policy.

For puppies and kittens, this matters most in the first 12 weeks. The first round of vaccinations, a noted "soft stool," an ear check, or a minor respiratory issue can all appear on the record. Once noted, these can be used by insurers to exclude related future claims.

The ideal timing: purchase your policy the day before your pet's first vet visit. Most insurers allow you to get a quote and purchase online within 24 hours, with cover starting immediately (subject to waiting periods).

Pet insurance premiums are priced on actuarial risk — older pets are statistically more likely to be ill and generate claims. As a result, premiums rise with age, typically increasing 5–15% annually from age 3 or 4 onwards, and accelerating significantly after age 7–8.

For a medium-sized dog, insuring at 8 weeks might cost $40–$60/month. Insuring the same breed at age 5 could cost $65–$90/month. At age 8, the premium may have risen to $100–$140/month.

Over a 12-year life, insuring from puppyhood costs less in cumulative premiums than insuring from age 3–4, while also providing better coverage (no prior conditions to exclude).

If your pet is older or has had prior vet visits, insurance is still worth considering — but with realistic expectations.

All known conditions will be excluded. A 6-year-old dog with a history of skin allergies will have allergies excluded; a cat with prior kidney issues will have kidney disease excluded. However, the policy will cover all new conditions that arise — which, for a middle-aged or senior pet, can still represent significant value.

When insuring an older pet, read exclusions carefully and ask the insurer specifically: "What conditions from this pet's medical history will be excluded?" Get the answer in writing before purchasing.