Pet Insurance Waiting Periods by Insurer: Verified Terms
Waiting periods are the stretch after you enroll when a claim will not be paid. They differ by insurer, by condition type, and by state. The table below lists only terms we could confirm on an insurer’s own page or sample policy as of October 2026. Where we could not confirm a term, it says so rather than guessing. Insurers update their terms, and state-specific policy forms can differ, so confirm in your policy.
| Insurer | Accident | Illness | Orthopedic / cruciate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trupanion | 5 days | 30 days | No longer wait stated; the 30-day illness wait applies | Trupanion |
| Healthy Paws | 15 days | 15 days | Hip dysplasia: 12 months; no coverage if enrolled at age 6 or older | Healthy Paws |
| Embrace | Not confirmed | Two weeks | Not confirmed | Embrace |
| Lemonade | 2 days (its FAQ; other sources say none) | 14 days | Cruciate ligament: 6 months; other orthopedic: 30 days | Lemonade |
| Fetch | None (Fetch help center) | Up to 15 days | 180-day exclusion; knee/cruciate can be waived with an exam, hip cannot | Fetch |
| Spot | 14 days | 14 days | Not confirmed separately | Spot (California notice) |
| Pumpkin | 14 days | 14 days | No extended wait stated | Pumpkin |
| Figo | 1 day | 14 days | 6 months; can be waived in the first 30 days | Figo |
| Pets Best | 3 days (sample policy; 0 in some states) | 14 days | Cruciate: 6 months (30 days in Maine) | Pets Best sample policy |
| MetLife | 0 days | 14 days | No extra orthopedic wait stated | MetLife |
Not confirmed on an official page and therefore not listed: ASPCA’s and Nationwide’s accident waiting periods and cruciate terms. Lemonade and Fetch each have pages that disagree about the accident waiting period, which is why that cell shows both versions.
Check the Law in Your State
In states that adopted the NAIC model act, accident waiting periods are prohibited and illness waiting periods are capped at 30 days, which would override longer waits in the table. See pet insurance laws by state.
How to Use This
- Enroll before your pet shows any symptoms; anything that appears during a waiting period is generally treated as pre-existing.
- Ask whether a vet exam can waive the orthopedic waiting period and who pays for it.
- Read the sample policy, not the marketing page. More background: waiting periods explained.
General information, not insurance advice. Terms last checked October 2026.
