How Long Is the Pet Insurance Waiting Period?
Learning goal: Know how pet insurance waiting periods work for accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions, what some states limit them to, and how a vet exam can shorten them.
Short answer
It depends on the insurer and your state. Waiting periods are commonly a few days for accidents and up to a few weeks for illnesses, with some insurers using longer waits for orthopedic problems like torn knee ligaments. States that adopted the NAIC model law, such as Washington and Florida, cap illness waits at 30 days and ban accident waits.
Read to the end to complete this lesson.
On this page
The Fuller Picture
A waiting period is the time that must pass after you buy before some or all coverage begins. Anything that starts during it isn't covered, and can become pre-existing. Washington's and Florida's laws limit waits for illnesses and non-accident orthopedic conditions to 30 days, prohibit them for accidents, don't allow them on renewals, and require a way to waive them with a vet exam. Elsewhere, read the policy.
Key Takeaways
- Washington law: waiting periods may "not exceed 30 days for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident. Waiting periods for accidents are prohibited."
- Florida's law sets the same 30-day limit and bars waiting periods for accidents.
- In those states, insurers must allow the wait to be waived after a vet exam.
- Waiting periods can't apply to renewals of existing coverage there.
- Insurers must disclose waiting periods clearly before you buy.
Real-World Example
Theo and Luna
Theo buys a policy for Luna, a young Labrador, on May 1. The policy has no accident wait, a 14-day illness wait and a longer wait for cruciate ligament problems. On May 6, Luna cuts her paw on glass: an accident, which the policy can consider. On May 10, she gets an upset stomach that turns out to be an infection: it began during the illness wait, so it isn't covered and may be treated as pre-existing.
Common Mistakes
- Buying the day before a planned surgery or after symptoms start.
- Missing a longer orthopedic waiting period, common for knee and hip problems.
- Not asking whether a vet exam can shorten the wait.
- Letting a policy lapse and starting a new one, which restarts the wait.
Interactive Exercise
Map Your Pet's Waiting Periods
Find each waiting period on the quote or policy, and mark the dates on a calendar.
Tick each step as you do it. Your checklist is saved in this browser.
Knowledge Check
Question: Under Washington's and Florida's pet insurance laws, which is true of waiting periods?
Recommended Insurpedia Tools
- Insurance Preparedness Checklist: Twelve insurance questions worth having an answer to, with a place to learn more about each one you have not looked at yet. No score.
Related Insurance Terms
Related Scenarios
Questions to explore next
Questions readers often ask next about this topic:
- What are my policy's waiting periods?
- Can a vet exam shorten the waiting period?
- Is there a separate wait for knee or hip problems?
- What happens if my pet gets sick during the waiting period?
See every lesson in the Pet Insurance course.
Explore the course →Sources
The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- app.leg.wa.govChapter 48.205 RCW: Pet insurance · Washington State Legislature
- flsenate.govSection 627.71545 (2025 Florida Statutes) · The Florida Senate
Educational information, not advice: This lesson is for general education only, not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Actual coverage, discounts, and requirements depend on your policy’s wording, your insurer, and the laws of your state. Confirm specifics with your own insurer or a licensed agent before making a decision. Insurpedia does not sell insurance and does not recommend specific insurers. The waiting period rules are from Washington's pet insurance law (RCW 48.205.050) and Florida's (section 627.71545). Other states may not limit waiting periods, and insurers' own periods differ. Educational information, not advice on a specific policy.