Waiting periods for Lassie health or surgery insurance
A waiting period is the time from when your pet insurance policy starts to when certain medical expenses become eligible for coverage. This period helps reduce risks of claims for pre-existing conditions or conditions arising immediately after coverage begins.
✅ Some services have no waiting period 🙌 The following are available immediately from the moment your insurance is activated:
Preventive care budget (available in the health insurance packages)
Telemedicine services
With Lassie, the following waiting periods apply from the start of your insurance:
General waiting period: 30 days
Accident coverage waiting period: 2 days
Special waiting period for certain diagnoses: 18 months
This includes conditions like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and brachycephalic syndrome, which must show no symptoms within the 18 months for coverage eligibility.
Claims for unforeseen illnesses arising during the general or accident waiting periods will also not be eligible for reimbursement.
💡 These waiting periods apply equally to all plans: OP, Mini, Midi and Maxi.
Special waiting period for certain conditions
There is a special waiting period of 18 months from the start of insurance for the following diagnoses:
Hip dysplasia (HD)
Elbow dysplasia (ED)
Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)
Patellar luxation
Eyelid malpositions (entropion, ectropion)
Brachycephalic syndrome
FORL/TR (Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions/feline tooth resorption)
❌ If signs or symptoms of these conditions appear before the start of the insurance or during the 18-month waiting period, they will not be covered. Further information may be found in paragraph 2.2.1. of the insurance terms.
When does my insurance start?
You can choose your insurance start date when purchasing the policy. If you do not select a different start date, your insurance will automatically begin at midnight on the day of purchase.
The start date of your insurance will be specified in the insurance policy document you receive from us via email on the day you purchase the insurance.
ℹ️ The insurance coverage officially begins after the waiting periods outlined in Sections 2.2 and 2.2.1 of the general insurance terms have expired, and provided that you have paid the first premium on time as stated in Section 6.3.1.
Can the waiting period be waived?
For Puppies and Kittens
If your puppy or kitten is no more than 120 days old at the start of the insurance and a Lassie health certificate filled out by your veterinarian shows no indications of illness, the waiting periods are waived. Your insurance will then be valid immediately from the start date stated on your policy. The health certificate must be issued within the first 10 days after the insurance begins. Without this certificate, the standard waiting periods apply.
When switching insurers
General waiting periods for the surgery and health insurances may also be waived if your pet has been previously insured for at least 12 months with a comparable insurance coverage, and the switch to Lassie was made without any gaps in coverage. Special waiting periods will be credited, provided that the benefit was also covered by the previous insurer.
For further details on the waiving of waiting periods, please refer to paragraph 2.2. of the general insurance terms and conditions.