A waiting period is the time after your policy starts when certain claims can’t yet be made. They can feel frustrating when you’re keen to be covered, so here’s why we have them and how they work.
Why do waiting periods exist?
We want everyone to pay a fair price for their pet insurance. Waiting periods make sure the majority of pet owners aren’t subsidising a minority who take out insurance just after an illness or injury has happened. Without them, it would be possible to buy a policy only once a pet is already unwell, and that would push prices up for everyone.
How do they work?
Waiting periods apply when you buy a new policy with us.
Illness: 10 days. You can claim for an illness that first shows signs or symptoms more than 10 days after your policy start date. If signs appear earlier than that, the condition is treated as pre-existing and isn’t covered.
Accidents: 48 hours. You can claim for an accident that happens more than 48 hours after your policy starts.
Do waiting periods apply when my policy renews?
No. If your policy renews, your cover continues from the end of the previous policy year with no break, so you don’t start a new waiting period.
Are there longer waiting periods?
Yes, a couple of conditions have a longer waiting period of 12 months from your policy start date:
Tooth resorption: a slow-developing condition where the body breaks down the tooth tissue, so it can be present for some time before it’s visible.
Joint and skeletal conditions in dogs: such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation.
When might a waiting period apply again?
A 10-day waiting period can also apply if you make certain changes to your policy, such as increasing your cover limit, lowering your excess or co-payment, or adding an optional extra like Death Cover.
Can waiting periods be waived?
In some cases, yes:
Puppies and kittens: if you insure them before they’re 120 days old, they have a vet health check with no issues noted, and they stay continuously insured with us, there’s no waiting period.
Switching insurers: if you move to us from another UK insurer with no gap in cover, and your previous cover is equivalent, the standard illness and accident waiting periods are waived. The 12-month waits for tooth resorption and joint and skeletal conditions still apply.
Need help?
If you have any questions about how waiting periods apply to your policy, get in touch with our Customer Support team through the Lassie app, our website live chat, or by email at hello@lassie.co.uk.