Pet Insurance Waiting Periods: When Accident, Illness and Orthopedic Coverage Actually Start
You bought the policy on Monday. On Thursday your dog starts vomiting, and you find out the illness coverage has not started yet. Waiting periods are the gap between buying pet insurance and being able to use it, and the length depends on the type of claim and the state you live in. This guide is part of our pet insurance guide.
Key takeaways
- A waiting period is "the period of time specified in a pet insurance policy that is required to transpire before some or all of the coverage in the policy can begin," per the NAIC model act.
- In states that adopted the model, waiting periods for accidents are prohibited, and waiting periods for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not caused by an accident cannot exceed 30 days.
- Those states also require a way to waive the waiting period with a vet exam, usually at your cost.
- Elsewhere, regulators in Illinois and Nevada say waiting periods typically run 2 to 14 days for accidents and 14 to 30 days for illnesses.
- Anything that shows symptoms during the waiting period can be treated as pre-existing.
Why does pet insurance have a waiting period?
A waiting period stops someone from buying a policy after a pet is already sick and filing a claim the next day. The NAIC model act defines it as the time "required to transpire before some or all of the coverage in the policy can begin," and says waiting periods "may not be applied to renewals of existing coverage."
The length was debated when the model was written. NAIC's project history says some regulators "took issue with the allowance of a waiting period for certain conditions as proposed by the industry," and the final text allowed "a 30-day waiting period for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident," while "waiting periods for accidents are prohibited."
How long are pet insurance waiting periods?
It depends on where you live.
| Claim type | States that adopted the NAIC model | Other states (typical, per regulators) |
|---|---|---|
| Accident | No waiting period allowed | 2 to 14 days |
| Illness | Up to 30 days | 14 to 30 days |
| Orthopedic, not from an accident | Up to 30 days | Set by the policy; some plans use 6 to 12 months for knee or ligament conditions, per Forbes Advisor's plan comparison |
| Renewal of existing coverage | No new waiting period | Check the policy |
Sources: NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act; Illinois Department of Insurance; Nevada Division of Insurance; Forbes Advisor, accessed October 1, 2026.
Which states follow the NAIC waiting period rules?
NAIC's adoption chart lists California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, with New Jersey's law effective January 1, 2027. The full list with statute citations is in our guide to pet insurance pre-existing conditions.
Washington's version shows how a state writes it in. RCW 48.205.050 says an insurer "may issue policies that impose waiting periods upon effectuation of the policy that do not exceed 30 days for illnesses or orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident. Waiting periods for accidents are prohibited. Waiting periods may not be applied to renewals of existing coverage."
What counts as orthopedic?
The model act defines orthopedic as "conditions affecting the bones, skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, and joints." It names elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc degeneration, patellar luxation and ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments. It "does not include cancers or metabolic, hemopoietic, or autoimmune diseases."
That list matters because orthopedic conditions are where some policies use their longest waiting periods. In a model-law state, the cap for an orthopedic condition not caused by an accident is 30 days. A torn ligament from a fall is an accident, and accident waiting periods are banned in those states.
Can you waive a pet insurance waiting period?
In model-law states, yes. An insurer that uses a waiting period must include "a provision in its contract that allows the waiting periods to be waived upon completion of a medical examination." The insurer can require the exam to be done by a licensed vet after you buy the policy. The exam is "paid for by the policyholder, unless the policy specifies that the pet insurer will pay." Washington adds that the insurer can specify what the exam must include, as long as those specifications "do not unreasonably restrict a consumer's ability to waive the waiting periods."
Weigh the exam first: The same model act requires insurers to disclose "that examination documentation may result in a preexisting condition exclusion." An exam that shortens your wait can also put a finding on record. If your pet has any symptom today, ask the insurer how the exam would be used before you book it.
What happens if your pet gets sick during the waiting period?
That condition will likely be excluded, now and later. The model act's pre-existing definition covers anything where, "prior to the effective date of a pet insurance policy or during any waiting period," a vet gave advice, the pet was treated, or the pet had related signs or symptoms.
A timing example
Say a policy in a model-law state starts on day 0 with a 14-day illness waiting period.
| Day | Event | Result under the model definition |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Policy starts | Accident coverage active (no accident waiting period allowed) |
| 3 | Dog eats a sock, needs surgery | Accident: eligible, subject to deductible and limits |
| 10 | Dog starts scratching, vet diagnoses an ear infection | Illness symptoms during the waiting period: treated as pre-existing |
| 15 | The 14-day illness wait has run | New illnesses that first appear from now on are eligible |
This example uses a hypothetical 14-day illness wait to show the mechanics. Your policy states the actual length.
How do you avoid getting caught by a waiting period?
- Buy before you need it. The Nevada Division of Insurance suggests "insuring your pets while they're young and healthy."
- Read the waiting periods before you pay. Model-law states require insurers to disclose them "clearly and prominently" before purchase.
- Keep the policy in force. Waiting periods "may not be applied to renewals" in model states, so switching insurers can restart the clock where renewing does not.
- If you switch, overlap. Keep the old policy until the new one's waiting periods have run.
For an older pet, a waiting period plus the pre-existing rules can shrink what a new policy covers. See is pet insurance worth it for a senior dog.
Frequently asked questions
When does pet insurance start covering accidents?
In model-law states, on the policy's effective date, because accident waiting periods are prohibited. Elsewhere, Illinois and Nevada regulators say accident waiting periods typically run 2 to 14 days.
What is the orthopedic waiting period for pet insurance?
In model-law states, no more than 30 days for orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident. In other states it is set by the policy; Forbes Advisor's plan comparison lists 6 to 12 months for knee and ligament conditions on some plans.
Do waiting periods restart when my policy renews?
Not in model-law states, where waiting periods "may not be applied to renewals of existing coverage." Elsewhere, check your renewal terms.
Does switching pet insurance companies restart the waiting period?
A new policy with a new insurer is not a renewal, so its waiting periods apply. Conditions that appeared before the new policy started can also be treated as pre-existing.
Can I get a refund if a waiting period makes the policy useless to me?
In model-law states, you can return the policy within 15 days of receiving it for a full refund if you have not filed a claim.
Sources
- NAIC, "Pet Insurance Model Act" (MO-633), https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-633.pdf, accessed October 1, 2026.
- NAIC, "Project History: 2022 Pet Insurance Model Act (#633)," https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-project-history-633.pdf, accessed October 1, 2026.
- NAIC, Pet Insurance Model Act state page (ST-633), https://content.naic.org/sites/default/files/model-law-state-page-633_1.pdf, accessed October 1, 2026.
- Washington State Legislature, Chapter 48.205 RCW, https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=48.205&full=true, accessed October 1, 2026.
- Illinois Department of Insurance, "Pet Health Insurance," https://idoi.illinois.gov/consumers/consumerinsurance/pets.html, accessed October 1, 2026.
- Nevada Division of Insurance, "Pet Health Insurance," https://doi.nv.gov/Consumers/Pet_Insurance/, accessed October 1, 2026.
- Forbes Advisor, "New State Rules Aim To Limit Surprise Pet Insurance Preexisting Condition Denials," https://www.forbes.com/advisor/pet-insurance/state-rules-limit-pet-insurance-denials-lmandp5/, accessed October 1, 2026.
Pet insurance laws differ by state, and policies differ by insurer. Everything above is quoted from the source cited, as accessed on October 1, 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.