I think it will depend on the definition of pre-existing condition in the particular policy. Based on the wording of the one i've just quoted from Direct line, no, I don't think it would be covered.

No, I am honestly just curious as it is such an ambiguous term!

That is what I am worried about! I know that insurance companies will do ALL they can to NOT pay out!

And that's just why I don't bother with insurance. All my dogs have been rescues with complete unknown history..not even their ages were certain. I started looking at insurance and reading the small print of the various policies and came to the conclusion that I was probably just wasting my money.

The most recent example I can think of is poor Esme and Monty - not something that anyone foresaw (in fact one vet even told her that it wasn't a problem)...now the insurers won't pay out for the massive op he needs

on a more positive note, you do have to remember that most of the big names do rely on their reputation...if word got out that they were consitstantly using clauses like that to avoid paying out at what any 'reasonable' person would think completely unfair, they would soon lose business.

our first pup was insured for the day we picked him up from the breeders,most insurance will have a clause along the lines of" not covered for any pre existing condition or illness occuring within the first 14 days of insurance",our dog has a heart murmer so not insured for that even though he was insured when we picked him up .Read the small print! also have thought about it since and wondered if we insured any other dog we got for 14 days before picking them up would we be insured if something like this happened again? Not sure

The day after I initiated the 4 week free Pet Plan insurance, my 10 week old pup got an obstruction in her throat. I was sure that she would not be covered, due to the clause which states that there is no cover for the first 14 days, and also the fact that I had literally only just started the free policy.(and had not received the policy wording).

My vet however told me to double check, as an obstruction in the throat was not considered an "illness" My vet even rang Pet Plan to query it.

The vets bill came to almost £400 in the end, Pet Plan paid the claim. to which I am very grateful. Unfortunately though i am not insured with them now, as they quoted over £70 per month for their top cover to continue after the free policy expired.

I worked in insurance for many years (not pet) and terms and conditions must be fair and reasonable, and customers SHOULD always be treated fairly. The Financial Ombudsman Service are very helpful if disputes are not resolved amicably, or if the terms and conditions are misleading.

Bottom line is that the policy wording is the bible, and they do vary from insurer to insurer. Anything you are not sure of you can ask for clarification to be provided in writing by the insurer.

I use to have mine insured with direct line.. i phoned them to enquire if my cryptorchid dog was covered as the vet recommended castration.

She asked me prior to my insurance starting.. did i know he only had one dropped testicle.. like an idiot i said "yes", but wanted to see if it dropped on it`s own.

She then told me it wasn`t covered as i knew about it, prior to the policy start date. I then asked her if i had said "no" i wasn`t aware he only had one.. would you have paid out and she told me "yes"

This is what concerns me! I take it you didn't know about the heart murmour when you got him?

How can people be covered for epilepsy then? Is that not something they are born with? so is that not pre-existing?

What if you knew there was a chance your pup might have a condition because its parents were carriers of something? Do you have to declare that information?

I am full of these questions btw I am pretty sure I think too much

Hi again ,no we weren't aware he had a heart murmer when we picked him,only when the vet told us and said we shoiuld take him back and get a refund !!!as if.... with something like epilepsy or in my other dogs case meningitis it may be something that they are geneticly predisposed to(SPELLING)?? but if the illness has shown no clinical symptoms within that first 14 days of insurance you are still covered,as somone else has pointed out you are covered for accidents though,it.s all very confusing with regards to our dogs heart murmer i have thought that if we hadn't been responsible dog owners and taken him for a checkup and jabs etc we may not have had to visit the vets for a while and he may have been covered as heart murmers can occur later in life, i think? anyway the problem you can have once a condition is diagnosed is some insurers only cover for that year and then you can't claim again for that problem, you also couldn't insure for that problem with another company because you are aware of the illness so it's classed as pre existing.some like ours cover upto £7000 per condition for the lifetime of dog and policy but its amazing how fast the money mounts up,the best insurance will cover either a set amount per year per condition or have no limit but i dread to think what the premiums would be? Insurance is a gamble some people may pay and never claim ,i on the other hand have 2, 6 year old dogs who have had many problems.meningitis Twice!!! first time vets didn't know what to do so after a week of tests had to travel to cambridge to see a specialist and have spinal/joint taps i think with his 2nd episode we're up to about £1500,other dog has hip probs may need a replacement £3000ish,eye problems £300 i could go on........

Also be careful when taking out an 'annual' policy! These often only cover an illness for the year! Be sure to look for a for life policy which covers the dog for any ongoing illness for the rest of its life.
DT