Lemonade Pet Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions Explained (2026) Full Guide

Many pet owners are not clear on what a ‘pre-existing condition’ is after hearing the phrase, and this leads to fear that their claims will be denied after paying premiums for their pet insurance policy for several months or more. For all pet owners, finding out that their insurance does not include coverage when they need it most is not what they are looking for.

This is why it is so common to find questions like ‘Does Lemonade cover my pet’s pre-existing conditions?’ Lemonade is known for being a digital and user-friendly platform. However, as with other insurers, its rules are just as important for understanding prior to purchasing the policy.

In this article, we will define ‘pre-existing conditions’ in simple terms, explain how Lemonade covers them, and what pet owners can reasonably expect. The goal is to allow pet owners to have the information needed to make an informed decision regarding filing a claim without unexpected challenges.

Understanding Lemonade Pet Insurance Pre-Existing Conditions

A pet insurance definition of “pre-existing condition” includes any illness or injury that was present before the start of the pet insurance policy. Pet insurance companies will generally consider any pet who had symptoms, was diagnosed with, or received treatment for a condition prior to the date the policy became active, as having a pre-existing condition.

If your dog was diagnosed with skin allergies 1 year ago, those allergies would be considered a pre-existing condition. The same holds true for chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis. Past injuries, like an old break, or a recurring ear infection, may sometimes not be treated as pre-existing conditions; however, it is largely dependent on the particular policy provided by the insurer.

The insurer’s reasoning for having this as a guideline is that pet insurance should be for unexpected events in the future as opposed to an event that already occurred. Be sure that you thoroughly understand your pet’s pre-existing conditions prior to purchasing pet insurance.

Does Lemonade Pet Insurance Cover Pre Existing Conditions?

No, Lemonade pet insurance (pet insurance for dogs and cats) will not reimburse for any existing, diagnosed, or treated illness or injury that your cat or dog has had prior to obtaining the Lemonade pet insurance.

Lemonade’s terms are very clear: Lemonade covers only those injuries and illnesses that happened after Lemonade began its coverage. Any pet that has had a diagnosis, treatment, or signs of an injury or illness that occurred before the effective date of coverage is defined by Lemonade as a “pre-existing” condition and is not eligible for reimbursement.

Most pet insurance providers share the same logic as Lemonade. Remember that the purpose of insurance is not to pay for conditions that your pet has previously been diagnosed with but rather to help pet parents with unforeseen, unanticipated injuries or illnesses in the future.

Official Policy Explained in Simple Words:

• Lemonade only covers illnesses or injuries that start after your policy begins.
• Any health problem your pet had before the policy start date is considered pre-existing.
• This includes:
  • Past injuries (like broken bones or recurring ear infections)
  • Chronic illnesses (like diabetes, allergies, kidney disease)
  • Any condition your vet treated before coverage
• Pre-existing conditions are not reimbursed, even if your pet gets sick again in the future.
• Lemonade focuses on covering new and unexpected health problems.

Pre Existing Conditions for Dogs vs Cats

While both dogs and cats can have pre-existing health conditions prior to obtaining pet health insurance, each animal typically experiences different types of issues.

Common pre-existing conditions for dogs include allergies to certain foods or environmental stimuli, ear infection(s), hip or joint issues and stomach problems. In addition, large breed dogs are more likely than small breed dogs to have a history of joint pain or mobility limitations. Any of these types of conditions that occur prior to obtaining coverage will typically not be covered by Lemonade Pet Insurance.

Cats often show signs of pre-existing health conditions that are either related to urinary tract problems, dental disease, kidney disease and/or recurring infections. In addition, many cats have chronic gastrointestinal disorders and/or allergic responses. Some cats may not present any outward signs of illness and may appear healthy, but there may be past veterinary documentation that is available for consideration in evaluating whether past Veterinary Charts indicate any underlying conditions.

The type of health conditions is the primary difference between dogs and cats; both pets are evaluated using the same criteria established by Lemonade Pet Insurance to determine eligibility for coverage. Specifically, if an existing condition was present prior to obtaining coverage, it is classified as a pre-existing condition and is not covered under the Lemonade Pet Insurance policy.

Waiting Period and Why It Matters

Once you buy a pet accident and health insurance plan from us at Lemonade, your pet’s coverage starts once all waiting periods are over. A waiting period is commonly defined as the amount of time that must go by from the date you purchase your same-day coverage until you receive coverage for the same-day plan’s new or unexpected claims.

The following information provides insight into Lemonade’s waiting periods for accidents and illnesses:

-‘Accidents’ typically only require a few day’s waiting periods before receiving coverage for an accident.

‘Illness’ generally take a few weeks before receiving the same-day coverage because an illness has a greater potential to be a reimbursement for a new or unexpected claim.

The importance of waiting periods is that if your pet experiences any injuries or illnesses during the waiting period, these injuries and illnesses will not be reimbursed or paid for under the new plan.

The handling of pre-existing conditions is also affected by waiting periods. If your pet experienced any illness or injury prior to your coverage, or if the symptoms of an illness occur during the waiting period, your pet’s medical condition will be treated as a pre-existing illness and won’t be eligible for reimbursement or coverage.

Once you understand how the waiting period works, you will know when your pet’s coverage actually starts and avoid confusion when your pet gets injured or sick shortly after enrollment.

• Accidents: Coverage might start after a few days.
• Illnesses: Coverage often begins after a couple of weeks.

Although Lemonade doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions, But it protects your pet against new and unexpected problems. Here’s what is generally covered:

• New illnesses after your policy starts: Any sickness that develops once your coverage is active can be reimbursed.
• Accidents: Injuries from falls, fights, or other accidents are usually covered.
• Emergency care: Urgent vet visits, hospital stays, and critical treatment for sudden problems are included.
• Diagnostic tests: Blood work, X-rays, and other tests needed to figure out what’s wrong with your pet are also covered.

In short, Lemonade focuses on helping you manage unexpected vet bills for your pets rather than paying for old health problems.

Can a Pet Ever Get Coverage After a Pre-Existing Condition?

Typically, pet insurance companies (including Lemonade) will not provide coverage for any pre-existing conditions. Pre-existing conditions that are considered chronic (for example, diabetes or kidney disease) will always be excluded from coverage. In some situations, insurers may treat certain minor issues differently if those issues resolve completely and do not produce any symptoms for an extended period; however, Lemonade does not generally allow exceptions for these cases. The most important point is that the best method for guaranteeing coverage for any future medical conditions and accidents is to purchase insurance before your pet has developed any health issues.

• Chronic or incurable conditions are never covered.
• Minor healed issues rarely get exceptions with Lemonade.
• Time-based exceptions are uncommon.
• Early enrollment is the best strategy.

Pros and Cons Related to Pre-Existing Conditions

Pros:

Lemonade’s pet insurance policies cover pre-existing conditions in a very straightforward manner. The policies are clearly outlined, allowing pet owners to immediately see the limitations of what is and isn’t covered with respect to previous health conditions. In addition, the speed of digital processing allows a quick and easy process for managing your policy and submitting claims, providing convenience to many pet owners.

Cons:

The primary drawback to using Lemonade is that there is no coverage for any conditions that existed prior to the start of your policy. If your pet had an injury or illness before you purchased the policy, Lemonade will not reimburse you for that claim at all. This is a disappointment to many pet owners, especially older pets or pets with multiple health issues, since many of their problems could fall within the definition of pre-existing conditions.

FAQ’s About Does Lemonade Pet Insurance Cover Pre Existing Conditions?

Conclusion

To summarize, Lemonade Pet Insurance does not cover pre-existing health conditions in pets. Any sickness and/or injury sustained prior to the start of your policy is not eligible for reimbursement. For example, if you have an older pet or one with a prior health issue, they will be ineligible for coverage through Lemonade.

It’s important for every pet owner to know that, if they want to be able to protect their pets from unforeseen events in the future, they should enroll their pets with Lemonade prior to any health issues occurring. With Lemonade’s straightforward policies and their fast and simple digital process for managing your policy and claims, you can create

About the Author 📚

M. Nouman is a dedicated pet insurance researcher with over 7 years of experience helping U.S. pet parents find affordable, trusted coverage. Working closely with veterinary professionals, Nouman ensures that every article on PetCoverUSA is accurate, reliable, and backed by real data. Connect with him on LinkedIn.