How to Switch to a Different Pet Insurance Company

When and why to switch pet insurance providers

You can switch pet insurance providers at any time, but the timing matters for your wallet and your pet's coverage. Most people switch because their premium went up, their claim was denied, or they found a plan that covers something their current policy does not — like a breed-specific condition or a specific medication.

Before you switch, understand that pre-existing conditions will not be covered by a new insurer. If your pet was diagnosed with anything before you sign up with the new company, that condition is permanently excluded, even if your old policy covered it. This is the single biggest reason to think carefully about switching: you lose coverage history with the new provider.

The other thing to know is that there is no penalty for switching mid-year. You can cancel your current policy whenever you want, though some insurers charge a small cancellation fee if you leave before your annual renewal date. Check your policy documents for that detail.

Key Takeaways

• Pre-existing conditions diagnosed before you switch will be excluded by your new insurer, so switching costs you coverage history even if your old policy paid for them.
• You can cancel your current policy at any time, but read your documents to see if there is a cancellation fee for leaving before your renewal date.
• Get your pet's medical records from your current vet before you switch, because the new insurer will ask for them to confirm what was diagnosed when.
• Start your new policy before you cancel the old one so there is no gap in coverage, and tell your vet which insurance you are switching to.
• Compare what each company actually pays out — the reimbursement percentage and the annual limit — not just the monthly premium.

Gather your pet's medical history before you apply

Your new insurance company will ask for your pet's complete medical records, going back several years. They use these records to identify any condition that existed before your policy started, which they will then exclude. The more complete your records are, the more accurate their exclusion list will be — and the fewer surprises you will have later when you file a claim.

Contact your current veterinarian and request a copy of your pet's medical records. Ask specifically for vaccination records, any diagnoses, any treatments, and any test results. Most vets charge a small fee to copy and mail these — typically five to fifteen dollars. You can usually request them online through your vet's patient portal, or by calling and asking them to mail copies to your home.

If your pet has seen multiple vets, get records from all of them. If your pet was treated at an emergency clinic, get those records too. The new insurer will cross-reference everything, so gaps in the record can actually work against you — they may assume a condition was pre-existing if they cannot find documentation that it was not.

Compare what you will actually pay out of pocket

The monthly premium is only part of what switching will cost you. The real number that matters is what you pay when you file a claim. Different insurers have different reimbursement percentages (usually 70%, 80%, or 90%), different annual deductibles (usually $250 to $1,000), and different annual limits on how much they will pay in a year.

If your current plan reimburses 90% of vet bills after a $250 deductible, and a new plan reimburses 80% after a $500 deductible, the new plan looks cheaper at first glance — until your pet needs a $5,000 surgery. Then you will pay $1,000 out of pocket with the new plan instead of $700 with the old one. Run the math on a realistic claim amount before you switch.

Also check whether the new plan has an annual limit — a cap on how much they will pay in a year, no matter how many claims you file. Some plans have no limit; others cap out at $10,000 or $15,000 per year. If your pet has a chronic condition that costs $8,000 a year to manage, a plan with a $10,000 annual limit will leave you paying for half of it yourself once you hit the cap.

Cancel your old policy and start the new one with no gap

The safest approach is to have your new policy's coverage start before you cancel the old one. This means there is no day when your pet is uninsured. Most new policies have a waiting period of a few days to two weeks before they start covering claims, so plan accordingly.

Once your new policy is active, contact your old insurer and ask when you can cancel without a penalty. If your renewal date is coming up soon, it may be cheaper to let the old policy expire naturally than to pay a cancellation fee. If you are mid-year and there is a fee, weigh that against how much you will save with the new plan over the rest of the year.

When you cancel, ask for written confirmation that your policy has ended. Keep this confirmation in case the old insurer tries to charge you again by mistake. Also update your vet's records to show which insurance you are now using, so they bill the right company.

Understand what your new insurer will and will not cover

Read the new policy's exclusions list carefully. Some insurers exclude certain breeds from coverage for hip dysplasia or other genetic conditions. Some exclude dental work, behavioral issues, or routine preventive care. Some have waiting periods for specific conditions — for example, they might not cover orthopedic issues for the first 30 days you own the policy.

If your pet has a condition that is not explicitly listed as excluded, that does not mean it is covered. Call the new insurer before you switch and ask them directly whether they will cover the specific thing you are worried about. Get the answer in writing if possible, because phone conversations can be disputed later.

Also ask about their claims process. Do you pay the vet upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement, or does the vet submit directly to the insurer? How long does reimbursement take? Some companies pay within a week; others take a month. If you are switching because your old insurer was slow to pay, make sure the new one is faster before you commit.

What happens to claims you filed with your old insurer

Any claim you filed with your old insurer before you switched will be handled by them, not by the new company. If you have a claim pending when you switch, it will still be processed by the old insurer under the old policy's terms. This is actually good news if the old insurer was more generous — you get the benefit of their rules for that claim.

If you have a vet bill that you have not yet submitted to your old insurer, you can still submit it as long as you do so before your old policy ends. After your old policy is cancelled, that insurer will not accept new claims, even for bills from before the cancellation date. So if you have any outstanding bills, submit them to your old insurer before you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my new insurance cover a condition my old insurance covered?

Only if the condition was diagnosed after your new policy starts. If your pet was diagnosed with anything before your new policy's start date, the new insurer will exclude it permanently, even if your old policy paid for it. This is the main cost of switching — you lose your coverage history.

How long does it take to switch?

You can cancel your old policy and start a new one in a single day. However, most new policies have a waiting period of a few days to two weeks before they start paying claims. Plan for at least two weeks of overlap between policies to avoid any gap in coverage.

Can I switch mid-year without a penalty?

You can cancel at any time, but check your policy documents for a cancellation fee if you leave before your renewal date. Some insurers charge $25 to $50 to cancel early. If the fee is small compared to your savings with the new plan, it may still be worth switching.

What if my pet has a pre-existing condition that my old insurer covered?

Your new insurer will exclude it. This is permanent — they will not cover that condition for the life of the policy. If the condition is expensive to manage, switching may not save you money overall, even if the new premium is lower.

Do I need to tell my vet I am switching insurance?

Yes. Tell them which company you are switching to and provide your new policy number. This way they can bill the right insurer and avoid sending claims to your old company by mistake. It also helps them keep your records accurate.