Can you insure a cat with a pre-existing condition?
Many cat owners face the question of whether cat insurance with a pre-existing condition is possible—especially if their cat already suffers from a chronic illness or had health problems in the past.
The short answer: Yes, insurance is possible – but with restrictions. As with all pet insurance policies, pre-existing illnesses are not covered. Nevertheless, it can make sense to take out pet insurance for a cat with a pre-existing condition to cover future, unrelated illnesses and accidents. Even cats with chronic illness can thus be insured, provided new complaints are not related to the existing diagnosis.
Important: Cat health insurance despite pre-existing conditions does not protect retroactively, but applies exclusively to new illnesses or accidents that occur independently of the known diagnosis.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Why is cat health insurance worthwhile despite pre-existing conditions?
Even if the insurance does not cover already existing illnesses, it protects against high costs for:
- New illnesses – Even a cat with a pre-existing condition can develop further health problems.
- Accidents and emergencies – These are unforeseeable and can cause high veterinary costs.
- Preventive services – Vaccinations, dental cleanings, and health checks help to detect new problems early.
- Alternative treatments – Physiotherapy or homeopathy can be useful supplements.
Especially in Germany, veterinary costs have risen significantly in recent years due to the Fee Schedule for Veterinarians (GOT). Cat insurance can therefore help make financial burdens more predictable – even for cats with pre-existing conditions.
Good to know: Dalma offers transparent cost coverage – all exclusions are clearly defined so that you know exactly which services are covered for your cat. Especially for cats with known pre-existing conditions, this transparency can help manage realistic expectations and avoid later surprises.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
What does pet insurance for a cat with a pre-existing condition cover?
The insurance does not assume costs for illnesses already diagnosed or veterinarily determined before the conclusion of the contract. This means: Even a chronically ill cat can be insured with Dalma – however, the existing illness is excluded from insurance coverage.
Important: If your cat is acutely ill, Dalma may request the medical record to check whether new complaints are possibly related to the pre-existing condition. In this case, these treatments would also not be reimbursable.
As pre-existing conditions, complaints are also considered that are currently symptom-free but have already been veterinarily diagnosed or treated. Healed illnesses can also be classified as pre-existing conditions depending on the context. Typical pre-existing conditions in cats that may be excluded from insurance coverage are, for example, chronic kidney diseases, diabetes, or known heart problems.
Insured are all future illnesses and accidents that are not related to the existing pre-existing condition. For example:
View detailed benefit overview: Click here
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Example: Insuring a cat with a pre-existing condition – What is covered?
Mia, a five-year-old domestic cat, was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease. Her owner wants to take out pet health insurance for a cat with a pre-existing condition.
What is, for example, covered?
- Sudden infections or illnesses that are not related to the kidney disease
- Accidents, e.g. bone fractures or poisonings
- Surgical interventions, provided they are not connected to the existing kidney disease
- Dental treatments, vaccinations, and preventive services within the scope of the preventive budget
What is not covered?
- Treatments, medications, or diagnoses in connection with the known kidney disease
- Consequential damages or long-term consequences of this illness
- Congenital or breed-specific illnesses that are generally excluded according to our conditions (these include, for example, Brachycephalic Syndrome, Cryptorchidism, or certain malformations of the palate). You can find a complete list in our benefit overview.
This shows: A cat insurance policy despite a pre-existing condition can be sensible to secure against unforeseeable new illnesses or accidents. Especially for chronically ill cats, additional financial protection is created for all health problems that occur independently of the known diagnosis.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Insuring a cat with a pre-existing condition - How it works
1. Select Tariff – Surgery Protection or Full Protection
2. Calculate Offer & Conclude Insurance – Quickly and easily online: Calculate insurance now
3. Observe waiting periods – Your protection begins after the expiration of the contractual waiting periods. At Dalma, these are:
- 2 days for accidents.
- 30 days for illnesses.
- 90 days for treatments in the area of dental and jaw medicine.
- No waiting time for preventive services (usable immediately).
4. Receive reimbursement – Submit invoices digitally and receive reimbursement within 48 hours.
If you wish for a personal consultation, you can arrange an information call here: Book appointment
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about cat insurance with pre-existing conditions
Can I insure a sick cat?
Yes, insurance is possible. However, the insurance does not assume costs for already existing illnesses or their consequences.
Do I have to declare my cat's medical history if it has a pre-existing condition?
Yes, in certain cases – for example, if your cat is acutely ill – Dalma can request the medical record. This allows us to check whether new symptoms are possibly related to an existing pre-existing condition. Only then can it be fairly decided whether the treatment can be covered.
What happens if my cat only gets sick after the contract is concluded?
Then the insurance takes effect – for all new illnesses and accidents after the waiting period has expired.
Are all cat insurance policies the same?
No, the scope of coverage can vary depending on the provider. Dalma offers a transparent cost structure and one of the most comprehensive cat insurance policies on the market.
Which pre-existing conditions do cat insurance policies exclude?
Already diagnosed or treated illnesses as well as their consequential damages are excluded. Which ones these are specifically depends on the connection to the new treatment.
Is cat insurance worthwhile for a chronically ill cat?
Yes, because new illnesses or accidents that are not related to the existing diagnosis are still insured.
Will a cat still be accepted at all after a diagnosis?
Yes. Dalma also insures cats with pre-existing conditions – with clearly defined exclusions for known illnesses. Many providers reject cats with pre-existing conditions across the board. Dalma instead relies on clear exclusions for existing illnesses and protects against new, independent health risks.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
Focus on the cuddles, we'll focus on the costs.
