The Truth About Pre-Existing Condition Cover under Pet Insurance in UAE
- MooCover
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Pet insurance in the UAE has grown rapidly over the last few years. We now have more competitive pricing, and better awareness among pet parents. But if there’s one part of pet insurance that still confuses people, it’s the rule around pre-existing conditions.
Almost every insurer states that pre-existing conditions are not covered. But few explain what that truly means, why the rule exists, and what you can realistically do about it.
Let’s take a deeper look beyond policy fine print.
What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition?
A pre-existing condition refers to any illness, injury, symptom, or medical concern that:
Was diagnosed before your policy start date
Was noted in your pet’s veterinary records
Was treated or investigated previously
Showed symptoms before cover began
Is chronic or recurring in nature
Even if no final diagnosis was confirmed, a vet note mentioning symptoms may classify it as pre-existing.
In the UAE, insurers rely heavily on veterinary records. If it appears in the medical history, it can be declared pre-existing and excluded from coverage.
This is why a pet may appear perfectly healthy at home but still carry exclusions based on past vet records.
For a broader understanding of policy types, read our blog on the different types of pet insurance plans in UAE.
Why Pet Insurance in the UAE Does Not Cover Pre-Existing Conditions
Here’s the problem insurers are trying to solve:
Pet parents often consider buying insurance after their pet has developed symptoms.
Not intentionally, but because most people don’t think about insurance until something happens.
This is not about rejecting pets. It is about how insurance functions sustainably.
People would only buy insurance when vet bills start piling up
If insurers covered existing illnesses, many pet owners would understandably wait until treatment was needed before purchasing cover.
That transforms insurance into reimbursement.
Insurance works because many healthy pets contribute premiums before illness arises.
Premiums would explode to compensate.
The UAE has some of the highest private veterinary costs in the region.
For example:
Cruciate ligament surgery: AED 8,000–15,000
Slipped disc treatment: AED 10,000+
Diabetes management: AED 10,000–20,000 annually
If insurers were required to accept known chronic cases immediately, premiums would need to increase dramatically to remain viable.
Healthy pets would be subsidising sick pets unfairly.
Which makes people with healthy pets exit the market. When they exit, premiums increase even more. When premiums become unaffordable, fewer pet parents are able to insure their pets.
Insurers aren’t judging severity. They’re identifying patterns that could become costly over time. This is how risk management works.
Insurers Are Legally Required to Apply This Rule
When underwriters design a policy, they have to:
Protect long-term sustainability,
Price fairly across the entire pool,
Prevent adverse selection (people buying cover only when they need it).
Covering pre-existing conditions violates every principle of responsible underwriting.
In fact, allowing it could get a product declined, blacklisted, or withdrawn by regulators.
Does ‘Pre-Existing’ Mean Nothing Is Covered?
No.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions.
A pre-existing exclusion applies only to:
The specific diagnosed condition
Directly related complications
Everything else remains covered under the policy terms.
Understanding this distinction helps you assess real value.
What Pet Parents in UAE Can Do Instead
Insure pets young, even if nothing seems wrong
The simplest solution is early enrolment.
The biggest mistake UAE pet parents make is waiting until “something happens”.
If your pet has no recorded issues, you receive broader cover and fewer exclusions.
This is particularly important for breeds prone to hereditary conditions.
Understand waiting periods
Waiting periods exist to prevent immediate claims after purchase.
Anything that appears after the waiting period is automatically considered new, not pre-existing.
3. Review Veterinary Records Before Applying
Before purchasing pet insurance in the UAE:
Request a copy of your pet’s full medical history
Discuss potential exclusions with the insurer
Clarify chronic vs resolved issues
Transparency reduces surprises at claims stage.
Would Pre-Existing Coverage Ever Become Available in the UAE?
Possibly. But only as a specialised, high-premium add-on, much like human health insurance for chronic conditions.
It would require:
mandatory veterinary assessments
higher premiums
medical reports
loading fees
caps on claims
extended waiting periods
As the UAE market matures and underwriting data improves, specialised add-ons may develop.
For now, early enrolment remains the most effective strategy.
Final Thoughts
Pet insurance works only when everyone pays into a fair system before anything happens.
Pre-existing exclusions are not about rejecting pets; they’re about protecting the entire pet community.
In a growing market like the UAE, these rules ensure premiums stay affordable, and pet parents have access to long-term protection.
If you understand what counts, what doesn’t, and why insurers make these decisions, you’ll be able to:
Choose the right time to insure your pet
Avoid future exclusions
Get the most value out of your insurance
If you’re deciding when to insure your pet, the most important rule is simple:
Start before you need it.
That’s how you get full protection, without exclusions, and without surprises at claims time.
If you are considering cover for your pet, contact us today to get a personalised quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does pet insurance include pre-existing condition coverage in the UAE?
No. Most policies exclude conditions diagnosed, noted, or treated before the policy start date.
Does MooPet Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No. MooPet insurance does not cover any pre-existing conditions.
A condition is considered pre-existing if:
It showed clinical signs within 24 months before your pet’s cover started, or
It has the same diagnosis or symptoms as a previous issue, or
It relates to a condition your pet had within 24 months before cover began.
Any illness that appears within the first 30 days of a new policy (Initial Exclusion Period) will also be treated as pre-existing. This does not apply to renewals.
If my pet was sick once years ago, is it still pre-existing?
If documented in veterinary records and medically linked to future claims, it may be excluded.
Can a condition ever stop being pre-existing?
Policies vary. Some may reconsider minor issues after symptom-free periods, but chronic conditions are typically permanent exclusions.
Is pet insurance still worth it with exclusions?
Yes. Exclusions usually apply to one condition, while accidents and unrelated illnesses remain covered.
What does ‘lifetime cover’ actually mean?
Lifetime cover means:
Veterinary fees are covered up to the maximum benefit per year, as shown on your schedule.
If you renew your policy without interruption, your annual Vet fee limit is reinstated each year.
Ongoing conditions can continue to be covered in future years, provided the policy remains active.
This protects pets with chronic conditions such as allergies, arthritis or diabetes, provided they were not pre-existing.
Is there a waiting period before cover starts?
Yes.
Illnesses are not covered during the first 30 days from your cover start date (unless it is a renewal).
Accidents are typically covered immediately from the cover start date.
Any condition arising during the 30-day period will be treated as pre-existing.
Are bilateral conditions treated as separate claims?
No.
If a condition affects duplicate body parts (e.g. both knees, both eyes, both ears), it is treated as one single condition under the policy.
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