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Does Healthy Paws pet insurance have a waiting period?

By the WhichPetPlan editorial team · Last verified 2026-08-23
Short answer

Yes. In most states Healthy Paws applies a 15-day waiting period from your policy effective date to both accidents and illnesses, plus a 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia for pets enrolled at age five or below. In CA, DE, FL, HI, LA, MD, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT and WA there is no waiting period for conditions resulting from an accident, and the 15-day wait on illness, injury and non-accident orthopedic conditions can be waived when a complete clinical examination is completed.

The standard rule: 15 days

For all states except the 16 listed below, Healthy Paws states in its FAQ that there is a waiting period of 15 days after your policy effective date (the policy takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after you enroll). You can submit claims for accidents and illnesses that occur after those 15 days.

On top of the general wait, hip dysplasia carries a 12-month waiting period for pets enrolled at age five or below, and is not covered at all for pets enrolled at age six or older. Cruciate ligament injuries follow the same 15-day wait; if one knee shows lameness or a tear before enrollment or during the waiting period, the other knee is excluded too, the only bilateral exclusion in the policy.

The 16-state exception

In CA, DE, FL, HI, LA, MD, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT and WA the structure differs: there is no waiting period for illness, injury or orthopedic conditions resulting from an accident. The 15-day wait still applies to illness, injury and orthopedic conditions not resulting from an accident, but Healthy Paws states it will waive it upon completion of a complete clinical examination. Hip dysplasia in these states waits 30 days rather than 12 months, also waivable with a complete exam, and the under-age-six enrollment rule still applies.

Virtual vet visits through Airvet, included with every accident and illness policy, carry no waiting period: you can speak to a vet immediately after enrolling.

What the waiting period means for pre-existing conditions

Anything that shows signs or symptoms before enrollment or during an applicable waiting period counts as pre-existing and will not be covered. One official detail worth knowing: per Healthy Paws’ FAQ, a curable condition that fully resolves and stays symptom-free and treatment-free for a continuous 365 days may no longer be considered pre-existing. Conditions that never qualify as cured include cruciate ligament tears and orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia.

Related questions

When does my Healthy Paws coverage start?
Your policy is effective at 12:01 a.m. the day after you enroll, and claims are eligible for accidents and illnesses occurring after the applicable waiting period: 15 days in most states, or no wait for accident-related conditions in CA, DE, FL, HI, LA, MD, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT and WA.
Can the Healthy Paws waiting period be waived?
Only in the 16 exception states, and only via a complete clinical examination: the 15-day wait on non-accident conditions and the 30-day hip dysplasia wait are both waived upon completion of a complete exam. In other states, the 15-day and 12-month hip dysplasia waits apply as written.
Is there a waiting period for hip dysplasia with Healthy Paws?
Yes: 12 months in most states for pets enrolled at age five or below, or 30 days in CA, DE, FL, HI, LA, MD, ME, MS, MT, NE, NH, OH, PA, RI, VT and WA (waivable with a complete exam). Pets enrolled at age six or older are not covered for hip dysplasia at any timeline.

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