If you’re looking for pet insurance in Australia, you’ve probably come across terms like “waiting period” and “exclusion period.” You might also be wondering if it’s possible to get pet insurance with no waiting period at all.
The truth is, policies with immediate cover are extremely rare, if any at all! Nearly all pet insurers include some form of waiting period before certain types of claims are eligible. In other words, no waiting period in pet insurance is not a standard offering.
So if you want your pet insured right now, with no gaps in coverage, this guide will help you understand your best options for navigating waiting periods and exclusions.
- Important Terms to Understand Exclusion Periods
- Types of Exclusion Periods
- How Exclusion Periods Work
- Real-Life Scenarios of How Exclusion Periods Work
- How Does Knose Compare to Other Australian Pet Insurance Companies
- Waiving or Reducing Exclusion Periods
- Expert Tips for Managing Exclusion Periods as a Responsible Pet Owner
- FAQs on Exclusion periods
Important Terms to Understand Exclusion Periods
An exclusion period, also often referred to as a waiting period, is the timeframe at the start of your pet’s policy during which certain conditions are not yet eligible for cover. If a condition shows symptoms or is diagnosed during this period, it may be considered a pre-existing symptom and condition and therefore excluded from cover.
The term exclusions refer to specific conditions, treatments, or circumstances that are not covered under the policy and generally permanent limits on what your policy will cover.
Pre-existing symptoms and conditions are a common reason a condition may be excluded. If your pet showed symptoms, was diagnosed, or treated before the policy started or during the Exclusion Period, the condition is generally excluded from future cover.
Knose has a separate guide on pre-existing symptoms and conditions, which is helpful for pet owners to determine if a condition might be eligible for future coverage.
💡Here’s an example:
Your Main Coon cat develops an ear infection three days after the policy starts. If the exclusion period for illnesses is 14 days and the infection occurred during that period, it may be classified as a pre-existing symptom and condition. As a result, it may be excluded from cover permanently, and related future issues to the infection could also be excluded.
Types of Exclusion Periods
Although all pet insurance providers in Australia include exclusion periods, the specific conditions they apply to and how long those periods last can vary widely.
Understanding these differences is essential when choosing the right cover for your pet. By knowing how long you’ll need to wait before you can claim for certain illnesses, injuries, or issues, you can avoid unexpected gaps in coverage and make a more informed insurance decision.
At Knose, exclusion periods vary depending on the type of condition or cover being considered, as outlined in the following table:
| Type of Cover | Knose Exclusion Period |
| Injury (excluding specified conditions) | 1 day |
| Illness (excluding specified conditions) | 14 days |
| Optional dental illness (under 1 year old) | 14 days |
| Optional dental illness (over 1 year old) | 6 months |
| Optional behavioural conditions | 6 months |
| Specified conditions (e.g. cruciate ligament damage, intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, osteochondritis dissecans, etc) | 6 months |
Policy exclusions are generally permanent and apply regardless of when a condition occurs. These include:
- Routine and preventative care (e.g. vaccinations, check-ups, grooming, desexing)
- Elective or cosmetic procedures
- Breeding-related treatments
- Experimental or unproven treatments
- Pets used for commercial/sporting purposes
- Banned or dangerous breeds in Australia
How Exclusion Periods Work
Exclusion periods exist to protect both the insured pet owners and the insurer in the long term. Without these exclusion periods, it would be possible for people to simply wait until a pet shows signs of illness or injury, quickly purchase insurance, file a claim, and then cancel the policy.
This would lead to higher claims and ultimately force insurers to raise premiums for everyone.
Exclusion periods also help prevent fraud and abuse of the system. If people were able to purchase insurance only when they needed it and file claims immediately, the financial model of insurance would be destabilised, and this would pose a risk affecting a huge number of people.
In short, exclusion periods help ensure the system stays fair and affordable. They create a level playing field and discourage opportunistic claims that would otherwise impact long-term customers who responsibly insure their pets in advance.
💡Knose offers one of the shortest illness exclusion periods in Australia—14 days (except specified conditions) compared to many others who offer exclusion period of 21-30 days.
Real-life scenarios
Exclusion periods can be easy to overlook at the beginning, but they become very real when you’re faced with a situation where your claim is denied or delayed.
To help you better understand how these timelines impact your pet’s coverage, we’ve outlined common scenarios where exclusion periods can make a big difference.
Scenario 1: Your dog swallows a dangerous object two days after your policy begins.
Since injuries have a 1-day exclusion period, you may be eligible to claim for the initial vet treatment related to the ingestion.
However, if your dog later develops a pancreatitis as a complication, this would typically be assessed under illness cover, which has a 14-day exclusion period. If pancreatitis symptoms begin within that 14-day window, it may be considered a pre-existing symptom and condition and excluded from cover.
💡Luckily, pancreatitis is not listed as a Specified Condition under Knose’s standard exclusions so the 6-month Exclusion Period may not necessarily apply. That is unless your Certificate of Insurance specifies otherwise.
Scenario 2: You have a 2 year old Persian cat. You add dental cover 3 months after starting your policy.
For pets over 1 year old, dental illnesses that develop within 6 months of adding dental cover won’t be covered under the policy. However, your existing cover for injury and general illness remains unaffected and fully claimable. In other words, your existing cover remains valid and isn’t reset when you add new options like dental cover.
Scenario 3: Your Labrador puppy shows signs of itchy skin during the exclusion period but you don’t go to the vet until after.
Even though the vet visit happens later, this condition may still be classified as pre-existing. What matters is when the symptoms first appeared, not when the condition was diagnosed or treated.
💡Delaying vet visits won’t reset the exclusion clock. It’s important to seek medical advice promptly.
How does Knose compare to other Australian pet insurance companies
When choosing the best pet insurance in Australia, comparing exclusion periods across providers is essential, especially if you’re concerned about how quickly your pet will be covered in case of illness or injury.
While all pet insurers have some form of exclusion period, not all waiting times are created equal.
Let’s break down how Knose’s exclusion periods stack up against other leading pet insurance brands in Australia:
| Company | Injury Exclusion Period | Illness Exclusion Period | Specific Conditions Exclusion Period |
| Knose | 1 day | 14 days | 6 months |
| Company A | 2 days | 30 days | 6 months |
| Company B | 0 days | 30 days | 6 months |
| Company C | 0 days | 21 days | 6 months |
While Knose has a 1-day exclusion period for injuries compared to some companies that offer 0-day injury cover, it provides one of the shortest exclusion periods for injuries at just 14 days. This is significantly shorter than the industry standard, which is typically 21-30 days.
At Knose, we aim to balance the shortest wait of illness coverage with consistency and fairness across injury and specified conditions. We clearly communicate the pet insurance policy terms with no confusing tier systems so you always know what you’re covered for.
While premiums may change over time due to factors like your pet’s age, breed, and vet costs in your area, your policy structure stays consistent and easy to understand.
Waiving or Reducing Exclusion Periods
In some cases, Knose allows customers to apply for a reduction in the 6-month Exclusion Period that applies to certain conditions, such as dental illness or specified conditions (e.g. cruciate ligament damage or lumps).
To apply for a review, you’ll need to:
✅ Submit a completed Exclusion Period Waiver Form
✅ Have your pet examined by a vet (at your own expense)
✅ Provide your pet’s full medical history and clinical notes
Knose will assess the information and determine whether any suspected or actual pre-existing symptoms and conditions are present. If no symptoms or concerns are found, the exclusion period may be reduced or even waived. The decision is then reflected in your updated Certificate of Insurance.
Expert Tips for Responsible Pet Owners
Navigating exclusion periods can be tricky, but with the right approach, you can maximise your pet insurance benefits and avoid unexpected gaps in coverage. Being proactive and informed is key to ensuring your pet stays protected when they need it most.
Here are some practical tips to help you manage exclusion periods effectively, so you can make confident decisions about your pet’s health and insurance coverage.
- Insure early: Obtaining a good coverage while your pet is young and healthy can minimise the risk of pre-existing symptom and condition exclusions.
- Keep all pet records: Having an organised folder of your pet’s accurate medical history will help if you ever have to apply for exclusion period review.
- Don’t delay vet visits or treatment: Waiting can turn a manageable issue into a long-term exclusion. Give your pet the help that they need as soon as you can!
- Understand the rules for optional add-ons: Including optional benefits may be beneficial in the long-term but each comes with its own exclusion period separate from your existing cover.
- Use review options on your policy: If your pet is healthy, take advantage of Knose’s exclusion review system to potentially reduce exclusion periods.
Exclusion periods might seem like a frustrating hurdle to obtaining pet insurance, but they exist to protect both the insurer and responsible pet owners.
Knose stands out by offering a transparent, customisable, and pet-first insurance policy for responsible pet owners. We’re here to help you find the best policy for both you and your pet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit the vet or file a claim during the exclusion period?
You can visit the vet during the exclusion period and you’re encouraged to take your pet to the vet whenever they need professional medical treatment. However, you may not file a claim during this time.
What happens if a condition shows up during the exclusion period?
If new conditions arise during the exclusion period, they will likely be considered pre-existing symptoms and conditions and will be excluded from future claims.
Do all pet insurances have exclusion periods?
All pet insurance companies have exclusion periods for illness and specified conditions.
Does switching pet insurance restart the exclusion period?
Generally, changing pet insurance providers will restart your exclusion period.
Can I ever get coverage for a pre-existing symptom and condition?
A review of exclusion periods for a condition may be considered if your pet stays symptom-free for a period of time or if you provide sufficient information from a vet that the condition has been fully resolved.
Post by Knose Pet Insurance in collaboration with Marie Boncan
Marie grew up surrounded by animals, but caring for Kublai, her Yorkie-Maltese mix with a liver shunt, sparked a deeper commitment to pet health. Drawing from her experience with a pet who has special needs and her strength in academic writing, she creates insightful content that shines a light on key pet care topics.
