Why do waiting periods exist?

If waiting periods didn’t exist, people could take out pet insurance or upgrade their cover only when they know or suspect that they might need cover, and then immediately make a claim. If these customers then cancelled (or downgraded) their cover after making a claim, it would not only be unfair to other customers, but it could also lead to increased premiums for all customers.

Is it possible to apply to have the waiting periods reduced?

Yes! We offer customers the chance to submit an additional application to request the 6-month waiting period for the Specified Conditions (and others, e.g. Dental Illness) to be reduced.

To consider whether a reduction of the waiting period can be provided, we require:

• a completed request form from you, which will require you to have your pet examined by a vet at your own expense; and
• copies of your pet’s medical history & clinical notes. You will need to assist us in the process of obtaining these, for example, by providing details of any vets your pet has seen in the past.

During our assessment of the application, we will review the available information, and if sufficient, confirm whether there are any identified or suspected Specified Conditions (and others). Where we are comfortable that there aren’t any identified or suspected Specified Conditions (and others), we will reduce or waive the waiting period for those conditions.

We will confirm the outcome of your application and if we decide to approve the reduction of the waiting period, we will provide you with an updated Certificate of Insurance which lists the agreed Specified Conditions (and others) and the new reduced waiting period applicable.

What conditions does Knose Pet Insurance not cover?

• Pre-existing Conditions: There is no cover for vet costs associated with the treatment of conditions your pet had before your pet’s first date of cover under a Knose Pet Insurance policy or which arises during an applicable waiting period.
  • There is a definition for what is a Pre-existing Condition in the Product Disclosure Statement and it’s important you understand this. See the blog post “Understanding Pre-existing Conditions” for more details.
  • A condition is considered a Pre-existing Condition, even if it’s not been officially diagnosed or identified.   
  • We may confirm, in certain circumstances, that a condition is no longer considered a Pre-existing Condition. This will usually occur when we are satisfied that the condition has been successfully resolved.  This is typically done after a specified time period has elapsed during which your pet was free of symptoms as confirmed by a vet.
• Vaccinatable diseases: There is no cover for vet costs associated with the treatment of a disease which is vaccinatable if you have not maintained your pet’s vaccinations (preventative Treatment). 
• Any conditions that are the result of intentional harm or neglect.
• Any conditions that are the result of or requiring ongoing or repeat treatment due to you not following your vet’s advice.
• Any conditions that are related to an epidemic, pandemic, or new influenza.
• Vet costs for the treatment of Behavioural Problems (including any injury or illness which arises  a result of a Behavioural Problem) or Dental Illness, unless you have Optional Extra Benefits included in your cover. Other limits, exclusions and conditions still apply.
• Even if you have included Optional Extra Benefits and have cover for Dental Illness, there is no cover for vet costs associated with the removal of deciduous teeth.

What Treatments does Knose Pet Insurance not cover?

Knose Pet Insurance was designed to offer extensive cover, but even if an injury or illness is covered under your Policy, there are certain treatments which are not covered:

• Treatment during an applicable waiting period.
• Any vet costs resulting from breeding, pregnancy, whelping or queening.
• Any vet costs for desexing. We do, however, cover additional vet costs for treatment of complex cryptorchid (undescended testicles). If this is the case, we will reduce the vet costs by the amount the vet would have charged for neutering when calculating the payable benefit.
• Non-customary and experimental treatments, such as prosthetic limbs and devices and organ or valve transplants.
• Medications that are not registered or approved in Australia.
• Alternative Therapies, unless you have included Optional Extra Benefits included in your cover.
• As standard, Knose Pet Insurance policy provides cover for vet consultations associated with the required treatment of your pet’s injury or illness. When buying your Policy, you have the choice to remove this cover for vet consultations. You should consider carefully whether removing cover for vet consultations is suitable for you based on your own circumstances.
• Expenses to board or transport your pet including by ambulance.  However, we do cover boarding costs in specified circumstances.
• Costs incurred after your pet’s death, including storing, transporting or disposing of your pet’s remains and autopsy, burial, cremation, funeral or other procedures.

Are there any other exclusions?

There are certain exceptional circumstances in which Knose Pet Insurance does not provide cover for required treatment. For example, there is no cover when an injury or illness is due to:

• Nuclear or radioactive weapons, materials or radiation.
• Utilisation of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction.
• Acts of war or civil unrest.

How can I get confirmation on whether a condition or treatment is going to be covered

After consideration of what is covered and what is not covered, you may want to confirm whether a specific condition or treatment for your pet is covered. 

If a condition or treatment is not excluded under your policy, then it is covered.

Please remember if it is a Pre-existing Condition, it occurs during an applicable waiting period or another exclusion applies, then there is no cover.

To help you better understand the coverage, we’ve created the following table to show the types of things we cover, subject to determining if there is an exclusion, as explained above.