Does pet insurance cover hereditary conditions?

The short answer

Yes, hereditary and congenital conditions can be covered by pet insurance. Being genetically predisposed to a condition doesn’t automatically make it pre-existing. For many UK insurance companies, the question is whether your pet had shown signs or symptoms of the condition, or received treatment, medication or vet advice for it before your policy started. 

What's a hereditary condition?

A hereditary condition (also known as an inherited or genetic condition) is a health problem that can be passed down through an animal’s genes. Some dog and cat breeds are more likely to develop certain conditions because of their parents’ genetics. DNA testing can often help identify if your pet carries the gene responsible for a certain hereditary condition that’s common in the breed.

What's a congenital condition and how does it differ from a hereditary condition?

A congenital condition is one that’s present from birth, but isn’t always inherited. Some conditions, such as certain heart defects, may be congenital, while others, such as hip dysplasia, can develop as your pet grows and are hereditary. 

Some conditions are also more common in particular breeds due to inherited traits or other risk factors. Being part of a breed that’s more prone to a particular condition doesn’t mean your pet will definitely develop it. 

That distinction matters when you’re looking at pet insurance. A genetic predisposition isn’t the same thing as an existing health problem.

Hereditary conditions vs pre-existing conditions: what's the difference?

A hereditary condition is about where a condition comes from - for example, a genetic tendency that can be passed down to your pet through a family line.

A pre-existing condition is about when your pet's health problem started in relation to your insurance.

For example, imagine you have a puppy from one of the dog breeds that's known to have a higher risk of hip dysplasia. If your dog has never shown signs of a hip problem, and hasn't had treatment or vet advice about one before you have insurance in place, the fact is they don’t have a pre-existing condition - even if the breed is more likely to be genetically predisposed to it.

On the other hand, if your dog had already been limping, had hip pain investigated, or received vet advice about their hips before the policy started, the insurer may consider the condition to be pre-existing.

At Napo, we define a pre-existing condition as an illness, injury, or behavioural disorder your pet has had symptoms of, or received treatment, medication or advice for in the 24 months before your policy starts. 

It’s important to know a condition doesn't need to have been formally diagnosed to be considered pre-existing. So hereditary conditions aren’t automatically pre-existing. 

Does Napo pet insurance cover hereditary and congenital conditions?

Napo doesn't exclude hereditary or congenital conditions simply because your pet has a genetic predisposition. 

Instead, our policy terms apply. If your pet develops a new illness after your policy starts, eligible treatment can be covered, subject to the policy terms, limits and waiting periods. 

Napo pet insurance provides lifetime cover for dogs and cats that’s designed to continue covering eligible conditions across policy years while your policy remains active, with your vet fee allowance resetting each policy year.

For example, our Labrador breed guide specifically mentions genetic joint conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia among the conditions our lifetime policies can cover, provided they aren’t pre-existing and meet our other policy terms and conditions.

The same principle applies to breeds that are more likely to develop certain health problems, like BOAS in Pugs and French Bulldogs, IVDD in Dachshunds, or even heart conditions like HCM in Maine Coon cats.

The important thing to remember is the condition still needs to meet the policy terms. If your pet had already shown signs or symptoms, or received treatment, medication or advice for the condition during the 24 months before the policy started, it may be considered pre-existing and not be covered.

Does my pet's breed affect their cover?

Your pet's breed can affect the insurance options available to you, but being a breed that's known to have certain health risks doesn't automatically mean those conditions aren't covered.

Napo pet insurance currently offers health cover for a wide range of domestic dog and cat breeds, including cover for common health conditions associated with them. Some dog breeds have specific eligibility restrictions, particularly around Third Party Liability. It's important to check the current eligibility criteria for your pet. If you’re ever unsure, drop an email to support@napo.pet and our friendly customer champions can help.

Breed can be just one of many factors that affect the price of pet insurance. Other factors can include your pet's age, where you live, and the annual cover limit you choose.

Having a breed that may be more prone to hereditary or congenital conditions doesn’t mean you shouldn’t insure them. It simply makes it even more important to understand how your policy covers these conditions, including any exclusions for pre-existing conditions. Even if your pet is more prone to a condition, that doesn’t guarantee your pet will develop it, and it doesn’t automatically mean they won’t be covered.

The important bit to remember

If your pet belongs to a breed that's more likely to develop a particular health condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean insurance won’t cover it. That’s because the key distinction is simple: being genetically predisposed to a condition isn't the same as already having the condition.

Before taking out a pet insurance policy, check how the insurer defines pre-existing conditions and what their policy says about genetic and congenital conditions. That way, you'll have a clearer idea of what your cover could provide if your pet needs help in the future.

Frequently asked questions

Is hip dysplasia covered by pet insurance?

It can be. Hip dysplasia can have a hereditary component, but that doesn't automatically make it a pre-existing condition. 

If your pet hasn't shown signs of the condition or received treatment, medication or vet advice for it before the policy starts, it may be eligible for cover, subject to the policy terms.

Are hereditary conditions the same as pre-existing conditions?

No. Hereditary describes the origin or genetic tendency of a condition, whereas pre-existing describes a condition that your pet was already showing signs of, or had received treatment, medication or advice for before your insurance started. 

A hereditary condition can be considered a pre-existing condition if your pet had already shown signs of it before your cover began.

Does my dog's breed affect my premium?

It can do. Breed is one of the factors insurers may consider when calculating a premium, alongside things such as age, location and the level of cover you need.

Can I insure a breed that’s known for hereditary conditions?

Yes, depending on the insurer's eligibility criteria. A breed being known for particular health risks doesn't automatically mean your pet will develop them, or that the breed or those conditions are excluded from cover. Always check the insurer's current eligibility criteria and policy wording. Most pet insurers have a list of breeds they don’t cover listed on their website. Napo’s is here, if you’re curious.

Will a hereditary condition affect my renewal price?

Not necessarily, but claiming for any condition is one of the renewal price factors that may increase cost. What matters is whether your pet has developed a condition that needs treatment and is covered under your policy. If so, this may impact your renewal premium. 

With Napo's lifetime cover, eligible conditions that develop while you're insured with us can continue to be covered in later policy years while your policy remains active, subject to the policy terms.