What counts as a previous condition?

[Sixofseven]

I’m looking to change my pet insurance provider as my renewal premium has gone through the roof! But my dog has been to the vet this year to have a lump checked. They didn’t do anything other than have a feel and advise that as long as it doesn’t change then no treatment is needed.
Will this count as an existing condition if we need to have the lump treated this year? As I said, we paid for a consultation but no treatment. Just don’t want to change insurer if the new one will claim it’s pre-existing.

TIA

I'm pretty sure that would count as pre-existing.

Petplan says:

"An illness which was first noticed before your policy started or in the first 14 days of cover If your pet suffers from an illness:

Before your policy starts, or
In the first 14 days of your pet’s first policy year,

Any costs relating to that illness will never be covered by your policy. If, at a later time (days, weeks, months or years) an illness with the same diagnosis presents in the same or different parts of your pet’s body, we will not cover any costs to treat that illness. This is regardless of whether your vet confirms the past and current illnesses are, or are not, linked. For example (but not limited to), if your pet develops a cataract in his/her left eye in the first 14 days of the first policy year, that cataract is not covered and the policy will also not cover any other cataracts which develop in either the left or right eye."

So yes, anything relating to lumps will not be covered, regardless of where on the body or what the cause of the lump is.

Anything that is even mentioned in passing in your vet's notes is a pre-existing condition. The lump definitely is. Unless there is a really good reason I wouldn't change insurance companies.

Yes, it counts as pre-existing.

If you've ever had your dog seen at the vets for anything other than spay/neuter and jabs, I really wouldn't change providers.

How about ear mites?

Ear mites is likely to exclude any condition regarding the ear. I have a friend who didn't insure her dog immediately and had to take him to the vet with a sore ear. No ear conditions of any sort covered now.

@WaggyWoof

How about ear mites?

Sadly yes.

Anything you've had checked out at the vet will count as a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies will find any excuse not to pay out!

Mine has been seen for a cut paw and a limp - neither turned out to be anything serious but would be pre-existing issues with those legs should I switch insurers down the line.

Ear mites would normally be killed off by the regular flea/worm treatment. I bet if this hasn't been carried out the insurance company the insurance company would wriggle off the hook. It's the same with teeth. If the vet recommends a clean and it isn't done, they have an excuse not to pay out for the next bill.

Thanks everyone, really helpful ☺️

We used PetPlan with our first dog. Expensive package. They wouldn't pay the bill when he had diarrhoea, because he'd been treated for diarrhoea 2 years before

@Lougle

Ear mites is likely to exclude any condition regarding the ear. I have a friend who didn't insure her dog immediately and had to take him to the vet with a sore ear. No ear conditions of any sort covered now.

Oh no, my pup had ear mites treatment before my policy had started. I never even thought that would count as pre-existing condition, given that they are parasites, so didn’t declare. Does that mean my policy is invalid .