What You'll Need Before Starting
Gather these before you do anything else:
- Your current policy documents - Know your coverage limits, deductible, reimbursement rate, and renewal date
- Complete veterinary records - Call your vet and request your pet's full medical history. Most vets email a PDF within a few days. Some charge $10-25 for records.
- A list of current and past conditions - Write down everything your vet has ever documented, even minor stuff. New insurers will review all of it.
- Your monthly budget - Know what you're willing to pay so you can compare apples to apples
Having your records ready speeds up the quoting process and helps you avoid surprises during underwriting.
Step 1: Figure Out Why You're Switching
This matters because it affects what you should look for in a new provider. Common reasons people switch:
- Premium increases - Your renewal came in way higher than last year
- Poor claims experience - Slow reimbursements, denied claims, bad customer service
- Better coverage available - Another company offers higher limits or better reimbursement
- Coverage gaps - Your current policy doesn't cover something you need (dental, behavioral, alternative therapies)
If you're switching purely because of a premium increase, check whether the new provider's rates might jump just as much next year. Some companies lure people in with low introductory rates and then spike them. Look at reviews from people who've had policies for 3+ years.
Step 2: Get Quotes From Multiple Providers
Get at least 3 quotes. Most companies give you an instant quote online in a few minutes. Make sure you're comparing similar coverage:
- Same deductible amount
- Same reimbursement percentage (80% vs 90% makes a big difference)
- Same annual limit or unlimited
- Same type of deductible (annual vs per-incident)
Pay attention to what each company considers pre-existing. Some are stricter than others. A few companies, like Embrace, have a "diminishing deductible" feature where your deductible drops if you don't file claims. Others, like Trupanion, use per-condition deductibles instead of annual ones. These structural differences matter more than small premium variations.
Step 3: Understand the Pre-Existing Condition Trap
This is where most people get burned. When you start a new policy, the new insurer reviews your pet's entire medical history. Anything that's been documented, diagnosed, or treated becomes potentially pre-existing under the new policy.
That means conditions your old insurance was covering might not be covered by the new one. If your cat has been treated for urinary issues under your current policy, the new company could exclude urinary conditions entirely.
The "Curable" Exception
Some insurers distinguish between curable and chronic pre-existing conditions. If your pet had an ear infection that was fully treated and hasn't recurred in 12+ months, certain companies will cover future ear infections. But chronic conditions like allergies, diabetes, or heart disease are almost always permanently excluded by new insurers.
Ask each company specifically: "How do you handle curable pre-existing conditions?" Get the answer in writing.
When Switching Makes Less Sense
If your pet has an ongoing chronic condition that your current insurer covers, switching becomes risky. You might save $15/month on premiums but lose coverage for a condition that costs $200/month to manage. Do the math before committing.
Step 4: Overlap Your Policies
This is the key to avoiding a gap. Start your new policy while your old one is still active. You'll pay for both during the overlap period, but that's a small price for continuous coverage.
Here's the timeline:
- Start new policy on Day 1
- New policy accident waiting period ends around Day 3-5
- New policy illness waiting period ends around Day 14-15
- Some orthopedic waiting periods end at Day 30 or later
- Cancel old policy after ALL new waiting periods are complete
During the overlap, your old policy handles any claims. Once the new waiting periods expire, your new policy takes over. You cancel the old one and stop paying double.
The overlap usually costs you one extra month of premiums. That's $30-70 for most cat owners. Cheap insurance against a gap.
Step 5: Cancel Your Old Policy
Only do this after confirming your new policy is fully active with all waiting periods passed. Then:
- Call your old insurer (some require a phone call, others accept email or online cancellation)
- Ask about any refund for unused premium if you paid annually
- Get cancellation confirmation in writing
- Submit any outstanding claims before cancellation takes effect
Some policies prorate refunds if you cancel mid-term. Others don't refund anything. Check your terms.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the things that trip people up most often:
Canceling the Old Policy Too Early
If you cancel before the new waiting periods end, anything that happens in between isn't covered by either policy. A 14-day gap might not seem like a big deal until your cat eats a hair tie on day 8.
Not Disclosing Medical History
New insurers ask for medical records. Don't try to hide past conditions by switching vets first or "forgetting" to mention something. Insurers request records directly from your vet. If they find undisclosed conditions later, they can deny claims retroactively or cancel your policy.
Assuming Coverage Is Identical
Read the new policy completely. Things that vary between companies: bilateral condition coverage (both knees, both eyes), alternative therapy coverage, exam fee inclusion, prescription food coverage, and behavioral treatment limits. A policy that looks cheaper might have gaps your old one didn't.
Switching During an Active Health Issue
If your pet is currently being treated for something, finish treatment under your old policy before switching. Mid-treatment switches are messy. The old insurer might not pay for treatment after cancellation, and the new insurer will consider it pre-existing.
When Switching Actually Isn't Worth It
Sometimes staying put is the better call. Consider keeping your current policy if:
- Your pet has chronic conditions the current insurer covers
- The premium difference is less than $10-15/month
- Your pet is senior (10+) and might face enrollment issues elsewhere
- You've hit your deductible for the year already
Switching makes the most sense when you're genuinely unhappy with claims handling, when premiums have jumped significantly, or when your pet is healthy and you want better overall coverage.