If you are new to pet ownership and pet insurance, you may not realise that many insurers won’t cover a second claim for a condition that can occur on both sides of the body.

These conditions are known as bilateral conditions and it’s a good idea to understand what they are and how pet insurers deal with claims for these conditions.

What are Bilateral Conditions? 

Bilateral conditions are medical issues that can affect both sides of a pet's body. Examples include:

• Cruciate ligament injuries
• Luxating patella’s (unstable kneecap)
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma and other eye conditions
• Ear infections

Many insurers treat bilateral conditions as a single condition, even if they manifest at different times on each side of the body. This means that if your pet has, for example, a cruciate injury on one leg, and then later develops one on the other, it might be considered part of the same condition for claim purposes, and the cover limit won't be doubled. In addition, if one side was affected before you took out the policy, the other side might be excluded as a pre-existing condition.

What should you consider before you buy pet insurance?

• Read the policy wording carefully: This is the most crucial step. The definition of "bilateral condition" and how pre-existing conditions related to them are handled will be in the policy's terms and conditions. Look specifically for clauses on cruciate ligament and patellar luxation. 
• Contact your chosen Insurer: If the policy wording isn't clear, contact the insurer's customer service and ask specific questions about how they handle claims for cruciate ligament injuries or luxating patella if one side has been affected previously or if they occur on both sides. Get their response in writing if possible.
• Consider "Lifetime" policies: While no policy guarantees 100% cover for everything, lifetime policies generally offer the most comprehensive cover, renewing annually and covering conditions year after year (up to a limit), provided you keep the policy active. However, even with lifetime policies, bilateral condition exclusion clauses still apply.
• Be transparent about your pet's medical history: Always declare any known health issues or previous symptoms when applying for insurance. Failure to do so could invalidate your policy or clause claims to be refused.

Do any insurers cover bi-lateral conditions?

ManyPets is one of a few UK insurers that state they treat bilateral conditions as separate if diagnosed at different times and will cover pre-existing conditions if your pet has been symptom and treatment free for 2 years before you took out the policy. However, always verify the latest policy details directly with the insurer, read reviews and get quotes before making the decision to buy.