Cancer

both

Broad category spanning lymphoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumours, mammary tumours. Incidence rises sharply with age; certain breeds (Goldens, Boxers, Rottweilers, Bernese) have higher rates.

Why this matters: Cancer is one of the highest-stakes claim categories. Pre-existing handling decides whether a mass noted at any earlier vet visit blocks the policy from paying.

9 of 11 indexed products have on-file cover language for this condition. 2 are pending wording ingest.

Snapshot 2026-05-18T08:27:31.134Z. Machine-readable: matrix.json · summary.md

AA Pet Insurance

AA Pet Insurance Policy

Wording v2025-04-05 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

A pre-existing condition is a condition that first existed or occurred: prior to the commencement date of the first policy period; or within any applicable waiting period; AND which you were aware of, or a reasonable person in your circumstances would have been aware, irrespective of whether the underlying or causative condition has been diagnosed. A pre-existing condition also includes a related condition or bilateral condition of a pre-existing condition. Temporary conditions that have not existed, occurred or shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality in the 18-month period immediately prior to the claim treatment date are not excluded. Chronic conditions that existed or occurred before the commencement date of the first policy period or during any applicable waiting period are always excluded and will never be considered a temporary condition.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing conditions and a related condition or a bilateral condition of a pre-existing condition; Food (regular or prescription), vitamins/nutraceuticals/supplements, vaccinations, microchipping, flea/tick/worm control, grooming and bat…

Cove Pet Insurance

Cove Pet Insurance

Wording v2026-05-18 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

If a condition exists or occurs before the commencement date of the first policy period your pet is insured with us or within an applicable waiting period, and you or your vet were aware of the condition, or a reasonable person in your circumstances would have been aware of the condition, it will be excluded from cover as a pre-existing condition. If your pet has a temporary condition that occurred or existed prior to the commencement date of the first policy period you are insured with us or during any applicable waiting period, but that condition has not existed, occurred or shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality in the 18-month period immediately prior to your claim treatment date, it will no longer be excluded from cover as a pre-existing condition. Chronic conditions that occur prior to the commencement date of the first policy period you are insured with us or during any applicable waiting period cannot fall within this category of temporary condition and will always be excluded from cover. Hereditary conditions and congenital conditions will not be considered a pre-existing condition if they have not shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality at any time before the commencement date of the first policy period or within an applicable waiting period.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing conditions, a related condition or a condition arising before the first policy period you are insured with us or within the applicable waiting period; Bilateral conditions treated as a single condition for benefit limit or excl…

Petcover (Petplan NZ)

Petcover Catastrophe Plan

Wording v2026-05-17 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

Pre-Existing Condition(s) means any Condition(s) or symptom(s), sign(s) or Clinical sign(s) of that Condition, Injury or Illness occurring or existing in any form that; a. Has happened or first showed Clinical signs; b. Has the same diagnosis or Clinical signs as an Injury, Illness or Clinical sign Your Pet had; or, c. Is caused by, relates to, or results from, an Injury, Illness or Clinical sign Your Pet had occurring or existing: Before Your Pet's cover started, or prior to the Policy commencement date; During the thirty (30) day Waiting Period; or Before the section was added to Your insurance. This applies no matter where the Injury, Illness or Clinical sign(s) occurred or happen in, or on, Your Pet's body. This is regardless of whether or not We place any exclusion(s) for the Injury/Illness.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: A Condition specifically excluded on Your Certificate of Insurance; Any animal less than eight (8) weeks old at the time of commencement of the period of insurance; Any costs of treatment throughout the lifetime of Your Pet for any Injury o…

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

AcciPet (Accident-only)

Wording v2023-12-01 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

A pre-existing condition is a health condition, behaviour, sign, symptom, or event relating to or resulting from an accidental injury that your pet had and that you knew about (or should reasonably have known about) before your policy start date, or during the relevant stand down period. Any accidental injury related to a pre-existing condition is excluded, including where a pre-existing condition is the underlying cause, associated with, or otherwise related to the accidental injury. If a pre-existing condition affects a body part the pet has more than one of (e.g. a leg) and increases the risk of the other body part being injured, the same accidental injury in the other body part is also treated as a pre-existing condition and excluded, even if it occurs after the policy start date.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing conditions; Transport and boarding (such as in a kennel or cattery); Cages, equipment, and devices, except dog or cat cones (Elizabethan collars); Voluntary euthanasia of your pet (where you choose to have your pet put down for…

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

FreeCover (Trial)

Wording v2025-09-01 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

A pre-existing condition is a health condition relating to your pet that you knew about (or should reasonably have known about) before your policy start date, or during the relevant stand down period. This includes any health condition, sign, symptom, or event — whether or not a vet has diagnosed it — to which any of the following apply before the policy start date or relevant stand down period: you have sought advice, or a vet has recommended care, treatment, or medication for the condition; you're awaiting test results or further investigation, treatment, or consultation with a vet for the condition; the condition requires, may potentially require, or would have caused a reasonable person to seek help from a vet.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Congenital conditions; Pre-existing conditions; Bilateral conditions where the same health condition exists on the other side of a paired body part; Grooming and bathing costs including medicated baths and shampoos; Transport and boarding (…

Southern Cross Pet Insurance

PetCare (Comprehensive)

Wording v2023-12-01 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

A pre-existing condition is a health condition relating to your pet that you knew about (or should reasonably have known about) before your policy start date, or during the relevant stand down period. This includes any health condition, sign, symptom, or event — whether or not a vet has diagnosed it — to which any of the following apply before the policy start date or relevant stand down period: You have sought advice, or a vet has recommended care, treatment, or medication for the condition. You're awaiting test results or further investigation, treatment, or consultation with a vet for the condition. The condition requires, may potentially require, or would have caused a reasonable person to seek help from a vet. We won't cover any of your pet's pre-existing conditions unless we have agreed to do so in writing.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing conditions; Congenital conditions; Behavioural or psychological conditions (anxiety disorders, depression, aggression, excessive barking, and related treatments); Dental care (illness-related) — unless dental care extra is adde…

SPCA Pet Insurance

Big Stuff Cover

Wording v2026-05-17 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

A Condition that existed or occurred prior to the Commencement Date of the first Policy Period or within any applicable Waiting Period, of which you or your Vet were aware or a reasonable person in your circumstances would have been aware, irrespective of whether the underlying or causative Condition has been diagnosed. A Pre-existing Condition also includes a Related Condition or Bilateral Condition of a Pre-existing Condition. After the end of any applicable Waiting Period, a Condition will no longer be considered a Pre-existing Condition if it is a Temporary Condition that has not existed, occurred or shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality in the 18-month period immediately prior to your claim Treatment date. Chronic Conditions and several other specified Conditions cannot fall within the category of Temporary Condition and will always be excluded from Cover.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing Conditions; Food (regular or prescription), vitamins/nutraceuticals/supplements, vaccinations, health checks, routine Consultations, microchipping, flea/tick/worm control, grooming and bathing of your Pet, and nonmedicated groo…

SPCA Pet Insurance

The Works (Comprehensive)

Wording v2026-05-17 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

A Condition that existed or occurred prior to the Commencement Date of the first Policy Period or within any applicable Waiting Period, of which you or your Vet were aware or a reasonable person in your circumstances would have been aware, irrespective of whether the underlying or causative Condition has been diagnosed. A Pre-existing Condition also includes a Related Condition or Bilateral Condition of a Pre-existing Condition. After the end of any applicable Waiting Period, a Condition will no longer be considered a Pre-existing Condition if it is a Temporary Condition that has not existed, occurred or shown noticeable signs, symptoms or an abnormality in the 18-month period immediately prior to your claim Treatment date. Chronic Conditions and several other specified Conditions cannot fall within the category of Temporary Condition and will always be excluded from Cover.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing Conditions; Related Conditions and Bilateral Conditions of a Pre-existing Condition; Conditions arising within the applicable Waiting Period; Any declared widespread epidemic or pandemic disease that affects dogs or cats; Food …

Tower Pet Insurance

Pet Comprehensive + Essentials

Wording v2026-05-18 · confidence: verified · key: pre_existing_rules

Provider →

Pre-existing condition means any conditions, or, any medical or physical signs, symptoms or circumstances in relation to your pet: (1) which you are aware of, or which a reasonable person in your circumstances ought to have been aware of; or (2) for which veterinary advice, care, treatment or medication has been sought, given or recommended; or (3) which has been diagnosed as a condition, or which are indicative of a condition; or (4) which are of such a nature to require, or may potentially require veterinary attention; or (5) which are of such a nature as would have caused a prudent, reasonable person to seek veterinary attention for their pet, prior to the start date of your policy, or prior to the date any applicable claims waiting period ceases. Any new condition, or any sign or symptom of a new condition which first presents within the claims waiting period will be treated in the same way as a pre-existing condition and will not be covered.

Other on-file fact keys (1)
  • exclusions: Pre-existing conditions; Any condition which first presented its signs or symptoms or which was first diagnosed during any claims waiting period; Any condition where the diagnosis is inconclusive, but where the customary treatment is simila…
2 products with no on-file value for this condition
  • PD Insurance — PD Pet Insurance (PDS) (wording pending ingest)
  • PetNSur — PetNSur Rhodium / Standard (wording pending ingest)

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Not personalised veterinary or financial advice. Each clause shown is a verbatim excerpt from the cited insurer wording PDF. For the authoritative answer in any specific case, refer to the source PDF.