Do Pet Insurance Companies Drop Pets at a Certain Age?

In 2024, Nationwide — the largest pet insurance provider in the United States — notified approximately 100,000 to 300,000 policyholders that their "Whole Pet with Wellness" plans were being canceled, citing rising veterinary costs and unsustainable loss ratios. A federal class-action lawsuit filed in June 2025 alleges that these cancellations disproportionately targeted older pets and pets with pre-existing conditions, despite marketing that promised lifetime coverage (Silberman v. Nationwide, 2025). The question on every pet owner's mind — "Can my insurer drop my dog just because it got old?" — is more urgent than ever.

At-a-glance guide

Can pet insurance companies legally drop your pet because of age?

The short answer is: it depends on the policy, the state, and the insurer. Most pet insurance policies in the United States are structured as annually renewable contracts, which means the insurer can choose not to renew the policy at the end of each annual term. Unlike human health insurance — which is protected by the Affordable Care Act's guaranteed-issue and guaranteed-renewability provisions — pet insurance is regulated as property and casualty insurance in most states, and the regulatory framework is significantly weaker (NAIC, 2024).

Some insurers include a guaranteed-renewability clause in their policy language, which means they cannot cancel coverage as long as premiums are paid on time, regardless of the pet's age or health status. However, guaranteed renewability does not prevent the insurer from raising premiums — sometimes dramatically — as the pet ages. The North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) reports that average annual premiums for senior dogs can range from $800 to over $2,000 depending on breed, location, and coverage tier (NAPHIA, 2024).

The Nationwide cancellations of 2024–2025 exposed a critical gap in consumer protection. Policyholders who had paid premiums for years — in some cases for the pet's entire life — were told their coverage would end at renewal, leaving them with a senior pet, pre-existing conditions that would be excluded by any new insurer, and no recourse. The class-action lawsuit alleges that Nationwide's marketing materials explicitly promised that pets would not be dropped due to age, creating a reasonable expectation of lifetime coverage that the company then violated (Silberman v. Nationwide, 2025).

Which pet insurance companies have age limits, and which do not?

Age-limit policies vary significantly across the industry. Some insurers impose a maximum enrollment age — the oldest a pet can be when you first sign up — which typically ranges from 10 to 14 years for dogs. Once enrolled, pets with guaranteed-renewability clauses are generally covered for life, though premiums increase with age. Other insurers have no maximum enrollment age but may impose reduced coverage or higher deductibles for senior pets.

As of 2025, Pets Best and Trupanion are among the carriers that do not impose an upper age limit for enrollment, meaning a 14-year-old dog can still obtain a new policy (Pawlicy Advisor, 2025). Embrace accepts pets aged 14 and older but requires a veterinary exam within the first 30 days. Healthy Paws, by contrast, has a maximum enrollment age of 14 years for dogs. Fetch by The Dodo and Lemonade have maximum enrollment ages of 10 and 14 years, respectively. These age limits apply only to new enrollments — not to pets already covered under an active policy with guaranteed renewability.

The distinction between enrollment age limits and cancellation due to age is critical. An enrollment age limit means the insurer will not take on new risk for an older pet. Cancellation due to age means the insurer is shedding existing risk — pets they have already been collecting premiums on, sometimes for years. The Nationwide case falls into the latter category and is the subject of ongoing litigation. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) has formed a Pet Insurance Working Group to examine whether stronger consumer protections, including mandatory guaranteed renewability, are needed at the state level (NAIC, 2024).

How do pre-existing conditions interact with age-based coverage decisions?

Pre-existing conditions are the single most important factor in pet insurance coverage — more than age, more than breed, more than premium cost. Every pet insurance policy in the United States excludes pre-existing conditions, defined as any illness, injury, or symptom that appeared before the policy's effective date or during the waiting period. For a senior dog that has been insured since puppyhood, this is not a problem — conditions that developed after the policy started are covered. But for a senior dog seeking a new policy, pre-existing condition exclusions can render the coverage nearly worthless.

The NAPHIA State of the Industry Report (2024) notes that approximately 4.4 million pets were insured in the United States as of 2023, representing only about 3–4% of the total pet population. The vast majority of pet owners pay out of pocket for veterinary care. For the small percentage who do have insurance, the pre-existing condition exclusion is the most common reason claims are denied. A dog diagnosed with arthritis at age 8 who is then dropped by an insurer at age 10 will find that every new insurer excludes arthritis — and any related conditions — as pre-existing.

Some insurers distinguish between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. A curable condition — such as a urinary tract infection or an ear infection that resolves and does not recur for a specified period (typically 6–12 months) — may be covered under a new policy after the waiting period. Incurable conditions — such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, or cancer — are permanently excluded. This distinction is important for owners shopping for a new policy after a cancellation, but it does not help the owner whose senior dog has multiple incurable pre-existing conditions.

Is your pet insurance policy truly safe from age-based cancellation?

What should you do if your pet insurance company drops your older dog?

If you receive a non-renewal notice, the first step is to read the policy language carefully. Look for a guaranteed-renewability clause — if one exists, the insurer may be in breach of contract. Contact the insurer in writing (email or certified mail) and request a specific explanation for the non-renewal, citing the policy language. If the explanation is unsatisfactory, file a complaint with your state's Department of Insurance. Every state has a process for consumer complaints, and a pattern of complaints can trigger regulatory investigation.

The second step is to shop for a new policy immediately — before the current policy lapses. A gap in coverage creates a new waiting period and resets the clock on pre-existing condition exclusions. Focus on insurers with no upper age limit (Pets Best, Trupanion) or those that accept senior pets with a veterinary exam (Embrace). Be prepared for higher premiums and lower reimbursement rates. Some owners may find that the cost of a new policy for a senior dog exceeds the expected annual veterinary expenses, in which case self-insuring — setting aside the premium amount in a dedicated savings account each month — may be the more rational financial choice.

The third step is to document everything. Keep copies of all correspondence with the insurer, all veterinary records, and all policy documents. If the Nationwide class action results in a settlement or regulatory changes, documentation will be essential for any claims. The NAIC Pet Insurance Working Group is actively examining the issue of age-based cancellations, and state-level legislative action is possible in the coming years (NAIC, 2024).

How can you protect your dog from age-related coverage loss before it happens?

The most effective protection is choosing the right policy at the outset. When comparing pet insurance plans, look for explicit guaranteed-renewability language in the policy contract — not just in marketing materials. Ask the insurer directly: "If my dog develops a chronic condition and I pay my premiums on time, can you cancel my policy or refuse to renew it?" Get the answer in writing. Insurers that offer true lifetime coverage with guaranteed renewability include Trupanion, Pets Best, and Embrace, though policy terms can change, and it is wise to review the contract annually.

Enrolling a pet as early as possible — ideally as a puppy or kitten before any health issues arise — is the second most important protective measure. A pet enrolled at 8 weeks with a guaranteed-renewability policy is protected for life, regardless of what conditions develop later. Waiting until the pet is middle-aged or senior means higher premiums, more pre-existing condition exclusions, and fewer insurer options. The NAPHIA data shows that the average age of pets at first enrollment has been decreasing, suggesting that more owners are recognizing the value of early enrollment (NAPHIA, 2024).

For owners who cannot obtain or afford traditional pet insurance, alternatives exist. Some employers now offer pet insurance as a voluntary benefit, often with group rates that are lower than individual policies. Veterinary discount plans — which are not insurance but provide discounted rates at participating clinics — can reduce out-of-pocket costs. CareCredit and Scratchpay offer veterinary financing for large, unexpected expenses. And a dedicated pet emergency savings account, funded with automatic monthly transfers, provides a self-insurance safety net that no insurer can cancel.

Bottom line

Pet insurance companies can and do drop older pets — the Nationwide cancellations of 2024–2025 made that painfully clear. The best defense is a policy with explicit guaranteed-renewability language, purchased when the pet is young and healthy. If your older dog is dropped, act fast: file a complaint with your state insurance department, shop for a new policy before the current one lapses, and document everything. The regulatory landscape is shifting, and stronger consumer protections may be coming — but for now, the burden is on the owner to read the fine print and choose a policy that cannot be canceled when the pet needs it most.

References

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). (2024). Pet Insurance Working Group. https://content.naic.org/committees/pet-insurance-working-group
• North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). (2024). State of the Industry Report. https://naphia.org/industry-data/
• Pawlicy Advisor. (2025). Best Pet Insurance for Older Pets. https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/pet-insurance-for-older-pets/
• Silberman v. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company et al., Case No. 1:25-cv-11285 (D. Mass. filed June 4, 2025).
• Trupanion. (2024). How Pet Insurance Works. https://trupanion.com/how-it-works