What is a bilateral condition?

Some body parts come in pairs such as knees, hips, elbows and eyes. If your pet gets a condition in one of these paired body parts, it may be more likely they will develop the same condition on the other side. If the same condition affects one of these body parts on either side of the body, it’s called a bilateral condition.

Examples of bilateral conditions include:

A bilateral condition is treated as one single condition under your policy. This means treatment for both sides is combined and shares one vet fee limit.

 

You can claim up to your chosen vet fee limit for that condition.

 

For example, if you have a Superior Plus policy, you could claim up to £4,000 for cruciate ruptures in one policy year. 

 

If your pet ruptured their left cruciate ligament and treatment costs £3,000, then later ruptured their right cruciate ligament in the same policy year, you’d have £1,000 of cover remaining for that condition.

Pre-existing conditions aren't covered by our policies. 

 

If your pet had a bilateral condition before your policy started, or during the waiting period - we'll class it as a pre-existing condition, and it won't be covered by your policy.

 

For example, if your pet had a luxating patella in their left knee before you took out your policy it won’t be covered. If your pet later develops an issue with their right patella, it also won’t be covered.