When it comes to claiming for vet fees there are two main categories: accidents and illnesses.
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Here’s how we define them at Napo:

Accidents are a sudden, unexpected, specific event that results in one or more injuries to your pet. For example, if your dog eats something they’re not supposed to like chocolate.
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Illnesses are any sickness, disease, illnesses or any changes to your pet’s normal everyday health and not caused by an accident. For example, if your pet develops a condition such as IVDD.
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Considering the difference between accidents and illnesses is important when it comes to pre-existing conditions.
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We, unfortunately, don't cover pre-existing conditions - which we define as any injuries, illnesses, or behavioural disorders for which your pet had signs or symptoms, treatment, medication, or advice in the last 24 months before the policy start date. A condition doesn’t need to be diagnosed to be considered pre-existing.
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So if your pet ate something they weren’t supposed to and had some diarrhoea as a result, if they ate something again during your policy year then it is unlikely we would consider this as pre-existing.
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We appreciate one-off incidents happen, so if your pet was to eat something and have issues, we would generally look to cover if it's completely unrelated. If however your vet noted there was an underlying problem related to the previous time they ate something, that's when it might be considered pre-existing.
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However, if you pet had diarrhoea as a result of a stomach bug before they were insured with us and this stomach bug recurred in the next 24 months, then we would consider this as a pre-existing condition.
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If anything happened to your pet before 24 months ago, and they haven't had treatment or signs or symptoms in the last 24 months, then we'll look to cover it! Also, if 24 months pass without treatment or signs or symptoms we'd look to cover any pre-existing condition again in the future.
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Also, if a waiting period is applicable, the first 10 days from your policy start date is the waiting period. You won't be able to claim for accidents that happen in the first 24 hours or anything else that happens in the first 10 days from your start date.
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We can’t say if something is pre-existing or not until we receive a claim and our team can assess it, so if you’re unsure if something could be deemed as pre-existing then speak to your vets and they will be able to look over your lovely pet’s history and advise.