I am looking to take out pet insurance for my two kittens. When I first got the kittens they were diagnosed with an eye infection which I have claimed via the free 4 week PetPlan insurance.

Now that has expired and I would like to take out lifetime insurance with a new company.

The eye infection has now healed. Does it still count as a pre-existing condition? i.e. if the cats got an eye infection later in life they would not be covered?

I think you'd need to ask the prospective insurer to be certain.

I'd email various life-cover insurers the question and see how they respond. They may want more details about the illness, but if they say "yes, you're still covered" then at least you've got it in writing if there was ever a dispute about it further down the line.

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It's most likely that you wouldn't be covered. The wording of exemptions doesn't only cover the specifics but usually has a lovely little rider saying they won't even cover any condition with 'similar' symptoms.

Very likely I changed to pet plan. A considerable time before I did one of the dogs, stuck his head uner a pile of leaves and snow ploughed them up, giving himself an eye infection (was probably debris that was stuck in the eye that caused a bacterial infection) Just needed antibiotic ointment and eye drops.
I have been given an exemption by pet plan even though I told them how and what had occured and it was likely a one off bacterial infection. Not only have I been exempted for Bacterial eye infections, Its a blaket "Eye Disorders" period. Although it does say anytime that a can apply to get it taken off, if my vet writes and says its no way connected to that one and only incident should he get an Eye disorder in the future. Its not a guarantee though just they will consider it.

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One of my kittens had dire rear when I first got him - I declared this to Pet Plan when the 4 weeks free insurance ran out and I wanted to take out a lifetime policy with them. They said that they would put an exclusion on for a period of 3 months but then his records would be clear.

Like the other guys have said, double check and if possible get any promises from an insurer in writing. If they have no record of telling you something then you may well end up without a leg to stand on if they haven't delivered on something they said they would.