Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery? (2024 Guide)
When you learn that your pet needs surgery, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’ll pay for it. Having a reliable pet insurance plan can ease the financial burden of surgeries so that you can focus on caring for your pet.
Most pet insurance policies cover some or all pet surgery costs. We’ve researched the best pet insurance companies and discovered which ones have the most helpful pet surgery coverage. Get recommendations and learn more about how insurance can reduce your vet bills below.
What To Know About Pet Surgery Coverage
Pet health insurance providers typically cover vet-recommended surgeries that are necessary to save or improve your pet’s life. Surgeries are most often part of a provider’s standard accident-and-illness insurance plan. Most providers see necessary surgeries as those related to removing tumors, retracting swallowed objects, correcting conditions such as hip dysplasia, and other surgeries that your pet needs for its health.
A standard pet insurance plan rarely covers elective surgeries, such as spaying and neutering. Cosmetic surgeries, such as tail docking, also aren’t covered. You can find coverage for elective procedures under some providers’ wellness plans. These are add-ons you can combine with your standard plan for an additional monthly fee to cover common but not medically necessary pet preventive care.
- Pet insurance companies won’t cover surgical procedures for preexisting conditions, meaning conditions your pet showed symptoms of or received vet care for prior to the start date of your pet insurance coverage. Some providers will cover conditions your pet hasn’t shown symptoms of or received care for within a certain amount of time prior to your enrollment start date, usually 12–18 months.
How Does Surgery Coverage Work?
After your vet performs the procedure, you will pay your bill upfront and receive an invoice. You’ll submit the invoice to your pet insurance provider and receive reimbursement. Keep in mind that your insurance may not reimburse the entire cost. You will first have to reach the deductible before your insurance company covers your vet bills, and then you will receive a partial repayment based on your reimbursement rate. If you’ve already reached your annual coverage limit, you may not qualify for reimbursement. Learn more about how pet insurance works in our guide.
What Are Common Pet Surgeries?
Below are some of the most common pet surgeries and their average costs.*
- ACL repair: $4,000–$6,000
- Cancer/mass removals: $500–$9,000
- Hip dysplasia: $3,500–$7,000
- Fractures and dislocations: $200–$2,000
- Intestinal obstruction: $3,000–$7,000
- Spay/neuter: $50–$700
Prices vary based on your location, type of vet, and pet species and breed, as well as the severity of the issue and type of anesthesia needed.
*Costs above represent average quotes from pet insurance providers Lemonade and MetLife, and pet care online marketplace Rover.
Top 3 Pet Insurance Companies for Surgery Coverage
Lemonade
Lemonade is an insurance provider that covers more than pets. You can also get home, renters, and auto insurance through the company and bundle your policies. We rated Lemonade’s coverage a 96 out of 100.
The provider covers surgeries in its standard plan, has dependable customer service, and has one of the most affordable plans available. Its standard accident-and-illness plan covers veterinary bill costs related to surgeries, hospitalization, diagnostics, lab work, emergency care, and prescription medications.
Lemonade Pet Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Doesn’t have pet age limits
- Short two-day waiting period for accidents
- $100,000 annual coverage limit option
Cons
- Isn’t available in 14 states
- Doesn’t cover preexisting conditions even if curable
Learn more: Lemonade Pet Insurance Review
Spot
Spot is a popular pet insurer with relatively low pricing. It’s one of the only providers that offers both an accident-and-illness and accident-only plan, which allows you to save money if you’re only interested in accident coverage. Spot’s numerous customization options and strong reputation in the industry earned it a 91 out of 100.
Both of its plans cover surgery-related costs, but the accident-and-illness plan covers necessary surgeries for both accidental injuries and illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and dental diseases.
Spot Pet Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited coverage option
- 10% multi-pet discount
- Doesn’t have a maximum pet age limit
Cons
- Doesn’t cover pets under 8 weeks old
- Long waiting period of 14 days for accidents
Learn more: Spot Pet Insurance Review
Embrace
We scored Embrace 93.5 out of 100. It stands out for its five deductible options and diminishing deductible benefit, but also offers well-rounded surgery coverage. Its site clearly lays out which surgery-related expenses are covered. This includes exam fees, X-rays, anesthesia, vet and tech time, overnight observation, medical waste fees, prescriptions given by vet staff, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and take-home prescriptions.
The provider also offers an optional pre-certification process so you know exactly what’s covered before you go through with your pet’s surgery.
Embrace Pet Insurance Pros and Cons
Pros
- Customizable pricing options
- Covers claims quickly
- Offers policy management online and through a mobile app
Cons
- Highest annual coverage limit option is $30,000
- Limited customer service hours on weekends
Learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance Review
Our Conclusion
Most pet insurance providers cover surgery in their standard accident-and-illness plans. Having an insurance policy can save you thousands of dollars when your pet needs an expensive surgery, allowing you to focus on getting your furry companion better.
Be sure to read the fine print on any pet insurance plan to understand exactly what a provider’s surgery coverage includes and what exclusions there are. Also, get a quote before signing up with a provider so you have an idea what your monthly premium will be before committing. If budget is your main priority, see our list of cheapest pet insurance providers.
FAQ About Pet Surgery Coverage
Is anesthesia covered by pet insurance?
Anesthesia coverage varies by pet insurance provider, so you’ll need to check your policy’s terms or speak with a representative. However, Embrace specifically states on its website that it covers anesthesia costs.
Can you get pet insurance after surgery?
You can get pet insurance after your pet has had surgery. However, the conditions and vet care related to that surgery will be considered preexisting and likely won’t be covered moving forward. Enrolling in a policy will still reduce your vet bills for any of your pet’s future health issues.
Should I stay at home with my dog after surgery?
It’s best to stay with your dog or any pet after surgery if you can. Your pet needs to rest, so it’s a good idea to ensure that they’re calm and comfortable so they can recuperate. Your dog may also need medications and bandage changing from you, as well as possible supervision while taking certain medications and to make sure it does not disturb wounds.
How soon after getting pet insurance can you claim?
Pet insurance waiting periods vary by provider and for accidents versus illnesses. Some providers will accept claims within two days, while others have longer waiting periods of 14–30 days.
Our Rating Methodology
We are dedicated to thorough, in-depth reviews of each product or service that we detail in our content. Determined to build trust with our readers through transparency, accuracy, and accountability, we’ve built a detailed rating system to score pet insurance brands. Included in this methodology are the following six factors with their respective scoring weights:
- Coverage (25)
- Plan options (20)
- Monthly cost (20)
- Company reputation (15)
- Customer service (10)
- Species eligibility (10)
Our researchers keep all data in each company’s score up to date, making any changes to our content when necessary to provide our readers with the most accurate information on relevant metrics, such as plan options, customer service, reputation, and monthly cost.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.
