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Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery?

Pet insurance may cover surgeries that are necessary to heal your pet or save their life — but only if the surgery isn’t related to a preexisting condition.

Pet insurance can help pay for surgery if your pet gets hurt or sick. This could include surgeries for broken bones, cancer, objects stuck in their stomach, emergencies, ligament problems or some dental issues. If you buy a wellness plan, you may also have coverage for spaying or neutering.

But pet insurance almost never covers surgeries for preexisting conditions or elective procedures like tail docking or dew claw removal.

Surgical procedures that pet insurance typically covers

Pet insurance policies typically pay for surgical procedures needed to treat an accident or illness. Depending on your policy, this may include:

Cancer treatments like tumor removal.

Removing objects like rocks, toys or sticks that pets accidentally swallow.

Emergency surgeries for life-threatening situations like bloat or internal bleeding.

Dental surgeries like tooth extractions or root canals caused by an illness or accident.

Surgeries for ruptured knee ligaments or hip dysplasia.

Procedures to treat hereditary and congenital conditions such as luxating patellas.

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Embrace

Many ways to customize your coverage and monthly rate
Reimbursement amounts up to 90%
Covers curable pre-existing conditions
Discounts available, including 10% multi-pet discount

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on Embrace's website

Spot

Covers what others don’t: prescription food, microchips, and behavioral therapy
Offers preventative treatment and screenings plans
No upper age limit for coverage of older pets
10% multi-pet discount

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on Spot's website

ASPCA

Generous coverage options, including wellness and accident-only plans
Shorter waiting periods than most insurers
10% discount for veterinarians and multiple pets
In addition to cats and dogs, horse plans are also available

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on ASPCA's website

MetLife

In most states, your deductible reduces each year without a claim
Covers what others don’t: alternative therapies and holistic medicine
No waiting period for accident coverage
24/7 vet chat service available

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on MetLife's website

Surgical procedures that pet insurance typically won’t cover

Pet insurance plans usually have a wide range of exclusions and limitations. Accident and illness plans often won’t cover:

Surgeries to treat conditions your pet had before coverage began.

Cosmetic or elective procedures like ear cropping, tail docking, gastropexy (a surgery to prevent bloat), microchipping, declawing or dew claw removal.

Breeding-related procedures like cesarean sections, spaying or neutering.

Some pet insurance companies offer preventive care plans that will cover some of the procedures above (such as spaying, neutering, microchipping or gastropexy).

Common pet surgical procedures

While pet insurance doesn't cover every type of surgery, it can help you save money on many procedures caused by accidents or illnesses. Here’s a look at common pet surgical procedures and whether insurance generally covers them.

Can you buy pet insurance before surgery?

Yes, you can buy pet insurance before your pet needs surgery, but that doesn’t mean your policy will pay for the procedure.

Pet insurance doesn’t cover preexisting conditions, so any medical condition your pet was diagnosed with before you bought the policy won't be covered.

Pet insurance plans also have waiting periods, the length of time between when you buy your plan and when insurance will start covering eligible treatments. Common waiting periods are 14 days for illness coverage and 48 hours for accident coverage.