Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery? (2024)

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate pet insurance products to write unbiased product reviews.

• Pet insurance covers some pet surgeries but generally only for life-threatening conditions.
• Pet insurance doesn't usually cover surgery for pre-existing conditions or routine procedures.
• File a pre-approval claim to know how much your insurer will cover before the surgery.
• Compare pet insurance coverage options and rates with Petted.

Pet owners know that owning an animal can be costly, especially if it requires surgery at some point. Not all surgeries are covered under pet insurance plans, so it's best to plan wisely so you can avoid choosing between your pet's health and your financial well-being.

Before taking out a pet insurance policy, study the policy details and determine whether you'll need accident-only or comprehensive insurance. Your pet's age, preexisting conditions, and likelihood of needing surgery can help you choose a plan.

How pet insurance covers surgery

There are two main types of pet insurance plans: accident-only and comprehensive.

Accident-only insurance covers surgery for animals after an accidental injury (e.g., this would apply if a pet were hit by a car). Comprehensive pet insurance covers a broader range of veterinary needs, including treatment for disease and chronic illness, as well as accidental injuries.

Within a pet insurance plan, certain aspects of surgical procedures are covered, while others may not be. Embrace Pet Insurance, for example, says it covers all parts of pet surgery, which can include the following:

• Exam fees
• Anesthesia
• Vet and tech time
• Overnight observation
• Medical waste fees
• Prescriptions from veterinary staff
• Follow-up care
• Rehabilitation
• Take-home prescriptions

Types of surgeries covered

Emergency and comprehensive pet insurance policies will cover surgeries deemed necessary to save your pet's life. According to Advanced Care Veterinary Hospital in Oklahoma, life-threatening issues are those that "require immediate medical attention to avoid fatal results."

These are some of the procedures and conditions that are eligible for pet insurance surgery coverage:

• ACL Repair
• Foreign body removal
• Bone fracture repair
• Bladder stones
• Cancerous Tumor Removal
• Malignant skin tumors
• Repair internal bleeding
• Herniated disc
• Joint surgery
• Hip surgery for dysplasia (not covered if pre-existing)

Understanding policy exclusions

Pet insurance companies won't cover everything and anything that happens to your pet — even in emergency situations. Exclusions in pet surgery insurance plans include preexisting conditions, breeds, and types of procedures that aren't medically necessary.

Preexisting conditions

Much like health insurance for humans, preexisting conditions are treated differently under an insurance policy. As Dr. Conrad explains, surgeries for conditions your pet had prior to taking out the policy are usually not covered.

This means that even if a type of pet surgery is listed under those commonly covered by insurance, that won't likely apply if your dog or cat already had the illness prior to taking out the policy.

Before taking out a pet insurance policy, look into common illnesses and conditions for your particular breed or type of pet. You may want to take out a policy that covers it before any diagnosis occurs.

Important: Think about timing when buying pet insurance. Earlier in your pet's life, they are less likely to have major illnesses diagnosed. By delaying coverage, you risk your pet developing a preexisting condition that's not covered.

Breed-specific exclusions

Your pet's breed, animal size, age, and severity of health issues may affect your ability to get coverage. If not, a high-risk pet will likely make your insurance premiums more expensive.

Mawhinney also says, "It's important to analyze the fine print when comparing options and ensure that the policy covers your pet's breed-specific health risks well."

According to Pumpkin, a pet insurance company, the most expensive dogs to insure include the:

• American Mastiff
• Bull Mastiff
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Saint Bernard
• English Bulldog
• French Bulldog
• Great Dane
• Rottweiler

Elective and routine surgeries

Even with pet insurance in place, not all types of surgeries are covered. Insurers won't pay for treatments or procedures that aren't needed to treat a life-threatening condition. For example, spaying and neutering are considered elective surgeries, so the standard insurance plan won't cover them.

Procedures that don't make the cut include:

• Spaying and neutering
• Dental cleanings and surgeries
• Removal of benign growths
• Cosmetic surgeries

Note: Pet insurance for elective procedures may be offered at an additional cost by some insurers.

Choosing the right pet insurance plan

Determining whether pet insurance is worth it is an important decision. A pet's health is a priority, but that doesn't mean pet owners need to spend an arm and a leg on pet insurance or costly surgeries. Consider your financial situation and your pet's needs to find the insurance company that's right for you.

Evaluating coverage options

Before choosing a pet insurer, consider your pet's breed, age, and overall health. If you're insuring a high-risk pet, your options may be limited or more expensive. For example, a company may exclude coverage or charge expensive premiums on senior pets or certain breeds. So, finding a pet insurance company that provides adequate coverage may require some legwork.

In addition to coverage details and premiums, you should consider deductibles, reimbursem*nt rates, and policy limits, which affect the cost of your coverage.

Comparing pet insurance for surgery coverage

Comparison shopping can help you find a provider that offers the lowest price for the coverage you need. Obtain quotes for your pet from a few different insurance companies before locking down a policy. Ensure each quote includes similar policy details to make the closest apples-to-apples comparison.

Importance of reading the fine print

Reading your policy documents may seem like a chore, but it's important to know you're investing your hard-earned money in a policy that provides enough coverage when you need it most. Your insurance policy should contain details about the following information:

• Premium, deductibles, reimbursem*nt rates, policy limits
• Coverage details
• Claims process
• Exclusion and limitations
• Endorsem*nt and riders

Carefully look through the fine print and speak with your insurance company if you have any questions or concerns.

How to ensure your pet's surgery is covered

As a pet owner, you want to ensure your pup receives treatment for a critical condition. But complex operations can easily cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, you can alleviate the sticker shock by knowing how much the cost your pet insurer will cover. Before going in for treatment, file a pre-approval or pre-certification claim to get a coverage estimate.

How much do pet surgeries cost?

As an example of how much various surgeries and other veterinary procedures might cost pet owners without insurance, Woody Mawhinney, licensed insurance producer and CEO of Pawlicy Advisor, offers a range of prices.

Since spaying and neutering are generally viewed as non-emergency procedures that aren't covered, you might need to budget for that expense as well. Dr. Megan Conrad, BVMS and telehealth practitioner at HelloRalphie, says the cost of spaying or neutering for dogs can range from $150 at a low-cost clinic to $600 or more at a veterinary hospital.

Keep in mind that even with a pet insurance policy, you typically will pay the full cost of treatment upfront. Then, you'll submit your reimbursem*nt requests to your insurer after.

The cost of surgeries can vary widely depending on the clinic's price plan, animal size, and treatments needed, explains Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS and FiveBarks consultant.

"Things like a pre-anesthetic blood test, intra-op intravenous fluids, and imaging will all bump up the price of a surgery."

It's also important to remember that it's rare to get your pet's entire surgical bill covered by insurance. Pawlicy Advisor notes that most plans have a deductible you must meet before any coverage begins, and the most comprehensive plans cover between 80% and 100% after the deductible.

FAQs