MoneyGeek’s research identified Lemonade as the best pet insurance for surgery, earning a score of 4.7 out of 5.0 for dogs and 4.5 out of 5.0 for cats, with affordable premiums and quality service. We also recommend Pumpkin, AKC, Spot and Pets Best as strong alternatives worth considering.
Best Pet Insurance for Surgery
Updated: October 12, 2025
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Best Pet Insurance for Surgery: Key Takeaways
Lemonade is the best pet insurance company for surgery in our analysis, earning a 4.7 out of 5.0 score for dogs and 4.5 out of 5.0 for cats.
Lemonade offers the cheapest dog insurance for surgery at $41 monthly, while Pumpkin provides the lowest rates for cats needing surgery at $20 monthly.
Get the best value for surgery coverage by comparing multiple quotes, understanding the terms and conditions and reading company reviews before enrolling.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies for Surgery?
Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Select
Pet Type:Dog
| Lemonade | 4.73 | $492 | 3 | 6 |
| AKC | 4.36 | $705 | 3 | 1 |
| Pets Best | 4.25 | $643 | 5 | 2 |
| Rainwalk | 4.23 | $717 | 1 | 4 |
| Pumpkin | 4.21 | $548 | 3 | 11 |
Lemonade
Best Overall
MoneyGeek Rating
4.7/ 5
5/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
3.7/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$41Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$23Overall Reddit Sentiment
72% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$100,000
Rainwalk
Best Customer Experience
MoneyGeek Rating
4.2/ 5
3.5/5Affordability
5/5Customer Experience
3.9/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$60Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$30Trustpilot Ratings
4.7 out of 5.0Maximum Annual Limit
$20,000
AKC
Best Pet Insurance Coverage Options
MoneyGeek Rating
4.4/ 5
3.6/5Affordability
4.4/5Customer Experience
5/5Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$59Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$35Overall Reddit Sentiment
86% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$10,000
What Are the Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies for Surgery?
Based on our analysis, Lemonade offers the most affordable pet insurance for dogs needing surgery at $41 monthly, while Pumpkin provides the lowest rates for cats at $20 monthly. Cats often cost less to insure because they have lower surgery risks and veterinary expenses than dogs, which are more prone to injuries and orthopedic procedures like ACL surgery.
Cheapest Dog Insurance for Surgery
Lemonade provides the cheapest dog insurance for surgery coverage at $41 monthly ($492 annually), followed by Pumpkin at $46 monthly ($548 annually). These rates reflect our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever profile with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Lemonade | $41 | $492 | 32% |
| Pumpkin | $46 | $548 | 25% |
| Pets Best | $53 | $643 | 11% |
| AKC | $59 | $705 | 3% |
| Rainwalk | $60 | $717 | 1% |
Cheapest Cat Insurance for Surgery
For cat insurance covering surgery, Pumpkin offers the lowest monthly premium at $20 ($238 annually). Lemonade comes in second at $23 monthly ($274 annually). These rates are for a 7-year-old Ragdoll with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Pumpkin | $20 | $238 | 37% |
| Lemonade | $23 | $274 | 28% |
| Spot | $23 | $284 | 25% |
| Pets Best | $28 | $329 | 13% |
| Rainwalk | $30 | $359 | 5% |
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance for Surgery
Finding comprehensive surgery coverage at an affordable price requires strategic comparison shopping and understanding your pet's specific needs. Follow the steps below to secure the best value for surgical coverage.
- 1
Decide on your coverage needs
Start by evaluating how much financial protection you need for potential surgeries. Annual limits between $5,000 and $20,000 often cover most procedures, though complex surgeries like spinal operations or cancer treatments may require higher limits. Balance your deductible and reimbursement rate to find monthly premiums you can afford.
- 2
Compare multiple quotes
Collect quotes from at least three to five insurers to see how premiums vary for the same coverage level. Many companies offer discounts for multiple pets, annual payment plans or military service that can lower your monthly costs. Some providers also offer discounted premiums if you bundle pet insurance with other policies.
- 3
Understand the terms and conditions
Read sample policies carefully before purchasing, focusing on waiting periods for surgical procedures and any breed-specific exclusions. Pay special attention to coverage for orthopedic surgeries like ACL repairs and IVDD procedures, which often have longer waiting periods than other conditions.
- 4
Look for company reviews
Check customer satisfaction ratings and complaint data from sources like Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau and state insurance departments. Reviews from pet owners who've filed surgery claims provide valuable insights into how fast insurers process reimbursements and handle disputes. Look for patterns in feedback rather than focusing on isolated complaints.
- 5
Reassess coverage annually before renewing
Review your policy each year to confirm it still meets your pet's needs and your budget. As your pet ages, surgical risks may increase, so you might want higher annual limits or lower deductibles for better financial protection. Compare your renewal premium against current market rates to ensure you're still getting competitive pricing for your coverage level.
Best Pet Insurance for Surgery Coverage 2025: Bottom Line
Lemonade is MoneyGeek’s pick for the best pet insurance with surgery coverage for dogs and cats, offering great customer service and the most affordable premiums for dogs. Meanwhile, Pumpkin offers the cheapest cat insurance for surgery. As always, compare quotes from multiple companies, review policy terms thoroughly and check customer feedback before purchasing coverage to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your budget and pet’s specific needs.
Which Pet Insurance is Best for Covering Surgery?: FAQ
We’ve addressed some frequently asked questions about the best pet insurance for surgery below:
What is the best pet insurance for surgery?
Lemonade is the best pet insurance for surgery, according to our analysis, earning a 4.7 out of 5.0 score for dogs and 4.5 out of 5.0 for cats. The company combines affordable premiums starting at $41 monthly for dogs and $23 monthly for cats with comprehensive coverage including annual limits up to $100,000 and fast digital claims processing.
What is the cheapest pet insurance for surgery?
Lemonade offers the cheapest dog insurance for surgery at $41 monthly ($492 annually), while Pumpkin provides the most affordable cat coverage at $20 monthly ($238 annually).
Does pet insurance cover all types of surgery?
Pet insurance covers most medically necessary surgeries, including emergency procedures, orthopedic surgeries like ACL repairs and cancer treatments. However, coverage depends on your policy terms and waiting periods. Also, elective procedures like cosmetic surgeries aren't covered.
Will pet insurance cover surgery for pre-existing conditions?
Coverage for pre-existing conditions varies by provider. AKC covers curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous enrollment, making it the most comprehensive option for pets with prior health issues. Rainwalk covers previously treated conditions if your pet remains symptom-free for 180 consecutive days, while Lemonade excludes pre-existing conditions unless they're non-chronic and your pet stays symptom-free for 12 months.
What's the difference between accident and illness coverage for surgery?
Accident coverage reimburses costs for injuries from unexpected events like car accidents, falls or ingesting foreign objects, with waiting periods between 0 and 14 days. Illness coverage handles medical conditions that develop over time, including infections, cancers and degenerative diseases, with longer waiting periods of 14 to 30 days.
Does pet insurance cover emergency surgery?
Pet insurance covers emergency surgery once waiting periods are met. If you enroll before an emergency occurs, your pet's covered for surgery costs up to your annual limit. However, any emergency that happens during the waiting period or relates to pre-existing conditions won't be covered unless you have specific pre-existing condition coverage.
Does pet insurance cover multiple surgeries in one year?
Pet insurance covers multiple surgeries within a policy year up to your annual limit. If your pet needs ACL surgery on one leg for $3,000 and later requires a tumor removal for $2,000, both procedures count toward your annual limit. Once you reach your limit, you're responsible for any additional costs until your policy renews.
How We Found the Best and Cheapest Pet Insurance for Surgery
MoneyGeek analyzed 20 major pet insurance providers across the United States to identify which companies offer the best and cheapest pet insurance for surgery. Our analysis focused on three core areas, which are affordability, customer experience and coverage options.
To ensure fair comparisons, we collected quotes from every provider using our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
How We Rate Each Provider
Affordability (50% of overall score): We gathered quotes across all 50 states and compared each provider's rates against competitors within the same market. We also considered available discounts, though these had minimal impact since most providers offer similar discount options.
Customer experience (30% of overall score): We collected customer ratings from Trustpilot and analyzed Reddit comments to calculate satisfaction scores. This metric reflects real experiences from pet owners who've filed claims and interacted with customer service teams.
Coverage options (20% of overall score): We reviewed complete policy contracts for every provider in each state, examining add-on options, coverage inclusions, exclusions and restrictions. Providers offering broader surgical coverage, shorter waiting periods and more flexible terms earned higher scores.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.