Pet insurance doesn't cover surgeries that are needed or scheduled before enrollment because insurance companies consider these as pre-existing conditions. Policies also include waiting periods of up to 14 days for accident coverage and longer for illness and orthopedic condition coverage, so any surgery required during this time won't receive reimbursement. That means if your dog tears their ACL and you enroll in pet insurance the next day, the surgery won't be covered even if you wait a month to schedule it.
Can You Get Pet Insurance Before Surgery?
Updated: September 26, 2025
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Key Takeaways
Pet insurance doesn't cover surgeries needed before enrollment due to pre-existing condition exclusions and waiting periods of up to 14 days or longer for covered accidents and illnesses.
Consider your pet's age, breed-specific health risks and behavior patterns to determine if future coverage justifies monthly premium costs.
Schedule the current surgery immediately, research providers with shorter waiting periods and enroll right after recovery to maximize coverage for your pet’s future health needs.
How Does Pet Insurance Work Before Surgery?
How Do Pet Insurance Terms and Conditions Differ By Provider?
Here's how major pet insurance companies handle coverage before a surgery.
AKC | Surgery before enrollment won't be covered as pre-existing, but covers future accidents after 2 days and illnesses after 14 days |
ASPCA | Current surgery excluded as a pre-existing condition, with 14-day waiting periods for new accidents and illnesses |
Embrace | Needed surgery before enrollment won't be covered, but provides immediate accident coverage and a 14-day illness waiting period for future conditions unrelated to current health issues |
Fetch | Surgery before enrollment excluded, with 15-day waiting periods for new accidents and illnesses and a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions like hip dysplasia |
Figo | Needed surgery before policy’s effective date considered pre-existing and excluded, but covers new accidents after 1 day and illnesses after 14 days |
Healthy Paws | Surgery before enrollment won't be covered, with 15-day waiting periods for new accidents and illnesses |
Lemonade | Needed surgery at enrollment excluded as pre-existing, but offers a 2-day waiting period for new accidents and 14-day waiting period for new illnesses |
Liberty Mutual | Current surgery won't be covered, but offers a 14-day waiting period for new accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions |
MetLife | Surgery before enrollment excluded as pre-existing, but provides immediate accident coverage and a 14-day illness waiting period for future health issues |
Nationwide | Current surgery won't be covered, with a 2-day waiting period for new accidents and a 14-day waiting period for new illnesses |
Pets Best | Needed surgery at enrollment excluded as pre-existing condition, with 3-day accident and 14-day illness waiting periods for future unrelated conditions |
Prudent Pet | Surgery before enrollment won't be covered, with 5-day accident and 14-day illness waiting periods for new health problems that develop |
Pumpkin | Current surgery excluded as pre-existing, but covers new accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions after 14 days |
Rainwalk | Excludes surgery needed before enrollment, with a 14-day waiting period for new accidents and illnesses |
Spot | Surgery before enrollment won't be covered, with a 14-day waiting periods for new accidents, illnesses and orthopedic conditions |
Trupanion | Needed surgery before enrollment excluded as pre-existing, but covers new accidents after 5 days and illnesses after 30 days |
Wagmo | Current surgery won't be covered as pre-existing, with a 15-day waiting periods for new accidents and illnesses |
Coverage varies by state and policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents and consult with your insurance provider to understand exact coverage terms, exclusions and limitations.
Is It Worth It To Get Pet Insurance Before Surgery?
Getting pet insurance before a needed surgery can still provide valuable financial protection for your pet's future health needs. While the current surgery won't be reimbursed, your policy will cover future procedure costs for new accidents, illnesses or unrelated conditions that develop after waiting periods end.
How to Determine if Pet Insurance Is Worth It Before Surgery
Several key factors can help you decide whether enrolling in pet insurance makes financial sense, even when your pet needs immediate surgery. Consider the following to make the best decision for your pet's long-term health coverage.
Your pet’s age and life expectancy
Pet insurance provides better value for younger animals since they'll need veterinary care for many years to come. A 2-year-old dog might require medical treatment for 10 to 15 years, making pet insurance a smart investment over their lifetime.
Your pet’s breed
Some breeds are prone to expensive hereditary conditions as they age. Golden Retrievers often experience hip dysplasia and cancer, while French Bulldogs develop respiratory and back problems. Research your pet's breed to understand potential future veterinary costs that pet insurance could cover.
Your pet’s behavior and lifestyle
Active pets who love hiking, running or playing rough with other dogs face higher risks of accidents and injuries. Curious cats who explore countertops or dogs who eat anything they find are more likely to need emergency veterinary care. Consider your pet's personality and daily activities when evaluating whether future accident coverage justifies the premium costs.
Your financial situation
Pet insurance reimburses veterinary expenses for new accidents and illnesses according to your policy's reimbursement rate and deductible. Even with an upcoming surgery that won't be covered, future conditions could result in thousands of dollars in veterinary bills that pet insurance would help offset.
How To Get Coverage For Your Pet's Surgery
While pet insurance won't cover surgeries that are already needed at enrollment, you can take steps to secure coverage for future procedures. Follow the process below to maximize your chances of getting veterinary costs covered down the road.
- 1
Schedule the current surgery without delay
Don't postpone necessary surgery hoping to get pet insurance coverage first. Delaying treatment could worsen your pet's condition and create additional health complications. Pay for the current procedure out-of-pocket or explore veterinary financing options like CareCredit.
- 2
Research pet insurance providers
Compare waiting periods, annual limits and reimbursement rates from multiple insurers before choosing a policy. Look for providers with shorter waiting periods for accidents and comprehensive illness coverage. Read policy terms carefully to understand what conditions and treatments are excluded from coverage.
- 3
Enroll your pet immediately after surgery
Sign up for pet insurance as soon as your pet recovers from surgery to start waiting periods as early as possible. Early enrollment means faster access to coverage for new health issues that may develop later. Choose a plan within your budget that provides coverage for health issues that your pet's breed commonly faces.
- 4
Complete required veterinary examinations
Some insurers require a veterinary examination within a specific timeframe after enrollment to validate coverage. Get all paperwork and medical records turned in quickly so your policy starts without delays. Keep records of your pet's health information to streamline the claims process for future treatments.
- 5
Maintain continuous coverage
Don't let your policy lapse or you risk having new conditions treated as pre-existing problems. Pay premiums on time and renew your policy annually to maintain your pet's eligibility for coverage. Continuous coverage ensures that new health issues developing after waiting periods will be covered according to your policy terms.
Can You Get Pet Insurance Before Surgery?: Bottom Line
Although pet insurance won't help with your pet's surgical needs at enrollment, it can provide valuable financial protection for future veterinary costs. Evaluate your pet's profile, including age, breed risk and activity level, to decide if getting pet insurance still makes financial sense. If you move forward, don't delay the necessary surgery while securing coverage for tomorrow's unexpected health challenges.
Can You Get Pet Insurance Right Before Surgery?: FAQ
Still have questions about pet insurance coverage before a surgery? We’ve compiled answers below:
Can I get pet insurance before my pet has surgery?
You can purchase pet insurance before your pet’s surgery, but the current procedure won't be covered since it's considered a pre-existing condition. Insurance companies exclude conditions that exist before enrollment or during waiting periods.
How long do I have to wait before pet insurance covers new conditions?
Waiting periods vary by provider and condition type. For example, Embrace and MetLife offer immediate accident coverage, while Fetch and Healthy Paws have a 15-day accident waiting period. Check your specific policy terms since coverage begins only after waiting periods expire.
What factors should I consider when deciding if pet insurance is worth it before surgery?
Consider your pet's age and life expectancy (younger pets benefit more), breed-specific health risks (Golden Retrievers face hip dysplasia and cancer) and lifestyle factors (active pets have higher accident risks) to decide whether you should get pet insurance before surgery.
Can pet insurance ever cover pre-existing conditions?
Most insurers permanently exclude pre-existing conditions, but some may offer coverage after a certain period. These exceptions mainly apply to conditions that can be completely cured, not chronic conditions requiring ongoing management.
Should I delay my pet's surgery to get insurance coverage first?
Never delay necessary surgery hoping to get insurance coverage. The current procedure won't be covered regardless of timing since it's already needed. Postponing treatment could worsen your pet's condition and create additional health complications.
What happens if my pet gets injured during the waiting period?
Any condition that develops during the waiting period is considered pre-existing and won't be covered. For example, if your policy has a 14-day illness waiting period and your pet develops an ear infection on day 10, that condition and future related treatments would be excluded.
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.