Most pet insurance plans don't cover routine spaying and neutering since these are elective preventive procedures. But your policy will cover spay or neuter surgeries when they become medically necessary, like emergency spaying for life-threatening pyometra (a serious uterine infection). You're covered as long as the medical condition wasn't diagnosed before enrollment or during the waiting period.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying and Neutering?
Updated: November 19, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Key Takeaways
Pet insurance coverage extends to spaying and neutering procedures if you purchase an optional wellness plan.
Several pet insurance companies like AKC, Embrace and Pets Best offer spaying and neutering coverage through their wellness plans.
To determine if you need spaying or neutering coverage, check your pet's age, compare annual wellness expenses to procedure costs and assess your upfront payment ability.
How Does Pet Insurance Work for Spaying and Neutering?
What Pet Insurance Type Covers Spaying and Neutering?
Pet insurance companies offer wellness plans as optional add-ons that may include spaying and neutering coverage, along with other routine care services. Wellness plans provide immediate coverage without deductibles that apply to your standard accident and illness policy, though some providers may have waiting periods for certain procedures.
But not all wellness plans include spay or neuter coverage, and these add-ons usually have annual limits that may not cover the full procedure cost.
Who Has Pet Insurance Spaying and Neutering Coverage?
Several pet insurance providers include spaying and neutering coverage in their optional wellness plans. These add-ons provide reimbursement up to $150 for these procedures, though coverage amounts vary between companies, as detailed in the table below.
$150 under DefenderPlus | |
$150 under Prime | |
$300, $500 or $700 under Wellness Rewards | |
$175 under Essentials, $200 under Advantage or $250 under Prime | |
$40 or $75 under Wellness Powerup | |
Up to $135 under Puppy/Kitten Preventative Care Package | |
$100 under Preventive 365, $150 under Preventive 575 | |
$150 under BestWellness | |
$40 under Medium Wellness, $60 under High Wellness | |
$150 under Platinum | |
Coverage amounts and availability may vary by state due to local insurance regulations. Contact providers directly to confirm coverage in your area.
Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:
Do You Need Spaying and Neutering Coverage?
Whether adding spaying and neutering coverage to your pet insurance is worth it depends on several factors, including your pet's age and budget. Start with the steps below to determine if you need this specific coverage.
- 1Check your pet's age
Pets should be spayed or neutered between four months and two years old, the perfect time for getting pet insurance with spaying or neutering coverage. Young pets in this age range will use the benefit, while older pets might have already had the procedure done.
- 2Research spay and neuter costs
Spaying costs $465 for dogs and $155 for cats, while neutering costs $315 for dogs and $95 for cats, based on CareCredit's 2024 data. If local low-cost clinics charge less than these averages, paying out-of-pocket for spaying and neutering might be cheaper than purchasing a wellness plan.
Costs vary widely by location, vet clinic and pet size. These are national averages and might not match what you'll pay locally.
- 3Compare wellness plan costs to spay and neuter expenses
Calculate the yearly cost of wellness coverage against your expected spaying or neutering bill. If the procedure costs less than one year of wellness premiums, the coverage might not be worth it for spaying/neutering alone. Think about whether you'll use other wellness benefits like vaccinations and checkups to make it worthwhile.
- 4Factor in your total monthly insurance costs
Add the wellness add-on cost to your base pet insurance premium to see what you'll really pay. Make sure you can handle both the monthly premium and the full procedure cost while waiting for your reimbursement.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Spaying and Neutering?: Bottom Line
Most standard pet insurance policies don't cover routine spaying and neutering, but optional wellness add-ons can cover these procedures. Companies like AKC, Embrace and Pets Best offer wellness plans that reimburse up to $150 for spaying and neutering. You'll want the best pet insurance with spay/neuter coverage based on your pet's age, local procedure costs and whether you can afford both the vet bills and monthly premiums while waiting for reimbursement.
Pet Insurance Spaying and Neutering Coverage: FAQ
We've answered the most common questions about pet insurance spaying and neutering coverage below:
What pet insurance companies cover spaying and neutering?
Several pet insurance companies offer spaying and neutering coverage through optional wellness plans, which increase pet insurance costs. These include AKC, ASPCA, Embrace, Figo and Spot. Before buying a policy, compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to get the cheapest pet insurance with quality spaying and neutering coverage.
Does pet insurance cover emergency spaying or neutering?
Standard pet insurance may cover spaying and neutering when medically necessary, such as emergency spaying for life-threatening pyometra (a serious uterine infection) or neutering for testicular cancer. Coverage applies as long as the condition wasn't pre-existing when you bought your policy.
At what age should I get pet insurance that covers spaying and neutering?
Enroll your pet between four months and two years old to maximize spaying and neutering coverage value. This is the ideal window when pets actually need these procedures.
How do I file a claim for spaying or neutering with pet insurance?
Pay your veterinary bill in full at the time of service, then file a claim for reimbursement within the specified timeframe (usually 90 to 180 days). Wellness plan claims typically process faster than standard claims since they don't require medical review.
Can I get pet insurance just for spaying and neutering?
Wellness plans that cover spaying and neutering are add-ons to standard accident and illness policies. You'll need to buy a base pet insurance policy first, then add wellness coverage for an extra cost. Getting pet insurance just for spaying and neutering isn't worth it since one year of premiums often costs more than the procedure.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
sources
- CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed August 19, 2025.