Updated: September 2, 2025
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Pet insurance reimburses surgery costs for accidents and illnesses that occur after waiting periods end.
Most providers, including AKC, Lemonade and Pumpkin include surgery coverage in their base policies without requiring add-ons.
Whether you need pet insurance that covers surgery depends on your pet’s breed risks and age, along with your financial situation.
Pet insurance covers surgeries that are medically necessary for new accidents and illnesses, though pre-existing conditions and elective procedures like cosmetic surgeries or declawing are excluded.
You'll pay the veterinary bill upfront, then submit receipts and medical records to your insurer for reimbursement. Most insurers reimburse 60% to 90% of eligible surgery costs after you meet your deductible, with payments arriving within a few days to two weeks.
Your surgery coverage depends on which type of pet insurance policy you have. See below how each plan covers surgical procedures.
These policies pay for surgeries after accidents like car strikes, falls or injuries from fights with other animals. Common surgeries include:
These comprehensive plans cover surgeries for both accidents and health conditions that develop after policy enrollment and any waiting periods. Some examples are:
These optional add-ons cover routine surgical procedures that are preventive rather than treatment-focused. They're usually purchased alongside accident and illness coverage to handle scheduled procedures, such as:
Most pet insurance companies cover surgery through their standard plans when it's related to a covered accident or illness. The table below breaks down how major providers provide coverage for different types of surgical procedures.
AKC | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
ASPCA | ✓ | ✓ | |
Embrace | ✓ | ✓ | |
Fetch | ✓ | ✓ | |
Figo | ✓ | ✓ | |
Healthy Paws | ✓ | ||
Lemonade | ✓ | ✓ | |
Liberty Mutual | ✓ | ✓ | |
MetLife | ✓ | ✓ | |
Nationwide | ✓ | ✓ | |
Pets Best | ✓ | ✓ | |
Prudent Pet | ✓ | ✓ | |
Pumpkin | ✓ | ✓ | |
Rainwalk | ✓ | ✓ | |
Spot | ✓ | ✓ | |
Trupanion | ✓ | ✓ | |
Wagmo | ✓ | ||
Coverage details vary by state and individual policy terms. Always review your specific policy documents for exact coverage terms and exclusions.
Surgery coverage comes standard with accident-only and accident and illness policies, so the real question is whether pet insurance that covers surgery makes financial sense for your situation. Below are some key factors to consider.
Certain breeds face higher surgery risks due to genetic predispositions. German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers often tear their CCL, with repairs averaging $2,299 for dogs, according to CareCredit's 2024 cost study. Mixed breeds usually have fewer genetic issues, though they still get hurt in accidents or develop issues as they age.
Young pets face more accident-related surgeries from their adventurous nature, while senior pets develop conditions requiring surgical intervention. Enrolling early is ideal since pet insurance won't cover pre-existing conditions, meaning if your pet tears their CCL or swallows a foreign object before you buy a policy, those specific issues will be excluded from coverage.
Pet surgeries vary widely in cost, with common procedures like cataract surgery averaging $3,600 for dogs, bladder stone removal averaging $1,821 for dogs and foreign body removal averaging $1,260 for cats, according to CareCredit’s 2024 data. Most pet insurance policies reimburse 60% to 90% of eligible costs after you meet your deductible, which could mean getting back hundreds or thousands of dollars on your surgery bill.
Pet insurance covers medically necessary surgeries for accidents and illnesses that occur after your waiting period ends, reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible costs. Most major providers like AKC, Lemonade and Pumpkin include surgery coverage in their standard plans without requiring add-ons. To determine if you need pet insurance that covers surgery, consider your pet's breed-specific health risks, their age and your financial situation.
We’ve addressed frequently asked questions about pet insurance coverage for surgery below:
No, pet insurance won't cover surgeries for conditions that existed before your policy starts or during waiting periods. If your vet has already recommended surgery, that condition becomes a pre-existing exclusion. However, you can still get coverage for future, unrelated conditions.
Yes, pet insurance covers emergency surgeries for covered accidents and illnesses that occur after your waiting period ends. You'll pay upfront and get reimbursed 60% to 90% of eligible costs, potentially saving thousands on emergency procedures.
Yes, most accident and illness policies cover CCL surgery when the condition develops after your waiting period ends. However, CCL tears that occur before enrollment or during waiting periods are excluded as pre-existing conditions.
Most pet insurance companies don't require pre-authorization for covered surgeries, but some offer optional pre-certification to confirm coverage before procedures. Always check your specific policy terms, as requirements can vary by provider and procedure type.
Yes, you can get pet insurance before BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) surgery, but timing is important. If your flat-faced breed shows breathing symptoms before enrollment, BOAS surgery becomes a pre-existing exclusion. However, if you enroll while your pet is symptom-free, future BOAS surgery would be covered after waiting periods.
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.
