Does Pet Insurance Cover ACL Surgery? (2025 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Pet insurance coverage includes ACL surgery for injuries that occur after the policy’s waiting period ends.

Companies like AKC, Fetch and Lemonade offer ACL surgery coverage, with varying waiting periods for cruciate ligament conditions.

Whether you need pet insurance that covers ACL surgery depends on your pet's breed and activity level, your local surgery costs and your financial capacity to handle thousands of out-of-pocket expenses.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for ACL Surgery?

Dogs can injure their ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), just like people do, often from running, jumping, or playing too hard. In these cases, surgery is usually needed to repair the ligament.

Pet insurance may cover ACL surgery when it’s considered a necessary treatment for an injury under your policy’s terms, but the tear must occur after your policy’s waiting period ends.

Most insurers reimburse you after you pay the veterinary bill upfront and file a claim, covering 60% to 90% of eligible costs minus your deductible.

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Cats can also experience ACL injuries, though it’s far less common than in dogs because of their different build and movement. Pet insurance may cover ACL surgery for cats the same way it does for dogs, as long as the injury happens after the waiting period.

What Covers ACL Surgery?

Coverage for ACL surgery varies depending on the pet insurance plan you choose.

Accident-only coverage

This type of pet insurance covers an ACL surgery only if the ligament tear results from a specific accident, like a fall or collision, after the waiting period. It won't cover tears from gradual wear, degenerative conditions or regular activity.

Accident and illness coverage

This comprehensive plan provides coverage for an ACL surgery regardless of whether the injury stems from an accident or develops gradually from normal wear and aging. It provides the most reliable coverage for cruciate ligament repairs, as some tears occur without a clear traumatic event. However, this type won’t cover ACL injuries that happened before the policy started or during the waiting period.

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Many insurers won't cover ACL surgery on your pet's second leg if the first leg was already injured before your policy started, even if you never filed a pet insurance claim. Understand your policy's bilateral condition exclusions since dogs who tear one ACL often injure the other within a year.

Who Has ACL Surgery Coverage?

Many insurers offer surgery pet insurance for ACL injuries, providing coverage as long as the injury isn’t pre-existing. Keep in mind that waiting periods can differ a lot between providers.


AKC	Covers cruciate ligament conditions after a 180-day waiting period, which can be waived in some states if a veterinary examination confirms no pre-existing ligament or knee conditions within seven days of enrollment.
ASPCA	Covers ACL surgery with a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, which can be waived if a veterinary health assessment confirms no ligament and knee conditions within three days before or seven days after policy effective date.
Embrace	Covers cruciate ligament injuries with a six-month waiting period, which can be reduced in certain states if eligible.
Fetch	Covers ACL surgery after a six-month waiting period for knee injuries. The waiting period can be waived in some states if your pet has a vet exam within 30 days of enrollment confirming no pre-existing knee condition.
Figo	Covers ACL surgery after a six-month waiting period for knees and orthopedic conditions. The waiting period can be waived in certain states if your dog has a healthy orthopedic exam within the first 30 days.
Healthy Paws	Covers cruciate ligament injuries with a 15-day waiting period that can be waived in some states upon completion of a complete clinical examination by a licensed veterinarian.
Lemonade	Covers cruciate ligament events after a six-month waiting period.
Liberty Mutual	Covers ACL surgery with a standard 14-day waiting period for injuries, illnesses and cruciate conditions. The waiting period can’t be waived.
MetLife	Covers ACL surgery with a zero-day waiting period for accidents and standard 14-day illness waiting period for non-accident related ACL tears.
Nationwide	Covers surgery for ACL issues after a 12-month waiting period, which can’t be waived.
Pets Best	Covers ACL surgery after a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions. The waiting period can be waived in some states if a veterinary health assessment confirms no ligament and knee conditions within three days before or seven days after policy effective date.
Prudent Pet	Covers ACL surgery after a six-month waiting period for knee and ligament conditions. The waiting period can be waived in certain states if within the first 30 days of your policy your vet completes their waiver confirming there are no knee or ligament issues.
Pumpkin	Covers ACL surgery after the 14-day waiting period for all illnesses and accidents, with no extended waiting period for knee injuries, though it can’t be waived.
Spot	Covers surgery for ACL issues after a 14-day waiting period for injuries and illnesses which can be waived in some states if a veterinary health assessment confirms no ligament and knee conditions within three days before or seven days after policy effective date.
Trupanion	Covers ACL surgeries and cruciate-related treatments with a waiting period of five days for accidents and 14 days for illnesses. Pre-existing cruciate problems on either leg within 18 months prior to policy effective date are excluded.
Wagmo	Covers ACL surgery with waiting periods of three to 15 days for orthopedic conditions. The waiting period can be waived if you complete a medical examination by a licensed veterinarian within 15 days of policy effective date and submit it with your first claim.

Coverage differs by state and individual policy terms. Review your policy documents carefully and talk to your insurance provider to understand the details, exclusions and limitations.

Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:

ASPCA vs. Figo Pet Insurance

ASPCA vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

ASPCA vs. Met Life Pet Insurance

ASPCA vs. Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Embrace vs. ASPCA Pet Insurance

Embrace vs. Fetch Pet Insurance

Do You Need ACL Surgery Coverage?

These factors can help you decide whether getting pet insurance that includes ACL surgery coverage fits your needs and budget.

1
Your pet's breed and size
Large and medium-sized dogs are more prone to ACL injuries because of their weight and activity levels. The following breeds are particularly prone to cruciate ligament tears:
Small dogs can also suffer ACL injuries, but the incidence rates are lower.
2
Your pet's age and activity level
Active dogs of any age can tear their ACL during play or exercise, but older dogs are at higher risk because their ligaments weaken over time. Senior pets may develop ACL problems from normal wear and tear rather than acute injuries. Young, energetic dogs often sustain ACL injuries from jumping, running or sudden direction changes.
3
Your location’s surgery costs
Surgery for cruciate ligament costs an average of $2,299 for dogs and $4,160 for cats, based on CareCredit’s 2024 study, though your actual cost may vary based on location, veterinary practice and specific treatment requirements.

Diagnostic imaging, post-operative care and physical therapy also add to the total expense. Without pet insurance, these costs come entirely out of your pocket.
4
Your financial situation
While you must pay the veterinary bill initially and wait for reimbursement, pet insurance is worth it for its ACL surgery coverage because it reimburses 60% to 90% of eligible costs after you meet your deductible. This coverage transforms a potentially devastating $2,000 to $4,000 expense into a manageable few hundred dollars out of pocket.

Does Pet Insurance Cover ACL Surgery: Bottom Line

Pet insurance reimburses the cost of ACL surgery if the tear occurs after your policy's waiting period and isn't pre-existing. Companies like AKC, Fetch and Lemonade provide this coverage with different waiting periods.

Still, your decision to get the best pet insurance that covers ACL surgery should factor in your pet's injury risk, local surgery costs and financial capacity to handle major veterinary expenses.

Pet Insurance That Covers ACL Surgery: FAQ

We’ve answered frequently asked questions about pet insurance ACL surgery coverage to help you make informed decisions:

What happens if my dog tears both ACL ligaments?

When your dog suffers tears in both ACL ligaments, whether insurance covers both surgeries comes down to when each injury occurred and your policy's bilateral condition terms. Your insurer will provide reimbursement for both procedures as long as neither leg showed problems before enrollment.

How long do I have to wait before my pet's ACL surgery is covered?

Waiting periods for ACL surgery coverage vary between insurers, ranging from 14 days to 12 months. Companies like Liberty Mutual and Pumpkin have shorter 14-day waiting periods, while Nationwide requires a 12-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions.

What's the difference between accident-only and accident & illness coverage for ACL surgery?

Accident-only plans cover ACL surgery only if the tear results from a specific accident like a fall or collision. Accident and illness policies cover ACL surgery regardless of whether the injury stems from an accident or develops gradually from aging and normal wear. Note that accident and illness plans provide comprehensive coverage, so expect your pet insurance costs to be higher.

Which dog breeds are most likely to need ACL surgery?

Large and medium-sized breeds are more prone to ACL injuries, especially Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, and Rottweilers. These breeds are prone to cruciate ligament tears due to their weight, activity levels and genetic predisposition. While small dogs can also suffer ACL injuries, incidence rates are lower.

Can I buy pet insurance after my pet shows signs of knee problems?

If your pet has already developed knee issues such as limping or lameness, insurers will treat ACL-related problems as pre-existing conditions and won't provide coverage.

Insurance companies deny claims for any condition where your pet displayed symptoms before you enrolled or during the waiting period, regardless of whether a veterinarian has diagnosed the problem.

Before buying a policy, compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to get the cheapest pet insurance with quality ACL surgery coverage.

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.

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sources

CareCredit. "Veterinary Exam and Procedure Costs." Accessed September 22, 2025.