Updated: September 22, 2025
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Pet insurance covers ACL surgery when the injury occurs 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.
Dogs need ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery when they tear their cranial cruciate ligament, the canine equivalent of a human ACL, from activities like jumping or running.
Pet insurance covers ACL surgery when it's considered a necessary treatment for an injury, 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.
ACL injuries can also affect cats, though they're much less common than in dogs due to cats' different anatomy and movement patterns. Pet insurance covers feline ACL surgery the same way it does for dogs, provided the injury occurs after your waiting period.
Pet insurance policies handle coverage for ACL surgery differently depending on the type of plan you choose.
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.
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.
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 claim. Understand your policy's bilateral condition exclusions since dogs who tear one ACL often injure the other within a year.
Most pet insurance companies cover ACL surgery through their standard plans when the tear isn't pre-existing. However, waiting periods vary widely 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 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.
Below are some factors to help you determine whether pet insurance that covers ACL surgery makes financial sense for your situation.
Large and medium-sized dogs face higher ACL injury risks due to their weight and activity levels. Breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers are particularly prone to cruciate ligament tears. Small dogs can also suffer ACL injuries, but the incidence rates are lower.
Active dogs of any age can tear their ACL during play or exercise, but older dogs face additional risks from gradual ligament deterioration. 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.
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.
While you must pay the veterinary bill initially and wait for reimbursement, pet insurance with ACL surgery coverage 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.
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 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.
We’ve answered frequently asked questions about pet insurance ACL surgery coverage to help you make informed decisions:
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 reimburse costs for both procedures as long as neither leg showed problems before enrollment.
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.
Accident-only plans cover ACL surgery only if the tear results from a specific accident like a fall or collision. Accident and illness coverage provides more comprehensive protection, covering ACL surgery regardless of whether the injury stems from an accident or develops gradually from aging and normal wear.
Large and medium-sized breeds face higher ACL injury risks, particularly 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.
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.
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.
