Does Pet Insurance Cover Lipoma Surgery? (2026 Guide)

Key Takeaways

Pet insurance coverage include lipoma surgery after your waiting period ends, excluding lipomas diagnosed before enrollment.

Most pet insurance companies like AKC, Figo and MetLife cover lipoma surgery after a waiting period of 14 days for illnesses.

Consider your pet's breed, age and lipoma size to determine whether you need pet insurance with lipoma surgery coverage.

How Does Pet Insurance Work for Lipoma Surgery?

A lipoma is a soft, fatty lump that often forms under a pet’s skin. Most of the time, it’s harmless. But if it grows too big, starts to bother your pet or gets infected, surgery may be needed to remove it.

If your vet recommends the procedure for medical reasons, pet insurance usually helps with the cost, as long as the lipoma isn’t a pre-existing condition. You’ll pay the vet bill first, then get reimbursed for about 60% to 90% of the covered amount after meeting your deductible and filing a claim.

What Covers Lipoma Surgery?

Accident and illness pet insurance covers lipoma surgery after the waiting period is over, which is usually 14 days. If your pet develops even one lipoma before enrollment or during the waiting period, all future lipomas become ineligible for coverage since insurers classify them by cell type rather than location.

Also, accident and illness plans won’t cover lipoma surgery for cosmetic purposes, as insurers only reimburse costs for medically necessary procedures that address health concerns like restricted movement or infection risk.

Who Has Lipoma Surgery Coverage?

Check the table below to see how major insurers provide surgery pet insurance for lipomas.


AKC	Covers lipoma surgery after a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, with unique coverage for pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous enrollment
ASPCA	Covers medically necessary lipoma removal after a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, with curable pre-existing conditions after 180 symptom-free days
Embrace	Provides lipoma surgery coverage after a 14-day illness waiting period, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible after 12 symptom-free months
Fetch	Covers lipoma surgery after a 15-day waiting period for illnesses, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible after 365 symptom-free days
Figo	Offers lipoma surgery coverage following a 14-day illness waiting period, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible if cured and symptom-free for 12 months
Healthy Paws	Provides lipoma coverage after a 15-day waiting period for illnesses
Lemonade	Covers lipoma surgery after a 14-day illness waiting period, with non-chronic pre-existing conditions eligible after 12 symptom-free months
Liberty Mutual	Covers medically necessary lipoma removal after a standard 14-day illness waiting period
MetLife	Provides lipoma surgery coverage following a 14-day illness waiting period, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible if you switch providers through your employer
Nationwide	Provides lipoma surgery coverage after a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible if cured and symptom-free for six months
Pets Best	Covers lipoma surgery following a 14-day illness waiting period
Prudent Pet	Offers lipoma surgery coverage after a standard 14-day illness waiting period for illnesses, plus curable pre-existing conditions are eligible if cured and 365 days pass without treatment
Pumpkin	Covers lipoma removal after a 14-day illness waiting period, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible if symptom-free for 180 days
Rainwalk	Provides lipoma surgery coverage following a 14-day waiting period for illnesses, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible after 180 symptom-free days
Spot	Covers medically necessary lipoma surgery following a 14-day illness waiting period, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible after 180 symptom-free days
Trupanion	Offers lipoma surgery coverage following a 14-day illness waiting period
Wagmo	Covers lipoma surgery after a 15-day waiting period and covers curable pre-existing conditions after 12 symptom-free months

Coverage details also vary by state and individual policy terms. Always review your specific documents for exact terms and exclusions.

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 Lipoma Surgery Coverage?

You can get lipoma surgery covered through pet insurance for lumps that appear after your waiting period. Consider your pet's breed and your savings before buying pet insurance with lipoma surgery coverage.

1
Your Pet's Breed and Age
Certain breeds develop fatty lumps more frequently than other breeds, especially as they age. These include:
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Cocker Spaniels
Getting coverage while your pet is young helps you avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions later.
2
Your Pet’s Lipoma Size and Location
Lipomas near joints, organs or blood vessels require more complex surgical removal than those in fatty areas. These complicated surgeries cost more and may need specialist care. Coverage protects you from these higher costs if your pet develops a lipoma in a difficult location.
3
Your Financial Situation
According to Lemonade, lipoma surgery costs average between $200 and $1,000 based on size, location and surgical complexity. Having pet insurance is worth it because it reimburses 60% to 90% of eligible costs (minus your deductible), after you pay the vet bill upfront and submit a claim to your insurer.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Lipoma Surgery?: Bottom Line

Most pet insurance plans include coverage for lipoma surgery if it’s medically necessary and the waiting period has passed. Providers like AKC, Figo and MetLife usually start coverage after about 14 days.

Lipomas that develop before you enroll, though, are often not covered. When choosing the best pet insurance with lipoma surgery coverage, take your pet’s breed, age and the potential size of the lipoma into account, since surgery costs can range from $200 to $1,000.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Lipoma Removal?: FAQ

Lipoma surgery can be expensive, but the right pet insurance makes it easier to manage. Here’s what pet owners often ask about this type of coverage.

Does pet insurance cover lipoma removal if the lipoma is benign?

Pet insurance includes coverage for lipoma removal when a vet determines the surgery is medically necessary. Lipomas are fatty, non-cancerous lumps, but they may need to be removed if they interfere with your pet’s movement, cause discomfort or become infected. This coverage applies once your policy’s waiting period has passed.

What happens if my pet develops a lipoma during the waiting period?

If your pet develops a lipoma during the waiting period, that lump and any future ones are treated as a pre-existing condition and won’t be covered. Insurers classify lipomas by cell type, not by where they show up, so once a pet has one, any similar fatty lumps that appear later are often excluded from coverage.

Can I get pet insurance if my dog already has a lipoma?

You can still get pet insurance if your dog already has a lipoma, but that specific lipoma and all future lipomas won't be covered since insurers classify them by cell type. Your policy will cover other accidents and illnesses that develop after your waiting period ends. Before buying a policy, make sure to compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to find the cheapest pet insurance with quality lipoma surgery coverage.

Are certain dog breeds more likely to need lipoma surgery?

Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Doberman Pinschers and Cocker Spaniels develop lipomas more frequently than other breeds as they age. Older pets across all breeds are more likely to develop lipomas, so getting coverage early can be helpful if you’re insuring a younger pet, plus you'll have lower pet insurance costs then.

Does pet insurance cover lipoma surgery for cats?

Cats get the same lipoma surgery coverage as dogs under most pet insurance plans. While lipomas are less common in cats, they can still appear. The same pre-existing condition rules apply, meaning any lipomas that form before enrollment make future ones ineligible for coverage.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in 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

Lemonade. "How Much Does Dog Lipoma Removal Cost?." Accessed October 3, 2025.