Updated: November 19, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Pet insurance coverage includes TPLO surgery, reimbursing 60% to 90% of eligible costs when the injury occurs after enrollment and waiting periods end.
ASPCA, Pumpkin and Spot cover TPLO surgery with a 14-day waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions, shorter than other competitors.
Your dog's breed, age and weight determine your need for TPLO surgery coverage, with larger breeds and dogs aged two to seven facing the highest risk.
TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery helps repair a torn ligament in a dog’s knee, similar to a torn ACL in people. Dogs often need this surgical procedure after an accident or when the ligament weakens over time, which causes pain, limping, or trouble walking.
Pet insurance helps cover the cost of TPLO surgery if the injury happens after your policy begins and the waiting period has passed. Once you’ve paid your deductible, your insurer provides reimbursement for eligible expenses.
Pet insurance coverage for TPLO surgery depends on which type of policy you have.
An accident-only plan covers TPLO surgery if your dog tears their CCL because of a sudden injury, like a fall or collision, after the waiting period. These plans usually cost less, but you’ll have to pay for treatment yourself if the ligament damage develops slowly over time.
This plan offers broader protection. It covers TPLO surgery for both sudden injuries and gradual ligament damage caused by aging or repeated strain, as long as it’s not a pre-existing condition. After you meet your deductible, your insurer reimburses you for eligible surgery costs no matter how the injury happened.
If your dog needs TPLO surgery on one knee, there’s a 40% to 60% chance that the other knee could tear within the next two years.
Some insurance companies treat this as a bilateral condition and won’t cover the second knee if the first injury happened before your policy started or during the waiting period. To avoid unexpected costs, review your plan’s bilateral coverage details before getting pet insurance.
Most insurers provide surgery pet insurance for TPLO when the condition isn't pre-existing. Coverage varies mainly by each insurer's waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries.
Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament conditions after a 180-day waiting period | |
Covers TPLO surgery with a 14-day waiting period for illnesses | |
Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament injuries after a six-month waiting period | |
Covers TPLO surgery for knee injuries after a six-month waiting period | |
Covers TPLO surgery after a six-month waiting period | |
Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament injuries with a 15-day waiting period | |
Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament events after a six-month waiting period | |
Covers TPLO surgery with a standard 14-day waiting period for injuries, illnesses and cruciate conditions | |
Covers TPLO surgery with a 0-day waiting period for accidents and 14-day waiting period for illnesses | |
Covers TPLO surgery after a 12-month waiting period for ACL issues | |
Covers TPLO surgery after a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions | |
Covers TPLO surgery with a six-month waiting period for knee and ligament conditions | |
Covers TPLO surgery after a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and accidents | |
Covers TPLO surgery after a 14-day waiting period for injuries and illnesses | |
Covers TPLO surgery with a five-day waiting period for accidents and 14 days for illnesses | |
Covers TPLO surgery with a waiting period of three to 15 days for orthopedic conditions | |
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.
Compare the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pet:
Several risk factors play a role in deciding if you need pet insurance that covers TPLO surgery.
Larger breeds are more likely to tear a cruciate ligament because of their size and activity level. These include:
These breeds account for the majority of TPLO surgeries performed annually.
Pet insurance financially protects you from unexpected expenses if your dog's breed predisposition leads to injury despite your best preventive care efforts.
Dogs between two and seven years old tear their cruciate ligaments most frequently, though the injury can happen at any age. Older dogs are more at risk because their ligaments weaken over time. Younger, active dogs can also tear a ligament from sudden movements during play or exercise.
Active dogs that love to run, jump or change direction quickly put more strain on their knees than dogs with a laid-back lifestyle. Those that exercise hard only once in a while are also more likely to tear a ligament suddenly.
If your dog enjoys activities like agility training, hiking or long fetch sessions, having coverage helps protect you from the high cost of surgery.
Overweight and obese dogs place extra stress on their cruciate ligaments with every step, increasing tear risk. Even five pounds above ideal weight substantially raises your dog's chances of needing TPLO surgery. Weight management reduces risk but doesn't eliminate it, especially in predisposed breeds.
According to Lemonade, TPLO surgery costs $6,000 to $10,000 per knee, not including pre-surgical diagnostics, pain medications and physical therapy. With pet insurance that covers TPLO surgery, you’ll be reimbursed 60% to 90% of eligible costs after you meet your deductible and file a claim, usually within a few days to two weeks.
Pet insurance covers TPLO surgery when your dog’s cruciate ligament injuries occur after your policy’s waiting periods. ASPCA, Pumpkin and Spot are some of the companies offering the shortest 14-day waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions. Consider your dog's breed, age and weight to determine whether you need to get the best pet insurance that covers TPLO surgery.
If you’re wondering how TPLO surgery coverage works, these FAQs break it down for you.
Pet insurance doesn't cover TPLO surgery for pre-existing cruciate ligament injuries that occurred before your coverage started or during waiting periods. If your dog tears their CCL before enrollment, insurers consider this a pre-existing condition and exclude it from coverage.
Accident-only plans cover TPLO surgery solely for sudden injuries like falls or collisions, while accident and illness policies cover both sudden tears and gradual ligament deterioration from aging or repeated strain. The latter provide more comprehensive coverage, so expect your pet insurance costs to be higher.
Buy pet insurance with TPLO surgery coverage when your dog is young and healthy, since cruciate ligament tears occur most frequently between the ages two and seven.
Once your dog shows limping, pain or instability, the injury becomes a pre-existing condition that insurers won't cover. Waiting periods range from 14 days to 12 months depending on your insurer, so coverage won't begin immediately after enrollment.
Before purchasing a policy, make sure to compare multiple quotes and read the fine print to find the cheapest pet insurance with quality TPLO surgery coverage.
You'll pay the TPLO surgery bill upfront, then file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Most insurers let you submit claims through their mobile app by uploading photos of itemized vet invoices and medical records. After your claim is processed, you'll receive 60% to 90% of eligible costs back minus your deductible, usually within a few days to two weeks.
Coverage for both knees depends on when each injury occurs and your policy's bilateral exclusion terms. If your dog tears one CCL after coverage begins and waiting periods end, most insurers cover that surgery.
However, if your dog later tears the other CCL, some insurers exclude the second knee as a bilateral condition, especially if the first tear happened before enrollment or during your waiting period.
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.
