Updated: October 1, 2025
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Pet insurance covers TPLO surgery by 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 2 to 7 facing the highest risk.
TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) surgery repairs a torn cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) in a dog's knee, similar to an ACL tear in humans. Dogs often need this procedure after sudden injury or gradual ligament weakening, which causes pain, limping and instability.
Pet insurance covers TPLO surgery by reimbursing you for eligible costs after you pay your deductible, provided the injury occurred after your coverage started and any waiting periods ended.
Pet insurance coverage for TPLO surgery depends on which type of policy you have.
These policies cover TPLO surgery only if your dog tears their CCL from a sudden, unexpected injury, like a fall or collision, after the waiting period. They usually cost less but leave you paying out of pocket if the tear develops over time.
These comprehensive policies cover TPLO surgery whether the CCL tear happens suddenly or develops gradually from aging or repeated strain, excluding pre-existing conditions. You'll receive reimbursement for eligible surgery costs after meeting your deductible, regardless of how the injury occurred.
If one knee requires TPLO surgery, your dog faces a 40% to 60% chance of tearing the other CCL within two years. Some insurers exclude the second knee as a bilateral condition if the first tear occurred before enrollment or during your waiting period, leaving you with a hefty bill, so review your policy's bilateral coverage terms before choosing a plan.
Most pet insurance companies cover TPLO surgery in their standard accident and illness plans when the condition isn't pre-existing. Coverage varies mainly by each insurer's waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries.
AKC | Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament conditions after a 180-day waiting period |
ASPCA | Covers TPLO surgery with a 14-day waiting period for illnesses |
Embrace | Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament injuries after a 6-month waiting period |
Fetch | Covers TPLO surgery for knee injuries after a 6-month waiting period |
Figo | Covers TPLO surgery after a 6-month waiting period |
Healthy Paws | Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament injuries with a 15-day waiting period |
Lemonade | Covers TPLO surgery for cruciate ligament events after a 6-month waiting period |
Liberty Mutual | Covers TPLO surgery with a standard 14-day waiting period for injuries, illnesses and cruciate conditions |
MetLife | Covers TPLO surgery with a 0-day waiting period for accidents and 14-day waiting period for illnesses |
Nationwide | Covers TPLO surgery after a 12-month waiting period for ACL issues |
Pets Best | Covers TPLO surgery after a 6-month waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions |
Prudent Pet | Covers TPLO surgery with a 6-month waiting period for knee and ligament conditions |
Pumpkin | Covers TPLO surgery after a 14-day waiting period for illnesses and accidents |
Spot | Covers TPLO surgery after a 14-day waiting period for injuries and illnesses |
Trupanion | Covers TPLO surgery with a 5-day waiting period for accidents and 14 days for illnesses |
Wagmo | Covers TPLO surgery with a waiting period of 3 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.
Your decision to get pet insurance with TPLO surgery coverage depends on several risk factors.
Larger breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers face higher cruciate ligament tear risks due to their size and activity levels. 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 2 and 7 years old tear their cruciate ligaments most frequently, though the injury can happen at any age. Older dogs face higher risks due to ligament degeneration over time. Younger, active dogs also tear ligaments from sudden movements during play or exercise.
Athletic dogs who run, jump and make quick directional changes stress their knee joints more than sedentary pets. Dogs who exercise intensely but infrequently also face particular risk from sudden ligament strain. If your dog participates in agility training, hiking or intense fetch sessions, coverage can provide financial protection against expensive surgery costs.
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, typically 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 pet insurance that covers TPLO surgery.
We've answered the most common questions about pet insurance TPLO surgery coverage below:
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.
Buy pet insurance with TPLO surgery coverage when your dog is young and healthy, since cruciate ligament tears occur most frequently between the ages 2 and 7. 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.
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!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
