Does your pet insurance cover surgery when your pet is sick?

For most of us, our pets can be an important part of the family. But, just like our human family members, sometimes they need medical care. Surgery can be routine, like spaying or neutering, or come as a surprise. Either way, it can leave you questioning, does pet insurance cover surgery?

Insurance can be a confusing topic, so this overview of pet insurance is here to help. Keep reading to find out all about pet insurance covering surgery.

If you’re ready now, you can check out rates for pet insurance that covers surgery. Enter your ZIP code and use our free tool to get rates from top pet insurance companies in your area.

Does my pet insurance company cover surgery?

Most surgeries are covered if you have a comprehensive pet insurance plan. In some cases, though, it depends on what type of surgery is involved.

There is one standard rule with pet insurance: pre-existing conditions are not covered. So if your dog has had a pre-existing illness that requires surgery and you try to get it covered, your claim will be turned down.

The type of plan will also matter. For example, comprehensive, accident and illness, and accident-only coverage will all cover most surgeries. Pet wellness coverage, on the other hand, does not cover any surgeries. This type of plan only covers wellness exams, including routine checkups and vaccinations.

If you know that your pet has a condition and you don’t disclose it to the insurance company, it could cause issues. When the company determines that the surgery was for a pre-existing condition, then it will not cover the cost, and you may be charged with insurance fraud.

If you already know that your pet needs surgery, you may be thinking it’s too late. However, it’s still possible to buy pet insurance before surgery. Even if the surgery is not covered, the insurance company can reassess their health in the future.

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Do I really need pet insurance?

There are plenty of benefits to buying pet insurance. For most pets, medical care will be needed at some point. Pet insurance covers the expense of treating your pet and can be affordable depending on what type of plan you buy.

Owners who do not have pet insurance are usually responsible for the entire cost of treatment. Some pet care can run into thousands of dollars. It’s best to buy pet insurance that covers surgery upfront so you don’t have to worry about out-of-pocket costs.

The younger your pet is, the better. If you’ve just got a newborn puppy, for example, they will cost less to insure than an older pet. As your pet ages, so do the insurance costs, and older pets are much more likely to need medical care.

What does pet insurance cover?

Pet insurance can be just as hard to navigate as insurance for us humans. Even longtime pet owners can be left asking: how does pet insurance work?

The starting point is that many common procedures and medical issues are covered. What’s not covered is pre-existing conditions. Here are some of the most common conditions and procedures that are covered:

What type of pet insurance do I need?

Pet insurance policies come in a few different forms. They can be broken down into the following categories.

The first is accident-only pet insurance. This type of insurance pays for treatment for your pet if they get into an accident. For example, if your dog was hit by a car, or gets injured by another pet. It’s a basic type of coverage but can still be useful.

Accident and illness pet insurance covers a bit more and is also known as comprehensive pet insurance. In addition to accidents, it will also cover the cost of treatment if your pet gets sick with an illness like cancer.

Insurance that includes wellness coverage is another option. Wellness care helps pay for vaccinations, yearly exams, dental care, and more. It is for preventative care that keeps your pet healthy.

If you are still unsure of what plan to get, you can also look into pet insurance riders. Also called endorsements, they are add-ons you can get to increase the range of coverage on a policy.

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How much does pet insurance cost?

The cost of pet insurance depends on a number of factors, including the location, breed, age, and any previous health difficulties your pet may have. As a guide, here are some average costs for medium mixed breed pets.

Comparing quotes from multiple insurance companies is the best way to get rates that fit your specific pet and circumstances.

Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery: The Bottom Line

Now that you know all about how pet insurance covers surgery, you can find a good match for both you and your pet. Find affordable pet insurance that covers surgery by using our free tool. Enter your ZIP code to get pet insurance that covers surgery quotes from the best companies near you now.

Frequently Asked Questions: Does Pet Insurance Cover Surgery?

Have more concerns about if pet insurance covers surgery? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions:

#1 – What kinds of things does pet insurance cover?

It depends on how much coverage you buy. Common things that are covered include some types of immunizations, cancer, X-rays, and torn ligaments or broken limbs.

#2 – Does pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

In general, no, pet insurance will not cover your pet for pre-existing conditions. If your pet has an illness prior to being insured, it will not be covered.

#3 – Is there pet insurance that covers neutering?

Insurance companies do not see spaying or neutering as a required procedure. If your pet has a medical or accident-only plan, then spaying or neutering will not be covered. However, you can purchase wellness-plan pet insurance that covers spaying or reimburses you for the cost.

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