Does pet insurance cover surgery?

Yes. Trupanion can cover eligible veterinary surgeries for new and unexpected illnesses and injuries, along with the diagnostics, medications, hospitalization and other treatment connected to the covered condition. Trupanion does not cover pre-existing conditions or routine and preventive procedures.

What types of surgery does Trupanion cover?

Trupanion covers surgeries needed to treat a new illness or injury, whether your pet needs an operation tonight or one your veterinarian schedules for next month. Examples include:

• Emergency surgery
• Cruciate ligament surgery, including TPLO
• Surgery to remove a swallowed foreign object
• Cancer-related surgery, such as tumor removal
• Surgery for hereditary or congenital conditions

The condition behind the surgery is what determines coverage. When that condition is new or previously covered, the surgery to treat it can be covered, including conditions your pet was born with or inherited, as long as they showed no signs before coverage began.

What surgery costs can Trupanion help cover?

A surgery bill rarely stops at the procedure itself. Your veterinarian may need bloodwork or imaging to find the problem before operating, and your pet may need a hospital stay and medication afterward to recover. Trupanion can help cover certain costs at each stage, including:

• Diagnostic testing
• X-rays, ultrasounds and CT scans
• The surgery
• Hospitalization
• Medications
• Physical therapy and herbal therapy

What surgeries aren't covered by Trupanion?

• Surgery for pre-existing conditions
• If a condition existed or showed signs before your coverage became effective, surgery to treat it isn't covered. Enrolling while your pet is healthy means more of the conditions they may develop later will qualify.
• Routine or preventive procedures
• Spay and neuter surgeries and other routine or preventive procedures are not covered.

Does Trupanion cover emergency surgery?

Yes. Trupanion can cover emergency surgery when it's needed to treat a new illness or injury. Your coverage isn't reduced because your pet is treated at an emergency hospital or by a specialist rather than your regular veterinarian. Exam fees are not covered, wherever your pet is seen.

How much of a surgery does Trupanion cover?

Trupanion covers up to 90% of eligible veterinary costs once your deductible is met. The amount you receive for a specific surgery depends on the reimbursement level and deductible you choose, the cost of care and which charges are covered.

Your deductible applies per condition, and you pay it only once for the lifetime of your pet's policy. After you meet it for a condition, it doesn't reset each year for that same condition, which matters when surgery leads to months of follow-up care or the condition returns. Trupanion also has no annual or lifetime payout limits, so one large surgery bill won't cap what's available for your pet's care later in the year.

Can Trupanion pay the veterinarian directly?

Yes, at participating hospitals. With VetDirect Pay™, Trupanion pays the veterinarian directly for covered costs at checkout, which can reduce how much you need to pay upfront. You can use our hospital finder to see whether your veterinarian participates.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get pet insurance before my pet has surgery?

Yes. Enrolling while your pet is healthy means a future surgery for a new condition can be covered. Coverage begins after a short waiting period or deferral period, which varies by state; see a sample Trupanion policy for your state policy for details. If a condition shows signs before coverage becomes effective, it's considered pre-existing and not covered. So surgery for a problem or condition your veterinarian has already noted would not be covered.

Does pet insurance cover TPLO or ACL surgery?

Trupanion can cover TPLO and other cruciate surgeries when the injury is new and not pre-existing. In dogs, the ligament people call the ACL is the cranial cruciate ligament for pets (CCL), and TPLO is one of the most common surgeries to repair it. If in the future, your dog develops a torn ligament in the other knee, Trupanion covers that surgery too

Does pet insurance cover cataract surgery?

Yes. Trupanion covers cataract surgery when cataracts are a new condition that showed no signs before coverage began, including cataracts caused by a hereditary condition.

Does pet insurance cover BOAS surgery?

Yes. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) affects flat-faced breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs. Trupanion covers BOAS surgery as long as your pet showed no signs of the condition before coverage became effective, which is one reason to enroll flat-faced breeds while they're young.

Does pet insurance cover IVDD surgery?

Yes. Trupanion covers surgery for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) when the condition is new and not pre-existing. IVDD is especially common in long-backed breeds like Dachshunds and Corgis.

Does pet insurance cover cherry eye surgery?

Yes. Trupanion covers cherry eye surgery when the condition first appears after coverage becomes effective.

If your pet ever needs surgery, the right coverage lets you say yes to the treatment your veterinarian recommends, so your attention can stay where it belongs: on helping your pet heal and get back to being themselves.

Terms & Conditions apply. See the website for our policy at trupanion.com.