- Pumpkin Team
- 2d
- 7 min read
Key Points
Pet insurance helps cover eligible surgical costs from examination to post-surgery.
It may save you thousands when your pet needs an operation, easing the financial stress.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans can help you cover surgical costs related to hereditary conditions, giving you extra peace of mind.
The short answer is yes, accident and illness pet insurance plans can help cover eligible expenses for medically necessary surgeries. But the fine print (waiting periods, exclusions, pre-existing conditions) is worth knowing so you’re not caught off guard if your pet actually needs an operation.
Veterinary care, especially surgeries, can be expensive for the average pet owner. We’re talking thousands of dollars for a procedure your pet might need at some point in their life. That’s exactly why pet insurance exists: to help cover these big expenses so you can make decisions about your pet’s care with your heart, not just your wallet.
But how does pet insurance work for surgery? Here’s what's typically covered, what’s not, and how to get the right insurance coverage for your furry companion.
The high cost of common surgeries
Between anesthesia, specialized equipment, and post-operation hospital stays, veterinary care bills can add up fast.
Here’s what veterinarian sources report as the typical cost of common procedures (without insurance).
Type of surgery | What is it? | At-risk pets | Typical costs for procedures for dogs¹ |
ACL surgery / TPLO repair | Stabilizes a torn ligament | Large breeds, young, and active pets | $5,200-$10,700 |
Cataract surgery | Restores vision in pets with cataracts | Breeds prone to eye issues (like some Spaniel dogs or Persian cats) or pets with diabetes | $6,900 |
BOAS surgery | Helps brachycephalic breeds breathe easier | $3,400-$4,000 | |
Foreign body removal surgery | Removes objects stuck in the throat or stomach | Curious puppies and kittens | $6,100-$9,200 |
¹Costs shown are based on Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc Claims Data from January 2023 to August 2025, for procedures performed on dogs. Coverage and reimbursement rates vary based on policy options. This does not guarantee coverage. Individual results may vary and statistics may change during different time periods.
While the data shown here is relative to dogs, it’s important to note that costs for surgical procedures for cats may not always be the same as for dogs. Every surgical procedure has a variety of factors that go into the costs. If it’s not an emergency, it’s a good idea to ask your veterinarian for an estimate.
With PumpkinNow, you can submit estimates for pre-approval of eligible claims to know how much your plan will cover for the procedure ahead of time!
See how a Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan could help cover eligible veterinary bills. Fetch a quote today.
What does pet insurance cover?
Most insurance providers offer two types of pet insurance plans. Accident-only insurance plans are generally cheaper, but only help with the cost of sudden injuries (like swallowing a small toy). Accident and illness insurance plans are more extensive, helping cover eligible veterinary bills for eligible hereditary, chronic, and severe conditions (like hip dysplasia or cancer).
Getting coverage for both accident and illness is a smart choice, especially if you want the most protection when it comes to surgery coverage. But if the budget is tight, having some insurance is usually better than none.
Hereditary conditions
Hereditary conditions are genetic diseases that your pet inherits from mom and dad. Congenital conditions, on the other hand, are present at birth, like a heart defect. The catch is that not all accident and illness pet insurance plans cover these issues. If they do, it often requires you to pay an extra fee.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans can help cover eligible surgery expenses related to hereditary and congenital conditions, and they include this coverage as standard, without requiring an added monthly fee.
Examples of situations potentially covered:
Your pet is a brachycephalic breed and requires surgery to help them breathe better
Your pet gets cataracts or glaucoma and requires eye surgery to improve their vision
Orthopedic surgeries
Orthopedic surgeries for broken bones, torn ligaments, and joint problems can be an expensive procedure, especially if your pet needs several.
While accident and illness pet insurance (sometimes thought of as “emergency pet insurance”) can help you with these costs, some providers sneak in longer waiting periods, sometimes six months to a year! If your pet develops a condition during that window, you’ll be responsible for paying the full cost of treatment out of pocket.
Insurers may even exclude high-risk breeds entirely. Good thing Pumpkin plans have no extended waiting periods for orthopedic conditions and no breed restrictions.
Review your state's specific waiting period information.
Example situations potentially covered:
Your pet tears their ACL or breaks a bone and requires several surgeries
Your pet gets hip dysplasia from a genetic condition and requires a total hip replacement
Emergency surgeries
Accidents happen. Sometimes surgery is the only way to save your pet’s life, and that’s where accident and illness coverage really shows its value.
Example situations potentially covered:
Your pet is injured in a car accident and needs internal repairs
Your pet swallows a squeaky toy that gets lodged in their digestive tract
Cancer
Surgery may be necessary to remove cancerous tumors or growths, but it’s often a costly procedure. Not all providers include cancer coverage, but Pumpkin plans do.
Pet insurance from Pumpkin can help cover eligible surgical expenses and may also reimburse eligible costs related to chemotherapy and radiation. That gives you more options if your pet is ever diagnosed with cancer.
Other costs
Surgery comes with a lot of extras (yup, more than the cone of shame). Luckily, accident and illness pet insurance may reimburse eligible veterinary expenses throughout the whole process, such as:
Diagnostics (X-rays, MRIs, blood work)
Pre-op and post-op exams
Anesthesia and hospitalization
Follow-up visits
Physical therapy or rehabilitation
Medication and recovery equipment (like slings or braces)
Hopitalization
Handling pre-existing conditions
Here’s the less-than-fun part. Pre-existing conditions are illnesses or injuries that appear before your coverage begins (either through a diagnosis or noticeable symptoms). Most pet insurance plans don’t cover eligible expenses related to surgeries for pre-existing conditions.
The silver lining? Some conditions considered pre-existing may be eligible for coverage in the future if your pet has been cured, the condition is curable, and remains symptom- and treatment-free for a set period of time. For example, a new Giardia infection could be eligible for reimbursement if your pet has been cured and symptom-free for 180 days.
Explore Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans to see which option fits your pet’s needs.
How pet insurance for surgery work
Long story short: you pay your pet’s doctor upfront, submit a claim to your insurance company, then get reimbursed. But here’s where numbers come into play. How much you get reimbursed depends on your plan’s:
Annual limit: The maximum amount your plan will pay per year
Reimbursement rate: The percentage of the bill your insurer pays you back for qualifying veterinary bills
Deductible: The amount you pay out-of-pocket every year before reimbursement kicks in.
Example: Say your dog needs emergency surgery that costs $4,000:
Your annual limit is $10,000, so the cost of the entire surgery can be covered
Your plan has a $500 deductible
Your insurer pays 90% (your reimbursement rate) of the remaining $3,500
What’s not covered
Now for the fine print (in plain English). Here are the types of surgical expenses that pet insurance may not cover:
Elective surgeries: These procedures aren’t related to an accident or illness, like tail docking.
Spaying/neutering: While vet-recommended, this procedure is considered preventative care, which isn’t a reimbursable cost covered by emergency pet insurance.
Cosmetic surgeries: Surgical expenses that don’t directly improve your pet’s health, like wrinkle removals or ear cropping, aren’t usually covered by pet insurance.
Waiting periods: This is the gap between when you apply for insurance and when it actually kicks in. If a condition shows up during this time, future veterinary costs to treat it generally won’t be covered.
And one more thing: Insurance doesn’t help cover the cost of routine wellness surgeries because veterinarians don’t typically recommend them unless truly necessary. Accident and illness insurance is there for emergencies, not routine or preventative care.
Choosing the right plan for surgical coverage
Before picking the cheapest plan you can find, think about the long-term costs. Low-cost plans may exclude major surgeries, offer limited annual payouts, or only cover a small percentage of the bill. In the long run, this can leave you paying more out-of-pocket.
Here’s what Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans offer instead:
Up to 90% cash back on eligible veterinary bills
Flexible annual limits (including unlimited options)
Coverage for hereditary conditions
No upper age limits or breed restrictions
Coverage that doesn’t shrink as your pet gets older
Pumpkin’s value-packed plans ensure you’re prepared for both everyday illnesses and the unexpected big-ticket surgeries.
Find a pet insurance plan for surgery
Finding out that your pup needs surgery can be overwhelming. But imagine not having to lose sleep over the cost of the procedure. That’s where pet insurance really shows its value. Insurance can help you pay for eligible expenses before, during, and after the surgery.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans include extensive coverage options that could help reimburse eligible expenses for hereditary conditions, orthopedic conditions, and even cancer. So you can focus on your pet’s health, instead of the bill.
Discover the Pumpkin difference. Fetch a free quote today.
FAQs
Is anesthesia covered by pet insurance for surgery?
Yes! Insurance can help cover the cost of anesthesia, but it must be if it’s part of a covered surgery in your plan.
Can I get pet insurance before a surgery?
Yup! You can enroll anytime. But coverage gets a little tricky if your pet develops a health condition before you apply for coverage. Pumpkin pet insurance plans may help cover future conditions if your pet has been fully treated and symptom-free for a certain period of time.
What if I can't afford surgery for my pet?
Emergency pet insurance is designed to help with exactly this scenario, but you’ll have to buy it before your pet gets hurt or sick. If your insurer doesn’t cover a condition (i.e., if it’s pre-existing), you may need to look into payment plans with your veterinarian or nonprofit assistance.
How do I file a pet insurance claim for surgeries?
You can usually file a claim online or through your insurer’s app. To get reimbursed for eligible expenses, you’ll typically need to submit your veterinarian invoice, medical records, and any supporting notes from your veterinarian. Once approved, you’ll be reimbursed up to your plan’s annual limit, reimbursement rate, and minus your deductible.
References
