Does pet insurance cover ACL surgery?

Pet insurance can cover ACL (or cranial cruciate ligament) surgery, but coverage depends on plan type, timing, waiting periods and whether the injury is pre-existing.

Quick Definition 

Pet insurance will cover ACL surgery if the injury happened after the waiting period, isn’t pre-existing, and the policy includes accidents & illnesses.

What the Coverage Usually Includes

When your pet needs ACL/CCL surgery (common in dogs), a suitable policy may cover:

• Diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRI)

• Surgery costs (TPLO, TTA or lateral suture)

• Anesthesia and hospitalization

• Post-operative care and rehabilitation (depending on plan) 
  But even then:

• If the injury existed before policy start or during waiting period → likely excluded. 

• Some plans treat ACL issues as “bilateral conditions” and may exclude second leg if first leg was injured before coverage. 

• Accident-only policies may only cover this if the tear is from a sudden event, not gradual degeneration. 

How to Get Covered & What to Check

• Choose a comprehensive accident & illness plan rather than accident-only. 

• Ensure your pet is enrolled before any signs of knee problems, and complete any required veterinary exams. 

• Look for waiting periods for orthopedic/ligament conditions (often 6-12 months). 

• Review exclusions: pre-existing condition definitions, bilateral leg exclusions, breed/age special clauses. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Will pet insurance cover ACL surgery in all cases?
No. It depends on whether the surgery is for a new injury, after the waiting period, and if the policy covers that type of surgery.

Q2. What types of policies cover ACL surgery?
Primarily accident & illness plans. Accident-only may cover it only if due to a sudden accident, not chronic or degenerative damage.

Q3. If one knee had surgery before I got insurance, will the other knee be covered later?
Probably not — many policies treat this as a bilateral condition and exclude the second leg if the first was injured before coverage.

Q4. What should I check in the policy before enrolling?
Check waiting period for ligament/joint conditions, what counts as pre-existing, whether rehab/physical therapy is included, exclusions for breed/age.

Q5. How much does ACL surgery cost and how much will insurance cover?
Costs vary widely (thousands of dollars). Insurance typically reimburses a portion (after deductible and coinsurance) if claim meets criteria. 

Final Thoughts

ACL surgery can be a major veterinary expense — but with the right insurance plan you can have coverage. The key is enrolling early, selecting the right plan, and confirming that ligament injuries are covered and not excluded as pre-existing or bilateral.

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