MoneyGeek’s research identified Lemonade as the best pet insurance for surgery, earning a score of 4.7 out of 5.0 for dogs and 4.5 out of 5.0 for cats, with affordable premiums and quality service. We also recommend Pumpkin, AKC, Spot and Pets Best as strong alternatives worth considering.
Best Pet Insurance for Surgery
The best pet insurance companies for surgery are Lemonade, Rainwalk and AKC. Coverage starts at $20 monthly for cats and $41 monthly for dogs.
Find the best cheap pet insurance with surgery coverage below.

Updated: November 18, 2025
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
Lemonade is the best pet insurance company for surgery in our analysis, earning a 4.7 out of 5.0 score for dogs and 4.5 out of 5.0 for cats.
Lemonade offers the cheapest pet insurance for dogs needing surgery at $41 monthly, while Pumpkin provides the lowest rates for cats at $20 monthly.
Get the best value for surgery coverage by comparing pet insurance costs from multiple providers, understanding the terms and conditions and reading company reviews before enrolling.
What Are the Best Pet Insurance Companies for Surgery?
Ensure you are getting the best rate for your insurance. Compare quotes from the top insurance companies.

Lemonade
Best Overall
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$41Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$23Overall Reddit Sentiment
72% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$100,000
- pros
Lowest premiums for dogs
High annual limits up to $100,000
Quick digital claims processing
consEnrollment limited to pets under 14 years old
Not available in all 50 states
Lemonade ranks highest in our review of pet insurance plans that cover surgery. It performs well in both pricing and customer satisfaction. The company offers annual limits up to $100,000 and handles claims quickly through its digital system, which is helpful if you're worried about surgery expenses.
The main drawbacks are that pets must be younger than 14 to enroll, and the plan is only available in 41 states.
It places first for dog insurance affordability and second for cat insurance affordability in our analysis of providers with surgery coverage. Monthly premiums run from $9 to $101, depending on your pet’s type, age and coverage selections.
Data filtered by:DogMiddle Aged$500$5,00080%$52 $626 27% The company ranks third for customer experience in our study. It has a 4.2 out of 5.0 rating on Trustpilot and shows a 72% positive sentiment on Reddit, with 23 of 32 comments reflecting positive experiences.
Lemonade provides accident-and-illness policies with annual limits starting at $5,000 and going up to $100,000. Deductibles range from $100 to $750, and reimbursement levels fall between 60% and 90%. Surgery is covered after a 30-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions and 14 days for other illnesses.
Coverage includes diagnostics, procedures and medications. Pets must be under 14 years old at enrollment, and pre-existing non-chronic conditions are only eligible if your pet stays symptom-free and treatment-free for 12 months.

Rainwalk
Best Customer Experience
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$60Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$30Trustpilot Ratings
4.7 out of 5.0Maximum Annual Limit
$20,000
- pros
Excellent customer service
24/7 virtual vet visits included
Covers curable pre-existing conditions after a 180-day symptom-free period
consExpensive premiums
Only available in 45 states
Pet owners facing surgical expenses can expect outstanding customer service with Rainwalk, which earns the top customer experience ranking in our study, with hassle-free reimbursements processed within days. Although Rainwalk isn’t as affordable as other providers and is limited to 45 states, it stands out by covering previously treated conditions if your pet remains symptom-free for 180 consecutive days, plus it includes 24/7 virtual vet visits at no extra cost.
Monthly premiums from Rainwalk range between $11 and $128, with the company ranking 10th for dog insurance affordability and eighth for cat insurance affordability in our analysis. Costs vary based on your chosen annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate, so review the table below to find rates that fit your budget and coverage needs.
Data filtered by:DogMiddle Aged$500$5,00080%$69 $828 4% Rainwalk delivers the best customer experience among pet insurance companies with surgery coverage in our study. It maintains a high rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 on Trustpilot for its fast claims processing and responsive customer support. The company also has 71% positive sentiment on Reddit, based on the seven comments we analyzed.
Rainwalk provides accident and illness coverage with $5,000 to $20,000 annual limits, $100 to $750 deductibles and 70% to 90% reimbursement rates. The 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses applies to surgical procedures, with curable pre-existing conditions eligible for coverage if your pet stays symptom-free for 180 consecutive days. Policies are only available in 45 states, but there's no upper age limit for enrollment, making Rainwalk accessible for older pets needing surgical care.

AKC
Best Pet Insurance Coverage Options
Average Monthly Rate for Dogs
$59Average Monthly Rate for Cats
$35Overall Reddit Sentiment
86% positiveMaximum Annual Limit
$10,000
- pros
Good coverage options
Short two-day accident waiting period
Covers both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions
consPremiums are higher than some competitors
Lower maximum annual limit
AKC provides the best coverage options and terms among pet insurance companies that reimburse surgery costs. It ranks first in our coverage analysis. Surgery is covered after a two-day waiting period for accidents and both curable and incurable pre-existing conditions become eligible after 365 days of continuous enrollment.
The downsides are the lower maximum annual limits compared to other providers and the higher monthly premiums.
In our review, AKC ranks ninth for both dog and cat insurance affordability. Monthly premiums range from $14 to $235 depending on your coverage limit, deductible and reimbursement rate.
Data filtered by:DogMiddle Aged$500$5,00080%$66 $788 9% It places third for customer experience in our study. Reddit feedback is mostly positive, with 86% of the seven comments we reviewed sharing good experiences. Its Trustpilot rating is 3.2 out of 5.0, showing that some customers see room for improvement, though many still appreciate the company’s broad coverage and helpful claims support.
The company offers accident-and-illness plans with annual limits from $2,500 to $10,000, deductibles between $100 and $1,000 and reimbursement levels from 70% to 90%.
Surgery related to accidents is covered after a two-day wait, with a 14-day wait for illnesses. Cruciate ligament and IVDD surgeries have a longer 180-day waiting period.
AKC also covers pre-existing conditions after a full year of continuous enrollment, and optional hereditary and breeding add-ons offer extra flexibility for pets of any age needing surgical care.
What Are the Cheapest Pet Insurance Companies for Surgery?
Our analysis shows Lemonade has the cheapest pet insurance for dogs needing surgery coverage at $41 per month. For cats, Pumpkin offers the lowest rates at $20 monthly. Cats typically cost less to insure since they face fewer surgery risks and lower vet bills compared to dogs, who are more likely to need procedures like ACL surgeries.
Cheapest Dog Insurance for Surgery
Lemonade provides the cheapest dog insurance for surgery coverage at $41 monthly ($492 annually), followed by Pumpkin at $46 monthly ($548 annually). These rates reflect our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever profile with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Lemonade | $41 | $492 | 32% |
| Pumpkin | $46 | $548 | 25% |
| Pets Best | $53 | $643 | 11% |
| AKC | $59 | $705 | 3% |
| Rainwalk | $60 | $717 | 1% |
Cheapest Cat Insurance for Surgery
For cat insurance covering surgery, Pumpkin offers the lowest monthly premium at $20 ($238 annually). Lemonade comes in second at $23 monthly ($274 annually). These rates are for a 7-year-old Ragdoll with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
| Pumpkin | $20 | $238 | 37% |
| Lemonade | $23 | $274 | 28% |
| Spot | $23 | $284 | 25% |
| Pets Best | $28 | $329 | 13% |
| Rainwalk | $30 | $359 | 5% |
How to Get the Best Cheap Pet Insurance for Surgery
Getting pet insurance at a reasonable price means comparing plans carefully and knowing what your pet needs. Use these steps to find the best value for your pet’s surgical care.
- 1Decide on Your Coverage Needs
Determine how much pet insurance you need for possible surgeries. Annual limits from $5,000 to $20,000 cover most procedures, but complex surgeries such as spinal operations or cancer treatments may require higher pet insurance coverage limits. Adjust your deductible and reimbursement rate until you land on monthly premiums that fit your budget.
- 2Check Quotes From Several Insurers
Gather quotes from at least three to five insurers to see how prices differ for the same annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate. Many companies offer pet insurance discounts for multiple pets, paying annually, or military service. Some insurers also offer lower premiums when you bundle pet insurance with other policies. See if you qualify for pet insurance low-income programs that prioritize surgical procedures.
- 3Review Policy Details Carefully
Read sample policies closely, especially when coverage starts and which breed-related conditions are eligible for reimbursement. Pay attention to orthopedic surgeries like ACL repairs and IVDD procedures because these often come with longer waiting periods.
- 4Read Customer Feedback
Check ratings and complaint records on Trustpilot, the Better Business Bureau and state insurance department websites. Feedback from pet owners who filed surgery claims can help you understand how quickly insurers handle reimbursements and how they resolve issues. Focus on repeated patterns instead of single complaints.
- 5Check Your Policy Before You Renew
Before renewing pet insurance, look over your policy each year to confirm it still fits your pet’s needs and your budget. As pets age, their risk for surgery goes up, so you might want higher annual limits or lower deductibles. Compare your renewal price with current market rates to see if you’re still getting good value.
Best Pet Insurance for Surgery Coverage 2025: Bottom Line
Lemonade is MoneyGeek's choice for the best pet insurance with surgery coverage for dogs and cats. It offers great customer service and the lowest premiums for dogs. Pumpkin has the cheapest cat insurance for surgery.
Compare quotes from multiple companies, review policy terms and check customer feedback before buying coverage. This helps you find the best deal for your budget and your pet's needs.
Learn more about the top pet insurance companies to determine the best option for your pets:
Which Pet Insurance is Best for Covering Surgery?: FAQ
We know how important it is to find the right pet insurance for surgery, so we’ve gathered and answered the questions you’re most likely asking:
What is the best pet insurance for surgery?
Lemonade is the best pet insurance for surgery based on our analysis. It scored 4.7 out of 5.0 for dogs and 4.5 out of 5.0 for cats. It offers affordable premiums starting at $41 monthly for dogs and $23 monthly for cats, with coverage up to $100,000 annually and fast digital claims processing.
What is the cheapest pet insurance for surgery?
Lemonade has the cheapest dog insurance for surgery at $41 monthly ($492 yearly). For cats, Pumpkin offers the lowest rates at $20 monthly ($238 yearly).
Does pet insurance cover all types of surgery?
Pet insurance covers most medically necessary surgeries, including emergency procedures, orthopedic surgeries like ACL repairs and cancer treatments. Coverage depends on your policy terms and waiting periods. Elective procedures like cosmetic surgeries aren't covered.
Will pet insurance cover surgery for pre-existing conditions?
Coverage for pre-existing conditions varies by provider. AKC covers curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous enrollment, making it the best option for pets with prior health issues.
Rainwalk covers previously treated conditions if your pet stays symptom-free for 180 consecutive days. Lemonade excludes pre-existing conditions unless they're non-chronic and your pet remains symptom-free for 12 months.
What's the difference between accident and illness coverage for surgery?
Accident coverage reimburses costs for injuries from unexpected events like car accidents, falls or ingesting foreign objects, with waiting periods between 0 and 14 days. Illness coverage handles medical conditions that develop over time, including infections, cancers and degenerative diseases, with longer waiting periods of 14 to 30 days.
Does pet insurance cover emergency surgery?
Pet insurance covers emergency surgery once waiting periods are met. If you enroll before an emergency occurs, your pet's covered for surgery costs up to your annual limit. However, any emergency that happens during the waiting period or relates to pre-existing conditions won't be covered unless you have specific pre-existing condition coverage.
Does pet insurance cover multiple surgeries in one year?
Pet insurance covers multiple surgeries within a policy year up to your annual limit. If your pet needs ACL surgery on one leg for $3,000 and later requires a tumor removal for $2,000, both procedures count toward your annual limit. Once you reach your limit, you're responsible for any additional costs until your policy renews.
How We Found the Best and Cheapest Pet Insurance for Surgery
MoneyGeek analyzed 20 major pet insurance providers across the United States to identify which companies offer the best and cheapest pet insurance for surgery. Our analysis focused on three core areas, which are affordability, customer experience and coverage options.
To ensure fair comparisons, we collected quotes from every provider using our standard 6-year-old Labrador Retriever and 7-year-old Ragdoll profiles with a $5,000 annual limit, $500 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate.
How We Rate Each Provider
Affordability (50% of overall score): We gathered quotes across all 50 states and compared each provider's rates against competitors within the same market. We also considered available discounts, though these had minimal impact since most providers offer similar discount options.
Customer experience (30% of overall score): We reviewed Trustpilot ratings and looked at Reddit comments to understand how pet owners feel about each company. This score reflects real experiences from people who filed claims or worked with the customer service teams.
Coverage options (20% of overall score): We reviewed complete policy contracts for every provider in each state, examining add-on options, coverage inclusions, exclusions and restrictions. Providers offering broader surgical coverage, shorter waiting periods and more flexible terms earned higher scores.
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!
He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.
