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Best Pet Insurance That Covers Hip Dysplasia


Compare Pet Insurance Companies that Cover Hip Dysplasia

Use the table below to compare our top recommended pet insurance companies that cover hip dysplasia:

Company Monthly Cost Star Rating Accident Waiting Period BBB Rating Visit Site
$34-$75
4.5
14 days A- EXPLORE PLANS
$39-$73
4.7
48 hours A+ EXPLORE PLANS
$45-$90
4.3
15 days A+ EXPLORE PLANS
$24-$54
4.0
15 days A+ EXPLORE PLANS
$18-$44
4.8
14 days N/R EXPLORE PLANS
$28-$59
4.8
3 days A+ EXPLORE PLANS
$53-$123
4.2
48 hours A+ EXPLORE PLANS
Company BBB Rating Monthly Cost Star Rating Accident Waiting Period Visit Site
A- $34-$75
4.5
14 days EXPLORE PLANS
A+ $39-$73
4.7
48 hours EXPLORE PLANS
A+ $45-$90
4.3
15 days EXPLORE PLANS
A+ $24-$54
4.0
15 days EXPLORE PLANS
N/R $18-$44
4.8
14 days EXPLORE PLANS
A+ $28-$59
4.8
3 days EXPLORE PLANS
A+ $53-$123
4.2
48 hours EXPLORE PLANS
No results were found.

Why Trust Us?

Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated the best pet insurance companies
35
Companies Reviewed Our team reviewed over 35 pet insurance companies, collecting and comparing data on monthly premiums, customizable coverage selections and more.
1000
Quotes Collected We’ve collected more than 1,000 sample quotes from pet insurance companies for a variety of age ranges, species and breeds to give readers an accurate view of pricing and how competitors stack up in terms of rates. We update our pages regularly to reflect accurate cost information.
42
Rating Factors Our comprehensive rating system scores providers based on 42 data points in eight key rating factors: monthly pricing, plan options, covered treatments, coverage customizations, customer care, industry reputation, age limits and waiting periods.
5
Veterinary Professionals We’ve consulted several veterinary professionals to confirm the accuracy of our pet care information and pricing.

Is Hip Dysplasia Covered Under Pet Insurance?

Most pet insurance companies cover hip dysplasia, but only under certain conditions. Most importantly, there must not be any signs or symptoms before your policy’s effective date or during the waiting period.

Many providers have a special waiting period for orthopedic conditions, including hip dysplasia, typically six to 12 months. Additionally, there’s often a bilateral condition exclusion, which means that if your pet shows symptoms in one hip before or during the waiting period, dysplasia in the other hip isn’t covered either.


Top Pet Insurance Companies That Cover Hip Dysplasia

Based on our rigorous research, these are the best pet insurance companies for animals with hip dysplasia.


Spot Pet Insurance

Most Customizable Coverage
4.5

Why We Picked Spot

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

Spot earns our top spot because it has one of the shortest waiting periods for hip dysplasia: only 14 days, the same as any other illness. The company also has more customizable coverage than competitors, including annual limit options between $2,500 and unlimited.

To learn more: Spot Pet Insurance review

Pros & Cons

Pros Short hip dysplasia waiting period Option for unlimited annual coverage No upper age limits Cons Relatively long accident waiting period Doesn’t pay the vet directly

Spot Coverage Details

Spot covers hip dysplasia under its accident-and-illness plan. You can add one of its wellness plans for preventive care.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: 14-day waiting period
  • Coverage options: Accident-only, accident-and-illness, Gold and Platinum wellness plans
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, organ transplants, health supplements, prescription food

Embrace

Our Pick for Savings
4.7

Why We Picked Embrace

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

Embrace covers hereditary conditions such as hip dysplasia with no per-incident coverage caps. Although there’s a six-month waiting period for orthopedic conditions, this can be reduced to as little as 14 days if you fill out a form and take your pet for an orthopedic exam. Embrace also offers multiple discounts and a Healthy Pet Deductible benefit, which credits pet owners $50 toward their co-pay each year they don’t file a claim.

To learn more: Embrace Pet Insurance review

Pros & Cons

Pros Orthopedic Exam and Waiver reduces the waiting period for hip dysplasia Diminishing deductible for each year without a claim Two-day waiting period for accident coverage Cons Low coverage limit for preventive care $25 enrollment fee

Embrace Coverage Details

Embrace covers hip dysplasia in its standard accident-and-illness plan. You can get wellness coverage by opting for its wellness add-on.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: Six-month waiting period reducible to 14 days with exam and waiver
  • Coverage options: Accident-and-illness plan, add-on for preventive care
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, organ transplants, some alternative treatments, supplements, prescription food

Fetch Pet Insurance

Our Pick for Comprehensive Coverage
4.3

Why We Picked Fetch

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

Formerly PetPlan, Fetch by Dodo covers hip dysplasia after a six-month waiting period. It doesn’t limit payouts by condition or lifetime, which will prove valuable for something like total hip replacement surgery. It also offers robust holistic care such as acupuncture, homeotherapy and stem-cell therapy.

Pros & Cons

Pros No per-condition coverage cap Covers alternative therapies Healthy Pet Credit offers discounts for years without filing claims Cons No routine care coverage Long average claim processing period

Fetch Coverage Details

Fetch Coverage Details

Fetch covers hip dysplasia under its standard accident-and-illness plan. It doesn’t offer add-ons for preventive care.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: Six-month waiting period
  • Coverage options: Accident-and-illness plan
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, routine veterinary care, preventive care or medication, prescription food

Healthy Paws

Most Affordable Unlimited Coverage
4.0

Why We Picked Healthy Paws

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

You must enroll your pet by age 6 to qualify for hip dysplasia coverage from Healthy Paws. The company’s selling point is its unlimited annual and lifetime coverage caps. These ensure you won’t have to worry about exceeding your maximum limit when treating a condition like hip dysplasia, which sometimes requires costly surgery.

Pros & Cons

Pros Most claims processed within two days No coverage caps Covers some alternative treatments Cons 12-month waiting period for hip dysplasia Other age-based exclusions

Healthy Paws Coverage Details

Healthy Paws covers hip dysplasia in its standard accident-and-illness plan. It doesn’t offer add-ons for preventive care.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: 12-month waiting period, enrolled before age 6
  • Coverage options: Accident-and-illness plan
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, exam fees, behavioral care, spaying/neutering

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

Our Pick for Older pets
4.8

Why We Picked ASPCA Pet Health Insurance

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance is a seasoned provider with more than 15 years of experience. Though the company is a little unclear about its coverage policy for hip dysplasia, the condition doesn’t appear to be subject to any exclusions apart from a 14-day waiting period.

Pros & Cons

Pros Short waiting period for hip dysplasia Covers alternative therapy, end-of-life expenses and some prescription food Option to add wellness care Cons Unlimited coverage not available by online quote Coverage may vary by state

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Coverage Details

ASPCA Pet Health Insurance covers hip dysplasia in its accident-and-illness plan. It also offers two wellness add-ons with different coverage levels and annual limits.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: 14-day waiting period
  • Coverage options: Accident-only plan, accident-and-illness plan, wellness add-ons
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, boarding

Pets Best

Our Pick for Vet Direct Pay
4.8

Why We Picked Pets Best

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

Pets Best insures pets of all ages, but it stands out for its coverage of older pets. Unlike competitors, it has no age limit and allows you to enroll your pet anytime. It offers excellent hip dysplasia coverage starting after 14 days and covers wheelchairs prescribed by a vet, which some pets will need when suffering from the condition.

Pros & Cons

Pros Hip dysplasia waiting period is only 14 days Coverage for wheelchairs and prosthetics Vet Direct Pay available in some areas Cons Illness coverage not available to some pets with severe chronic conditions Exclusions for parasites and alternative therapies

Pets Best Coverage Details

Pets Best covers hip dysplasia in its accident-and-illness plan. It also offers two wellness add-ons for preventive care.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: 14-day waiting period
  • Coverage options: Accident only, accident-and-illness plan, two routine care add-ons
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, parasites, food and supplements, herbal and holistic treatments

Trupanion

Our Pick for Unlimited Lifetime Payouts
4.2

Why We Picked Trupanion

  • Deductibles: $100-$500
  • Annual coverage limits: $5k-$100k
  • Reimbursement rates: 70%-90%

Trupanion’s waiting period for hip dysplasia is also relatively low at 30 days. There’s no upper age limit or bilateral exclusions, which is rare. Trupanion further stands out for its flexible deductible, allowing pet owners to choose a rate between $0 and $1,000. Its deductibles are per condition, not annual, and are paid for the lifetime of your pet once reached.

To learn more: Trupanion review

Pros & Cons

Pros 30-day waiting period for hip dysplasia Pays directly for vet visits, rather than reimbursing you later Unlimited coverage cap Cons 30-day waiting period for illness coverage No add-on for preventive care

Trupanion Coverage Details

Trupanion covers hip dysplasia under its standard accident-and-illness plan. You can add its Recovery and Complementary Care package to get coverage for healing treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, hydrotherapy and rehabilitative therapy.

  • Hip dysplasia requirements: 30-day waiting period
  • Coverage options: Accident-and-illness plan; add-ons for recovery and complementary care, pet owner assistance and breeding
  • What’s not covered: Preexisting conditions, wellness care, spaying/neutering, processing fees

Is Pet Insurance for Hip Dysplasia Worth It?

Pet insurance for hip dysplasia is only worth it if you enroll your pet before it shows signs of the condition. Otherwise, hip dysplasia will be considered a preexisting condition, and you won’t be reimbursed for related costs. Enrolling your pet while it’s still healthy could save you thousands of dollars since hip dysplasia treatments are generally expensive. Most treatments require surgical procedures such as triple pelvic osteotomy and femoral head osteotomy, which can cost $6,000 or more.


Does Hip Dysplasia Have Any Waiting Periods?

There is always a waiting period for hip dysplasia, as there is for all illnesses and conditions. However, many pet insurance policies have much longer waiting periods for hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament problems than for other illnesses and conditions.


Is Hip Dysplasia Covered as a Preexisting Condition?

Preexisting conditions are never covered by pet insurance. If the condition shows up during the waiting period on your policy, it’s considered preexisting.


Should I Buy Pet Insurance for a Pet with Hip Dysplasia?

If your pet is already showing signs of hip dysplasia, you won’t receive coverage for the condition. However, pet insurance will still cover expenses for accidents or unrelated illnesses. So if your pet is still young and healthy but prone to hip dysplasia, it’s worth buying pet insurance now to know it will be covered later. You could save thousands of dollars.


Frequently Asked Questions About Hip Dysplasia

Here are some symptoms of hip dysplasia your dog may exhibit.

  • Limping
  • Reluctance to stand up or climb stairs
  • Weakness or pain in the hind legs
  • Wobbly gait

You can get pet insurance if your dog already has hip dysplasia, but costs related to the condition won’t be covered. If your pet’s breed is prone to hip dysplasia, it’s best to enroll it while it’s still healthy to ensure hip dysplasia costs will be covered later.

If you don’t have pet insurance before your pet develops hip dysplasia, you’ll be responsible for all vet bills associated with treatment, including exam fees, X-rays, hospitalization, medication and possibly surgery.

According to the Washington state vet clinic Tumwater, surgery to correct hip dysplasia costs an average of $3,500 to $7,000 per hip. The total cost depends on your pet’s health, age and size.


Methodology: Our System for Rating Pet Insurance Companies

We review each pet insurance company based on factors most important to pet parents like you. To inform our reviews, we surveyed 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage. Our process includes in-depth industry research about each provider, such as comparing coverage options, gathering quotes online to determine pricing and reading reviews to assess customer service. 

We then score each provider on a 100-point scale and divide the final score by 20 to calculate an overall rating out of 5.0 stars. Here are more details about the factors we consider when reviewing pet insurance providers:

  • Monthly pricing (25%): To assess pricing, we collect sample quotes for medium-mixed breed and purebred dogs and cats, ranging from four years old to one year old. Providers earn the most points in this category for offering affordable coverage and a multi-pet discount. 
  • Plans (15%): The best pet insurance companies offer a range of plans to give customers the option to choose the coverage that is best for their pet. Companies offering accident and illness plans, accident-only plans, and wellness or preventive care add-ons earn full points in this category. We also look at coverage limits and award the most points for policies with unlimited coverage. 
  • Covered treatments (15%): According to our survey of pet owners, coverage is one of the most important factors when shopping for pet insurance. Companies with a breadth of included treatments and unique coverages receive more points in this category than providers with more standard or general policies.
  • Customization options (10%): Customizing your pet insurance policy can help lower your cost. Providers that offer more annual limit, deductible and reimbursement rate options earn the highest scores in this category.
  • Customer care (10%): Respondents to our survey also valued customer service when comparing pet insurance providers. We score each company based on its website accessibility and overall usability, customer service availability, mobile apps, money-back guarantees and veterinarian telehealth options, awarding points to insurers with more customer experience offerings.
  • Industry reputation (10%): We review up-to-date ratings and accreditation information from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and score companies based on years of industry experience and state availability.
  • Waiting periods (10%): Companies with shorter accident, illness and orthopedic waiting periods between the time you sign up for coverage and your policy starts score higher in this category.
  • Eligible age (5%): Some companies do not offer policies for pets over a certain age. For this category, we deduct points from providers that have age limits for covered pets.

We use our rating system to compare each company we review and determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers. 


Bradford Cuthrell is a meticulous researcher and writer specializing in pet and home finance topics. He’s surveyed thousands of pet owners and homeowners, listened to hundreds of customer service calls from various home service companies and spoken with dozens of industry experts to understand homeowners’ common pain points and needs.

Dana Getz
Dana Getz Editor

Dana Getz is a seasoned editor with nearly a decade of experience writing and editing content. She has a background in journalism and worked as a fact-checker for prestigious magazines such as New York and Chicago. She holds a journalism and marketing degree from Northwestern University and has worked across numerous categories within the home services space.

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