Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?

No, many pet insurance plans do not cover spaying and neutering because it's considered an elective operation. However, there are pet wellness plans, also known as preventative care plans or routine care plans, that may provide some reimbursement for spaying and neutering.

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What's the difference between pet wellness plans and comprehensive pet plans?

Comprehensive pet insurance is designed for unexpected accidents and/or illnesses, while pet wellness plans focus on preventative and routine care. Preventative pet insurance plans may reimburse you for the cost of common procedures, including spaying and neutering, as well as other common needs like vaccinations, teeth cleaning, and more. Learn more about how pet insurance covers dental.

Note that pet wellness plans and pet insurance plans might not be mutually exclusive, depending on your insurer. You may be able to opt for both types of coverage for your cat or dog. With Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best, wellness plans are available as an add-on to a comprehensive BestBenefit pet insurance plan.

How to look for pet insurance that covers spaying and neutering

Pet insurance plans that cover preventative and routine care are rare among pet insurers, so be sure to compare policies carefully before buying. If you find a plan that covers elective or preventative procedures, you'll need to check that it doesn't exclude coverage for spaying and neutering. Finally, confirm how much coverage is provided for a spay or neuter procedure and any complications that follow.

How spay and neuter coverage works

Progressive Pet Insurance by Pets Best offers two pet insurance coverage options for routine care: the EssentialWellness plan and the BestWellness plan. These plans must be purchased on top of your BestBenefit accident and illness plan, but only the BestWellness plan offers spay and neuter coverage.

On the BestBenefit plan, coverage is shared between spay/neuter and teeth cleaning. So in the years after you spay or neuter your pet, you can get reimbursed up to your plan's maximum amount for teeth cleaning each year. BestWellness also offers higher reimbursement amounts than the EssentialWellness plan for many other routine care procedures.

While uncommon, other pet insurance plans may offer spay/neuter coverage as well. How coverage works will vary by insurer.

Pro tip:

Spaying and neutering is about more than just population control; it may act as preventative care for certain health issues. On the other hand, it's now thought that spaying and neutering early in a pet's first months of life may cause issues later on.

Is pet insurance worth it when spaying or neutering?

Although the procedure is exceedingly common, complications can occur after the surgery. Some of the most common complications include fluid build-up around the incision and mild bleeding and infection, which could end up costing hundreds or thousands more than the original surgery. Pet insurance plans that cover illnesses can provide coverage if your pet suffers complications after being spayed or neutered, on top of your spay/neuter reimbursement. Learn more about the cost of pet insurance and how pet insurance covers routine care.

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Please note: The above is meant as general information to help you understand the different aspects of insurance. Read our editorial standards for Answers content. This information is not an insurance policy, does not refer to any specific insurance policy, and does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy and/or speak to an insurance representative. Coverages and other features vary between insurers, vary by state, and are not available in all states. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites linked from this page.

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Progressive Advantage Agency, Inc. refers consumers seeking Progressive® Pet Insurance to Companion Protect and to ORIC for such coverage. Neither Companion Protect nor ORIC is affiliated with Progressive.

“Progressive Pet Insurance” is administered by Companion Protect Agency, LLC, a licensed insurance agency known nationwide (except in CA) as “Companion Protect Agency, LLC” (Iowa license #1002314428) (FL License # L106403); in California, it is known as “CP Pet Insurance Services, LLC” (CA license #0N14138). It is located at 11460 Tomahawk Creek Parkway, Ste 300, Leawood, KS 66211. Companion Protect receives a commission on policies underwritten in this program. Premium is paid monthly in advance of coverage. A service or payment fee may also apply if premium is paid by credit/debit card. (See your billing statement.) A deductible and copay are applied to claims. Policyholders have the option of an annual coverage benefit of $5,000, $10,000, or $20,000. You can cancel coverage at any time; a pro-rated refund may apply. For a copy of Companion Protect’s privacy policy, please visit your customer portal at progressive-my.petscovered.com.

The insurer of this program is Old Republic Insurance Company (“ORIC”). This description of the pet insurance coverage provided by ORIC is for informational purposes only. No representation is made with respect to coverage in any specific fact, situation, or circumstance. Companion Protect underwrites and adjusts claims on behalf of ORIC under this program. ORIC’s program administered by Companion Protect is not offered by or sponsored by Companion Life Insurance Company or its affiliated companies.

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Discounts vary based upon eligibility. Discounts may not be cumulative. Price, coverage, and coverage terms vary by state and depend upon policy provisions. Please refer to your policy for details.

Progressive Advantage Agency, Inc. (PAA) refers consumers to Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC who offer and administer pet insurance coverages underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company, a New York insurance company headquartered at 6100 4th Ave. S. Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98108, or Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Ste. 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Pets Best (CA agency #0F37530) is a licensed insurance agency located at 10840 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Please refer to your declarations page to determine the underwriter for your policy. Terms and conditions apply. See your policy for details. Pets Best and the insurers are not affiliated with Progressive.

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PAA receives compensation from Pets Best that may vary based on the policy you buy. Call Progressive at 855-347-3139 for more details.

Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits, and exclusions may apply. For all terms visit www.petsbest.com/policy. Products, schedules, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. More information is available at checkout.

Price, coverage, and coverage terms and conditions may vary between insurers. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states and situations. Eligible expenses and coverages may vary, depending on your plan selection. All coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions.