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In This Review:

Best Pet Insurance For Hip Dysplasia (2024 Review)

Written by:
Kim Albright
Edited by:
Quartz Advisor Reviews Team
Edited by: Quartz Advisor Reviews Team QZ.com
04/18/2024 09:08 AM

Hip dysplasia is a degenerative orthopedic condition — most commonly seen in large breed dogs — where the ball and socket of the hip don’t properly align during development, creating bone-to-bone friction and progressive deterioration of the hip’s functions. 

Not only is hip dysplasia expensive to initially treat, but it’s also a chronic condition, meaning you might be financing pain management and physical therapy for years to come. 

To help you secure the best pet insurance for hip dysplasia, we’ve outlined the most critical coverage details to consider as you compare providers and plans, including:

  • Age restrictions 
  • Extensive waiting periods for orthopedic conditions
  • Specific limitations on bilateral conditions
  • Physical therapy coverage
  • Overall exclusions on hip dysplasia

Best Pet Insurance Companies that Cover Hip Dysplasia

Among the 20+ pet insurance companies currently insuring pets across the U.S., we found that the following three providers offered the most accessible hip dysplasia coverage. While each of these carriers offers coverage for cats and dogs, we’ll focus on how their policies apply specifically to dogs at risk for hip dysplasia. As always, the best way to determine which providers are best for your coverage objectives and budget is by generating a free quote. 

Compare the Top Pet Insurance Providers for Hip Dysplasia

Best For Star Rating Monthly Cost Link
Lemonade Lemonade Most Affordable
$16–$30 Compare Quotes
Spot Spot Most Inclusive
$22-$80 Compare Quotes
Embrace Embrace Best for Discounts Offered
$23-$85 Compare Quotes
Spot
Embrace
Lemonade
Logo Lemonade
Best For Most Affordable
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $16–$30
Compare Quotes
Spot
Logo Spot
Best For Most Inclusive
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $22-$80
Compare Quotes
Embrace
Logo Embrace
Best For Best for Discounts Offered
Star Rating
Monthly Cost $23-$85
Compare Quotes
Company
Waiting Period
Money-back Guarantee
Maximum Enroll Age
Monthly Cost
Compare Quotes
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$18-$60
Compare Quotes
14 days
Yes
No age limit
$22-$80
Compare Quotes
14 days for illnesses, 48 hours for accidents
Yes
14 years old
$23-$85

Why Trust Quartz Advisor

Our editorial team follows a strict and comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing pet insurance providers. Our scores are not impacted by advertisers.

27

Companies rated

105

Hours researching

2,700

Quotes collected

Does Pet Insurance Cover Hip Dysplasia In Dogs?

More often than not, pet health insurance will cover your pet for hip dysplasia, so long as no symptoms are pre-existing.

Hip dysplasia is a congenital condition, meaning it begins to manifest before or at birth. Yet, symptoms might not be apparent in your pet until it reaches its adult or senior years, once the hip has already deteriorated significantly. 

Because no pet insurance company will cover pre-existing conditions, enrolling your pet in comprehensive coverage as early as possible is the most effective way to ensure you’ll be able to afford your dog’s treatment should it develop hip dysplasia. 

Large dog breeds, including but not limited to Great Danes, German Shepards, Golden Retrievers, and St. Bernards, are at a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia. This condition also occasionally occurs in small dogs and some purebred cats.

Are There Any Exclusions Or Limitations For Hip Dysplasia Coverage?

Few providers exclude hip dysplasia entirely from their insurance coverage terms, but several have strict prerequisites for coverage eligibility. For example, Healthy Paws pet insurance won’t cover your pet for hip dysplasia if it’s over the age of six at initial enrollment. 

Some pet insurance companies have extensive waiting periods for hip dysplasia or orthopedic conditions in general, typically lasting between six months and one year. Hip dysplasia worsens with time and, when left untreated, can result in long-term complications like hip labral tears, osteoarthritis, and dislocations. So, if you have a pet that’s at risk for hip dysplasia, prioritize finding a pet insurance policy that doesn’t have long waiting periods for orthopedic conditions.

Lemonade

Most Affordable
4.8

Read more: Lemonade Review

Overview

Aside from the cost of canine hip surgery, which can easily creep into the high thousands, hip dysplasia will also require you to budget for long-term medical management, from prescription medications to specialized rehabilitation. Lemonade offers an annual limit of up to $100,000 in standard benefits, ensuring pet parents can afford any treatment their pets need, with easy access to their plans directly via its mobile app. 

Although Lemonade has a six-month waiting period for hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions — if you’re enrolling a younger dog — that shouldn’t pose much of an issue for you. We probably wouldn’t recommend this provider for seniors anyway, as Lemonade won’t cover dogs over the age of 14 and may also turn away larger breeds under 14 years old if they’re known to have a shorter life expectancy.

Pros & Cons

Pros Offers physical therapy and exam fee wellness plan add-ons for only $1 to $3 per month Lower than average monthly cost Covers arthritis treatment, which can be a complication of hip dysplasia Cons Dogs over the age of 14 aren’t eligible for initial enrollment, and breed-specific life expectancies may also disqualify older dogs from coverage Isn’t yet available nationwide; only in 36 select states and Washington, D.C.

Spot

Most Inclusive
4.8

Read more: Spot Review

Overview

With no upper age limits and an unlimited annual payout option, Spot is an ideal choice for larger-sized senior dogs that haven’t yet exhibited any symptoms of hip dysplasia but are at a higher risk due to age or breed-specific predispositions. 

In its later years, a dog diagnosed with hip dysplasia will require more advanced physical therapy and rehab, which Spot includes in all of its plan levels. Pet owners who sign up with Spot will be covered for alternative therapies such as physiotherapy, low-level laser therapy, chiropractic care, and more.  

Due to the excess stress that obesity puts on your dog’s joints, overweight dogs are at a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia as well. Spot, unfortunately, doesn’t cover prescription pet food or supplements for weight loss, nor will it reimburse expenses related to non-medical supplies like orthopedic beds or ramps.

Pros & Cons

Pros No limitations based on a pet’s age or breed Only a 14-day waiting period for coverage of hip dysplasia and other orthopedic conditions Covers rehabilitative and physical therapies at no additional cost Cons Doesn’t cover pet diets, which may be useful for pets with hip dysplasia onset by obesity and poor nutrition Doesn’t cover non-medical supplies that aren’t directly related to treatment

Embrace

Best for Discounts Offered
4.7

Read more: Embrace Review

Overview

Alternative therapies like acupuncture, which can relieve joint pressure and improve range of motion, and laser therapy for reducing isolated areas of inflammation, are a few of the several proven effective non-invasive hip dysplasia treatment options that Embrace covers. 

Bilateral conditions, like hip dysplasia, are covered under Embrace’s accident/illness plan, but only if your pet hasn’t had any pre-existing incidents. For example, suppose your pet has already experienced hip dysplasia in its left side before enrollment. In that case, Embrace won’t cover treatment costs if it develops in your pet’s right side during its active policy term.

Embrace offers a free, optional medical history review after enrollment, which can help you better understand what Embrace might deem as a pre-existing condition specific to your pet’s medical record. If anything comes up that drastically affects the breadth of your coverage, you’re entitled to a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Pros & Cons

Pros Covers mobility aids and pet prosthetics, including a hip prosthesis 14-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions so long as a licensed veterinarian performs an orthopedic exam within the first two weeks of an active Embrace pet insurance plan Covers complementary treatments like therapeutic laser treatment and hydrotherapy Cons Exclusions on bilateral conditions may apply Pets over the age of 15 at initial enrollment are only eligible for the accident-only policy, by default excluding hip dysplasia coverage

How Much Does Hip Dysplasia Surgery Cost?

Hip dysplasia surgery for dogs can cost anywhere between $1,200 and $7,000 per hip, depending on the surgical approach you and a veterinary surgeon settle on. 

Below are the three most common surgical treatment options for hip dysplasia and their average price ranges:

  1. Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) — $1,200 to $2,500+ per hip
  2. Double or Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (DPO/TPO) — $1,700 to $4,800+ per hip
  3. Total Hip Replacement (THR) — $3,500 to $7,000 per hip

If your pet develops hip dysplasia once you’re insured, the amount you’ll pay out of pocket for treatment will ultimately depend on how you customize your policy. Most providers offer reimbursement rates of up to 90%, but that coverage will only kick in after you’ve paid off your annual deductible. Remember, the higher your deductible, the less expensive your monthly premium will be, but you’ll have to pay more upfront if you ever need to file a claim. 

Our Final Thoughts on Pet Insurance For Hip Dysplasia

The ultimate way to secure the best pet insurance for hip dysplasia is by enrolling in a policy with no extensive waiting periods or breed restrictions as early as possible.

 If you own a breed at risk of hip dysplasia, it’s always a good idea to have your pet screened ahead of time, which is usually done through standard X-rays that are sent out and analyzed by the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA). 

By adding preventative care coverage to your accident/illness policy, you’ll be reimbursed for a portion of any vet bills related to routine orthopedic screenings as well as annual checkups, vaccinations, heartworm tests, and other wellness coverage items. 

Our Methodology

​​Here at Quartz, our research team looks to examine all pet insurance policies and comes up with reviews based on:
  • Coverage
  • Plan options
  • Cost 
  • Reputation
  • Customer service 
  • Species available
  • Wellness benefits 
We’ve created a 5-star rating system to score pet insurance brands based on a 100-point scale. To develop a list of the best pet insurance plans, we looked into plans, rating coverage, claims handling, reimbursements, deductibles, and limitations.  Each factor is weighted differently based on the following factors:
  • Monthly Pricing (25 points): How each pet insurance company charges for their plans is a crucial part of the decision-making process of the customer. Affordable rates and comprehensive coverage are the defining characteristics of providing the best pet insurance.
  • Coverage (20 points): We scored companies based on the treatments and procedures they cover. Providers offering broader coverage and more unique treatments received more points.  Pet insurance policies are not offered by all companies for older pets. Providers who have an age limit on the pets they cover were deducted points.
  • Plans (15 points): Pet insurance providers offer accident-and-illness plans, accident-only plans, wellness add-ons, and pet preventive care add-ons, so customers can choose the right plan for their pets. We also factored in costs to achieve the most comprehensible review for your pet’s needs.
  • Customization Options (10 points): You can ensure your pet only gets what they need by customizing your policy. A higher score was earned by providers who offered a greater range of annual limits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates.
  • Customer Service (10 points): We scored companies based on their website accessibility and usability, mobile apps, and grating points to companies with the most customer experience options.
  • Industry Reputation (10 points): We assessed each company’s industry reputation by reviewing up-to-date BBB ratings and accreditation information, as well as their years of experience in the industry.
  • Waiting Periods (10 points): Companies with shorter accident and illness waiting periods scored higher than companies with longer waiting periods.
Our team revisits each company’s information at the end of every month to make updates and ensure the information is as accurate as possible.

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