Orthopedic Condition (Pet Insurance)
Plain English
An orthopedic condition affects a pet's bones, joints, muscles or ligaments, like hip dysplasia, a slipping kneecap or a torn knee ligament (the cruciate ligament). Many pet policies have a longer waiting period for these when they aren't caused by an accident. In Washington and Florida, that wait can't exceed 30 days.
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On this page
Definition
In pet insurance, an orthopedic condition is one affecting the bones, skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendons, ligaments or joints, including elbow and hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc degeneration, patellar luxation and cranial cruciate ligament rupture, but not cancers or metabolic, hematopoietic or autoimmune diseases. Policies often set a separate waiting period for orthopedic conditions not caused by an accident.
Why It Matters
Knee ligament tears and dysplasia surgeries are among the more expensive treatments, and they often appear in young, active dogs. A separate orthopedic waiting period, or an exclusion for problems with earlier signs, decides whether a claim is paid.
Real-World Example
Imagine a dog insured on March 1 tears a cruciate ligament on March 20 while running, with no accident involved. If the policy has a 30-day orthopedic waiting period for non-accident conditions, the tear isn't covered and may be treated as pre-existing. The same injury in May could be covered.
Common Misconceptions
- Orthopedic problems have the same waiting period as other illnesses. Many policies set a separate one.
- A torn ligament counts as an accident. Policies distinguish injuries from an accident and degenerative conditions.
- Orthopedic conditions include bone cancer. Washington's and Florida's definitions exclude cancers.
Key Takeaways
- Washington's law lists elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc degeneration, patellar luxation and ruptured cranial cruciate ligaments.
- Waiting periods for non-accident orthopedic conditions can't exceed 30 days in Washington and Florida.
- Those laws require a way to waive the wait with a vet exam.
- Signs before coverage can make an orthopedic problem pre-existing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an orthopedic condition in pet insurance?
A condition of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons or ligaments, such as hip dysplasia or a torn cruciate ligament.
Is there a waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries?
Many policies set a separate waiting period for non-accident orthopedic conditions. In Washington and Florida it can't exceed 30 days.
Can the orthopedic waiting period be waived?
Under Washington's and Florida's laws, policies with waiting periods must let them be waived after a vet exam.
State-specific note: Washington and Florida cap non-accident orthopedic waiting periods at 30 days; other states may not limit them.
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- Pet Insurance
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Explore the rest of the Pet Insurance category.
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The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- app.leg.wa.govChapter 48.205 RCW: Pet insurance · Washington State Legislature
- flsenate.govSection 627.71545 (2025 Florida Statutes) · The Florida Senate
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