Does Insurance Cover Broken Legs in Dogs?

As a pet owner, you may encounter a number of unexpected illnesses or injuries. A somewhat common one among dogs is a broken leg.

You may be wondering: How much does it cost to fix a dog’s broken leg? And does pet insurance cover broken bones? Here, we’ll review the common symptoms of a broken leg in dogs, what to expect as far as treatments and costs go, and whether this is an expense pet insurance will typically pay for.

Understanding Broken Legs in Dogs

The most typical cause of a broken leg in a dog is trauma, such as being hit by a car, taking a bad fall, or, in extreme cases, rough play. In some cases, an underlying condition like cancer or osteoporosis could contribute to a broken leg -- usually by making the bone more susceptible to breaking.

Similarly, the risk of a broken bone tends to increase with older age, though very young dogs risk broken legs due to their bones not being fully formed.

Common symptoms of a broken leg in a dog include:

• Limping and trouble walking
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Whimpering (an indication of pain)
• The leg being sensitive to touch
• The leg having an abnormal appearance, such as looking bent

If you suspect that your dog has a broken leg, it's important to take them to the vet at once, or to an urgent care center or animal hospital if an accident occurs after hours or on a weekend. The only way to rule out a break, or confirm one, is to have an X-ray taken.

Many vet offices have X-ray equipment onsite, so you may not need to visit an urgent care center or animal hospital, especially if it’s a simple break.

Dog Broken Leg Cost: What Pet Parents Can Expect

The cost to treat a dog's broken leg will depend on different factors, including:

• The size of your pet
• The severity of the fracture
• The location of the break
• The facility you go to for treatment

CareCredit puts the average cost of treating a dog's broken leg at $1,371 to $5,803. Here's a more detailed breakdown.

Source: CareCredit

As you can see, the bulk of the cost of treating a dog’s broken leg stems from surgery. If your dog has a simple break, they may not need surgery or hospitalization. If their pain isn’t too severe, they may not even need sedation for your vet to perform an X-ray.

On the other hand, a more complicated break could cost a lot more money to treat after factoring in surgery and related expenses. Plus, in that situation, your dog might need physical therapy afterward, which is another cost to account for.

Does Insurance Cover Broken Legs in Dogs?

Most accident and illness pet insurance plans cover broken bones. However, pet insurance plans generally do not cover pre-existing conditions. If your dog’s injury stems from a condition that wasn’t treated or an accident that occurred prior to becoming insured, you may not be eligible for coverage.

Similarly, your pet insurance plan may not cover your dog’s injury if it resulted from neglect or intentional harm. And if you have a wellness-only plan, it generally won’t cover treatment for a broken leg.

Pet Insurance Coverage for Accidents and Broken Bones

Just because your pet insurance policy will cover a broken bone doesn’t mean it’ll pay for all of your dog’s treatment. It’s important to understand the costs you may be responsible for even if your dog is insured.

Most accident-only plans will cover a broken leg, but you’ll typically need to first meet a deductible, the amount of which will depend on your specific insurance policy. You’ll also need to check your policy to see how much your plan will reimburse for this type of injury.

It’s common for pet insurance policies to reimburse around 70% to 90% of the cost of treating an injury like a broken bone. However, your plan might work differently. There may instead be a preset amount of money your policy will pay per injury or per year.

Typically, when your pet gets injured, you have to cover the cost of their treatment, submit a claim to your pet insurance company, and wait to get reimbursed. In some cases, the facility where your dog is treated may be willing to submit a claim on your behalf.

It’s also common for pet insurance policies to have a waiting period where your dog isn’t eligible for coverage right away. That waiting period could range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your specific policy.

Dog Broken Leg Treatment Without Insurance

If you don’t have pet insurance, the cost of treating a dog’s broken leg could be quite significant. If that’s the case, you may have options for making that bill more affordable.

First, you can ask the facility treating your dog if it’s possible to get onto a payment plan. Many facilities offer low-interest (or in some cases, no-interest) financing for pet emergencies. You may also qualify for assistance from a local nonprofit or community organization.

There are also national programs like Red Rover and Frankie's Friends you can reach out to for help covering the cost of veterinary care.

If you don’t qualify for assistance, your best bet may be to get onto the most affordable payment plan you can find and stick to a strict budget until your vet bill is paid off. Working a second job for a period of time could also help you pay off that expense.

You may be inclined to hold off on getting your dog treatment due to the cost. But a broken leg won’t heal on its own, and if you delay care, your pet might only get worse.

Not only could you subject your dog to more pain, but the injury might worsen, leading to even more expensive bills. Your best bet is to get your dog treated at once.

How to Prevent Dog Leg Injuries

Sometimes, accidents are not preventable. And you shouldn’t beat yourself up if your dog gets injured under your care if it was a freak accident, like your dog taking a leap but landing badly.

Still, there are some basic steps you can take to avoid a dog injury:

• Keep your dog leashed at all times when walking in public
• Avoid rough play with other dogs, especially when there’s a big difference in size
• Install ramps or pet stairs so your dog can access your bed or couch without risking injury (this mostly applies to older dogs or pets with pre-existing conditions)
• Talk to your vet about maintaining a proper diet and giving supplements that promote bone health

Protecting Your Dog and Your Budget

It can be heartbreaking to see your dog experience a broken leg, but unfortunately, these things sometimes happen. The good news is that broken bones in dogs are often covered by pet insurance. You may just need to be prepared to pay for your dog’s treatment up front and wait to get reimbursed.

If you’re a new pet owner and are shopping for pet insurance, make sure to compare accident and illness plans to see which option offers you the best coverage. And also, don’t wait to put pet insurance in place, especially since most plans do impose a waiting period. The sooner you get coverage, the more peace of mind you might get.