Last updated: September 2026
Quick answer: Most UK accident and illness policies cover hip dysplasia, but only if your dog showed no sign of hip problems before the policy started or during the waiting period. Some insurers apply a waiting period of up to 12 months for hip conditions, and most treat both hips as a single bilateral condition. Because a hip replacement costs £6,500 to £9,500 per hip, the annual vet fee limit is often what decides how much you actually get back.
This guide explains how insurers handle hip dysplasia claims and what to check before you buy.
What decides a hip dysplasia claim
The waiting period
Hip dysplasia can carry a waiting period of up to 12 months on some policies, longer than the standard 14 days for illness. Anything that shows up in that window counts as pre-existing and is excluded for good.
Signs in the vet notes
Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition, so early signs often appear long before diagnosis: stiffness after exercise, reluctance to jump, a swaying gait or “bunny hopping”. If any of that is recorded before your policy started, expect an exclusion. See pre-existing conditions.
The bilateral clause
Hips are a paired body part, and insurers usually treat both as one condition. Waggel lists hips among the paired areas treated as the same condition, and a claim on one hip commonly excludes the other if the first one predates cover. If both hips are affected after cover started, a lifetime policy will normally pay for both, one policy year at a time.
Your annual limit
This is where most owners lose money. A single hip replacement costs £6,500 to £9,500, and both hips can exceed £15,000. A £5,000 limit will not cover one replacement at a referral centre. See how much vet fee cover you need and hip dysplasia surgery costs.
Because the two hips are usually operated on months apart, a lifetime policy whose limit resets each year is the only type that reliably covers both. Time-limited and maximum benefit policies run out; see lifetime vs time-limited vs maximum benefit cover.
Is hip dysplasia an “accident” or an “illness”?
An illness. Accident-only policies don’t cover it, however the lameness first appeared. If you have a large-breed dog, accident-only cover leaves the most likely big bill uninsured.
Hereditary conditions: are they covered?
Most UK policies do cover hereditary and congenital conditions as long as there were no signs before the policy began. A few cheaper policies exclude them outright, so check the wording if you have an at-risk breed such as a Labrador, Golden Retriever or German Shepherd. For typical premiums by breed, see pet insurance cost in the UK.
What to ask before you buy
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Is there a longer waiting period for hip conditions? | Can be up to 12 months |
| Are hereditary conditions covered? | Hip dysplasia is developmental and inherited |
| Are both hips treated as one condition? | Decides cover for the second hip |
| What is the annual limit, and does it reset? | One hip can cost £9,500 |
| Is hydrotherapy or physiotherapy included? | Rehab after hip surgery is long |
If the claim is refused
Ask for the refusal in writing with the clause and vet note behind it, get your vet’s written opinion on whether the two hips are clinically linked, complain to the insurer, and if you’re not satisfied take it free of charge to the Financial Ombudsman Service. The Ombudsman weighs the veterinary evidence and the pet’s history rather than the policy wording alone. Our guide to challenging a rejected claim explains each step.
Frequently asked questions
Does pet insurance cover a hip replacement?
Usually, if the condition started after your policy did and your annual limit is high enough.
Will insurance cover both hips?
If neither hip had signs before cover started, usually yes, though the two operations often fall in different policy years.
Can I insure a dog already diagnosed with hip dysplasia?
You can insure the dog, but the hips will normally be excluded. See insurance for older dogs.
Do hip scores affect my premium?
Insurers price by breed and age rather than by individual hip scores, but scores help you choose a puppy with lower risk.
Key takeaways
- Hip dysplasia is covered as an illness if there were no earlier signs.
- Waiting periods for hips can reach 12 months.
- Both hips are usually treated as one condition.
- Choose a limit that covers a £6,500 to £9,500 replacement.
Related guides
- Hip dysplasia surgery cost
- Does pet insurance cover cruciate ligament surgery?
- Pre-existing conditions
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Always read the policy documents before you buy.