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What Is the Cost of AKC Pet Insurance? 2024 Update

Melissa Gunter

By Melissa Gunter

vet examining dog and cat

In This Price Guide: Pricing | Additional Costs | Coverage | Exclusions

As a pet owner, the health of your pet is of the utmost concern. Due to the rising costs of veterinarian care, many pet owners have turned to pet insurance to help them cover routine and emergency care for their fur babies. One such insurance is AKC Pet Insurance. The American Kennel Club works with PetPartners, Inc. as the administrator of the policies. These policies are underwritten by insurance companies, American Pet Insurance Company and Independent American Insurance Company. Let’s learn more about the importance of pet insurance, the costs of AKC Pet Insurance, and whether they have a policy made for you and your pet.

akc pet insurance logo


Why AKC Pet Insurance?

It’s easy to note the importance of having pet insurance. Having a cushion to fall back on when your pet needs to visit the vet or when a sudden illness strikes is often a saving grace for pet owners. When it comes to AKC Pet Insurance, there are a few things that stand out and show the importance of having this coverage.

One is the 30-day certificate they offer. This allows new policyholders to try out their basic plan for 30 days free. This basic plan is quite good for those new to pet insurance and offers behavioral therapy which is something many plans don’t cover.

Another reason many people lean toward this insurance coverage is the fact the American Kennel Club backs it and uses its logo to help promote it to pet owners. This coverage is also available in all 50 states in the US.


How Much Does AKC Pet Insurance Cost?

Like with any insurance coverage, human or pet, the cost of AKC Pet Insurance will vary depending on the types of coverage you choose for your pet. You’ll also notice things change slightly due to the type of pet you’re covering. Cat policies are generally less expensive while larger dog breeds can be the most expensive.

Let’s take a look at a few sample prices of AKC Pet Insurance’s Companion Care Plan and Accident Care Plan for pets in Raleigh, North Carolina which is the company’s home base. These prices feature a $500 deductible, an 10,000 annual limit, and an 80% reimbursement.

Small Dog Breed Medium Dog Breed Large Dog Breed Domestic Shorthair Cat
Accident Care Plan $10.29 $11 $19 $6.65
Companion Care Plan $26.45 $28.17 $46.71 $16.59

Additional Costs to Anticipate

According to the type of pet you have, you can easily choose your main policy and know your base costs. Whether you choose the Accident Care Plan or the Companion Care Plan which is their most basic you can add on the additional coverages you wish for your pet.

ExamPlus is one of the options offered. This addition pays for exam fees and pet visits. Another is SupportPlus which helps you cover your pet’s end-of-life expenses. Either of these coverages can be added for $2 to $8 extra per month. For pets under the age of 2, owners can also choose HereditaryPlus to help with the costs of hereditary or congenital diseases and conditions your pet may experience.

If you would like to get preventative coverage for your pet, AKC offers Defender and DefenderPlus. The costs of these additional coverages change depending on which add-ons you choose.

Here are a few things these add-ons can help cover for your pet:
  • Rabies
  • Dental cleaning
  • Spaying and neutering
  • Flea and tick prevention
  • Vaccinations
  • Wellness exams
  • Heartworm prevention
  • Heartworm testing
  • Microchips
  • Blood exams
  • Fecal exams
  • Deworming
  • Urinalysis

How Often Do I Pay for AKC Pet Insurance?

Like most insurance coverages, pet owners pay a monthly premium. When visiting the veterinarian, you will cover the costs, and then turn in a claim. If you are claiming an injury, your claim will most likely be reimbursed within 2 days. If it is an illness claim, you may find yourself waiting up to 14 days while the company ensures everything is covered by your policy.


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What Does AKC Pet Insurance Cover?

When it comes to what is covered we must take a look at the individual plans offered by AKC Pet Insurance. Let’s learn more about each one below.

Accident Care Plan

This plan is only offered to pets that have tested positive for certain diseases. If your pet has Cushing’s disease, feline immunodeficiency virus, has been diagnosed or shown symptoms of diabetes, or has feline leukemia this plan will cover the costs of treatments and coverages of the following accidents:

  • Lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Injured eyes
  • Poisoning
  • Snake bites
  • Sprains
  • Bite wounds
  • Bee stings

Companion Care Plan

This is the more basic plan offered by AKC Pet Insurance. This plan will not cover any of the diseases or illnesses mentioned above with The Accident Care program but will cover the same accidents and the following:

  • Digestive problems
  • UTIs
  • Allergies
  • Cancer
  • Hypothyroidism
  • General illnesses
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease if diagnosed after the coverage is purchased

You’ll find that the following procedures are covered by both plans if part of a covered illness or accident treatment:

  • Prescriptions
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasounds
  • Hospitalizations
  • Surgery
  • Emergency care
  • Specialist care
  • Physical therapy
  • MRIs
  • CT scans
  • Laboratory testing

What Isn’t Covered by AKC Pet Insurance

Like with most pet insurance coverages, AKC Pet Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. If your pets have shown signs or symptoms before choosing coverage they will not be covered. This includes any illnesses, injuries, or diseases that have been experienced before your policy’s waiting period is complete.

You’ll also find that the following are not covered by AKC’s policies:

  • Elective procedures
  • Cosmetic procedures
  • Organ and tissue transplants
  • Grooming
  • Any breeding or pregnancy expenses
  • Boarding
  • Tooth issues like gingivitis
  • Exam fees (without the ExamPlus add-on)

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Conclusion

While the monthly costs of AKC Pet Insurance are relatively affordable, according to the add-ons you choose, prices will increase. Luckily, this insurance has a decent payout rate and attempts to get reimbursements taken care of quickly. The main thing to remember when choosing insurance is to choose the policy you feel best fits your pet’s needs. This will ensure you are getting the most for your money while retaining the peace of mind pet insurance offers caring pet parents.


Featured Image Credit: v-svirido, Shutterstock

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