AKC Pet Insurance Review 2023 – Pros, Cons, & Verdict
By Jordin Horn
Updated on
In This Review: Our Review | Pricing & Plans | Customizations | Deductibles & Claims | FAQ | Conclusion
We give AKC Pet Insurance a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.
AKC Pet Insurance is a trusted name in the animal world. As an insurance provider, they strive to offer customizable coverage to dogs older than 8 weeks and cats older than 10 weeks. Considering the amazing customer service they provide and the add-ons to ensure your pet is well cared for, we give them a rating of 4.5 out of 5. Let’s take a deeper look so you can better understand what they offer and why we rated them as we did.
AKC Pet Insurance Review
- Easy enrollment without the need for exams or medical records
- An unlimited annual coverage option is available
- Covers pre-existing conditions after a year in certain states
- Offers coverage for behavioral therapy
- Wellness plans are available
- Offers a discount for multiple pet coverage
- Most dental procedures are not covered
- Hereditary and congenital coverage must be purchased in a separate plan before the pet is 2 years of age
- Illness coverage cannot be purchased by pets older than 9 years of age
About AKC Pet Insurance
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is best known for being one of the authorities on purebred dogs, breed standards, and giving advance to pet owners. In 2002, they teamed up with PetPartners, Inc. to step into the insurance world. The goal was to offer pet insurance coverage that offered more options and variety. They did this by creating a basic coverage option known as Companion Care and multiple add-ons that allow pet owners to cater their coverage to their pet’s specific needs.
By attempting to provide coverage for all pets and owners in need, one of the AKC’s biggest selling points is their “30-Day Certificate.” This allows potential purchasers to try their Companion Care, or basic plan, for 30 days at no cost.
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Pricing & Plans (Updated in 2023)
Pet Insurance Cost Comparison
| Company | Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs | Sample Monthly Cost For Cats | Learn More |
| AKC | $28.17 | $16.59 | Get Quote |
| Lemonade | $19.44 | $11.00 | Get Quote |
| Spot | $36.54 | $16.51 | Get Quote |
| Wagmo | $70.12 | $30.88 | Get Quote |
| Trupanion | $29.70 | $12.22 | Get Quote |
Base Policy
The Companion Care Plan is AKC’s base policy that they offer to healthy animals. They also offer an AccidentCare Plan but it is only offered to pets that suffer from certain diseases. As the company’s base plan, the Companion Care Plan covers quite a wide range of medical issues but isn’t available to pets that have shown symptoms of or have been diagnosed with diabetes, FIV, Cushing’s Disease, and feline leukemia. This plan can be customized with add-ons you feel your pet needs.
Deductibles are of the insuree’s choosing. Once you’ve determined this cost, the company will reimburse you a percentage of veterinarian bills after that amount is covered by pet owners. This policy does have coverage limits which allow for a certain amount of reimbursement per year.
Enrollment is simple with this company. Dogs older than 8 weeks and cats older than 10 weeks are eligible. If your pet is older than 9 years of age when enrolled, it will only be eligible for the AccidentCare Plan. However, if they are enrolled before they hit this age the company allows them to carry their normal coverage into their older years as long as premiums have been maintained.
Customizations
AKC offers several customization options to ensure its policies meet your pet’s needs. Here’s a quick look at those additional coverages.
ExamPlus
This additional coverage option offers assistance to pet owners when it comes to veterinarian visit costs and exam fees. This add-on costs an additional $2 to $8 per month.
SupportPlus
This additional coverage option is intended to offer financial support for end-of-life expenses for your pet. This coverage can also be added for $2 to $8 per month.
HereditaryPlus
This additional coverage is offered to pet owners who carry the Companion Care Plan for animals under the age of two. This add-on covers hereditary and congenital issues that the Companion Care Plan and AccidentOnly plans do not.
Defender and Defender Plus
These two additional coverage options help cover preventative care for pets. Defender does not offer any dental coverage, while Defender Plus does. Most other preventative care options are covered by the two with limits varying between the two options. Defender costs a flat $17 per month while Defender Plus is $29.
AKC Price Comparison for Dogs
| AKC Companion Care Plan | Yorkshire Terrier | Golden Retriever |
| Male or Female | Male | Male |
| Age | 4 years | 4 years |
| Location | Raleigh, NC | Raleigh, NC |
| Reimbursement Level | 80% | 80% |
| Annual Deductible | $500 | $500 |
| Annual Max | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Price per month | $26.45 | $46.71 |
| Breed Name | Under 1 | 5 Years Old |
| Alaskan Husky | $27.08 | $37.39 |
| Basset Hound | $20.58 | $28.41 |
| Cocker Spaniel | $20.58 | $28.41 |
Deductibles & Claims
Deductibles with AKC Pet Insurance are customizable. You can choose the deductible best suited for your needs ranging from $100 to $1,000. The claims process is relatively fast. Once you file a claim, which is simple to do on the website, you will be contacted within a few days with a determination of whether the incident is covered and how much your reimbursement will be. Unfortunately, due to needed customizations for fuller coverages, many claims may be denied.
What Does AKC Pet Insurance Cover?
The Companion Care Plan, which is considered their basic plan, covers the following:
- General illnesses
- IVDD (when contracted after coverage begins)
- UTIs
- Allergies
- ACL injuries
- Cancer
- Hyperthyroidism
- Digestive Issues
The Companion Care Plan also covers vet bills, treatments, and procedures related to these accidents:
- Snake Bites
- Bee Stings
- Bite Wounds
- Sprains
- Broken Bones
- Toxic ingestions
- Lacerations
- Eye Injuries
% of Medical Expenses – 70%, 80%, or 90%
Annual Deductible Options – $100, $250, $300, $400, $500, $600, $750, or $1,000
Maximum Coverage Options – $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000, or unlimited
| Coverage Item | Annual Limit |
| Wellness Exam | $50 with Defender |
| Heartworm | $30 with Defender |
| Fecal Test | $50 with Defender |
| Flea and Tick Prevention | $50 with Defender |
| Vaccinations | $30 with Defender |
| Deworming | $20 with Defender |
- Behavioral therapy
- Wellness care as an add-on
- Exams as an add-on
- Prescriptions
- Hereditary Conditions with an add-on
- Most accidents
- Dental procedures that aren’t routine
- Cosmetic procedures
- Breeding or pregnancy-related issues
- Initial exams
Pre-Existing Conditions
AKC Pet Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. They define this as illnesses that occurred, reoccurred, existed, or showed symptoms of, with or without a vet’s diagnosis before coverage was purchased.
Waiting Periods
AKC has relatively short waiting periods. Here’s a look at what they offer:
- 2 days for accidents
- 14 days for illnesses
- 180 days for IDD
- 180 days for ACL or CCL issues
- 30 days for hip dysplasia if the HereditaryPlus plan is purchased
- 30 days for alternative coverage
Reviews from Customers
Customer reviews for AKC Pet Insurance vary. When it comes to the customer service department, most customers praise them. Often they are referred to as courteous and helpful. Several customers have even mentioned they understood when issues arose and they missed payments. The biggest issue you’ll find with reviews of the company comes from denied claims and asking pet owners to wait for treatment. You’ll also find several customers with puppies complaining due to coverage periods not coinciding with hereditary issues.
FAQ
Is AKC Pet Insurance available in all 50 states?
Yes, as a respected entity, AKC pet insurance is available in all 50 states. Unfortunately, not every pet insurance provider can share this claim.
Will AKC pay for vaccinations?
The only way to have vaccinations covered by AKC pet insurance is to purchase the Defender or Defender Plus additional coverage add-ons. You’ll also be pleased that these add-ons cover wellness exams if purchased.
Will all veterinarians accept AKC Pet Insurance?
With AKC being a reimbursement service, it is possible to use them for most veterinarians. The key is to ensure the veterinarian or service you’re using is licensed.
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Our Verdict
AKC Pet Insurance is a relatively solid choice for pets and their owners. They offer great coverage under their basic plan but their customization options are where they truly excel. If you have a healthy pet that doesn’t require special attention, basic coverage offers almost everything you need. For pets that suffer from certain illnesses or need more attention, AKC offers the care at an additional price.
