AKC Pet Insurance Review: Coverage, Costs, and More
AKC pet insurance, offered by the American Kennel Club, provides coverage for dogs and cats. This review examines their plans, benefits, and how they stack up against competitors.
Overview
AKC offers a range of pet insurance plans, including accident and illness coverage and wellness packages. A key differentiator is their willingness to cover pre-existing conditions under certain circumstances.
- NerdWallet Rating: 4.5/5
- Annual Max Coverage: Unlimited
- Reimbursement Rates: 70%, 80%, 90%
- Deductibles: $100 – $1,000
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- 24/7 vet helpline.
- Multi-pet discounts.
- Coverage for pre-existing conditions after a 12-month waiting period (in most states).
Cons:
- Doesn’t cover most dental procedures.
- Coverage for hereditary and congenital conditions costs extra.
Who is AKC Pet Insurance For?
AKC pet insurance is a good option if your pet has a chronic pre-existing condition you want insurance to cover.
About AKC Pet Insurance
Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club provides AKC-branded insurance and wellness products for dogs and cats, although they won’t cover birds or other animals. Plans are underwritten and administered by third parties. AKC’s willingness to treat chronic pre-existing conditions after a waiting period is unique in the pet insurance industry.
AKC Plans and Coverage
AKC offers several plan options:
- Accident and Illness Coverage (CompanionCare): This base plan covers treatments, surgeries, medications, diagnostic tests, and more for various illnesses and accidents. In some states, it also covers alternative treatments and behavioral issues.
- Accident-Only Coverage: For older pets, this covers unexpected injuries.
- Wellness Coverage: Two optional plans, Defender and DefenderPlus, cover preventative care such as vaccinations, dental cleaning (with DefenderPlus), and wellness exams.
Coverage options may vary by state and depend on the pet’s age and breed.
What’s Covered and What Isn’t
The CompanionCare policy covers a wide range of medical expenses, including:
- Treatments for various ailments.
- Diagnostic tests like X-rays and MRI scans.
- Coverage for Pre-existing conditions after a 12-month waiting period depending on your state.
- Medications, Hospitalization, Lab tests and Emergency treatment.
- Alternative treatments and Behavioral issues
The CompanionCare policy doesn’t cover:
- Inherited or congenital conditions if you buy the policy after your pet turns 2.
- Elective procedures.
- Intentional injuries caused by owners or other responsible parties.
- Pregnancy concerns (unless Breeding Coverage is added).
- Obesity treatment.
- Organ transplants.
- Dental diseases like gingivitis.
Pricing and Customization
AKC allows you to customize your plan with various deductibles, reimbursement rates, and coverage limits.
- Deductibles: Annual deductibles range from $100 to $1,000 for the CompanionCare plan.
- Reimbursement: You can choose from 70%, 80%, or 90% reimbursement.
- Coverage Limits: Annual coverage limits range from $2,500 to unlimited.
For the sample rates, depending on your location, your policy will be priced according to.
Sample Rates
Cost varies based on location, pet breed, and age. Sample monthly premiums gathered for Katy, Texas are below. *All plans are subject to change, please check the company’s website for more accurate pricing.*
- French Bulldog: Age 2: $61, Age 8: $212
- German Shepherd: Age 2: $41, Age 8: $115
- Golden Retriever: Age 2: $48, Age 8: $133
- Labrador Retriever: Age 2: $45, Age 8: $125
- Medium Mixed-Breed Dog: Age 2: $35, Age 8: $122
- Poodle: Age 2: $44, Age 8: $99
- Devon Rex: Age 2: $22, Age 8: $50
- Domestic Shorthair: Age 2: $20, Age 8: $45
- Exotic Longhair: Age 2: $22, Age 8: $50
- Maine Coon: Age 2: $28, Age 8: $63
- Persian: Age 2: $28, Age 8: $63
- Ragdoll: Age 2: $28, Age 8: $63
Discounts
Discounts may be available depending on your location:
- Multi-pet discount (5%).
- Discounts for dogs from Breeders of Merit or those bred with H.E.A.R.T. breeders.
Consumer Experience
- Website: Easy to navigate; straightforward sign-up process.
- App: The Pet Cloud app offers features like vet record tracking and claims filing.
- Claims: Submitted online through the AKC user portal or via email, mail, or fax. Claims are typically paid within three business days (more complex claims may take longer).
- Customer Service: Available via email and a toll-free phone number, including a 24/7 vet helpline.
AKC Pet Insurance vs. Competitors
AKC vs. Lemonade:
- Both offer customizable accident and illness plans.
- Lemonade includes dental illness coverage, Lemonade covers hereditary and congenital conditions automatically, but AKC charges extra for this coverage.
AKC vs. Nationwide:
- Nationwide covers a wider variety of animals.
- Nationwide’s Modular plan is similar to AKC’s CompleteCare plan. The Nationwide plans covers Pre-Existing conditions.
AKC vs. Embrace:
- Embrace and AKC offer similar coverage options. Embrace covers dental illness as standard and also covers hereditary or congenital conditions as part of their standard plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does AKC pet insurance cover shots? Yes, AKC’s standard plan covers shots to treat a pet’s injury or illness.
- Does AKC pet insurance cover spaying or neutering? No, unless you add the DefenderPlus wellness coverage.
Conclusion
AKC pet insurance provides coverage for a range of pet health needs and offers some unique benefits, such as coverage for pre-existing conditions. However, potential customers should carefully review the policy details to ensure it meets their specific needs and compare it with other providers to find the best fit for their pet.
