AKC Pet Insurance Review 2024 (Official)
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Coverage Options
Annual Deductible
$100 - $1,000
Reimbursement Rate
70%, 80%, or 90%
Annual Coverage Limit
$2,500 - unlimited
AKC Pet Insurance offers a wide range of coverage with several riders that you can add to your policy. These optional add-ons ensure peace of mind for any risk you may worry about while helping you save money on those that you don’t.
You can also customize your annual deductible and reimbursement rate, allowing you to dial in the perfect amount of protection for your pet at a rate that works for your budget.
Keep reading our official AKC pet insurance review to learn more about the company and its policies, so you can make an informed decision about the best pet insurance solution for your furry family member.
Pros
- Customizable coverage
- Optional policy riders for exam fees, holistic care, hereditary conditions, breeding issues, and end-of-life care
- Unlimited payout available
- Multi-pet discount available
- Discounts on annual payments
Cons
- Maximum age for Accident & Illness enrollment is 9 years old
- More coverage restrictions than other providers
- Doesn’t cover hereditary or congenital conditions in pets older than 2
- Annual physical exam required to maintain coverage
- Monthly transaction fee of $3-$4
In 2003, AKC Pet Insurance became the exclusive provider of the American Kennel Club, a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. The company was later acquired by IHC Group in 2017, AKC insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and administered by PetPartners, Inc.
What's Covered
- Accidents and illnesses
- Chronic conditions
- Orthopedic conditions (some exceptions)
- Hip dysplasia
- Cruciate ligament injuries
- Cancer
- Prescription medications
- Alternative therapies
- Dental injuries
- Prescription medication
- Euthanasia & end-of-life care
Optional Add on: Routine Care
What's Not Covered
- Cloned and hybrid pets
- Cosmetic or elective procedures
- Some bilateral conditions
- Lameness
- Dental illnesses
- Advanced dentistry and endodontic services
- Behavioral modification
- Obedience training
- Breeding and whelping costs
- Therapeutic diets
- Grooming
- Microchipping
- Lost pet advertising and reward
- Vacation cancellation costs
- Boarding fees due to owner hospitalization
Routine Care Add-On
AKC Pet Insurance offers a pet wellness plan designed to offset the cost of routine care. The plan is availabe in two tiers, Defender and Defender Plus. Costs starts at an additional $17 per month and $29 per month respectively.
Both plans cover preventative veterinary services. The amount you can get reimbursed within a given policy term (known as the annual maximum allowance) depends on the specific service, as outlined by the sample benefit schedule provided by AKC below:
| Preventive Benefit | Defemder | Defender Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Spay/Neuter - Teeth Cleaning | $0 | $150 |
| Rabies | $15 | $15 |
| Flea/Tick Prevention | $50 | $65 |
| Heartworm Prevention | $30 | $30 |
| Vaccination/Titer | $30 | $40 |
| Wellness Exam | $50 | $50 |
| Heartworm test or FELV screen | $25 | $30 |
| Blood, fecal, parasite exam | $50 | $70 |
| Microchip | $20 | $40 |
| Urinalysis of ERD | $15 | $25 |
| Deworming | $20 | $20 |
Additional Policy Riders
You can expand your insurance coverage with other policy riders in addition to the AKC wellness plan, which you must elect and pay for to apply. Options include:
- Exam and Office Visit Coverage
- Hereditary and Congenital Coverage
- Final Respects Coverage
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: We recommend adding routine care for pets under age two due to the high number of wellness visits at this age. Older pets may not save money with a routine care add-on. Learn more: Are Wellness Plans Worth It ?
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How it Works
You can use AKC Pet Insurance with any licensed veterinarian in the United States. Like most pet insurance plans, AKC reimburses you for a percentage of eligible expenses on veterinary services rendered for unexpected accidents, injuries, or illnesses (after your deductible has been met).
1. Visit any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or emergency doctor — no referral is needed.
2. Pay for the visit upfront out-of-pocket at the time of your appointment.
3. File a pet insurance claim with AKC through their app, website, email, fax, or standard mail.
4. Get reimbursed for a percentage of eligible veterinary expenses (depending on your plan's coverage).
LEARN MORE : Pet Insurance & How It Works: A Pet Parent's Guide
AKC Pet Insurance Waiting Period
When you sign up for pet insurance, there is a mandatory waiting period before your coverage becomes effective, and you become eligible for claim reimbursement. The waiting period for AKC Pet Insurance depends on the type of incident you need coverage for:
- Accidents: 2 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Orthopedic Conditions*: 6 months (14 days upon completion of a waiver)
*The waiting period for orthopedic conditions only applies to dogs.
Filing a Claim
- Window to File: within 180 days of the date of service
- Filing Requirements: Reimbursement claim form, invoice from veterinarian
- Average Claim Reimbursement: Most claims are processed within 3-7 days
- Reimbursement Methods: check or direct deposit
See how much AKC Pet Insurance costs for your pet
AKC Pet Insurance Cost
Lowest Price for dogs:
$10 / month
Lowest Price for cats:
$10 / month
Sample Prices
AKC Pet Insurance cost estimates are based on a sample policy featuring a $500 deductible, a 90% reimbursement rate, and a $10,000 annual coverage limit generated for pets living in Dallas, TX.
|
Breed of Pet |
6 Months Old |
3 Years Old |
10 Years Old (Accident Only) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
French Bulldog |
$94 |
$90 |
$87 |
|
Labrador Retriever |
$70 |
$67 |
$65 |
|
Domestic Shorthair Cat |
$33 |
$28 |
$20 |
Pawlicy Advisor Tip: All pet insurance policies are subject to price increases annually. Pawlicy Advisor crunches the numbers to calculate the lifetime price of a policy, then makes recommendations that will save you money over your pet's lifetime.
AKC Pet Insurance Customer Service
AKC Pet Insurance reviews consistently praise the quality of customer service. The experiences shared on Trustpilot suggest that AKC insurance representatives go above and beyond to assist with claims, explain policy details, and ensure customer satisfaction.
Pet parents appreciate the swift and efficient handling of claims, as well as the willingness of customer service representatives to provide detailed guidance through policy changes and shifts in coverage. Many reviewers say they received a response from AKC almost immediately or within a few days of contacting them regarding claims and their questions.
Only a few AKC pet insurance reviews were unsatisfactory. One customer says they struggled to get a response from the company, while another has complained about their claims being repeatedly denied.
Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM EST
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST
Customer Service: 1-866-725-2747
Fax: 800-238-1042
Email: help@akcpetinsurance.com
Enrollment Requirements
- Age at enrollment: 6 weeks - 14 years
- Medical Review: Your pet must be examined by a veterinarian in the 12 months prior to the policy's original start date, or within fourteen (14) days of the policy's original start date
- Valid United States address: Your pet must reside with you at the primary address you list for your insurance provider
- One time $25 enrollment fee
How to Cancel AKC Pet Insurance
Here is how AKC Pet Insurance describes its cancelation policy:
To help protect their good health, we are offering an initial 30 Days of Accident and Illness Pet Insurance Coverage (underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company). Your initial coverage ends after 30 days unless you choose to continue the policy by providing a payment method.
When you continue the policy with a customizable plan, you will not experience any gaps in coverage and will already be on your way to meeting the 365-day pre-existing condition coverage waiting period (Not available in all states). Or for maximum protection, enroll in a custom plan starting day one.
To cancel your coverage, please contact our Customer Care Team at 1-866-725-2747. There is no penalty for canceling coverage mid-policy period. Any unused premium will be refunded back to you. If you are canceling due to not being satisfied with your coverage, please contact us with your feedback. We can also look into any changes that can be made in order to better meet your needs.
Expert Insights
Is AKC Pet Insurance good?
AKC Pet Insurance is highly rated by customers for its easy claims process and exceptional customer support, offering refunds promptly. Their customizable coverage plans are affordable, allowing pet owners to tailor policies to fit their budget.
AKC's 30-day free trial guarantees refunds if no claims are made within the first month, so it's a great option if you're still shopping around. AKC Pet Insurance provides quality coverage and a lot of flexibility thanks to its series of add-on features, such as its wellness plan, its alternative care plan, and its breeding insurance, which most pet insurance companies don't offer.
However, AKC has limitations, such as not covering common diseases like Cushing's in dogs and FIV in cats. It also offers limited options for pets over nine years old.
Despite low initial premiums, your monthly costs may increase if you want the coverage included in AKC's optional policy riders. It's also a better option for younger pets, as you can't get illness coverage for pets over nine years old.
AKC Pet Insurance Reviews
4.4
1,063 Consumer Reviews
Hannah was the one I spoke with…
“Hannah was the one I spoke with regarding questions about setting up my pets insurance and I will definitely say she was fantastic!! And such a pleasure working with and speaking too super cool and totally informative, and phenomenal customer service.
“Hannah thank you soooo much for helping me out with my furbabies!!”
AMAZING CUSTOMER SERVICE BY CHASE
“I can’t even put into words how amazing the customer service I received by Chase was this evening. She was so helpful in explaining every detail about insurance for my 6 pups. Chase was so patient and I never felt like she was rushing me off the phone. She was so kind and her passion for helping others showed in every way. She is very knowledgeable and was on point answering all my questions. She truly cares about animals, she cared about my pups! If there were more humans like Chase in this world - the would be a better place. From the bottom of my heart thank you Chase for all your help. 5 +++ Star for Chase. She is hands down an amazing person! Thank you!”
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More From Pawlicy Advisor
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? Here's a Vet’s Perspective
- Learn How To Compare & Find the Right Pet Insurance For Your Furry Family Members
- Have More Than One Pet? Save on Pet Insurance with Multi-Pet Discounts
- When Is Pet Insurance a Great Decision?
- Everything You Need to Know About Filing a Pet Insurance Claim
We are the pet insurance experts. The Pawlicy Advisor team analyzes the top pet insurance companies and the fine print in their policy details to provide you with an objective breakdown of the insurance provider, the plans they offer, and how they compare.
Kari Steere is a licensed P&C insurance agent in all 50 states and has focused entirely on pet insurance since 2019. When she's not helping pet owners find the perfect plan on Pawlicy Advisor , she runs a ranch in Oregon and rehabilitates any animals that come across her path.
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