AKC Pet Insurance Review
For dogs and cats, AKC pet insurance covers vet bills with plans for accidents and illness, accident-only policies, plus optional wellness add-ons.
- For dogs, the sample cost is $36 to $99 each month.
- For cats, the sample cost is $23 to $51 each month.
- You can choose deductibles from $100 to $1,000.
- The yearly limit ranges from $2,500 to $20,000.
- Reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, or 90%.
- Illness: 14-day waiting period.
- Accident: 5-day waiting period.
- Add-on for exam fees.
- No upper age limit applies when you join.
- Wellness add-on offered: Yes.
References: How to Lower Your Pet Insurance Premiums, Form Code: POL005, California Pet Insurance: Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions, How Does Pet Insurance Work? Frequently Asked Questions | AKC Pet Insurance
Every policy is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, and AM Best gives it an A- (Excellent) rating for financial strength. For pet owners, an appointed plan administrator handles customer service and policy paperwork on a daily basis. You can buy policies in all 50 states, though some locations don't offer certain plan features or discounts.
Reimbursement means the percent the insurer returns to you for a covered vet bill after a claim. At signup, you can select a reimbursement level from 70% to 90% that fits your budget. All policies also include a waiting period, which means the days before coverage starts, and it begins at 5 days for accidents.
AKC pet insurance plans and cost
For dogs and cats, you pick between a standard accident and illness plan and an accident-only policy. You may also purchase an optional wellness add-on, which helps cover routine veterinary visit costs.
Dog accident and illness plans averaged $46 per month in published MarketWatch sample quotes. This figure comes from one published example that didn't list the dog's age, breed, location, deductible, or limit. Since those details are missing, the $46 per month figure is one sample quote, not a typical price.
Your monthly cost changes with the settings you choose for a plan:
- Annual deductible: You pay this amount each year before insurance helps, and you can choose from $100 to $1,000.
- Reimbursement options: Covered vet bills are paid back at 70%, 80%, or 90% as you choose.
- Annual limits: Policies cap total yearly payouts, and the highest limits range between $2,500 and $20,000.
- Multi-pet discount: Covering more than one pet reduces premiums by 5%, though Florida, Washington, and Tennessee are among the states excluded.
AKC coverage and exclusions
Unexpected injuries and sicknesses fall under standard plans, which help pay their costs; accident-only policies cover physical injuries alone. Your pet's pre-existing condition means any illness or injury it showed signs of before coverage started. These earlier health issues are excluded to begin with, though in most states pre-existing conditions can qualify after coverage continues without interruption.
Several other treatments come with their own specific coverage rules or exclusions:
- Exam fees: You need an optional add-on for veterinary exam fees to be covered.
- Dental illness: The policy covers only pulling broken permanent teeth for this condition.
- Behavioral and alternative care: The policy gives limited coverage to behavioral treatments and alternative therapies alike.
- Elective procedures: Plans leave out elective procedures, including preventive gastropexy, ear cropping, tail docking, and dew claw removal.
Waiting periods and age limits for AKC
Once you enroll, your policy won't cover vet bills until the waiting period ends. How many days apply depends on the medical condition, based on the sample policy terms:
- For accidents, 5 days.
- For illnesses, 14 days.
- For cruciate ligament events, 180 days.
- For orthopedic conditions, 180 days.
In states with a minimum enrollment age, a puppy must be 8 weeks old or older to join. Older dogs and cats can sign up for a plan with no upper age limit.
Claims and reimbursement from AKC
The insurer offers no payment to your vet directly, so you pay your veterinarian first and then file a claim for repayment. You can submit claims through the mobile app, an online customer portal, email, fax, or mail. Once your claim has been assigned, reviews are typically finished and payments start within 2 to 4 weeks.
Who finds AKC a good fit
This insurer works for pet parents who want to adjust their monthly premium through flexible deductible and reimbursement settings. This insurer works well for senior pets too, as its policies have no maximum enrollment age. In states where they're available, the pre-existing condition rules may appeal to owners of pets with past medical issues.
You may prefer another insurer if you need your vet paid directly at checkout. People who prefer quicker claim payouts, or automatic coverage of routine exam fees, may also favor another plan. Finally, if you want dental illness coverage that goes beyond pulling broken permanent teeth, this policy is limiting.
Common questions
Is AKC pet insurance worth the cost?
Whether a plan is worth buying comes down to how well its coverage limits and add-ons match the health needs of your pet. You can add an exam fee option or a wellness option; older pets may sign up at any age. Review the policy rules for your state before buying to learn what benefits and discounts apply locally.
Are pre-existing conditions covered by AKC pet insurance?
In most states, curable and incurable pre-existing conditions qualify after 365 days of continuous coverage, except in Florida and Washington. In addition, a curable pre-existing condition is treated as a new occurrence after 180 days without treatment or symptoms.
Does AKC pet insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Yes, through an add-on. The DefenderPlus wellness add-on pays eligible costs for spay or neuter surgery and for teeth cleaning, along with everything the Defender add-on covers.
How do you get an AKC pet insurance quote?
The company facts provided don't include step-by-step instructions for asking for a price quote. Your pet, state, plan choice, and deductible, reimbursement, and annual limit settings will shape your quote.
AKC Pet Insurance plan terms
| Term | Plan terms |
|---|---|
| Pets covered | Dogs and Cats |
| Plan types | Accident and illness, Accident only, Wellness add-on |
| Underwriter | Independence American Insurance Company |
| Plans offered through | PetPartners, Inc. |
| Deductible options | You can choose deductibles from $100 to $1,000. |
| Deductible type | Annual |
| Reimbursement options | 70%, 80%, or 90% |
| Yearly limit choices | $2,500 to $20,000 |
| Wait before accident cover | 5 days |
| Illness waiting period | Illness: 14-day waiting period. |
| Youngest age to enroll | 8 weeks |
| Oldest age to enroll | No upper age limit |
| Exam fee cover | Add-on |
| Pre-existing conditions | Pre-existing conditions, curable or incurable, become eligible after 365 days of unbroken coverage (except in some states, including FL and WA) |
| Cured pre-existing conditions | After 180 days with no treatment or symptoms, a curable pre-existing condition is treated as a new occurrence. |
| Dental illness | Limited |
| Behavioral conditions | Limited |
| Alternative therapy | Limited |
| Wellness add-on | Covered |
| Multi-pet discount | Premium discount of 5% when you insure more than one pet (unavailable in some states, including FL, WA, TN) |
| Pays the vet directly | No |
| Claim payment speed | Reviews typically finish and payments start within 2-4 weeks after claim assignment |
| Claims app | You can submit a claim through mail, email, fax, or the app, and a customer portal is also available. |
| Where it is sold | Sold in all 50 states, though some features aren't available in every state |
Sources: 30 Days of Pet Insurance Coverage: Discounts with Registration | AKC Pet Insurance, Understanding Pet Insurance: Pre-Existing Conditions | AKC Pet Insurance, Pet Wellness Plans: Routine & Preventive Care | AKC Pet Insurance, Pre-Existing Conditions Coverage for Pets | AKC Pet Insurance
Pros
- You can choose a deductible from $100 to $1,000.
- Choose reimbursement of 70%, 80%, or 90%.
Cons
- You pay your vet first, then submit a claim, since direct vet pay isn't offered.
- An optional add-on is required for exam fee coverage.
- Coverage for dental illness covers only extractions of broken permanent teeth.
Ask about plan pricing for your pet
We do not sell or quote insurance, and we do not bind policies; an insurance agency receives your request.
Other insurers in our comparison
| Insurer | Monthly, dog | Monthly, cat | Accident wait | Oldest age to join |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $30 to $59 a month | $14 to $23 a month | No wait | No upper age limit |
 | $30 a month | $14 a month | 1 day | No upper age limit |
 | $32 to $157 a month | $20 to $107 a month | 3 days | No upper age limit |
 | $32 a month | $15 a month | 14 days | No upper age limit |
 | $35 a month | $17 a month | 14 days | No upper age limit |
 | $39 a month | $19 a month | 14 days | No upper age limit |
 | $39 to $69 a month | $19 to $35 a month | No wait | No upper age limit |
 | $39 a month | $19 a month | 14 days | No upper age limit |
 | $43 a month | $19 a month | 14 days | Before age 9 |
 | $53 to $117 a month | $24 to $47 a month | No wait | No upper age limit |