Our experts answer readers' insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess insurance products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.
Given the AKC's long history in the health and well-being of dog breeds, it only makes sense that it would be a pioneer in pet insurance.
Early on, the company focused on coverage for dogs within the Kennel Club of Great Britain. Since then, the brand has expanded to cover all dogs, turning into the AKC pet insurance company we know today. Answering the most obvious question: Your pet does not have to be AKC registered to buy AKC pet insurance. In fact, we named it best for preexisting conditions in our guide to the best pet insurance.
AKC Pet Insurance
The current business model for AKC includes pet insurance coverage options for dogs and cats, including base plans for accidents and illnesses. Independence American Insurance Company underwrites its current plans with a robust financial rating of A- from AM Best. This rating indicates high financial stability and a high likelihood of paying claims and meeting other financial responsibilities.
If you're in the market for a pet insurance policy and wondering if AKC pet insurance is the right choice, read on to learn about coverage, cost, and how it compares to similar pet insurance companies.
AKC Pet Insurance Cost
The cost of pet insurance varies based on factors like the type of pet you have, age, breed, and coverage limits. For example, you'll pay a lot more for a comprehensive pet insurance plan with wellness care than a basic one with no riders to customize coverage. Other impacting pet insurance costs include deductibles, coinsurance, and annual coverage limits.
With these details in mind, we got pet insurance quotes from
Average Pet Insurance Costs for Dogs
Dogs | Basic ($100 deductible, 20% coinsurance, $500 incident limit, no annual limit) | Custom ($500 deductible, 20% coinsurance, no annual limit) | Custom ($1K deductible, 20% coinsurance, no annual limit) |
Afghan hound 1yo Indianapolis, IN | $21.72 | $46.75 | $34.50 |
Dachshund 3yo Indianapolis, IN | $10.49 | $22.59 | $16.66 |
English bulldog 8yo Indianapolis, IN | $77.65 | $167.11 | $123.34 |
Average Pet Insurance Costs for Cats
Cats | Basic ($100 deductible, 20% coinsurance, $500 incident limit, no annual limit) | Custom ($500 deductible, 20% coinsurance, no annual limit) | Custom ($1K deductible, 20% coinsurance, no annual limit) |
Domestic short hair 2yo Indianapolis, IN | $7.17 | $15.43 | $11.39 |
Burmese 5yo Indianapolis, IN | $13.03 | $28.02 | $20.68 |
Domestic long hair 6yo Indianapolis, IN | $11.61 | $24.98 | $18.43 |
How to File a Claim with AKC Pet Insurance
- File a claim through the AKC pet insurance customer portal
- Email claims to claims@petpartners.com
- Fax claims to 919-859-8193
Customers can also mail in claims materials to the following address:
PetPartners, Inc.
PO Box 37940
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27627
That said, it's essential to understand how pet insurance through AKC pet insurance works and how claims are paid out. Generally speaking, each policy has the following components:
- Annual benefit: How much will AKC pet insurance reimburse during a coverage cycle?
- Deductible: How much will you pay before any coverage begins?
- Coinsurance: What percentage of care are you responsible for after your deductible and until annual limits are exhausted?
For example, let's say you selected an AKC pet insurance plan with a $500 deductible, 20% coinsurance, and no annual limits. If your pet accidentally ingested a toxic substance and needs surgery costing $6,000, you would pay the veterinary hospital upfront.
If you can't pay the total $6,000, we recommend talking to your vet about CareCredit or other options to bridge the financial gap. Then you would file a claim with AKC pet insurance and receive reimbursement of $4,400. This is your coverage after paying your $500 deductible and 20% coinsurance.
Some pet insurance companies apply coinsurance to the deductible. So a $500 vet bill would fulfill $400 of the deductible at 80% coinsurance. Before filing a claim, you should always read your policy documents to understand your reimbursement structure.
AKC Pet Insurance Plans
Every puppy registered with the AKC is eligible for 30 days of free pet insurance coverage with no limits on incidents, no waiting periods, and 80% reimbursement. This 30-day benefit is great for breeders and new pet parents taking on AKC-registered puppies. New pet parents have 28 days to activate the free 30-day period.
Benefits cover toxic ingestion, surgery, broken bones, foreign body ingestion, cancer, hospitalization, and more. Pet parents who want to continue coverage must fill in payment information within the AKC system before the initial trial period expires. It should be noted this unique plan (that also bypasses traditional waiting periods) is only available in some states.
Pet parents who live in non-eligible states or who miss the free 30-day plan can still sign up for long-term coverage in all 50 states and Washington, DC. However, New York, California, Florida, and Washington residents are subject to slightly different coverage rules. Interested pet parents should read their policy documents.
In general, AKC pet insurance offers generous coverage limits depending on how much you're willing to pay. Covered services include standard veterinary care and services like hydrotherapy and physical therapy. Most importantly, for some pet parents, the sample plan on the website also states that preexisting conditions can be covered if asymptomatic for 365 days.
Additional Coverage Options from AKC Pet Insurance
- CompanionCare: This coverage provides enhanced accident and illness insurance for pets with additional coverage for alternative and holistic care, behavioral problems, and vitamins and supplements. Policyholders with CompanionCare also enjoy no per-incident limits and the option for no annual limits.
- Exam Coverage: This rider reimburses pet owners for the cost of veterinary exams when pets are sick or injured. It applies whether policyholders seek care in a veterinarian's office, a pet hospital, or a specialty clinic.
- Hereditary Coverage: This add-on coverage protects against genetic conditions such as heart disease, hip dysplasia, eye disorders, arthritis, and diabetes.
- Breeding Coverage: As the name suggests, AKC-registered dogs enjoy coverage for various breeding-related issues, including emergency c-sections, eclampsia, liver failure, gestational diabetes, and more.
- Defender and Defender Plus Wellness Coverage: Pet parents can also add wellness coverage to their plan, which helps pay for routine medical care that keeps their furry friend in optimal health. It covers wellness exams, spay and neuter, microchips, vaccinations, teeth cleaning, heartworm prevention, and other preventative care.
- SupportPlus Final Respects Coverage: This unique rider helps pet parents say goodbye to their furry friends with the utmost respect after their passing. Coverage pays for cremation, burial, urns, and memorials, although a waiting period and a $300 maximum benefit apply.
What is not covered by AKC pet insurance?
AKC pet insurance, unsurprisingly, doesn't cover preexisting conditions. Pet insurance policies exclude routine wellness care and hereditary and congenital issues unless the pet owner adds the appropriate riders to their plan.
Potential customers should also know AKC pet insurance reimburses pet parents for pet care expenses after the fact. So veterinary bills need to be paid by the pet owner upfront.
Waiting periods also apply, including:
- 14-day waiting period for illnesses
- 2-day waiting period for accidents
- 180-day waiting period for IVDD and cruciate ligament-related conditions
- Longer waiting periods (up to 365 days) for curable preexisting conditions
What preexisting conditions are excluded with AKC pet insurance?
FAQs
Does AKC insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Spay and neuter services are not covered by
Does AKC pet insurance cover teeth cleaning?
Pet parents who add on Defender or Defender Plus coverage for wellness care enjoy coverage for teeth cleaning and other routine wellness services. However, it's not part of the basic accident and illness plan.
Does AKC pet insurance only cover dogs?
AKC pet insurance offers plans for both dogs and cats.
Does AKC pet insurance have annual limits?
AKC pet insurance offers annual limit options depending on how much you want to pay. You can choose unlimited annual coverage to be prepared for the worst, and with affordable pricing, many pet parents do just that. Ultimately, pet owners who choose AKC pet insurance can tailor its plans based on their preferred annual coverage limits, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts.
Compare AKC Pet Insurance
Below, see how AKC compares to three other options for pet insurance coverage: Figo, MetLife, and Healthy Paws.
AKC vs. Figo Pet Insurance
Both companies offer options with unlimited annual coverage. However,
AKC vs. MetLife Pet Insurance
Most pet insurance companies come from a passion for pets and a desire to help. MetLife's plan seems to attempt to keep pet parents from taking their insurance needs outside MetLife's network. Unfortunately, the company failed to create a competitive pet insurance product to achieve that goal.
AKC vs. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance
According to reviews, Healthy Paws offers friendly customer service and straightforward claims processing. Despite AKC's more extended history, Healthy Paws is the once scrappy underdog that has taken the pet insurance market by storm.
Healthy Paws Pet Insurance Review
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed AKC Pet Insurance
We compared dozens of highly-rated pet insurance companies. Factors we considered include plan benefits, exclusions, annual limits, deductibles, and coinsurance requirements. We also looked at riders and other optional coverages, including wellness plans and riders.
Pet insurance is unique among insurance products. Many big and small companies operate based on a vested interest in the health and well-being of pets. Premiums are generally $20-$50 monthly for a basic plan, which doesn't leave much wiggle room financially.
This is why excluding preexisting conditions has become an industry standard. Pet insurance companies can continue offering affordable coverage to as many pets as possible while paying out eligible claims consistently.
When looking at popular pet insurance companies, you might see similar pricing, coverage limits, and deductibles. However, for comparison purposes, we factor in many additional metrics to see which companies create positive customer experiences now and in the future. You can read more about our pet insurance rating methodology.