AKC Pet Insurance began life in 1984 in the UK, supplying insurance to the Kennel Club of Great Britain. Some 18 years later, the company expanded into the US as PetPartners, before launching AKC Pet Insurance in 2003 providing insurance to the American Kennel Club (although it is a completely separate entity to the AKC).
Since then, it’s offered pet insurance to dogs and cats of all breeds as an exclusive partner to the AKC. The company offers a basic accident and illness insurance package, as well as add-on options that can provide specialized coverage at an additional cost.
It also provides pre-existing coverage after 365 days of continuous coverage, something no other major pet insurers offer.
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What does AKC Pet Insurance cover?
AKC Pet Insurance helps cover a wide range of eligible veterinary expenses for injuries, illnesses and conditions as well as pre-existing conditions, after a 365 day waiting period. Policy holders may be covered for the following:
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Pre-existing conditions
AKC Pet Insurance helps cover eligible expenses for pre-existing conditions. The coverage begins after one year, 365 days, of continuous coverage with no additional treatment for the condition. After which policy holders can claim for conditions that existed before they took out the coverage. During that first year, no claims can be made for any treatment associated with that pre-existing condition. -
ACL illness
Anterior cruciate ligament injury treatment and recovery can be costly — AKC Pet Insurance helps cover eligible costs associated with the condition. It may also cover IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). Both conditions are subject to a 180-day waiting period. -
Cancer
If your pet is suffering from cancer, including blood, bone, internal organs or external cancers, related eligible expenses may be covered by AKC Pet Insurance. If the cancer is diagnosed as a hereditary or genetic disorder, it would only be covered with AKC’s Hereditary and Congenital Add-On for an additional cost. -
Toxin ingestion
Pets swallowing something they shouldn’t is a common concern. Coverage for eligible expenses may be provided for accidental swallowing of toxins, though this is only covered once during the lifetime of your pet. -
Hypothyroidism
If your pet is diagnosed with this condition, you may be covered for eligible costs relating to diagnosis, treatment and medication. -
Allergies
Reimbursement for eligible expenses due to seasonal and long-term allergic reactions may be covered. -
Digestive issues
Issues surrounding eligible expenses related to digestion may also be covered. -
UTIs
Includes eligible expenses related to testing and treatment for urinary-tract infections. -
Broken bones
Eligible expenses for fractures and breaks in bones may be covered.
Additional pet insurance cover from AKC Pet Insurance
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Exam coverage
Helps cover eligible veterinary examinations and office visit costs, whatever the outcome and whether treatment is required or not. -
Hereditary coverage
If you don’t know your pet’s pedigree, a disease or condition might have been passed down in their genetics that you may be unaware of. This optional add-on feature helps cover expenses related to hereditary or congenital conditions, and is available after 30 days of continuous coverage. -
Pet wellness
Helps cover eligible costs of helping your pet stay in the best shape possible via preventative care such as vaccinations, microchipping, and flea and tick prevention. -
Funeral costs
Though not available in all US states, this can help with the associated costs of pet cremation or burial at the end of life. -
Breeding
Accident, illness and complications coverage specifically for pregnant pets. AKC offers a specific rider policy for breeders, with emergency coverage for c-sections and coverage for mastitis, eclampsia, pyometra, dystocia and gestational diabetes, at an additional cost. -
Accident-only
Covers eligible expenses related to accidents such as broken bones, toxin ingestion, bite wounds and lacerations. Useful for older pets, as there’s no maximum age limit.
Does AKC Pet Insurance cover curable pre-existing conditions?
Yes, AKC Pet Insurance is one of the only major pet insurance companies to offer coverage of pre-existing conditions. Coverage includes, but is not limited to, eligible expenses for the following conditions:
- Allergies
- UTIs
- Chronic ear infections
- Gastrointestinal issues
AKC Pet Insurance defines a pre-existing condition as any illness or injury that occurred, reoccurred, existed or showed symptoms, whether diagnosed or not, prior to enrollment or during the waiting period. Gaps in coverage can also cause a condition to be pre-existing.
The condition can only be claimed after 365 days of continuous coverage (one full policy term).
Curable
AKC Pet Insurance will cover curable pre-existing conditions after 365 consecutive days of coverage with no claims or ongoing care for the condition.Incurable
AKC Pet Insurance is the only major pet insurance company that will cover incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 consecutive days of coverage. An incurable or chronic condition is one that your pet could suffer from throughout their entire life and will recur regularly. Incurable conditions can include hip dysplasia, joint deterioration or a cruciate ligament tear (ACL/CCL conditions are subject to a 180-day waiting period).Does AKC Pet Insurance cover cancer?
AKC Pet Insurance helps cover eligible expenses related to cancer. This includes bone cancer, blood cancer, internal cancers and external cancers. No additional coverage is required.
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What about hereditary and genetic breed-specific conditions?
Expenses for hereditary conditions can be covered by purchasing the Hereditary coverage add-on at an additional cost.
Inherited conditions are defined as those whose presence is determined by genetic factors. Congenital is defined as an illness or condition that was present from birth.
This means expense reimbursement for eligible treatment for heart disease, hip and elbow dysplasia, diabetes, luxating patella, arthritis and eye disorders.
Do AKC Pet Insurance plans include alternative therapies?
Currently, AKC Pet Insurance’s plans provide reimbursement for eligible treatments related to alternative and holistic treatments that have been diagnosed and recommended by a veterinarian, although not every state is covered.
Alternative therapies that are covered include acupuncture, herbal therapy, chiropractic work and homeopathic treatments.
Treatments that are not considered alternative, such as laser therapy, hydrotherapy and physical therapy, are covered under all plans.
24/7 pet telehealth
AKC Pet Insurance policy holders have access to a 24/7 veterinary support helpline.
This helpline is open seven days a week and provides access to expert advice on whether to take your pet to the vet to receive immediate attention or to seek further medical assistance. The advice is supplied by licensed veterinary professionals.
It’s available to all policyholders, and can be accessed via phone or chat at no extra cost.
Do AKC Pet Insurance plans cover vet exam fees?
AKC Pet Insurance’s basic accident and illness policy does not cover exam fees.
You can add on coverage for exam fees by purchasing the Exam Coverage additional plan, which will then cover exam fees at primary care vets, emergency hospitals and specialty clinics, whether or not your pet receives treatment.
AKC Pet Insurance coverage levels
Premiums with AKC Pet Insurance are estimated to start from $10 a month for Accident & Illness coverage. The amount billed will depend on a number of factors, including ZIP code, age and breed of your pet, and policy add-ons. Plans vary, with available annual limits of up to $10,000 for Accident & Illness.
Policy holders can also customize their premium by changing the deductible amounts, and annual reimbursement levels.
All policies with AKC Pet Insurance include an annual deductible. Most of the company’s plans let you choose the amount when you sign up. Claims can only be reimbursed once you have paid your deductible, and only expenses covered under your policy go toward meeting your deductible.
*Accident-only plans
AKC Pet Insurance waiting periods
A waiting period is the time you have to wait before some, or all, of your coverage begins. With AKC Pet Insurance, the waiting period is specified in each policy and will start on the day the policy, or the policy upgrade, begins.
The length of waiting periods can vary depending on the state you live, as well as conditions the policy holder’s pet may have, such as pre-existing conditions..
Waiting periods do not apply to annual renewals unless there is a gap in coverage.
What doesn’t AKC Pet Insurance cover?
As AKC Pet Insurance does cover pre-existing conditions, the list of what it doesn’t cover is shorter than many other pet insurers.
There are a number of conditions it doesn’t cover under any of its policies: this includes treatment for obesity, organ transplants, prostheses, certain chronic dental conditions, parasite treatment, and elective and experimental treatments.
It also doesn’t cover the cost of any treatment for illness or injury if the policy holder decides not to follow their veterinarian’s advice.
Reviews about AKC Pet Insurance 1
‘Very happy!’
‘Our 6 month old puppy swallowed part of a Nylabone and began to vomit throughout the day. An expensive trip to an emergency vet hospital followed. Our pup received an exam, x-rays, and medication and was fine within a couple of days. We filed a claim, which was easy to do, and received information about our coverage within days. Our insurance covered a large part of the expenses. Very happy with our insurance and their customer service.’
Amy
‘We love our AKC Insurance’
‘We love our AKC Insurance. Luckily we made the wise choice to buy insurance for our sweet boy when he was a tiny puppy. He is 6 now and every experience that we’ve had in filing claims with AKC Insurance has been excellent. Filing a claim with them is incredibly easy and we have always heard back from them within 24 hours. With the escalating costs of veterinary services, I don’t know what we would do without it. Thank you.’
ST
‘Professional, courteous, results oriented customer service’
‘I had some complicated issues I created in my policy and claims. My phone call was answered by a routing choice which was easy and then routed in a timely manner to a person. They immediately understood my issues and resolved them for me. It has been a long, long time since I had such a professional, courteous, results experience.’
Remy
AKC Pet Insurance FAQs
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No, your premium will not be affected by the number or type of claims you make or the amount reimbursed while you hold your policy. The only time rates will increase is when market conditions dictate it.
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AKC Pet Insurance offers a 5% multi-pet discount for policy holders who take out coverage for more than one pet. This is not available in all states.
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No, all breeds of cats and dogs are eligible for insurance.
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Claims submitted with all the correct paperwork that don’t require review are typically initiated within two business days of receipt of all necessary information. Other claims that require more records and documentation can take up to 30 days.
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AKC Pet Insurance is administered by PetPartners, Inc, which is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.