Are you looking for a pet insurance company that provides a discount, a 24-hour vet hotline, and also covers pre-existing conditions after a 12-month waiting period? AKC pet insurance provides numerous plans and flexibility, making it the right choice for you. However, you might end up spending more for some basic coverage types.
The American Kennel Club (AKC), well-known for its purebred dog registry, is a pet insurance that offers a wealth of resources, such as training, counseling, events, and pet insurance, to people who look after dogs and cats. AKC Pet Insurance is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and comes in two coverage tiers: accident-only and accident-and-illness. Senior pets are not excluded from the plan, but their coverage may be limited to accidents based on their age and condition.
AKC Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage
This pet insurance type provides two health packages, a basic plan, and several optional add-ons.
AKC CompanionCare
The company’s basic accident and illness plan, called CompanionCare, covers both dogs and cats. Options for coverage limits, deductibles, and reimbursements are included in this plan. After deducting your preferred deductible, the insurance will pay you back for a predetermined portion of your vet bills. (The amount you have to pay is called the deductible.)
Accident-only insurance
For senior pets, the AKC’s accident-only plan provides coverage for unanticipated wounds like sprains, fractures, and snake bites. Medication scans and surgery related to an injury will be covered. Treatment for conditions like cancer and preventive care will not be covered.
Exam plus
This pays pet owners back for the costs of routine veterinarian, specialized clinic, and emergency room examinations for their sick and injured animals. Visits for wellness are not included.
Breeding coverage
This includes diseases, injuries, and issues from mating, pregnancy, whelping, or nursing. In addition, this can consist of eclampsia, gestational diabetes, emergency cesarean sections, and other conditions.
Defender and DefenderPlus
Defender and DefenderPlus are AKC’s two optional wellness plans. The Defender health package includes microchipping, disentanglement, prevention of heartworm, fleas, and ticks, screenings, vaccination, and health exam costs. Recently, it offered coverage for teeth cleaning, spaying, and neutering.
What Does AKC Pet Insurance Not Cover?
As mentioned earlier, AKC CompanionCare is the company’s basic accident and illness plan that covers dogs and cats. The following are some exclusions from CompanionCare:
- Conditions that are congenital or inherited if you purchase your policy after your pet turns two.
- Optional treatments such as ear trimming and tail docking.
- Intentional harm brought on by proprietors or other accountable parties.
- Pregnancy issues, unless you choose to include the breeding coverage option.
- Diets and pet food, unless the only treatment for a covered injury or illness is a prescription diet.
- Therapy for periodontal and gingivitis, two dental conditions.
How Much Does AKC Pet Insurance Cost?
AKC Pet Insurance accident and illness plans cost $48 for dogs and $27 for cats per month. In addition, the lowest costs were $28 for dogs and $16 for cats per month, while the highest costs were approximately $74 for dogs and $43 for cats per month.
Furthermore, a pet may only sign up for accident-only plans if it is nine years of age or older. For dogs, the average monthly cost is $81; for cats, it is $36. There are two levels of wellness coverage available with AKC Pet Insurance. Dogs pay $16 and cats pay $12 a month for the Defender Wellness Plan, while dogs pay an additional $27 and cats pay $22 for the DefenderPlus Plan.
Who Should Get AKC Pet Insurance
For pet owners and breeders who already take part in AKC programming, like training, shows, and sports, AKC Pet Insurance might be something to consider. It might lower your monthly insurance premiums because of its discounts for multiple pets and ethical breeding. It may also be beneficial for pet owners who would rather set their own annual limit, reimbursement rate, and deductible to reduce monthly expenses. This is because of its customizable coverage options.
AKC Pet Insurance Discount
It provides a few options for discounts to reduce your monthly insurance costs.
- Multiple pets: Both new and existing policyholders will receive a 5% discount if they enroll multiple pets.
- Responsible breeders: A 10% discount on their policies is available to conscientious breeders who are enrolled in the AKC Breeder of Merit Program or the H.E.A.R.T. Program.
- New registrants with the AKC: AKC-registered dogs and cats are eligible for a complimentary 30-day pet insurance policy, which does not have waiting periods for illnesses or accidents.
AKC Waiting Periods and Age Limits
This Pet Insurance only provides accident coverage to newly enrolled pets who are nine years of age or older; there is no upper age limit for enrolling pets. Additionally, owners are unable to purchase specific supplemental insurance for senior pets, such as coverage for genetic and breeding issues.
AKC Pet Insurance, like other pet insurance companies, has waiting periods from enrollment to coverage commencement, limiting claim filing. Included in the company’s waiting periods are:
- Two days’ worth of injuries
- 14 days of illness
- Conditions relating to the cruciate ligament: 180 days
- 180 days for intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
AKC Pet Insurance, unlike other pet insurance companies, covers pre-existing conditions that are treatable or incurable following a 365-day waiting period. However, not all states offer this benefit. It holds licenses to offer pet insurance in all 50 states as well as Washington, D.C., through its insurance partners.
Major Benefits of AKC Pet Insurance
AKC Pet Insurance differentiates itself with comprehensive breeding coverage and pre-existing conditions coverage in addition to standard accident-only and accident-and-illness coverage. Furthermore, it provides a large assortment of optional features and adaptable Companion Care deductibles.
