AKC Pet Insurance Review 2024 (2024)

• AKC’s Types of Plans and Coverage
• What Does AKC Pet Insurance Not Cover?
• AKC Pet Insurance Coverage Levels
• What are AKC’s Pet Insurance Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions?
• How Much Does Pet Insurance from AKC Cost?
• AKC Pet Insurance State Availability
• AKC Pet Insurance Claims
• AKC vs. Pets Best
• AKC vs. Embrace
• AKC vs. Paw Protect
• About AKC Pet Insurance
• AKC Pet Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

AKC offers the types of pet insurance plans similar to what you would find among the best pet insurance companies. That includes an accident and illness plan, which is the most common type of pet insurance plan. You can also buy an accident-only plan and purchase add-on coverage.

Accident and Illness Plans

Here are some of the expenses that are covered under AKC’s CompanionCare plan:

AKC Pet Insurance Initial 30 Days of Pet Insurance Coverage

When you register your dog with the American Kennel Club, you can qualify for 30 days of free accident and illness pet coverage. It includes all the same coverage that you get with AKC’s standard accident and illness plan, but the waiting periods are waived. After the initial 30-day period ends, you can provide a payment method to continue your coverage, or find another pet insurer.

Accident-Only Insurance

AKC offers an accident-only plan that strictly covers vet expenses related to emergencies such as broken bones, swallowing foreign objects, torn cruciate ligaments and getting struck by a vehicle. This plan does not cover illness-related vet expenses, such as skin infections or cancer treatment.

AKC Pet Insurance Add-Ons

AKC offers a good selection of add-on coverage. The optional plans include:

• Breeding coverage: Covers unexpected emergencies for dog breeders, such as liver failure and emergency C-sections.
• Exam coverage: Covers the cost of primary care exams, specialist exams and emergency visits.
• Final respects coverage: Covers the cost of cremation, burial and memorial expenses for your pet.
• Hereditary coverage: Covers specific hereditary conditions that are not covered under AKC’s accident and illness plans, such as arthritis, diabetes and hip dysplasia.
• Pet wellness coverage: Covers preventative care, such as annual wellness exams, microchipping, routine dental care and diagnostic testing. There are two wellness plans available: Defender and DefenderPlus. The DefenderPlus costs more per month but provides more coverage, including neutering and spaying.

Here are some problems that are not covered by AKC pet insurance:

• Elective procedures.
• Experimental treatment.
• Obesity treatments.
• Organ transplants.
• Treatment for chronic dental conditions.
• Parasite treatment.
• Prosthetic devices.
• Grooming.

Maximum Annual Limit

The maximum annual limit is the most money AKC will pay for covered expenses during the policy period. You can choose your maximum annual limit when you purchase a policy. The options include:

• $2,500
• $5,000
• $7,500
• $10,000
• $15,000
• Unlimited

Deductible Options

The deductible is the amount you’ll need to pay before your coverage begins to reimburse you for vet expenses. AKC offers the following deductible options:

• $100
• $250
• $300
• $400
• $500
• $600
• $750
• $1,000

Reimbursement Options

When you purchase pet insurance, you can choose how much of your vet bills get reimbursed by AKC. You can select a reimbursement level of:

• 70%
• 80%
• 90%

AKC pet insurance has the following waiting periods:

• 2-day accident waiting period.
• 14-day illness waiting period.
• 180 days for cruciate ligament conditions and intervertebral disc disease.
• 12-month waiting period for curable pre-existing conditions like allergies and infections.

AKC has some age restrictions for its plans. In most states, puppies can be insured at 8 weeks old and kittens can be insured starting at 10 weeks old. If your pet is under age 9, you can enroll them in any plan. If your pet is over age 9, you can only enroll them in the accident-only plan.

AKC pet insurance costs an average of $48 per month for a dog and $26 per month for a cat, according to Forbes Advisor’s analysis of pet insurance costs. That’s for $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. The average cost of AKC pet insurance is $60 per month for a dog and $32 per month for a cat for unlimited coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.

AKC Price Comparison for Dogs

AKC Price Comparison for Cats

AKC Costs vs. Other Top Insurers

Company	Company - Logo	Average monthly cost for dog insurance	Average monthly cost for cat insurance	Forbes Advisor Rating	Forbes Advisor Rating	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	Learn more
Pets Best		$48	$27	5.0		Compare Plans
Embrace		$76	$37	4.5		Compare Plans
Paw Protect		$77	$38	4.5		Compare Plans
Figo		$60	$26	4.3		Compare Plans
Spot		$97	$46	4.3		Compare Plans
Fetch		$77	$40	4.1		Compare Plans
Healthy Paws		$55	$22	4.1		Compare Plans
Lemonade		$52	$28	4.1		Compare Plans
AKC		$60	$32	N/A		Compare Plans

Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on unlimited annual coverage ($15,000 for Fetch and $100,000 for Lemonade) with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level for dogs and cats, ages 3 months, 2 years, 5 years and 7 years.

There are a few ways to file a claim with AKC pet insurance:

• Online: You can submit the claim through the online customer portal.
• Email: claims@petpartners.com.
• Fax: Fax the completed claim form to (919) 859-8193.
• Mail: Send the completed claim form to: PetPartners Inc., PO Box 37940, Raleigh, NC 27627

You will need to complete AKC’s claim form and submit it along with your veterinary invoice. The claims process typically takes about two business days of receipt of your information. If additional vet records are required, the claims process can take up to 30 days.

If your claim is approved, you will be reimbursed via a direct deposit to your bank account or you will receive a paper check.

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