Jeffrey Wade
AKC Pet Insurance is a popular choice for pet owners, with many praising the company for its easy claims process, exceptional customer support, and customizable and affordable coverage plans. However, some customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the company, claiming that their pre-existing conditions were not covered despite being advertised otherwise. With a wide range of pet insurance providers in the market, it is essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option to determine which one best suits your pet's needs and your budget. So, is AKC pet insurance worth it? Let's explore further and find out.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of states covered | 50 + Washington, D.C. |
| Website usability | Easy to navigate and sign up |
| App availability | Pet Cloud app for vet records, connecting with other pet owners, policy information, and filing claims |
| Claims process | Online, email, mail, or fax; paid within 3-30 business days |
| Coverage | Accident and illness plans, optional breeding coverage, and wellness add-ons |
| Pre-existing conditions | May be covered after a waiting period |
| Customer service | Phone or live online chat |
| Customization | Plans can be tailored to budget and needs |
| Discounts | Available for each additional pet covered |
| Cost | Low initial premiums, but monthly costs may increase |
| Age restrictions | Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, limited options for pets over 9 years old |
| Deductible | $100-$1,000 annual deductible |
| Reimbursement rate | 90% reimbursement rate |
| Annual coverage limit | $3,000-$16,000 |
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What You'll Learn
AKC's standard plan
AKC offers pet insurance to dogs and cats in all 50 states. It is licensed to sell pet insurance through its insurance partners, and coverage may vary depending on the state.
The company has received mixed reviews. Some customers have praised its inexpensive, customisable coverage and its handling of claims, while others have complained about its exclusion of pre-existing conditions and its refusal to cover certain treatments.
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Pros and cons
Pros
AKC Pet Insurance is highly rated by customers for its easy claims process, exceptional customer support, and prompt refunds. Its customizable coverage plans are affordable, allowing pet owners to tailor policies to fit their budget. Newly registered AKC pets may be eligible for 30 days of free insurance coverage. The company offers a discount for each pet you cover. The AKC website is easy to navigate and makes it straightforward to sign up for coverage. There's a user portal for making claims, updating billing information and accessing policy details.
Cons
AKC has limitations, such as not covering common diseases like Cushing's in dogs and FIV in cats. It also offers limited options for pets over nine years old. Despite low initial premiums, your monthly costs may increase if you want the coverage included in AKC's optional policy riders. Some customers have complained about their claims being denied or delayed. AKC does not cover hereditary or congenital conditions unless you buy optional coverage.
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Customer reviews
AKC Pet Insurance has received mixed reviews from customers. While some customers have praised the company for its easy claims process, exceptional customer support, and affordable, flexible, and customizable coverage plans, others have complained about denied claims and unexpected premium increases.
Many customers have expressed satisfaction with AKC Pet Insurance, highlighting its user-friendly website and app, swift and efficient handling of claims, and helpful customer service representatives who go above and beyond to assist with claims and explain policy details. The company's 30-day free trial, which guarantees refunds if no claims are made within the first month, has also been well-received. Additionally, customers have appreciated the ability to customize their coverage, deductible, and reimbursement rates to suit their budgets.
On the other hand, some customers have shared negative experiences with AKC Pet Insurance, particularly regarding denied claims. Several reviews mention that the company denied all claims related to their dog's death due to a bowel obstruction, leaving them with significant financial burden. Other customers have reported issues with unexpected premium increases and difficulties in obtaining responses from the company.
It's worth noting that AKC Pet Insurance has certain limitations, such as not covering common diseases like Cushing's in dogs and FIV in cats, and offering limited options for pets over nine years old. Additionally, while AKC offers a wide range of coverage with add-ons, some customers have noted that these optional riders can increase monthly costs.
Overall, while AKC Pet Insurance has received positive reviews for its customer service and flexibility, there are also critical reviews highlighting issues with denied claims and unexpected premium changes.
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Cost and coverage
AKC's standard plan covers shots required to treat a pet’s injury or illness, but it does not cover preventive shots such as vaccinations. To include this in your coverage, you would need to add one of AKC's wellness add-ons, Defender or DefenderPlus. The accident and illness plan also do not cover spaying or neutering, which can be added through the DefenderPlus wellness coverage.
AKC Pet Insurance offers a 30-day free trial, which is a great option if you're shopping around and want to test out the plan. After the trial, there is a two-day waiting period for accident coverage and a 14-day waiting period for illness coverage.
The cost of AKC Pet Insurance varies depending on your chosen plan. You can choose from a $100 to $1,000 annual deductible, with a per-incident limit of $1,500 to $8,000 and annual limits of $3,000 to $16,000. There is also a co-pay of 20% after your annual deductible.
AKC Pet Insurance has received mixed reviews when it comes to cost and coverage. Some customers praise the company for its affordable and customizable plans, while others complain about their claims being denied due to pre-existing conditions. It's important to note that AKC does cover pre-existing conditions, but there is a waiting period before coverage becomes effective.
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Comparison with competitors
When compared to its competitors, AKC pet insurance has a few key differences. Firstly, it is licensed to sell pet insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., whereas some competitors may not offer plans in certain states. Additionally, AKC offers customizable plans that allow pet owners to choose their coverage, deductible, and limits to fit their budget and their pet's individual needs. This flexibility is a significant advantage for many pet owners.
In terms of specific coverages, AKC's standard plan covers shots required to treat a pet's injury or illness, but it does not include preventive shots like vaccinations. For those, pet owners would need to add one of AKC's wellness add-ons, such as Defender or DefenderPlus. The accident and illness plan also do not cover spaying or neutering, which is included in some competitors' plans. AKC offers optional coverage for issues related to breeding, which is not commonly offered by other companies.
When it comes to pre-existing conditions, AKC has been known to cover them after a waiting period, even incurable ones, which is a significant advantage over some competitors like Nationwide. However, it's important to note that some customers have complained about their claims being denied due to pre-existing conditions, so it's essential to carefully review the policy details.
Another important consideration is the claims process. AKC is highly rated for its easy claims process and exceptional customer support, offering prompt refunds and responses to inquiries. However, there are also a few negative reviews from customers who struggled to get a response or had their claims denied.
Overall, when comparing AKC pet insurance to its competitors, it stands out for its wide availability, customizable plans, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and excellent customer support. However, it's important to carefully review the specific coverages and limitations of AKC's plans, as well as those of its competitors, to make an informed decision based on individual needs and budget.
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Frequently asked questions
AKC pet insurance is highly rated by customers for its easy claims process and exceptional customer support. It offers comprehensive, affordable, and flexible pet insurance with a wide variety of add-on options. AKC's 30-day free trial guarantees refunds if no claims are made within the first month.
AKC's standard plan covers shots required to treat a pet’s injury or illness. It won't cover preventive shots such as vaccinations. For those, you would need one of AKC's wellness add-ons, Defender or DefenderPlus. The accident and illness plan from AKC don't cover spaying or neutering. You can get that coverage by adding the company’s DefenderPlus wellness coverage. Newly registered AKC pets may be eligible for 30 days of free insurance coverage.
AKC pet insurance has been criticised for not covering common diseases like Cushing's in dogs and FIV in cats. It also offers limited options for pets over nine years old. Some customers have also complained about their claims being repeatedly denied.
