AKC Pet Insurance provides reliable protection for pets’ health, covering unexpected veterinary expenses.
This guide explains how it simplifies pet care and helps U.S. pet owners make informed decisions about pet coverage.
AKC Pet Insurance Overview
AKC Pet Insurance safeguards pets’ health by covering unexpected vet costs, offering pet owners peace of mind regarding their pets’ well-being.
Why Choose AKC Pet Insurance?
With years of reliable service, AKC Pet Insurance is a trusted name in the industry.
Known for its consistent coverage, it draws strength from the AKC’s extensive background in pet care.
The company’s solid partnerships with respected pet organizations further enhance its credibility.
Coverage Options for Your Pet
AKC Pet Insurance provides a wide range of coverage to meet your pet’s needs. Here’s what’s included:
- Accident Coverage: Protects pets against injuries caused by accidents.
- Illness Coverage: Covers treatment for both common and serious illnesses.
- Hereditary Conditions: Offers protection for breed-specific health problems.
- Preventive Care: Helps cover checkups, vaccines, and routine care.
- Alternative Therapies: Includes coverage for treatments like acupuncture and more.
How to Apply for AKC Pet Insurance
Applying for AKC Pet Insurance is straightforward. Follow these legal steps to ensure your pet is covered quickly and correctly.
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Follow these steps to apply for AKC Pet Insurance:
- Visit the official website and select your plan.
- Provide basic information about your pet (age, breed, health).
- Review plan options and adjust coverage if necessary.
- Enter personal details and payment information.
- Submit your application and receive a confirmation.
Required Documents for Legal Application
Before applying, gather the following documents to ensure the process goes smoothly:
- Proof of Pet Ownership: Adoption papers or purchase receipts.
- Medical Records: Your pet’s recent vet visit records.
- Identification and Payment Details: Valid ID and payment information.
- Agreement to Terms: Review and accept the policy’s terms and conditions.
How to File a Claim with AKC Pet Insurance
Filing a claim with AKCInsurance is quick and straightforward. Here’s how to get your pet’s care reimbursed efficiently:
- Log into your AKC Pet Insurance account.
- Complete the claim form with your pet’s treatment details.
- Attach the necessary documents, such as vet invoices.
- Submit the claim for review based on your policy coverage.
- Wait for a notification once your claim is processed and approved.
Tips for a Smooth Claims Process
To ensure a seamless experience:
- Submit Clear Invoices: Ensure the vet’s charges are legible and easy to understand.
- Provide Medical Records: Include recent vet records to support your claim.
- Double-Check Your Information: Ensure all details align with your policy to avoid delays.
- Meet Deadlines: File claims within the required timeframe to prevent complications.
- Know Your Policy: Understand what’s covered to avoid confusion during the claims process.
The Rising Costs of Pet Medical Emergencies
Pets can face health issues at any time. 1 in 3 pets will need emergency medical care each year. Common emergencies like ear infections, diarrhea, vomiting, and skin infections affect many pets. Over 27% of dog-owning households report these types of incidents annually.
While these may seem like routine problems, they can still strain your budget. For instance, hospitalization for vomiting or diarrhea can cost anywhere between $600 and $1,700, depending on your pet’s size.
Emergency surgeries can easily top $5,000, while ongoing conditions like allergies or cancer can lead to treatment costs reaching thousands of dollars. Despite these rising expenses, only 16% of dog owners in the United States have pet insurance.
How Pet Insurance Can Help
Pet insurance provides a way to manage the costs of emergency care. It ensures pets get the medical attention they need without the financial burden.
If you’re considering pet insurance, it’s an important step in making sure your pet receives quality care when it’s needed most.
AKC Pet Insurance Full Review
AKC Pet Insurance offers comprehensive policies for dogs and cats. It partners with PetPartners, Inc., to offer coverage under the American Kennel Club (AKC) brand. One standout feature is its breeding coverage, which is an optional add-on.
This covers issues related to breeding, pregnancy, birth, and nursing, including emergency C-sections—something many other insurers do not include.
What’s Good About AKC Pet Insurance
- Breeding Coverage: This unique feature covers pregnancy-related issues, including emergency C-sections, which most pet insurers don’t offer.
- Emergency Transportation: Covers emergency ground transportation by ambulance for pets in need.
- Pre-existing Conditions: After a 365-day waiting period, AKC Pet Insurance covers pre-existing conditions.
What’s Not Covered
- Dental Illness: This condition is excluded, unlike many other insurers who offer dental coverage.
- Waiting Periods: There’s a 180-day waiting period for cruciate ligament conditions and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Additional Notes
Some coverages that are included in basic policies with other insurers are available at an extra cost with AKC Pet Insurance.
While this may be a drawback for some, the option for specific coverage (like breeding) and other unique features may make AKC Pet Insurance a strong choice for pet owners in the United States.
AKC Pet Insurance Plan Options
AKC Pet Insurance offers different plan types to suit the needs of pet owners in the United States. Here’s a breakdown of the available options:
- Accident-and-Illness Coverage: This plan covers vet bills and treatments for accidents and illnesses. To qualify for this policy, pets must be enrolled before age 9.
- Accident-Only Coverage: These plans only cover accidents and injuries. Pets aged nine or older are only eligible for this non-customizable plan. Accident-only coverage is not available for younger pets.
- Wellness Plan: This plan covers preventative care, including checkups, vaccines, diagnostic tests, microchipping, deworming, and flea/tick/heartworm prevention. The wellness plan has an annual dollar limit for each procedure it covers.
Coverage Limits for AKC Insurance
AKC Pet Insurance offers various coverage options based on the policy type:
- Accident-and-Illness Plans: Coverage limits of $2,500, $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, or unlimited (unlimited coverage is available only with the “basic” plan).
- Accident-Only Plans: Unlimited coverage.
- Wellness Plans: Coverage of $305 or $535, depending on the selected plan.
Exclusions and Special Considerations:
- Breeding and Pregnancy Coverage: AKC Pet Insurance offers optional coverage for breeding-related issues, including illnesses and complications from breeding, pregnancy, whelping, or nursing. This includes emergency C-sections. It’s a unique offering in the pet insurance industry.
- Common Exclusions: As with most pet insurers, AKC excludes pre-existing conditions, elective procedures, and damages resulting from intentional abuse or neglect.
- Additional Exclusions: Dental illnesses are not covered except for medically necessary extractions of broken teeth. Some coverages, like dental illness, may require an additional fee or are excluded entirely.
How to Update or Modify Your AKC Pet Insurance Plan
Updating your AKC Pet Insurance plan is simple and quick. Follow these steps to ensure your coverage matches your pet’s current needs.
Access Your AKC Pet Insurance Account:
- Visit the AKC Pet Insurance website and click the “Login” button.
- Enter your username and password to access your account.
- Once logged in, go to the “My Plan” section to review your current coverage.
Steps to Modify Your Coverage:
- Log into your account using your credentials.
- Navigate to the “My Plan” or “Coverage” section.
- Please select the option to adjust your coverage, either by increasing or decreasing it.
- Review the updated premium and terms.
- Confirm the changes and submit for approval.
Important Legal Considerations
When modifying your AKC Pet Insurance coverage, be aware of potential changes in premiums. Increasing coverage could raise premiums while decreasing it could lower them.
To avoid future issues, ensure that all changes are documented correctly. Also, review the updated terms to ensure that coverage limits or exclusions have not unexpectedly changed.
If you have any questions, contact customer support for clarification. Always confirm that modifications comply with your policy’s terms and conditions.
How to Lower Your AKC Pet Insurance Costs
To manage your costs, start by choosing the coverage options that best fit your needs. Then, compare different providers to find discounts and extra features that add value. AKC Pet Insurance offers a multi-pet discount, which means you save on premiums when you insure more than one pet.
Additionally, AKC Pet Insurance provides 24/7 vet support via the Vet Helpline service. This service, which is available at no extra cost with accident and illness plans, offers access to telehealth consultations with veterinary professionals at any time, day or night.
Note: The multi-pet discount is not available in all states. New and current policyholders may qualify for a 5% discount when adding another pet to their policy.
Using AKC Pet Insurance with Your Current Veterinarian
If you already have a veterinarian, AKC Insurance Pet makes it easy to use your coverage. Here’s how it works:
- Take your pet to any licensed vet, specialist, or emergency clinic in the United States.
- Pay your bill at the time of the visit.
- Submit your claim to AKC Pet Insurance via mail, email, fax, or app.
AKC Pet Insurance will reimburse eligible expenses through a mailed check or direct deposit to your bank account.
Have More Questions? Here’s How to Get Help
If you have questions about your covered pet, AKC Pet Insurance offers 24/7 veterinary support via phone or chat. This is available for any concerns outside normal vet office hours.
For more information about plans and features, visit the website. If you need assistance, contact the Customer Care Team. They’re ready to help with any policy-related questions.
- Phone: 1-866-725-2747
- Email: help@akcpetinsurance.com
Reach out anytime for enrollment, coverage, claims, and more assistance. AKC Pet Insurance is here to help you get the right pet coverage.
Conclusion
AKC Pet Insurance is a solid choice if you breed animals or need pregnancy coverage. Its benefit of covering pre-existing conditions after one year is a key advantage for pets with existing health issues.
However, the absence of dental coverage and additional costs for hereditary or congenital conditions may be a downside for some pet owners.