A Vet's Review of Pet Partners / AKC Pet Insurance

by Frances Wilkerson, DVM

This review discusses coverage and payout structure

To get the most from this review, please read the Guide to Pet Insurance first.
For a detailed look at AKC, see AKC's Comparison Sheet.



Overview

AKC has offered pet insurance since 2003. This review refers to the following plans: Essential Plan; Essential Plus Plan; Wellness Plan; Wellness Plus Plan.



Coverage Overview

In general, AKC Pet Insurance covers examinations, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, and prescription medications for accidents/injuries and illnesses as long as the condition is not pre-existing, has not occurred during the waiting period, and you have not reached your maximum payout.

Non-routine dental coverage is limited.



Coverage For Chronic Diseases & Continual Coverage For Chronic Diseases

While AKC pet insurance has continual coverage for chronic diseases as part of the base policy, it does not cover some very common chronic diseases. These include but are not limited to: chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, and osteoarthritis. Coverage for these types of chronic diseases must be apart of any pet insurance plan you purchase as these are common ailments seen in older pets. (See: 5 Points of Coverage Your Pet Insurance Plan Must Have).


Also, if your pet develops a chronic disease that is hereditary or congenital in nature you will not be covered as AKC pet insurance does not cover hereditary and congenital conditions. (See Below)



Hereditary & Congenital Coverage

AKC Pet Insurance does not cover hereditary or congenital conditions including hip dysplasia. Hereditary / congenital coverage is one of the important pieces of coverage that must be part of any pet insurance plan. (See: 5 Points of Coverage Your Pet Insurance Plan Must Have).



Cancer Coverage

AKC Pet Insurance offers cancer coverage but... if the cancer is shown to be due to hereditary or genetic reasons, it may not be covered.



Coverage For Breed Specific Conditions

Breed Specific Medical Conditions occur as hereditary and congenital issues and as chronic medical diseases. AKC Pet Insurance does not cover hereditary or congenital conditions and they do not cover some very common chronic diseases, therefore AKC's coverage for breed specific conditions is minimal.



Maximum Payout Structure

AKC has a per-incident maximum payout structure combined with an annual maximum payout structure. While the annual maximum is very generous, there is a maximum you will receive per-incident depending on the plan you purchase.

AKC's per-incident maximum payout structure may work for people who's calculated "Worst Case Scenario Costs" are on the low end... but if your calculated "Worst Case Scenario Costs" are higher than $5,000 then the payout may not meet your needs. (See: Picking the Right Maximum Payout)



Summary of Coverage and Payout Structure

Gotchas

  • No hereditary or congenital coverage
  • Some very common chronic medical conditions are not covered
  • If a cancer is shown to be hereditary or genetic, it may not be covered
  • The per-incident payout structure may not be enough for those with high "Worst Case Scenario Costs"
  • Non-routine dental coverage is limited



Good Points

  • Strong underwriter
  • Coverage when travel out of state or to Canada
  • Provides continual coverage of chronic diseases



Additional Comments:

  • Make sure you understand what the waiting periods are.
  • Make sure you understand their bilateral conditions policy.
  • Make sure you understand any requirements that you must adhere to to maintain coverage.
  • Make sure you read the terms and conditions to get a thorough understanding of all exclusions.
  • Make you call the company to understand how and when your premium can increase.
  • If you change plan levels, there is a possibility that all medical conditions present under the old plan will be considered pre-existing in the new plan. Make sure you ask the company if this is the case.
  • Pre-existing conditions can be based on symptoms alone, a diagnosis is not needed. For example, if your pet had a cough before you applied for pet insurance and this cough was discussed and written in the pet's medical record, there is the possibility that all future cough conditions, no matter what the cause, would be considered pre-existing - even if there was no treatment given. Make sure you ask the company if this is the case.
  • Pet insurance companies are businesses. The top priority of any business is to make a profit for their stakeholders. Pet insurance companies can and may change your rates and terms to meet that top priority. A change of business ownership or underwriters can also be a catalyst for changes in your rates and terms.

    When you purchase pet insurance make sure you have a realistic understanding of this and how it can affect you.


Additional Reviews:

AKC | ASPCA | Embrace | Healthy Paws | PetFirst | PetPlan | Pets Best | Purina | Trupanion | VPI | 24 Pet Watch


**Disclaimer:This review is meant to supplement not replace your own due diligence. Please read all terms and conditions of the pet insurance plan before you buy.

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