AKC | Pet Insurance Review

I've had the AKC plan for 2 years. I have one of the more expensive policies that covers some office visits and medication, dental cleanings, heartworm meds as well as accidents and other illness. I did read the fine print and know that hereditary and congenital conditions are excluded but so far I have not had any problems getting claim forms or being paid for my claims. Payment sometimes takes longer than the 2 week period they mention, but I have never been denied a claim and I would say that overall I have gotten back about half of what my yearly premiums are just for routine care and vaccinations. I have never had an accident claim. The first year I had the neutering plan for and the next year I chose a plan that did not include neutering since it wouldn't be needed again. I did have to call them to change the plan but it was as simple as that. I have no complaints and plan to continue with the insurance.

I had the Wellness Plus Plan for my puppy. The only difference between the Wellness Plus and Wellness Plan is that the Wellness Plus Plan includes the cost of neutering. My puppy was neutered in the first year of cover and the vet's invoice was sent to AKC and was duly settled by them.The next year I received my renewal documents and paid the premium quoted. What I didn't realize, until the subsequent renewal, was that AKC had not downgraded my policy to the Wellness Plan since my puppy had now been neutered, they were still charging me for the Wellness Plus Plan which was no longer appropriate. When I queried this with AKC they said I had to notify them in writing that my dog had been neutered. I told them that not only did they have written confirmation from the vet, but that they had also settled the claim and were therefore well aware my dog had been neutered. AKC refused to refund the additional premium and suffice to say I immediately cancelled my policy. AKC is an arrogant and inflexible company, offering no customer service. I am now with a company who value and respect their customers. Also AKC constantly paid only a portion of my claim, as they considered the bills to be 'unreasonable'. I can't help that I live in an expensive area and in fact when you get a quote you have to enter your zip code and I'm sure your premium is adjusted accordingly. They should pay me back the full cost of my dog's care, as that is how much it costs me to provide care for him in my area.

I took out this plan when my AKC registered puppy was 4 months old.They have paid for 4 knee surgeries, one tooth extraction and eye cyst removal.They have been polite on the phone as well as timely in their payments.Better than VPI I used to have with my other dog.

I know have Petplan Insurance for my new dog, with the AKC pet insurance plan, I had to euthanize my 8 month old Rottweiler because they said they wouldn`t pay for his hip surgeries because it was hereditary. Petplan is one of the few insurances that covers hip dysplasia operations and my little guy would have been alive, now.

VPI - Veterinary Pet Insurance is much easier to deal with in terms of claim forms. They are slightly less expensive than what the other companies quoted me. I left Pet Partners for VPI and I am happy I did.