Who's the Best Pet Insurance Provider? Comparing AKC Pet Insurance and Trupanion
We compare AKC Pet Insurance and Trupanion to see who's the best pet insurance provider. We review costs, coverage, customer service, and unique features.
Pet insurance allows pet owners to care for their pet’s physical well-being by helping cover the cost of expensive medical bills. With the ever-growing field of pet insurance providers, researching coverage and service options prior to enrollment is a vital first step in the process.
Let’s compare the options, availability, and services provided by two popular pet insurance companies: AKC Pet Insurance and Trupanion.
Company Information
AKC Pet Insurance is the only pet insurance brand partnered with the globally recognized and prestigious American Kennel Club (AKC), the oldest kennel club in the United States. Underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and administered by PetPartners, Inc., AKC Pet Insurance has been providing best-in-show pet insurance in all 50 states since 2003.
Founded in 1998 as Vetinsurance International, Inc., Trupanion was founded by Darryl Rawlings. His dog, Monty, was even the first dog enrolled in the plan in 2000. Currently, they are underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company or ZPIC Insurance Company in the U.S., and are administered by Trupanion Managers USA, Inc.
Top Unique Features
AKC Pet Insurance leads the pack when it comes to coverage for pre-existing conditions*, as they are the only pet insurance brand to offer coverage for curable and incurable pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous coverage (not available in FL or WA). While Trupanion claims no pet insurer offers coverage for pre-existing conditions, that is an important part of what sets AKC Pet Insurance’s coverage offerings apart from their competitors.
AKC Pet Insurance has two additional unique offerings that Trupanion does not. While AKC Pet Insurance provides pet insurance plans for all cat and dog breeds, they offer an Initial 30 days of Pet Insurance Coverage with AKC registrations** through their affiliation with the AKC. Additionally, AKC Pet Insurance provides access to a 24/7 Vet Helpline via phone and chat with all their Accident and Illness plans. You can get answers to your questions and advice on when to take your pet to a vet for an in-person exam from a staff of veterinary professionals.
During enrollment, both brands allow customization of the plan’s annual limits, incident limits, and coinsurance rates. Trupanion has no life-time limits on their coverage, however, their deductibles are handled per incident rather than per year. This means instead of meeting an overall annual spend deductible for all medical issues that resets annually, your pet has a deductible per medical issue for life, so once you meet the deductible for a particular issue, it is fully covered for the life of your plan.
Trupanion is unique in that they have a network of vets that accept direct billing, which speeds up the claims process for customers. Customers are not limited to the vets in their provider network, but the claims process would be handled by the customer rather than Trupanion being billed directly by the vet.
AKC Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion Coverage Comparison
AKC Pet Insurance’s base package is the Accident and Illness Plan. From there, customers can select add-on packages at an additional cost to build the plan that suits their pet’s needs. Additional coverage options include Wellness Options, Exam Coverage, Hereditary Condition Coverage, Breeding Coverage, and Final Respects Coverage.
Similarly, Trupanion offers a base package that includes accident and illness coverage. Their optional add-ons are Recovery and Complementary Care and Pet Owner Assistance.
AKC Pet Insurance | Trupanion | |
Pre-Existing Conditions | Covered After 365 Days of Continuous Coverage (not available in FL or WA) | Not Covered |
24/7 Vet Helpline | Included | Not Available |
Toxin Ingestion | Covered | Covered |
Cancer | Covered | Covered |
Diagnostics | Covered | Covered |
Physical Therapy | Covered | Covered with Add-on |
Surgery | Covered | Covered |
Exam Fees | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Microchipping | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Preventative Wellness Care | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Spay/Neuter | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Vaccinations | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Flea & Tick Prevention | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Pregnancy and Birth Care | Covered with Add-on | Not Covered |
Comparing the Cost of AKC Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion
The base price for both AKC Pet Insurance and Trupanion is calculated monthly, but has the option for annual payments based on the customer’s preference. AKC Pet Insurance costs vary based on the pet’s species, breed, age, and location, so get a free no-obligation quote to determine coverage costs for your pet. AKC Pet Insurance does not charge a signup or enrollment fee when you initially start your plan, though both companies charge a small processing fee in addition to their premiums.
A full quote is required to get estimates on coverage costs from Trupanion. They also have variations in premiums based on species, breed, gender, age, and pet location. Additionally, they have an enrollment fee that varies from state to state, but is around $35. That fee, along with the first month’s premium, is due at the point of signup.
AKC Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion Customer Service Comparison
Customer service is not always the first thought when it comes to pet insurance, but it can make your experience a little easier when you’re working with a knowledgeable and compassionate team. Both companies boast Better Business Bureau Accreditation and have won customer service awards in the past. As of this writing, customers have rated AKC Pet Insurance 4.4 out of 5 stars on Consumer Affairs and Trupanion received a rating of 3.7 stars.
If you are looking for peace of mind that you’ll have assistance with pet care costs in the event of a medical emergency, pet insurance is the solution. Choosing the right provider for you and your pet is important, so be sure to compare more than just rate quotes prior to enrollment. Partner with a provider that offers robust coverage options and excellent customer service like AKC Pet Insurance.
* Not available in all states. Pre-existing condition coverage available after 365 days of continuous coverage. “Only brand” refers to comparison with 5 pet insurance carriers making up approximately 80% of the US pet insurance market (Nationwide, ASPCA, Trupanion, HealthyPaws and PetPlan).
**The AKC Pet Insurance initial 30 days of accident and illness coverage is administered by PetPartners, Inc. Insurance is underwritten and issued by Independence American Insurance Company (rated A- "Excellent" by A.M. Best) with offices at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd, Suite 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Not available in all states (including CA and WA) and available to U.S. residents. Eligibility restrictions apply. Activation required for coverage to take effect. Premium is deferred on initial 30 days of coverage.
Visit https://www.akcpetinsurance.com/akc-offer or call 1-866-725-2747 for more information or to review terms and conditions
Every Dog and Cat Deserves the Pet Insurance of Champions
Get prize-winning care for your pets.
CJ has always wanted to be a writer. She even threatened to drop out after her first day of kindergarten when they weren’t immediately going to teach her to read and write. Fortunately, she stayed in school, earned her degree in Creative Writing from Christopher Newport University, and now gets to live her best life with her husband, 3 Japanese Chins, and cat writing for AKC Pet Insurance.
READ MORE ARTICLES
