AKC | Pet Insurance Review

We have 2 English bulldogs who are now 16 months old. At the age of 4 months we purchased AKC healthcare for both of them. Our male had a cavity above his screwtail so surgery was performed in 8/2007. This was not covered because they said it was congenital but our vet, who had checked him since the age of 7 weeks, had never discovered it before. Our female started limping on her left hind leg in October of 2007 so our vet referred to a specialist. The specialist suggested inserting pins in her knee since it was very weak. We had this surgery performed in January of 2008 and, of course, this surgery was not reimbursed either. This insurance is a scam - DO NOT PURCHASE SINCE THEY COVER NOTHING!

I've had this Pet Insurance since March when my new puppy came to me as my forever partner to replace my 12-yr-old SD; I've had several visits to the vet and need to process my puppy's claims; it seems impossible to download claim forms from their web sight, and this is bothersome; in responding to the comment whether claims should be processed if more than 90 days go by, to me they should be processed up to six months following treatment; unless the company has some compelling reason to require the 90-day rule, and I can't think of what it would be--if there is such a rule, there ought to be reasonable exceptions to it--on a case-by-case basis. Incidentally, the Dog Law books should be on our shelves for quick reference when needed!

We've had this insurance since 2003. Claims processing has been exhausting, requiring escalation to their president. Now, they have a fairly new rule -- claims must be submitted within 90 days -- and a new form has to be completed each time, even for same illness -- and filled out by vet. This seems like bad faith to me. Does anyone know if it is legal to deny a claim if it's submitted after 90 days. If the coverage is in place at the time of treatment, then they should pay, yes?

I've had pet partners for over a year for at least one of my 6 dogs and this one dog sustained a fractured leg after playing with my other dog. Well Pet partners paid for everything to make the diagnosis but when it came time for the repair they denied it! They said that even though my dog has sustained the injury from an accident, because the what the vet repaired the fracture was considered "not covered" and they denied the $1577.00 surgery charge yet paid for the emergency examination and the xrays of her leg! I'm going back to Pet Care USA insurance where I have my other dogs! OVERPRICED TOO!!!

I have two giant breed dogs (a Great Dane and a St. Bernard)insured with them and have had no problems with coverage for anything. I chose the most extensive plans to ensure as much benefit as was necessary in case of problems. As with all contracts, you should READ THE FINE PRINT for the coverage start date and what exactly will be denied (existing conditions, age-related dz, etc.). It's not difficult to mull through or understand. Insurance is definitely worth the money if you have dogs that weigh 150+ pounds and every medication is weight-dosed. :)