Top Pet Insurance For Akitas: Cost, Plans & FAQs

pet insurance for akitas

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Whether you’re a first-time Akita owner or a seasoned pro, you know that these powerful and protective dogs require special care and attention. However, providing excellent care for your furry friend can quickly add up in cost. That’s where pet insurance comes in, providing peace of mind for unexpected veterinary expenses. In this article, we will explore the top pet insurance plans for Akitas, their various plans, and frequently asked questions, so you can choose the plan that’s right for you and your beloved Akita.

The Best Pet Insurance For Akitas

Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best pet insurance for Akitas

You can click this link to go to the reviews, but we encourage you to keep reading to make a more educated decision about getting pet insurance for your Akita.

What Is Pet Akitas Insurance?

Getting pet insurance for your Akita dog is equivalent to getting health insurance for yourself. Pet Insurance is designed to reimburse dog owners for unexpected veterinary expenses and related fees, giving them peace of mind and protecting their savings.

How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost For Akitas?

Akita’s dog insurance prices will be based on your pet’s pre-existing health conditions, gender, age, location, and other factors.

Keep in mind rising vet costs due to technological advances and an increasing number of claims in your location, which can increase your monthly payment. For instance, if your Akita is quoted at $45 per month today, that price is subject to change.

We compared quotes for plans for Akitas with three popular pet insurance providers to help you find the best fit for you in terms of monthly premiums and coverage. We chose three Akitas at different stages in their life.

  • An adult Akita (5 years old)
  • A young Akita (1-year-old)
  • A puppy Akita (3 months old).

Check out our Pet Insurance Comparison table for Akitas below.

Pet Insurance Quotes For Akitas

CompanyDeductibleReimbursementAnnual Reimbursement LimitMonthly PriceLocationGenderBreedAge
Healthy Paws$50070%Unlimited$76.60Colorado
(zip code: 80023)
MaleAkita5 years
Lemonade$50070%$100,000$61.01Colorado
(zip code: 80023)
MaleAkita5 years
Spot Pet Insurance$50070%Unlimited$81.94Colorado
(zip code: 80023)
MaleAkita5 years
Healthy Paws$50080%Unlimited$50.27Utah
(zipcode: 84041)
FemaleAkita1 year
Lemonade$50080%$100,000$41.73Utah
(zip code: 84041)
FemaleAkita1 year
Spot Pet Insurance$50080%Unlimited$71.77Utah
(zip code: 84041)
FemaleAkita1 year
Healthy Paws$50070%Unlimited$53.77Virginia
(zip code: 22310)
FemaleAkita3 months
Lemonade$50070%$100,000$30.04Virginia
(zipcode: 22310)
FemaleAkita3 months
Spot Pet Insurance$50070%Unlimited$60.66Virginia
(zipcode: 22310)
FemaleAkita3 months

How Much Can You Expect to Pay For Akitas Canine Insurance?

If you get Pet Insurance for your Akita, you can expect to pay between $30 to $81 per month. Depending on where you live, what deductible, and the reimbursement percentage you choose, you may spend more or less.

NOTE: The quotes we ran were for dogs with no pre-existing conditions. All quotes are from February 2023

Is Pet insurance For Akitas Worth it?

Here are three main reasons why you should consider getting pet insurance for your Akita

1. Avoid Deciding Between Your Wallet And Your Akita

USA Today reports that many dog owners have made the terrible decision to euthanize their pups because they didn’t have the money to pay for surgery or treatment.[1]

With pet insurance, you can seek medical care for your sick or injured Akita without worrying about hurting your finances.

On average, the most common dog treatments cost $252.75, while a more severe and common condition in Akitas, like Uveodermatologic Syndrome, can cost between $1,000 – $3,000 to diagnose and treat.[2]

2. Pet Insurance For Akitas Accidents

According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, nearly 70% of households in the U.S. own a pet, and it’s estimated that 1 in 3 will need emergency veterinary treatment every year. So, how does that translate to Akita’s numbers?

A recent survey found that roughly 90 million dogs live in the United States.[3] So, unfortunately, 33% (1 in 3) of Akitas may need emergency care this year. This could lead to massive vet bills. In fact, the average cost of unexpected veterinary care for dogs is between $250 to $8,000, says Healthy Paws in a recent report.[4] Sadly, only 61 percent of Americans cannot cover a $1,000 emergency.[5]

A good pet insurance plan will cover most of the vet costs as most pet insurance policies reimburse up to 80% (some go up to 90%) of total vet expenses after deductibles.

3. Common Health Issues For Akitas

The following table shows the most common health conditions Akitas are likely to develop.

We also include the level of risk (susceptibility to each health condition) and how much you are expected to pay.

ConditionRiskCost to Diagnose & Treat
Hip DysplasiaMedium$1,500 - $6,000
Cruciate Ligament InjuryHigh$1,000 - $3,000
EntropionHigh$300 - $1,500
PemphigusHigh$500 - $3,000
Sebaceous AdenitisHigh$200 - $600
Uveodermatologic SyndromeHigh$1,000 - $3,000
HypothyroidismMedium$50 - $150 Treatment, Surgery $2,500 - $3,000

Other Reasons To Get Dog Insurance For Your Akita

  • Delivers peace of mind
  • Can cover your pet’s hereditary condition
  • Avoid veterinary rising cost
  • Can help you find your missing/stolen pet
  • Can cover third-party liabilities
  • Helps you save money

Pro Tip: If you know your dog breed is prone to develop certain health issues, we highly recommend getting a pet insurance policy when your dog is still healthy. If your dog does develop chronic conditions down the road, you’re guaranteed reimbursement for these issues throughout your dog’s life.

Pet Insurance for your Akita can spare you financial trouble. Chronic health conditions, emergencies, and vet visits can rack up costs throughout your Akita’s life.


Best Pet Insurance For Akitas

Here are Canine Bible’s top picks for the best pet insurance for Akitas.

We’ve reviewed each company based on specific breed needs, customer reviews, affordability, and other factors to help you choose the right company and coverage for your Akita.

Best Overall — Healthy Paws

Our rating: 4.8

We named Healthy Paws our best overall pet insurance for your Akita for its comprehensive coverage, pricing, availability, and customer service. There are no caps on payouts when you file a claim under a Healthy Paws insurance plan. A Healthy Paws insurance plan may cover accidents, illnesses, cancer, emergency care, genetic conditions, and alternative care.

They have competitive premium prices. We ran a quote for a healthy Akita at a $500 deductible, with 70% coverage. Depending on your location, pet’s age, and other factors, you can expect to pay between $50 and $76.

With Healthy Paws, you can start protecting your Akita at eight weeks old. You can protect them from anything like a pesky bee sting to parvo.

Once you pay your deductible, there is no limit on the amount your policy can reimburse you. It also has fewer coverage exclusions compared to many competitors. Healthy Paws states that they pay 99% of claims in two days.

Pros

  • You can submit your claim online or via their app
  • Pet are eligible for coverage when they travel with you in the U.S. or Canada (up to 3 months)
  • BBB Rating: A+
  • Great email response time
  • Direct deposit or check reimbursement
  • No limit to how many claims you can make

Cons

  • 15-day waiting period for accident and illness
  • Doesn’t cover veterinary exam fees and behavioral therapies
  • No wellness plan
  • There is a one-time enrollment fee of $25
  • Can’t enroll pets over 4 years old in NY

Best Value — Lemonade Pet Insurance

Our rating: 4.7

Lemonade offers excellent pet insurance coverage for your Akita at the most affordable price. While your monthly premium cost will vary by location, pet’s age, gender, and other factors, Lemonade premiums usually start at just $10 a month, the lowest in the industry.

To estimate your monthly premium, we ran a few quotes for a healthy Akita at a $500 deductible and a 70%, 80%, and 90% coverage. Based on our research, you can expect to pay between $30 and $61.

We love that Lemonade is tech-forward, making it easy to manage your policy and file claims through an app. Their plans cover accidents and illnesses, including injuries, poisonings, broken bones, sprains, infections, general sicknesses, cancer, heart disease, hip dysplasia, hernias, skin conditions and more.

They also offer several add-ons to help pet owners pay for exam fees, physical therapy, and preventive care costs.

Pros

  • Coverage starts at $5 per month
  • Provides a mobile app and website chat function
  • Giveback program donates unused policy money to charities
  • Waiting period of 2 days for accidents, which is shorter than many competitors
  • Preventive care treatments for puppies and kittens under 2 years old
  • 10% discount for bundling your policy with Lemonade home insurance or renters insurance

Cons

  • Doesn’t offer coverage for pets over 14 years old

Most Customizable Plans — Spot Insurance

Our rating: 4.7

Spot Pet Insurance is ideal for Akitas dog owners who want a variety of ways to customize their policy. Spot offers seven annual limit options, three reimbursement levels, and five annual deductibles. They offer the lowest deductible in the industry ($100), meaning that when your Akita gets sick, you pay less upfront before your plan starts paying. With so many customization options, this company it’s our top pick for finding a plan for meeting your specific financial needs and those of your pet.

Spot’s policies also cover some items, such as exam fees and microchipping, that many other pet insurance providers don’t offer. They also have one of the cheapest plans for accident-only coverage, making it perfect for pet owners who only need minimal coverage.

If you sign up with Spot Pet Insurance, based on our research, you can expect to pay between $60 and $81, but prices may vary depending on your location, Akita’s age, and other factors.

Spot covers you when your Akita gets hurt unexpectedly from tooth extractions to torn ligaments. They can also cover Pemphigus treatment, which Akitas are prone to, as long as they were diagnosed after coverage.

Pros

  • Low $100 deductible is available
  • Has seven options for coverage limits
  • Multipet discount of 10%
  • Two optional wellness plans are available
  • Has a 24/7 pet telehealth line

Cons

  • The waiting period for accident coverage is 14 days
  • Does not cover prescription pet food
  • Limited knee and ligament coverage (bilateral condition policies)

Great For Pre-Existing Conditions

If your Akita suffers from a curable pre-existing condition Embrace Pet Insurance is your best choice! Most pet insurance companies do not cover pre-existing conditions, but Embrace distinguishes between curable and incurable pre-existing conditions. They can cover curable conditions after 12 months of symptoms and are treatment-free.


Akitas Average Vet Bill Cost (Healthy Vet Visits vs Emergencies)

Are you wondering how much you would have to pay out of pocket for regular vet visits and emergencies? Here is a breakdown of the average price for both.

If you don’t have insurance, you are likely to pay similar amounts for either visit.

Healthy Vet Visits

  • Puppy vaccinations: $75-100
  • Flea & tick prevention: $40-200
  • Heartworm prevention: $24-120
  • Spay or neuter surgery: $200-800
  • Annual exam: $240-600
  • Teeth cleaning: $200-500
  • Microchip: $40

Emergency Vet Visits

  • General consultation/exam: $100-$150
  • General bloodwork: $80-200
  • X-rays: $150-$250
  • Ultrasound: $300-$600
  • 1-2 day hospitalization: $600-$1,700
  • 3-5 day hospitalization: $1,500-$3,500
  • Wound treatment & repair: $800-$1,500
  • Emergency surgery: $800-$2,500
  • Oxygen therapy: $500

Pet Insurance For Akitas Puppy

Should you get pet insurance for your Akita puppy?

Here are the top reasons you should consider Akita’s puppy insurance.

  • Lower Premiums. Younger pets are cheaper to insure than their older counterparts. Because pet insurance rates are based on age, breed and location, your premium is lower with puppies.
  • Covering Future Conditions. If you know your dog breed is predisposed to certain health issues, it’s best to insure your puppy before he shows any symptoms or is diagnosed with an illness or issue. Most pet insurance providers won’t cover pre-existing conditions. However, if your puppy develops one (i.e., cancer, allergies, diabetes) when insured, your pet insurance company will cover the cost and any future expenses.
  • Puppies Get In Trouble. Akitas puppies eat, chew, and lick almost anything. They are more prone to suffer from accidents and bacteria and virus infections.
  • Puppy Vet Bills. When you get a puppy for the first time, there are a lot of expenses associated with raising a puppy — from toys and food to vet-related costs. In fact, 81% of pet parents spend up to $500 on vet visits in the first year of having a puppy. While the upfront costs for first-year pet ownership typically cost over $1,000, says the ASPCA.

Types of Pet Insurance Coverage

What does pet insurance cover? It depends on your plan. There are two main types of pet insurance plans.

  • Accident Plans: Covers accident-related medical care such as ingestion of foreign objects, poisoning, or if your Akita was hit by a car.
  • Illness Plans: Coves unexpected sickness, disease, and any changes to your dog’s normal healthy state (i.e., allergies and cancer)

You can sign up for 1 or 2 (or both), but this will mostly depend on your Akita needs and finances. Most pet insurance companies nowadays offer a single plan that includes accidents and illness.

In addition to that, pet insurance providers also offer wellness plans, also known as “routine” or “preventative.” care plans. It covers most routine vet visits, such as vaccinations. A wellness plan is not pet insurance.

The Most Common Items Covered Per Type of Pet Insurance


Accident CoverageIllness CoverageWellness Coverage
Broken bonesObesityFlea, tick and worm treatments
Torn ligamentsUTIsRabies
Bite woundsCancerMicrochip
PoisoningHypothyroidism
De-worming
InjuriesDigestive Issues
teeth cleaning
EmergenciesIVDD
Routine testing
Eye InjuriesVomiting and diarrheaAnnual exams
Snake BiteArthritisSpay and neuter
Toxin food ingestionParasitesUrinalysis (ERD)

Not all pet insurance companies offer wellness plans. ii. Coverage items will depend and vary depending on the company and plan you choose.

What Does Pet Insurance Not Cover?

Pet insurance doesn’t cover it all!

When buying Pet Insurance for your Akita, you’ll need to carefully review the different plans to see what isn’t covered.

Most pet insurance policies exclude the following:

  • Grooming
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Unrelated veterinary services
  • Behavioral training, therapy, or treatment 
  • Breeding and pregnancy
  • Dog food or dietary or nutritional supplements
  • Boarding and transportation

This exclusion will vary depending on your pet insurance company and plan.

Tip: Please always read your policy. Request the complete list of exclusions before getting pet insurance. This will ensure your Akita is fully covered by the plan you pick and help you avoid surprises down the road.

How Do I Pick The Right Dog Insurance For My Akita?

Here are eight tips to help you choose the best pet insurance policy for your Akita.

  • Compare the coverage under each plan with your Akita’s specific health concerns.
  • Research what illnesses are prevalent in your dog’s breed and pick your plan accordingly (Use our table above for the most common Akitas health issues).
  • Speak with your veterinarian about your dog’s aging health concerns.
  • Pick a plan based on the right cost and coverage benefits, not price alone.
  • Obtain at least three quotes based on the information you provide about your Akita’s age, health, gender, and needs.
  • The earlier you sign your Akita for pet insurance, typically means lower the monthly premiums.
  •  Evaluate and pick the monthly premium, deductibles, and reimbursement amount that best fits your needs.
  • Narrow down your choices with our recommended top 3 providers.

Should I Get Akitas Pet Insurance?

Whether or not to get pet insurance for your Akita is a personal decision that depends on several factors. Some factors to consider include your Akita’s overall health and age, financial situation, and risk tolerance.

Akitas are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they can still develop health issues or get into accidents that require veterinary care. The cost of treatment for these issues can quickly add up, which is where pet insurance can provide financial support and peace of mind.

Pet insurance may be a wise investment if you have a limited budget and can’t afford unexpected veterinary expenses. However, if you have ample savings and are comfortable taking on financial risk, you may decide that pet insurance is not necessary. It’s also important to research and compare different pet insurance plans to find one that meets your needs and budget. Consider factors such as monthly premiums, deductibles, coverage limits, and exclusions before making a decision.

Ultimately, whether or not to get pet insurance for your Akita is up to you and depends on your circumstances.


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Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

[1] USA Today, [2] Value Penguin, [3] Washington Post [4] Healthy Paws Report [5] CNBC

Editorial Team at Canine Bible | + posts

Canine Bible authorship represents the unified voice of our entire editorial team and our in-house veterinarians rather than a single author. Each article, blog post, and review published under the Canine Bible name undergoes a rigorous review process, involving all team members to guarantee accuracy and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. This collaborative effort is an integral part of our editorial process and aligns with our four pillars of content creation. This approach ensures our content is backed by expert knowledge and factual information, offering our readers reliable, actionable, and trustworthy content.

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