Why AKC Pet Insurance denies claims for this reason
▸One knee, hip, or ear had a prior condition and the insurer is now excluding the other side
▸The policy bilateral exclusion language is broad and the insurer is applying it aggressively
▸A traumatic injury on one side is being linked to a hereditary condition on the other
Your strongest appeal arguments
✓Argue the current injury is a new, independent traumatic event with a different cause than the prior one.
✓Ask your vet to put in writing that the two conditions are clinically unrelated.
✓Ask the insurer to cite the exact policy clause that triggers the bilateral exclusion. Many require the conditions to be related, which may not apply here.
✓If the first condition was hereditary and the second was traumatic, the etiology is different. Make this argument explicitly.
Documents to gather before you appeal
✓Full vet records for both the prior and current condition
✓A vet statement confirming the two conditions are clinically independent with different causes
✓Your policy's exact bilateral exclusion definition
✓The denial letter citing the specific exclusion clause
Timeline
Appeal within 30 days of the denial. Bilateral exclusion appeals with strong vet documentation have a reasonable track record.
If your appeal is denied again
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Other AKC Pet Insurance denial types
Bilateral Exclusion at other insurers