Illinois is known for being one of the better states to reside with your pets. Along with a wonderful environment, pet insurance is also one of the best ways to provide your pet with long-term wellness and health maintenance. By ensuring that plans are in place for their future medical care, you can feel more confident knowing your pet will receive the care it needs and your finances will not be at risk.
Sometimes an unexpected accident or illness presents itself, and we may not be prepared to handle these situations because our pet is young. This is why it is recommended to insure your pet under an insurance policy from a young age because pre-existing conditions are rarely covered a pet insurance policy. To learn more about the process of insuring your pet, we’ve looked at the top choices for coverage, discounts, reimbursements, and overall quality in Illinois.
Pumpkin offers high-quality pet insurance plans for cats and dogs as well as an optional non-insurance preventive care plan for vaccinations, key tests and wellness exams, which will help to keep your pet happy and healthy through their life. You can travel with your pet in Canada or the US and can get access from any licensed vet in these countries. The platform is entirely digitized and serves as a one-stop-shop for all your pet's healthcare needs.
Pumpkin will cover up to $20,000 for dogs and $15,000 for cats annually.
What we like
Extensive coverage on multiple health issues
Optional preventive care plan that reimburses in full for annual wellness exams and vaccines
Pumpkin Advertiser Disclosure: Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company (NAIC #21113, Morristown, NJ) and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Paid Endorsement.
Lemonade has earned a stellar reputation in the pet insurance industry with its affordable monthly premiums and fast reimbursement of claims with its AI technology. This technology has attracted thousands with its customizable policies and provides comprehensive coverage on illness and accidents to dogs and cats.
What we like
Customizable plans so you only pay for coverage that your pet needs
Claims are reimbursed in minutes
Affordable monthly premiums starting at $10/month
Comprehensive wellness plans to keep your pet in good health
Pawp offers pet owners an emergency fund up to but not exceeding $3,000 annually. The platform is different from other traditional pet insurance agencies as it does not require you to provide a medical examination report before enrolling your pet. Whether your pet is healthy or has been diagnosed with a pre-existing condition, you can still enroll it and access the emergency fund when the need arises.
With no deductibles and low monthly premiums as low as $24, the digital platform will protect your furry friend during an incident and save money from large vet expenses. Although the agency does not provide any limitations on age, it is best to insure your pet while still young and be prepared in advance when an emergency occurs.
What we like
Monthly premiums as low as $24
Allows coverage on 6 pets for $24 a month
Allows enrollment of pets with pre-existing conditions
24/7 unlimited access to Pawp’s virtual vet doctors
What we don't
Coverage is restricted to healthcare emergencies only
Does not offer wellness coverage
Emergency funds can be accessed only once per year
Prudent pet has excellent coverage for your pet regardless of their age. The insurer can customize your plan from illnesses, medications, accidents to preventive care that will fit your pet's needs and financial situation. This plan will give you peace of mind that you won't break the bank with unlimited coverage if an emergency occurs since treatments tend to be more expensive for older pets.
What we like
Older cats and dogs are covered
Customize your plan to fit your pet's needs and financial situation
Customers from US can get covered in Canada as well
Unlimited live vet chat if an issue occurs with your pet
The short answer is yes, Illinois pet insurance is a worthwhile investment. Pet insurance is a fantastic way to mitigate financial risk, especially since 48.60 percent of Illinois homes own a pet. It is one way to save money on veterinary bills but to also protect your pets from any unexpected circumstances. Moreover, if your pet is hospitalized, you can put your focus on the recovery of your pet and reduce your worries about medical bills, especially when combined with other variables that may cause your pets to become ill.
When a situation presents itself, you will never know how many visits you will have to make to the veterinary clinic to ensure your pet has a smooth recovery. As a result, pet insurance provides ongoing care for your pet until it rehabilitates and can also maintain its health in the future.
What types of pet insurance plans are in Illinois?
Accident-only plan: This plan is meant to cover any injuries related to an unexpected medical emergency due to an accident. It is also the most economical type of policy because it pays a certain amount for each new injury. You can expect coverage for diagnostics, hospitalizations, lab expenses, prescriptions, surgeries, and other treatments related to accidents.
Accident and illness plan: This type of insurance protects your pets in the event of an accident or an unexpected illness. Policies may cover diagnostic procedures, treatment, medications, lab testing, surgery, and hospitalizations, among others. Keep in mind that pre-existing conditions are typically not covered, therefore it is crucial to have the most fitting policy for your pet’s needs.
Wellness and preventative care plan: This plan can be purchased as a stand-alone option or can be added onto any other pre-existing plan. It aims to provide routine veterinary treatment to help your pet maintain its health, while also taking preventative measures. Some examples of wellness care include dental cleaning, spaying and neutering, and routine veterinary check-ups.
Comprehensive plan: This is the most holistic plan of the four options. It covers accidents, illnesses, injuries, and provides wellness and routine care.
What does pet insurance cover and exclude?
The following are most commonly covered under pet insurance policies:
Vaccinations: Most insurers cover annual vaccines against core diseases like rabies, canine distemper, and feline panleukopenia. Some also cover vaccinations for other conditions such as Lyme disease and West Nile virus.
Treatment for illness or injury: This includes emergency medical treatment for an illness or injury. This policy also covers x-rays, medications, and surgery.
Routine and preventative care: This includes wellness exams, routine lab tests, and other regular maintenance services you may be seeking for your pet. Heartworm testing and flea/tick preventatives are also included.
Diagnostic testing: This includes imaging such as ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, and more.
The following is a list of exclusions you should be aware of when looking at pet insurance policies:
Treatment or diagnosis of pre-existing conditions: Very rarely will a pet insurance policy cover the cost for treatment or the diagnosis of pre-existing conditions.
Injury or illness with intent to cause harm: Pet insurance will not cover injuries or illnesses that were provoked by abuse, neglect, self-mutilation, or any other intentional act on the pet owner’s part.
Breeding, pregnancy, and whelping: Pet insurance does not cover expenses related to breeding, pregnancy, or the whelps (i.e., newborn pups) if the mother dog dies during pregnancy or the whelping process. This would include transportation costs to and from the veterinary clinic, medications, and surgeries related to whelping.
Additional veterinary facility fees: If your veterinarian charges more than the fee agreed upon in your policy, pet insurance will not cover the difference.
How much does pet insurance cost in Illinois?
In Illinois, the average monthly premium is determined based on the reimbursement rate, breed, age, gender, and species. For example, a 6-month-old Chihuahua dog costs between $19 and $4, whereas a 6-month-old Domestic Shorthair kitten costs $15 to $25. This implies that the cost of pet insurance in Illinois can only be calculated after you’ve provided your pets’ characteristics.
What are the veterinary costs in Illinois?
The following are the most common veterinary services offered in Illinois, along with an estimated cost:
Veterinary service
Cost
Routine check-ups
$45-$250
X-ray exams
$150-$250
Dental cleaning
$60-$400
Vaccines per shot
$15-$28
Ultrasounds
$300-$600
Heartworm test
$40-$50
Dental cleaning
$60-$400
Allergy testing
$190-$300
Spay/neuter
$150-$215
Fecal exam
$20-$50
Short-term hospitalizations
$600-$1,700
Long-term hospitalizations
$1,500-$3,500
Bloodwork
$80 to $200
Wound treatment
$800-$2,500
Emergency surgery
$1,500-$5000
Oxygen therapy
$500-$3000
How to choose the best pet insurance in Illinois
Consider your pet’s needs and budget: First and foremost, figure out what kind of pet health insurance your pet requires. Calculate the entire cost of the coverage over the estimated lifespan of your pet, then set a budget based on your income. Consider how much you could pay for emergency treatment or a long-term illness after you’ve created your budget.
Compare insurance policies: Compare coverage features, deductibles, restrictions, and exclusions by shopping around. Getting more than three estimates or quotations is a helpful way to understand the average cost for the policy you are seeking and then making a final decision.
Customer reviews: See what other customers have to say about an insurance agency you’re considering. Read reviews about customer experiences, the provider’s service, and how they handle their claims process. This can offer more insight into the provider and if their service aligns with your expectations and needs.
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