|
|
You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. |
Fact Checked
Whether you live in the Windy City or on the outskirts of Springfield, your pet is exposed to uncontrollable risks. From an abrupt run-in with a stray or a bug bite that makes your pet sick, it’s challenging to shelter them from the hazards lurking in the Prairie State. Accidents and injuries to your pet are not only stressful but are financially taxing.
Fortunately, pet insurance companies provide comprehensive plans to help reduce financial stress so you can center all of your attention on nursing your furry companion back to health.
| Company | Monthly cost in Illinois |
|---|---|
|
Lemonade
|
$22
|
|
Pets Best
|
$29
|
|
Figo
|
$37
|
|
TrustedPals
|
$39
|
|
Petplan
|
$41
|
|
Embrace
|
$45
|
|
ASPCA
|
$48
|
|
Spot
|
$48
|
Costs are for a plan with a $5,000 annual coverage maximum ($4,000 for TrustedPals), a $250 deductible ($200 for Embrace) and 90% reimbursement level. Source: PetInsurer.com.
| Company | Monthly cost in Illinois |
|---|---|
|
Lemonade
|
$25
|
|
ManyPets
|
$30
|
|
Pets Best
|
$33
|
|
Healthy Paws
|
$46
|
|
Figo
|
$49
|
|
Nationwide
|
$53
|
|
TrustedPals
|
$56
|
|
Embrace
|
$63
|
|
Trupanion
|
$72
|
|
Prudent Pet
|
$76
|
|
Petplan
|
$80
|
|
Spot
|
$93
|
Costs are for a plan with unlimited annual coverage ($30,000 for Embrace and $100,000 for Lemonade), a $250 deductible ($200 for Embrace) and 90% reimbursement level. Source: PetInsurer.com.
Pet owners can usually customize their pet insurance plan by selecting between several types of policies, including:
Whether your cat falls off the window ledge resulting in a sprain or your Springer Spaniel gets a nasty ear infection, this type of plan covers many accidents and illnesses. Other things covered with this plan include:
Suppose you’re taking your bulldog for a walk in the Windy City and a stray dog blindsides you with an attack. Accident-only plans will help cover treatment and care costs to tend to your bulldog’s wounds. This type of plan also covers things like:
Usually, this type of plan is less expensive than accident and illness plans.
Preventative care, like routine exams and vaccinations, can help keep your pet healthy, but associated costs can add up. Some pet insurance companies offer preventive care coverage to ease the cost of maintaining your pet’s health. You can typically add this type of coverage to your accident and illness plan for an additional fee. Some of the things covered include:
Pet insurance companies offer many plans and comparing key aspects of each can help you choose the right one for your pet. Here’s what to consider when looking for a policy.
Your premium is the amount of money you pay for coverage, often on a monthly or annual basis. Insurers base premiums on several factors, including:
Before your insurance company pays for your vet costs, you must pay the deductible amount. Typically deductibles range from $50 to $1,000. Selecting a larger deductible may lower your monthly premium payment. However, you will have to pay more upfront when a large vet bill comes.
The reimbursement level is the portion of the vet bill that your insurer will cover. Generally reimbursement levels range from 70% to 90%, though some insurers offer reimbursement levels as low as 50% or as high as 100%. Selecting a lower reimbursement percentage may reduce your monthly cost, but it increases the portion of the bill you’re responsible for paying.
Some pet plans include an annual coverage cap—the total amount your insurance company will pay annually. Others provide plans that don’t limit coverage. Standards coverage limits typically start at $2,000 and go up from there.
A good way to find a fair price on pet insurance is to compare pet insurance quotes among multiple insurers.
But price shouldn’t be your only consideration. Many pet insurance companies offer other perks and benefits that can be advantageous to the care and well-being of your fur friend. Here are some things you can do to find an insurer that offers the benefits you want or need.
Pet parents know that accidents can happen at any time. You don’t always know the best plan of action to take when attempting to provide care for your pet. For this reason, some insurers offer 24/7 vet helplines to connect you with veterinary experts who can answer your care questions no matter the time of the day. Selecting a pet plan with a 24/7 vet helpline can give you peace of mind.
A waiting period is how long you must wait until your coverage goes into effect. The length of time varies by the insurance company. For example, Embrace has a two-day waiting period for accidents, whereas TrustedPals has a 14-day waiting period for accidents. Because accidents happen when you least expect them, selecting a shorter waiting period is advantageous.
Some pet plans apply an extended waiting period—often six months to year—for certain conditions. For example, Pets Best has a six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues. If it’s common for your pet to have this issue, you may want to avoid pet plans with extended waiting periods.
Routine wellness coverage pays for preventative care, such as vaccines and wellness exams. Not every pet insurance company offers routine wellness coverage. If you want preventative or routine care covered, it’s important to find a pet insurance company that offers a wellness plan.
Many pet insurance companies offer discounts, including a multi-pet discount when you insure more than one pet. Some even offer military discounts or employee discounts. Asking about discount opportunities can help you compare insurers and find the most affordable coverage.
Usually, when you submit a pet insurance claim, you must pay the entire balance upfront before the insurance company reimburses you. However, companies like Trupanion pay the vet directly. It’s important to note that direct pay procedures vary by insurer, so contact your vet to see if they are willing or capable of accepting direct payments. For instance, Trupanion requires your vet to have its processing software to pay your vet directly
In the state of Illinois, there are state and local laws that govern the care, well-being and protection of your pet. Starting in January 2022, Illinois tightened its animal cruelty laws by banning pet owners from having control of animals when they have two or more offenses of animal abuse. Illinois has ranked in the top tier for animal protection laws for over a decade, according to Animal Legal Defense Fund’s U.S. State Animal Protection Laws Rankings Report.
In addition to strict protection laws, Illinois also requires dogs and cats age four months and older to be vaccinated against rabies. Here are some other examples of local pet laws in Illinois.
We used data provided by PetInsurer.com to score each pet insurance company based on the following.
Average plan prices: Up to 40 points. We averaged pet insurance quotes for each insurer for a mixed-breed dog at two ages in Illinois.
Plan benefits: Up to 60 points. We scored plans based on the following important features: Annual coverage choices, whether the plan can pay a veterinarian directly, access to a 24/7 vet line, availability of routine wellness coverage, whether the plan pays the vet exam fee, pet dental illness coverage, end of life coverage and multipet discount.
