The Best Pet Insurance in Illinois (2024)
The Prairie State or the Land of Lincoln is a fantastic place to have pets. Illinois has many breathtaking sights that you and your pet can enjoy together. Therefore, it’s wise to have a pet insurance plan in place in case your pet has an accident while you’re out or if it develops an illness. As loving pet parents, we never want to think about our pet being sick or hurt, so pet insurance can give us peace of mind knowing that our pet is covered if anything happens.
The 5 Best Idaho Pet Insurance Companies
In this article, we’re sharing an in-depth breakdown of the following pet insurance providers so that you can choose the best pet insurance in Illinois for you and your pet:
- Spot: Best overall
- Lemonade: Most affordable
- ASPCA: Most experienced
- Embrace: Best for deductibles
- Healthy Paws: Best for chronic conditions
Compare Pet Insurance Companies in Illinois
| Best For | Star Rating | Monthly Cost | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spot |  | Most Inclusive | $22-$80 | Compare Quotes | |
| Lemonade |  | Most Affordable | $16–$30 | Compare Quotes | |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance |  | Most Experienced | $18–$44 | Compare Quotes | |
| Embrace |  | Best for Discounts Offered | $23-$85 | Compare Quotes | |
| Healthy Paws |  | Best for Chronic Conditions | $24–$54 | Compare Quotes |
| Spot | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Inclusive |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $22-$80 |
| Lemonade | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Affordable |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $16–$30 |
| ASPCA Pet Insurance | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Most Experienced |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $18–$44 |
| Embrace | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Discounts Offered |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $23-$85 |
| Healthy Paws | |
|---|---|
| Logo |
 |
| Best For | Best for Chronic Conditions |
| Star Rating | |
| Monthly Cost | $24–$54 |
*Certain conditions, such as cruciate ligaments or orthopedic conditions, may have longer waiting period times, usually six months to a year. This is common among many pet insurance providers, but most illnesses will be covered after the waiting period listed above.
Pet Insurance Companies in Illinois Reviews
Every pet insurance company has its pluses and minuses. What’s important is that you consider what features are non-negotiable for you and what features you can live without. To help you out, we at Quartz have compiled the following information about many pet insurance providers so that you can easily compare and contrast their offerings. Keep reading to learn more about discounts, plan types, average costs, coverage options, and much more.
Spot
Most Inclusive
Lemonade
Most Affordable
ASPCA Pet Insurance
Most Experienced
Embrace
Best for Discounts Offered
Healthy Paws
Best for Chronic Conditions
How Does Pet Insurance Work in Illinois?
Pet insurance works by reimbursing you for out-of-pocket veterinary costs covered by your pet insurance policy. Depending on the plan you choose, your pet can be covered for accidents, illnesses, and even routine veterinary costs. When your pet is on an active pet insurance policy, you can take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, vet clinic, or animal hospital for care. Unlike human healthcare insurance, you never have to worry about your pet’s veterinarian being “in-network.”
You’ll pay any veterinary bill at the clinic and then submit your receipt to your provider. Once the claim is approved, you’ll be reimbursed based on the reimbursement percentage in your policy, which is typically 50 to 90% of the total bill. Knowing that you’ll be refunded for 50 to 90% of your vet bills can give you peace of mind, knowing that your pet will have access to veterinary care if it has an accident or develops an illness.
How to Choose the Best Pet Insurance in Illinois for You
Pet health insurance shopping can feel overwhelming with the many choices out there. To help you out, we’ve created the following breakdown of the most common pet insurance plan types and features you should consider before choosing a plan and provider.
Here are the three most common pet insurance plan types:
- Accident-only coverage: As the name suggests, accident-only coverage will help you with the costs of accidents your pet may have, such as animal bites, broken bones, swallowing a foreign object, poisoning, and more. It won’t help with illness or routine care costs.
- Accident and illness coverage: Accident and illness coverage is the most comprehensive type of plan and helps with both accident and illness-related costs. This includes things like diabetes, cancer, arthritis, hip dysplasia, infections, and more. It won’t help with routine care costs.
- Wellness plans: Wellness plans are usually add-ons to one of the other types of pet insurance plans. These add-ons help with routine veterinary care costs, such as wellness checkups, vaccinations, deworming, and routine blood work.
In addition to deciding what kind of plan you’re interested in, consider the following factors before choosing a provider or plan:
- Does the provider offer a convenient mobile app to submit and track claims?
- Will the plan cover prescription diets or medications?
- Can you speak with your pet insurance provider through your preferred communication method (email, live chat, phone, etc.)?
- Will the plan cover alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, physical therapy, or behavioral issues?
- What are its exclusions?
- Will the pet insurance provider give you a free pet insurance quote?
- Is your pet’s breed prone to specific conditions? Does the plan cover these conditions?
- Are wellness plans or add-ons offered by the pet insurance provider?
- Will the plan cover prescription diets or medications?
- Does the provider have positive customer reviews and reports?
- Are dental illnesses and cleanings covered?
Here at Quartz, we recommend enrolling your pet in a plan as quickly as possible. This will help you avoid your pet having pre-existing conditions which are never covered by pet insurance. As a result, signing your pet up as early as possible is your best bet to get the most coverage possible.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost in Illinois?
Pet insurance costs will vary significantly based on where you live and factors about your pet, such as its age, breed, and more. These factors can make your monthly premium cost much more or less. Other factors include the type of pet insurance coverage you choose and if you add a wellness coverage plan. Typically, you can expect to pay around $30 to $60 for accident and illness coverage for dogs and $15 and $30 for cats. The majority of wellness plan add-ons will cost an additional $10 to $25 per month.
Please keep in mind that your monthly premium will vary based on the provider you choose, the plan type you choose, and if you have a wellness plan. Accident-only plans tend to be cheaper and great options for catastrophic coverage. We recommend that you get a quote from every provider of interest so that you can compare plan costs as well.
| Provider | Sample Monthly Cost For Dogs | Sample Monthly Cost For Cats | Sample Monthly Wellness Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spot | $40 | $22 | $9.95 (gold), $24.95 (platinum) |
| Lemonade | $37 | $15 | $10 to $34/month for cats, $15 to $40/month for dogs |
| Embrace | $35 | $18 | $35 |
| Healthy Paws | $39 | $12 | Not offered |
| ASPCA | $49 | $29 | $9.95 (basic), $24.95 (prime) |
Monthly Cost of Pet Insurance by Illinois City
Here are some examples of monthly premiums for pet insurance for 4-year-old medium-sized mixed-breed dogs in five different cities.
| City | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Chicago | $46.02 |
| Peoria | $37.44 |
| Gurnee | $38.04 |
| Aurora | $36.84 |
| Rockford | $36.28 |
Final Thoughts
Pet insurance is an excellent investment for many pet parents looking to protect their finances and ensure that they can always provide the best veterinary care for their pets. Illnesses, accidents, and chronic conditions can quickly add up and become expensive. However, costs should never affect our decisions when it comes to getting our pets the care they need. Pet insurance provides you with a financial safety net so that you can provide for your pet. We hope this piece on pet insurance in Illinois helps you narrow down your choices for a pet insurance plan and provider. Regardless of which plan you pick, you’re making a significant investment in your pet’s health.
Information for Pet Owners in Illinois
Illinois has many pet-friendly locations, especially for our canine friends. Whether you’re visiting the Windy City or a resident of Illinois, there are many things you can do with your pet, multiple pet resources, and pet laws that you should be aware of. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pet adventures fun in Illinois.
Illinois Pet Laws
Before taking your pet out, you should know the following Illinois pet laws:
- If your dog bites anyone, it will be confined and kept under the observation of a licensed vet for at least 10 days. If you have knowledge of a dog bite, you’re legally required to report this.
- Dogfighting is strictly prohibited.
- Owners must retain and keep records of all veterinary treatments from the last five years.
- Dogs must be on leashes at all times when they’re not in their homes or owners’ cars.
- Dogs must have current dog license tags and be kept up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Cities and jurisdictions may have their own laws, so we recommend that you always check with your local area to make sure you comply with the local laws.
Fun Things to Do With Your Pet in IL
There are many pet-friendly places to take your furry friends to in Illinois. Check out these following pet-friendly Illinois establishments:
- Mercury’s Canine Cruise: In Chicago, you can take your dog on board a ship and take your dog on a mini-cruise. This service offers water bowls, a dog restroom, and safe seating for dogs.
- Captain Morgan Club in Chicago: This restaurant offers outdoor seating for you and your dog.
- Montrose Dog Beach: Located in Chicago, this beach is an off-leash beach featuring a fenced-in area and a dog wash area.
- Beck Lake Dog Park: If you’re near Des Moines, check out this fenced-in park which is made up of over 44 acres. It features pet-friendly trails, drinking fountains, training arenas, and swimming pools.
- Amato’s Pizza: Located in Aurora, you can enjoy a delicious pizza while sitting outside with your pup.
Illinois Pet Resources
If you or someone you know is in need of financial assistance caring for your pet, check out the following Illinois pet resources:
- The Animal Welfare League: Located in Chicago Ridge, this establishment offers pet food, spaying and neutering service assistance, and wellness checkup help.
- Best Buddies Pet Pantry: This mobile pet food bank provides free pet food to families and pets in need. It also gives out flea/tick preventatives, cat litter, and other pet supplies. It can even help you find low-cost vaccines and spay/neuter services.
- Humane Society of Central Illinois and Southern Illinois: These humane societies offer discounted rates on spay/neuter services and a variety of other pet resources.
Frequently Asked About Pet Insurance in Illinois
Do all vets in Illinois take pet insurance?
In short, yes. Your pet insurance provider doesn’t work with your vet, so you don’t have to worry about your vet being in-network like a human health insurance plan. Instead, you submit your claim directly to your pet insurance provider, which will reimburse you based on your coverage. This allows you to go to any licensed veterinarian, whether they are at a clinic or animal hospital, to get your pet the care they need. As long as the treatment is covered under your plan, you’ll be covered.
Does pet insurance cover all veterinary expenses?
No, pet insurance won’t cover all expenses you build up at the vet’s office. However, insurance will typically cover accidents and illnesses that aren’t pre-existing. Some policies will even offer wellness and preventative care add-ons that add additional benefits to your policy, like wellness exams and vaccines.
Our Methodology
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