Is pet insurance worth it in Illinois?
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.