Illinois (IL) Cat Insurance FAQs

What is cat insurance?

Cat insurance is medical coverage when your pet is hurt or sick. Plans are often offered in one of three categories – accident only, accident and illness, and wellness/preventative care. Accident insurance would be for medical care when your cat is hurt such as a burn, a bite wound, swallowed objects, a bee sting, sprains or broken bones, or a cut that needs stitches. Your cat might need x-rays, surgery, bandages or cast, or prescription medication.

Illnesses might cover for cancer or other diseases, stomach issues, eyes and ears’ infections, and respiratory problems. Care for these issues might include diagnostic tests, bloodwork, MRIs, hospitalization, dental trauma (but not routine cleanings), or physical therapy. Some providers may offer a third plan as an add-on that covers maintenance things like wellness exams, vaccines, and dental cleanings.

Are there age restrictions on policies?

Most cat insurance plans want your kitten to be at least 6 weeks old before a policy begins but shop around as that number varies slightly. The older a cat becomes, the more expensive the policy is as senior pets usually have more health issues. Insurance providers will not offer policies if a cat is over 14 years old, or if coverage is available, it is limited and cannot be customized at all.

Will everything be covered with cat insurance?

No, cosmetic surgery like tail docking and ear cropping is not covered under any pet insurance. Spay/neuter procedures and pregnancy/birth are typically not covered either. All providers will note that pre-existing conditions will not be insured. Those are injuries or illnesses that occurred before you purchase cat insurance or symptoms that began during the waiting period. Most policies will have a waiting period of 2-15 days after you buy the plan before you can use the benefits.

How does an insurance policy work?

Pet insurance can be used at any licensed veterinarian’s office. Many companies use an app or online portal to submit copies of vet visit invoices. You pay a monthly fee (premium) for the insurance, and once you reach the deductible, you can begin to submit claims for reimbursement. A deductible is an amount you pay out of pocket before the benefit kicks in, and it can range from $250-$1,000. Once you meet the deductible, you submit a claim to be reimbursed at the rate you choose, often 70, 80, or 90%. You can continue to submit claims until you reach the maximum annual limit that you will not be reimbursed beyond.

5 Ways to Keep Your Feline Healthy & Safe in Illinois

1. Groom Your Cat

Grooming your cat regularly helps keep them healthy. Most cats do an excellent job of grooming themselves but they could all use an extra paw here and there. Cats with longer hair could be brushed a couple of times a week to keep their fur from matting. You will have more success if you start when they are younger and get them used to the idea. Cats also need regular nail trims and if you cannot do it alone, you may need to ask your vet for assistance. A few cat breeds have normal discharge around the eye to gently wipe away with a warm washcloth.

2. Keep Your Cat Sheltered and Warm

Outdoor cats are exposed to disease, parasites, injuries, and possibly death. Allowing cats to roam outside also impacts birds and small mammals. Even domesticated house cats become predators out in nature. According to an article from the Illinois Science Council, cats are responsible for killing over 1.4 billion birds and more than 6.9 billion mammals each year. Do your part by keeping your cat inside. If they must go out, make sure they are on a leash. You could even build them a screened-in patio area where they could watch but not touch other animals.

3. Excercise Your Indoor Cat

While safe from animal attacks and disease, indoor cats have their own obstacles to long lives. Kitties who live indoors typically get less exercise and sometimes suffer from obesity. Try playing with your cat for about 20 minutes each day with items they can chase (and sometimes retrieve!) to get them moving. Also, pay attention to the recommended serving size of their food and if it has a high-calorie count. Giving treats as a reward is ok if done in moderation.

4. Always Have Food and Water Within Paws Reach

Keeping cats hydrated is essential to their health. However, cats are not fans of drinking water, but there are ways around that. Use shallow glass or metal bowls filled to the top with water so your cat doesn’t have to stick his whiskers too far inside. Water should be changed daily as felines are sensitive to temperature and taste, even preferring filtered or distilled over tap water. They like to forage as their ancestors did so place water bowls in different spots away from their food bowls. Even switching up their dry food to canned periodically will help as it is roughly 60% water.

5. Shelter Is Key

Illinois can face some pretty brutal weather in the winter. If you have an outdoor cat, ensure they have a 3-sided shelter with a roof to be shielded from the elements and low temperatures. Cats may also look for warm spots and sometimes that is underneath a car. Make noise when you approach a vehicle and check on the ground under the hood to see if a cat has sheltered there.

Conclusion

Our feline friends become life-long companions and rely on our care to improve their quality of life. Choosing the right cat insurance plan ensures that ownership costs are reasonable and easily maintained throughout our pet’s life. If you are adopting a young kitten or a middle-aged cat, you will have peace of mind knowing you have help along the way for whatever unexpected expenses may come up.

Ready to get started? After countless hours of research, we’ve found that Lemonade pet insurance consistently performs the best with the lowest monthly premiums.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Illinois (IL) Cats

We ranked the best pet insurance policies for Illinois (IL) Cats based on a variety of important factors including the following:

• Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Illinois (IL) Cat with a $500 deductible located in the 60630 zip code (Please note: prices will vary greatly based on your location)
• Coverage and benefits
• Key policy details including accidents and illnesses, surgeries, annual check-ups, cancer treatment, lab tests, and more
• AM Best rating of the underwriter
• Reimbursement percentage
• Annual benefit amount
• Technology and user experience
• Ease of sign up
• Policy language clarity
• User reviews

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