7 Best Illinois (IL) Pet Insurance – Average Cost in 2023

<p class=”has-small-font-size”>Updated on <time class=”entry-time” datetime=”2023-01-18T21:55:31″ itemprop=”dateModified”>January 18, 2023</time> by <a href=”https://theswiftest.com/about/”>Matthew H. Nash – Licensed Insurance Agent</a></p>

As a lifelong dog owner and licensed Illinois insurance agent, I know all about vet bills and unexpected emergencies. Pet insurance can fend off the brunt of these expenses, but knowing where to start can seem confusing and discouraging – this is why I have researched all the options for you in the Land of Lincoln. Whether you live in Chicago, Aurora, Peoria, Cairo, Claremont, or anywhere in between, our article is here to help you when picking the best dog insurance in Illinois. We may receive compensation when you click on the affiliate links below.

Top IL Pet Insurance Scored, Ranked & With Cost

Use our below table to quickly compare the best pet insurance providers in Illinois. The average monthly Illinois-specific prices shown are based on a healthy 2-year-old Labrador Retriever with a $500 deductible and 90% reimbursement amount who is located in Illinois with a 60630 zip code. Costs may vary based on age, location, coverage amount, and depending on the breed of your puppy. Prices are accurate as of January 2023 and are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the provider website.

lemonade
4.9
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to Illinois pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$34.25/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

$20,000

  • Lemonade has the best all around Illinois pet insurance policy at the most affordable rates
  • Their user experience is world class and it’s easy to get support from their award-winning customer service team
  • Founded in 2015 as a certified B Corp, Lemonade donates unclaimed premium dollars to nonprofit organizations selected by policyholders
4.6
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to Illinois pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$47.00/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

$20,000

  • They offer up to 100% reimbursement with a $20,000 annual maximum benefit for a reasonable fee and have fast reimbursement options
  • Wagmo Wellness plans reimburse you for the routine and preventative care you do for your pets annually
  • Founded in 2017 and underwritten by National Specialty Insurance Company
4.5
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$52.27/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

$5,000

  • ASPCA is one of the most trusted names in the pet insurance industry. They have paid out almost $350 million dollars in claims since 2006
  • ASPCA is unique in that they offer affordable “accident-only” plans in addition to their preventative care coverage. Also, you can save 10% for multiple eligible pets
  • Founded in 1997 and underwritten by Crum & Forster
4.5
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to Illinois pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$46.36/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

$5,000

  • Figo offers users an amazing complimentary service to connect with Illinois vets via video chat 24/7
  • They also have an easy-to-use pet records app and real time claims tracker
  • Founded in 2013 and underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company
4.4
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to Illinois pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$56.75/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

$5,000

  • Their “Healthy Pet Deductible” allows your annual deductible to go down by $50 each year that you don’t receive an insurance claim reimbursement
  • Embrace paid 93% of claims in 2019 and their member portal is user-friendly
  • Founded in 2003 and underwritten by American Modern Insurance
4.4
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$74.09/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
BENEFIT

$10,000

  • Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans have extensive coverage and they always have a 90% reimbursement rate
  • They have no breed or upper age restrictions, and dental illness and hereditary conditions are covered at no extra cost
  • Founded in 2020 and underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company
4.1
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to Illinois pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$99.52/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

Unlimited

  • Trupanion is the only provider on our list that has an unlimited annual benefit with no payout limits
  • They are unique in that they offer “Vet Direct Pay” instead of reimbursements
  • Founded in 1999 and underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company

lemonade
4.9
  • SwiftScore
      Our SwiftScore is a unique and proprietary insurance ranking system objectively comparing key metrics which are most important to Illinois pet parents. Learn more at the end of this page.

STANDARD PLAN
COST IN ILLINOIS

$34.25/mo

REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT

90%

ANNUAL
 BENEFIT

$20,000

  • Lemonade has the best all-around Illinois pet insurance policy at the most affordable rates
  • Their user experience is world class and it’s easy to get support from their award-winning customer service team
  • Founded in 2015 as a certified B Corp, Lemonade donates unclaimed premium dollars to nonprofit organizations selected by policyholders

How much does dog & cat insurance cost in Illinois for the 15 most popular breeds?

The price for Illinois pet insurance varies depending on where you live. To give you an idea we’ve collected prices for three cities shown below. The prices will also vary based on the age, health, and breed of your puppy.

All prices shown below are based on a 90% reimbursement rate with a $500 deductible and a $5,000 annual benefit from Figo pet insurance. Please note: these prices should only be treated as a rough guide as of June 2022 and are subject to change. If you’re looking for the most up-to-date cost of pet insurance in Illinois we suggest getting a quote directly with Figo or Lemonade.

Dog Insurance Prices in Illinois:

  1. Mixed Breed
    • Chicago – $34.03/ mo
    • Peoria – $33.53/ mo
    • Cairo – $32.35/ mo
  2. Labrador Retriever
    • Chicago – $46.36/ mo
    • Peoria – $45.66/ mo
    • Cairo – $44.05/ mo
  3. Golden Retriever
    • Chicago – $46.25/ mo
    • Peoria – $45.56/ mo
    • Cairo – $43.97/ mo
  4. German Shepherd
    • Chicago – $50.00/ mo
    • Peoria – $49.25/ mo
    • Cairo – $47.53/ mo
  5. Goldendoodle
    • Chicago – $40.24/ mo
    • Peoria – $39.63/ mo
    • Cairo – $38.25/ mo
  6. Chihuahua
    • Chicago – $21.17/ mo
    • Peoria – $20.85/ mo
    • Cairo – $20.12/ mo
  7. Siberian Husky
    • Chicago – $46.48/ mo
    • Peoria – $45.78/ mo
    • Cairo – $44.18/ mo
  8. Yorkshire Terrier
    • Chicago – $29.22/ mo
    • Peoria – $28.78/ mo
    • Cairo – $27.77/ mo
  9. American Pit Bull Terrier
    • Chicago – 51.46/ mo
    • Peoria – $50.69/ mo
    • Cairo – $48.91/ mo
  10. Australian Shepherd
    • Chicago – $31.99/ mo
    • Peoria – $31.53/ mo
    • Cairo – $30.42/ mo
  11. Dachshund
    • Chicago – $30.18/ mo
    • Peoria – $29.74/ mo
    • Cairo – $28.69/ mo
  12. Shih Tzu
    • Chicago – $26.89/ mo
    • Peoria – $26.49/ mo
    • Cairo – $25.57/ mo
  13. French Bulldog
    • Chicago – $63.64/ mo
    • Peoria – $62.69/ mo
    • Cairo – $60.49/ mo
  14. Boxer
    • Chicago – $63.89/ mo
    • Peoria – $62.95/ mo
    • Cairo – $60.72/ mo
  15. Labradoodle
    • Chicago – $40.24/ mo
    • Peoria – $39.63/ mo
    • Cairo – $38.25/ mo

Cat Insurance Prices in Illinois:

  1. Mixed Breed
    • Cairo – $18.81/ mo
    • Chicago – $19.79/ mo
    • Peoria – $19.50/ mo
  2. American Shorthair
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  3. Bengal
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  4. Bombay
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  5. British Shorthair
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  6. Exotic
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  7. Himalayan
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  8. Maine Coon
    • Cairo – $23.46/ mo
    • Chicago – $24.68/ mo
    • Peoria – $24.31/ mo
  9. Persian
    • Cairo – $23.46/ mo
    • Chicago – $24.68/ mo
    • Peoria – $24.31/ mo
  10. Ragdoll
    • Cairo – $23.46/ mo
    • Chicago – $24.68/ mo
    • Peoria – $24.31/ mo
  11. Russian Blue
    • Cairo – $22.24/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.39/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.04/ mo
  12. Scottish Fold
    • Cairo – $23.46/ mo
    • Chicago – $24.68/ mo
    • Peoria – $24.31/ mo
  13. Siamese
    • Cairo – $23.46/ mo
    • Chicago – $24.68/ mo
    • Peoria – $24.31/ mo
  14. Sphynx
    • Cairo – $22.39/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.53/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.19/ mo
  15. Abyssinian
    • Cairo – $22.39/ mo
    • Chicago – $23.53/ mo
    • Peoria – $23.19/ mo

Not finding your specific pet breed? Lemonade pet insurance is our #1 recommendation for Illinois and they’ll be able to give you a quick quote for your exact needs.

Illinois Pet Insurance FAQs

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is essentially medical insurance for animals. Your pet insurance provider will cover part of the vet bill when your cat or dog is injured, ill, or even just visiting the vet for a routine exam. Keep in mind that different providers offer different coverages, so it’s important to compare plans before you settle on one.

Do I really need pet insurance in Illinois?

Pet insurance is a necessity in every state. Each region of the country introduces its own unique dangers to your pets. Furthermore, many health conditions and injuries aren’t tied to your location at all. For example, dogs and cats are both capable of developing and suffering from genetic conditions. Additionally, many pet injuries are related to physical activity, vehicles, or everyday household items, which are also not state-specific.

How do I sign up for pet insurance?

The process of signing up for pet insurance is pretty straightforward. Once you have compared insurance providers and plans, you will contact the company you have decided to use. Chances are, you will be able to make monthly premium payments and start your pet insurance plan that day!

How does insurance claim compensation work?

Claim compensation from most insurance providers works the same way. After you get your cat or dog treated at the vet, you will pay the bill upfront. Following that, you will file an insurance claim with your provider to request compensation. Your insurance company will look over your claim to ensure that the vet visit is covered under your policy agreement, and if it is, they will pay you according to your insurance plan. Keep in mind that you must be up to date on your monthly payments, with an active policy, to be eligible for compensation.

Trupanion offers an exception to the standard claim compensation system. If you use a veterinarian in their network, they will pay your vet bill directly. This means that their customers do not have to pay out-of-pocket vet bills unless their policy agreement covers them.

How does insurance reimbursement work?

For example, let’s say that your pet insurance policy entitles you to a 90% reimbursement amount, a $250 deductible, and a $20,000 max annual benefit. Something happens, and you rush your cat or dog to the emergency vet. Fortunately, your pet survives due to the excellent medical care it receives. However, your vet bill is $10,000. You are insured, so you file a claim with your pet insurance company. Because you have up-to-date insurance, your insurance provider reimburses you for $9,000, minus your $250 deductible. For this reason, you only paid $1,250 for this operation instead of the $10,000 an uninsured pet owner would have had to pay. Aren’t you glad you had pet insurance?

What types of vet bills does pet insurance cover? What is not covered?

Insurance providers typically cover vet bills for anything considered “sudden and catastrophic.” For example, broken bones, severe cuts, allergic reactions, and more would be covered. Another coverage offered by many insurance companies is “wellness packages.” Wellness packages help pay for all of the vet visits designed to keep your cat or dog in good health, like routine appointments, heartworm medication, vaccinations, and more.

Insurance companies simply do not cover preexisting conditions. So if your pet was already receiving vet care for something ongoing before you signed up for insurance, the new insurance provider will not pay for it.

5 Important Tips for Keeping Your Pet Safe and Healthy in Illinois

While pet insurance is the best way to keep your pet safe and healthy, there are also steps you can take to prevent some vet visits from ever happening in the first place. Here are five important tips for keeping your pet safe and healthy in Illinois!

1. Yearly vet visits

Periodic trips to the vet for routine examinations can feel very tedious at times. However, there is a reason why so many of us do it. A skilled veterinarian can identify a health issue developing in its very early stages, which will not only save you a lot of money, but more importantly, it could save your pet’s life.

2. Beware of predators

While Illinois is somewhat mild compared to other states regarding wildlife concerns, several predators still could seriously injure your pet. A domestic cat or dog cannot effectively protect itself against poisonous spiders, rattlesnakes, or scorpions. If your pet is going to be outside, ensure that it is not spending too much time unsupervised, and be sure to check on it regularly.

3. Make your home pet proof

Maintaining a pet-safe home is an excellent way to prevent unnecessary injuries to your pets. Precariously placed objects, plastic bags, chemicals, and electrical cords pose dangers to cats and dogs. The solution is simple if you have items around your home that you don’t want your pets getting into while you are gone. Either put those items away or put your animals away before you leave.

4. Keep an eye on the weather

Illinois weather is essentially a blend of all areas of the country in one place. Summers can be hot but not as hot as the South. Winters are pretty cold, and you should expect snow regularly. As the weather changes, so should your accommodations for your pets. Domesticated animals tend to have worse survival skills than their wild counterparts.

5. Keep your pets hydrated

Whether you own a dog or a cat, ensuring they have constant access to water is vitally important. A hydrated animal is less likely to become sick and certainly less likely to experience a heat-related illness. If you notice your pet behaving oddly after spending time in the sun, you must rush them to the vet as soon as possible!

Our Recommendations For Illinois Animal Rescues

Are you looking to add a new cat or dog to your family? If so, as always, we recommend rescuing an animal. Shelter dogs and cats have so much love to give and nowhere to go! Here are our recommendations for Illinois animal rescues:

1. New Start Dog Rescue – Warrenville, IL

New Start Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization that is run entirely by volunteers. We have listed their location as Warrenville because that is their mailing address. However, New Start Dog Rescue actually operates entirely through foster homes, meaning there is no facility for the rescue itself.


2. Placing Paws Rescue – Libertyville, IL

Located in Libertyville, Placing Paws Rescue focuses on rescuing cats and dogs from high-kill shelters. Once the animals are in their care, they receive all of the medical attention and love they need until they can be adopted out! Furthermore, Placing Paws seeks to educate the community on the wellbeing of animals and proper care.


3. Second Chance for Pets – Clinton, IL

Second Chance for Pets is a central Illinois non-profit “dedicated to rescuing, fostering, and re-homing homeless, abandoned and unwanted pets.” All adoptions from this rescue are fully vaccinated, current on flea and heartworm prevention medicine, and spay/neutered. Furthermore, each animal has been microchipped and can be registered with the county after adoption.


4. Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue – Joliet, IL

Founded in 2013, Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit rescue. Interestingly enough, the founders of Hopeful Tails actually left the rescue they worked at intending to make a larger impact! According to their website, they have rescued over 3,000 dogs and counting.


5. Wish Bone Canine Rescue – Bloomington, IL

Wish Bone Canine Rescue of Bloomington, Illinois, has worthy goals with a mission of “committed to saving lives, 4 paws at a time, through rescue, safe haven, adoption, and community assistance”. This rescue specifically focuses on dogs with severe medical and behavioral issues.


Conclusion

Hopefully, this article has given you the tools you need to understand pet insurance better. Getting insurance for your dog or cat is a vital thing to consider as a responsible pet owner. Once you have insurance, you know you have done your part to give your furry friend the best life possible. In my research, I have found Lemonade Pet Insurance consistently offers the best coverage considering their low monthly premium payments. Therefore, we highly recommend choosing Lemonade Pet Insurance for all of your cat insurance needs.

SwiftScore Ranking Methodology for Illinois

We ranked the best pet insurance policies in Illinois based on a variety of important factors including the following:

  • Average monthly price for a 2-year-old Labrador Retriever with a $500 deductible located in Illinois with a 60630 zip code
  • 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