The Most Common Pet Health Issues and How Much They'll Cost You
Dec. 12, 2024
How To Choose The Right Insurance For Your Pet
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5 Tips for Reducing Your Pet Insurance Costs
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| Customizable rates and services |
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| Waiting period |
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| Customer Support | Support available via webchat, email, and phone, Monday to Friday, 8am to 9pm EST, Saturdays 10am to 7pm EST. |
| Bundles? | Family bundles with discounts for two or more pets insured on the same policy. |
MetLife Pet Insurance, one of the best pet insurance providers, covers illnesses and accidental injuries:
You can also add wellness coverage, which includes routine checks, dental treatment, and vaccinations.
MetLife’s rates are reasonable compared to other pet insurers and vary depending on pet type, breed, age, and location.
In August 2022, I obtained quotes for a two-year-old labrador and an eight-year-old mixed-breed cat living in Colorado Springs. Quotes include an annual limit of $5,000, reimbursement of 80%, and an annual deductible of $250.
For the dog, I was quoted $38.20 per month for standard cover and $65.59 per month when including wellness coverage. For the cat, the standard plan is $36.58 per month and $49.06 per month with added wellness coverage.
MetLife Pet Insurance also has family packages for multiple pets. Insuring my dog and cat together would cost $60.24 (standard) or $100.11 (including wellness), which saves $14.51 per month.
Several other discounts are also available, including 10% off for animal care workers and military personnel and a $1 per month discount for purchasing online.
Note that quotes are subject to change and will differ based on location.
Like most pet insurers, MetLife Pet Insurance does not cover pre-existing conditions. However, curable pre-existing conditions may be eligible for coverage if the condition has been previously resolved.
Other conditions not covered by MetLife Pet Insurance include:
There is no waiting period for accident coverage. Your pet is covered for accidents from midnight on the policy’s inception date. Wellness coverage (if selected) also applies immediately.
For all other coverage, including illnesses, the waiting period is fourteen days.
MetLife Pet Insurance uses two underwriters, Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC) and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (MetGen). The state in which you live will determine which company will underwrite your pet insurance policy.
Coverage limits can range from $500 to unlimited coverage, depending on your location, pet, and whether your policy is underwritten by IAIC or MetGen.
Reimbursements and deductibles differ depending on location, pet details, and whether IAIC or MetGen underwrites your policy.
Reimbursement options include 70%, 80%, and 90%. Deductibles range from $50 to $500.
In August 2022, I obtained a quote for a two-year-old Labrador and was offered the following options.
Deductible
Yearly Coverage Limit
Reimbursement Level
You can select any combination of deductible, yearly coverage limit and reimbursement level.
MetLife Pet Insurance covers all licensed vets in the USA. You can submit your claim form via the mobile app, online portal, email, fax, or mail. Vet bills are paid upfront by the customer and then reimbursed. There is no option for the insurance company to pay the veterinary practice directly. Most claims are paid within ten days.
Customer support is available via webchat, email, or phone, Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm EST and Saturdays 10am to 7pm EST.
MetLife Pet Insurance covers all breeds of cats and dogs, including difficult-to-insure dog breeds like rottweilers and Shar Peis. Unlike many other pet insurers, MetLife doesn’t have a maximum age limit for pets it insures.
Plus, your pet is insured for accidents and wellness coverage from midnight on the policy start date, so even if they have an accident within 24 hours of your start date, this will be fully covered by your policy.
MetLife does not score well on customer review sites, with 1.6 on Trustpilot and 1.09 on Better Business Bureau (BBB). However, these scores are for all MetLife’s products, not solely pet insurance, including life and home insurance.
Customer feedback indicates that the claims process is not easy as you are required to download a claim form, fill it out, and then either mail it or scan it and submit it online. A fully online form would make the process easier.
MetLife Pet Insurance
400 Missouri Avenue
Suite 105
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone: 855.270.7387
Fax: 877.281.3348
Email: pet_info@metlife.com
MetLife Pet Insurance offers a wide range of coverage, including for difficult-to-insure dog breeds. It also has no maximum pet age limit and provides immediate coverage for accidents and wellness care. Overall, MetLife Pet Insurance is a good option for those who want comprehensive coverage, and its wide range of discounts will be enticing to many.
Information for this review was sourced from MetLife’s website and online chat with its customer service team. I also consulted Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau (BBB).
