Our Thoughts on MetLife Pet Insurance
MetLife is a leading U.S. insurance provider, offering a well-rounded portfolio of life, automobile and home insurance products. In 2020, the company expanded its products by acquiring PetFirst, a pet insurance company with 15 years of experience. The acquisition helps MetLife stand out from other large providers, such as State Farm and Allstate, who have partnerships with existing pet insurance companies but don’t offer policies under their brands.
Metlife Pet earned 4.9 out of 5 stars based on our in-depth analysis and rating methodology. Its accident-and-illness plan includes almost all veterinary care, whereas many other providers will charge extra fees for this. MetLife Pet also shines because it has a short accident waiting period. It also offers a unique option to cover several pets under a single policy and claims that its policy will cover pre-existing conditions already covered by a previous provider if you switch. MetLife Pet is available in 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Though costs vary by state, one downside to MetLife Pet insurance policies is their higher-than-average pricing. The plans have different underwriters — MetGen and Independent American Insurance Company (IAIC) — so waiting periods, coverage limits and wellness plan options depend on which company underwrites your policy. Because of this variation, we recommend calling MetLife Pet to clarify policy details before signing up.
Pros and Cons
Each pet insurance provider seeks to set itself apart from the rest. Here are a few benefits and drawbacks for MetLife Pet insurance to consider.
How MetLife Pet Insurance Scored in Our Methodology
MetLife Pet scored 97 out of 100 points using our standardized methodology, which accounts for pricing, customer service, reputation, covered treatments, waiting periods, age limits and availability. The highest scoring category for MetLife Pet was covered treatments, while pricing brought down the overall score.
MetLife Pet Insurance Plans and Pricing
MetLife Pet offers an online signup process, but the website doesn’t list all plan options or plan details. Instead, consider talking to an agent to know what coverage you’re getting. Regardless of how you sign up, MetLife offers highly comprehensive accident and illness coverage with optional wellness. Multiple discounts are available for healthcare workers, first responders, active and veteran military members, pet care workers and employer-sponsored plans.
How Much Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cost?
To determine average costs, we obtained quotes from MetLife Pet’s online quote tool for four sample pets living in Denver, Colorado. Pet insurance costs vary depending on your furry pal’s species, age, breed and location. For MetLife Pet, specifically, your plan’s underwriter will also influence cost. Because of these variables, we recommend getting a quote for yourself to determine if this provider meets your budgeting needs.
According to our sample quotes, the average cost for a MetLife Pet accident and illness insurance plan is $38 per month for cats and $74 per month for dogs.
Our table shows the average costs associated with MetLife Pet’s plans.
*Our team determined cost information using sample quotes in Denver for a 5-year-old, medium, mixed-breed dog, a 2-year-old golden retriever, a 5-year-old mixed-breed cat and a 2-year-old Siamese cat for plans with a $10,000 annual limit, 80% reimbursement rate and $500 deductible.
Use the chart below to compare MetLife’s pet insurance costs to other top competitors.
What Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cover?
MetLife Pet Insurance has one comprehensive accident-and-illness base plan. Although MetLife only has one plan, you can choose a deductible and annual limit to customize your coverage amount and monthly price. MetLife Pet is the only provider we reviewed that insures multiple pets with one policy. In it, there is one deductible and an annual limit for all pets.
The company also offers an incentive for competing companies’ policyholders to switch plans. Normally, switching plans means that all medical conditions that occurred before the switch date are considered pre-existing and won’t get covered under the new plan — a major incentive for pet owners to stay with their current provider. If allowed in your state, MetLife Pet will extend coverage for all conditions currently or previously covered under your pet’s prior plan rather than considering them pre-existing.
Accident and Illness Plan
MetLife Pet’s coverage for accidents and illnesses is extensive. The plan has a few exclusions, including pre-existing conditions, cosmetic or elective procedures, non-prescription food or supplements, grooming and obedience training. Call a MetLife Pet insurance agent for full exclusion details.
MetLife Pet will cover most costs related to accidents and injuries that occur after the applicable waiting periods. Examples of covered accidents and illnesses include:
Examples of covered treatments include:
Preventive Care Plan
MetLife Pet does not publicize its preventive care plan options on its website or sample policies because of the differences between policy underwriters. A disclaimer in fine print explains that IAIC policies provide wellness benefits according to a fee schedule, which is usually separate from the base plan and not subject to a deductible. We could not locate specific services or coverage amounts.
In contrast, MetGen wellness policies cover preventive care services as part of the base MetLife Pet accident-and-illness plan. Wellness plan policyholders submit claims for wellness services in the same manner as injury or illness claims, and wellness services count toward the overall plan deductible and annual limit.
Customizable Coverage Levels
MetLife Pet insurance policies offer extensive customization options, including a wide range of deductibles and annual limits. It lists some of these options in the online quote tool, but you must call an agent to learn about all possible choices. Factors that influence customization options offered to you include pet age, pet breed, location and underwriter.
Deductible Options
Annual deductible options range from $0 to $2,500. Choosing higher deductibles will lower your monthly premium and allow for higher reimbursement rates, but you’re less likely to meet your deductible and receive reimbursements in a given year. With MetLife Pet, your deductible decreases by $25 to $50 each year you don’t file a claim.
Reimbursement Rates
Reimbursement rates for MetLife Pet range from 50% to 90%. Higher reimbursement rates are associated with higher deductible choices to keep monthly costs down and vice-versa.
Annual Limit Options
Annual limit options for MetLife Pet range from $500 to $25,000 and reset each year. In some states, unlimited coverage may be available. MetLife Pet will also increase your annual limit at no cost to you each year you don’t file any claims.
Signup, Claims Filing and Payout Processes
Although MetLife Pet Insurance offers a modest discount for customers signing up online, we strongly recommend calling and speaking with an agent to purchase a policy from this provider. Plan options available on the website are minimal, with annual limits capped at $10,000 and no explanation of available wellness benefits. Calling to sign up allows you to determine all policy options and ensure you take advantage of the many available discounts, which are stackable up to a total of 30%.
If you decide you only need minimal coverage and would like to enroll online, head to MetLife Pet’s main quote page and enter the requested information. On the next page, you can toggle between “balanced,” “recommended” and “high deductible” to see available deductibles, annual limits and reimbursement rates. Select yes or no for wellness coverage, check the discount boxes if you qualify and hit “next” to sign up.
In the top right corner of the screen, you’ll see the customer service phone number to call if you get stuck or want more information. You must call customer service if you want to change your coverage or add pets to your current policy to create a multi-pet family plan. The website features a chat widget, but it didn’t work for us when we visited during normal business hours.
Once you enroll in a plan, MetLife Pet will send you information and instructions on enrolling in the online policy management system, My Pets, and downloading the MetLife Pet App. Under “policies” and “view details,” you can click “policy packet” to read detailed terms and conditions of your specific policy, including how and when to file claims.
You must file claims within 90 days of a service event and include all relevant medical records to receive reimbursement. If you have issues with the app or online portal, you can also file claims via phone, text, email, fax or regular mail.
Although MetLife Pet says most claims are processed and paid in about two weeks, some customers mentioned long wait times for claims processing in their online reviews. To speed up processing — especially for the first claim — you should proactively obtain and send all medical records to MetLife Pet, going back at least a year before your policy went into effect.
MetLife Pet Insurance Waiting Periods and Age Restrictions
MetLife Pet advertises same-day coverage for accidents and wellness services, which is the shortest waiting period for providers we reviewed. The waiting period for illnesses is 14 days, which aligns with most of the industry. A separate, six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament injuries applies to IAIC policies.
With no upper age limit for enrollment, MetLife Pet is a good choice for seniors. When you enroll an older pet, you may have fewer choices for annual limits, deductibles or reimbursement rates, which means your policy will likely cost more than a younger pet’s. However, all pet insurance policies increase in cost as pets get older.
According to the website, MetLife Pet can insure pets of all ages and has no minimum age for enrollment. The company’s age acceptance is advantageous over many other plans, which commonly allow enrollments only after six or eight weeks old. If you adopt a young pet and have coverage in force before their first veterinary visit, congenital conditions are more likely to be covered.
What Customers Think About MetLife Pet Insurance
Online customer reviews for MetLife Pet insurance vary depending on the source. While the company has a low star rating on Trustpilot, it enjoys favorable feedback on Google Reviews and Reddit. However, while many negative reviews show misunderstandings about policy terms and coverage details, repeated complaints can indicate a potential issue worth considering in your provider search.
What Customers Like
Positive reviews mentioned the following upsides to MetLife Pet:
- Coverage from a well-known company: Reviewers felt confident in the insurance because of the MetLife name.
- Wellness coverage: Customers state that having wellness coverage ensures most vet bills get reimbursed quickly.
- Customer service: Many reviewers had good experiences speaking with customer service representatives.
- Hassle-free claims: Reviewers liked how easy it was to file a claim.
- Employer-sponsored plans: Enrolling through an employer made getting pet insurance easier.
What Customers Don’t Like
Negative reviews mentioned the following downsides to MetLife Pet:
- Long claims processing times: Some reviewers waited longer than the expected two weeks to receive reimbursement.
- Excessive documentation: Several reviewers mentioned gathering the documents required for claims submission was time-consuming and repetitive.
- Claims denials: Frustrated reviewers said MetLife Pet labeled their pets with pre-existing conditions they didn’t have, resulting in denied claims.
- Appeals process: Some reviewers felt the appeals process was too difficult.
- Poor communication: This veterinarian reviewer noted the company frequently lost documents and delayed claims, leading him to stop recommending the company.
We reached out to Metlife for comment on its negative reviews but did not receive a response.
Compare MetLife Pet Insurance to Top Competitors
No two pet insurance providers are exactly alike, which means no one plan is right for every pet owner. Use the comparison table below to see popular plans side-by-side and determine which providers offer the features you’re looking for.
