Updated
Apr 05, 2023 Key Points:
- No eligibility restrictions
- Low annual benefit limits, with no unlimited policy
- One comprehensive plan for cats and dogs
What we like:
Short waiting periods for accidents
| Age restrictions | At least 8 weeks old |
| Monthly premiums | Starting at $9 for cats and $15 for dogs |
| Deductible | $50, $100, $250, or $500 |
| Benefit limit | $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000 per year |
Pet insurance has become a popular product for pet owners who want help covering the costs of medical care for their four-legged friends. If you have insurance coverage through MetLife, one of the largest insurers in the United States, you might consider working with the company to get coverage for your pet.
Prior to 2021, MetLife had been offering pet insurance through strategic partnerships with Trupanion and PetFirst. However, the company has now merged the PetFirst brand into its own so that it can offer pet insurance directly to pet owners under its own name.
In this review:
- MetLife Pet Insurance: At a glance
- How much does MetLife Pet Insurance cost?
- What does MetLife Pet Insurance cover?
- What MetLife does not cover?
- Pros & cons of MetLife Pet Insurance
- How to get a policy with MetLife
MetLife Pet Insurance: At a glance
| MetLife Pet Insurance | |
| Eligible breeds | No restrictions |
| Eligible ages | 8 weeks and up |
| Annual benefit limits | $2,000, $5,000, or $10,000 |
| Reimbursement | 65%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% |
| Deductible | $50, $100, $250, or $500 |
| Monthly premiums | Start at $9 for cats and $15 for dogs |
| Waiting period for illnesses | 14 days |
| Waiting period for accidents | Midnight after enrollment |
| Medical exam | No |
| Visit MetLife’s website | View rates |
MetLife offers pet insurance for both dogs and cats. There are no restrictions on your pet’s age or breed, so long as your pet is at least eight weeks old. That means you can insure your pet at any time you’d like.
You can select from one of three coverage levels or customize your plan to precisely fit your needs and budget. You can change things like the annual maximum benefit, deductible, reimbursement rate, and routine care coverage.
A nice perk of insuring with MetLife is that there is almost no waiting period for coverage for accidents. Additionally, the company covers some situations that other insurers don’t. For example, MetLife covers hereditary issues that are common to certain breeds while many other insurers do not.
How much does MetLife Pet Insurance cost?
The price of MetLife pet insurance varies based on a few different factors, such as your dog’s size, age, and breed. You also pay more for more comprehensive plans.
For example, a three-year-old male cockapoo costs between $24.11 and $48.80 per month to insure. The lower-end plan offers a $2,000 annual benefit limit while the higher-end one offers a $10,000 annual benefit limit. The cost to insure a three-year-old husky can range from $24.89 to $50.47 per month.
Age has a major impact on cost, with a ten-year-old cockapoo costing $74.43 to $157.93 per month to cover.
Generally, cats are cheaper to insure, with a three-year-old cat costing between $14.34 and $27.59 per month to insure.
What does MetLife Pet Insurance cover?
MetLife pet insurance covers many things, including:
- Accidents
- Illnesses
- Hereditary conditions
- Congenital conditions
- Chronic conditions
- Hospitalizations
- Surgeries
- Diagnostic tests
- Exam fees
- X-rays
- Ultrasounds
- Medications
- Holistic care and alternative therapies
- Emergency care
After six months, the plan also covers:
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Anterior cruciate ligament injuries
- Posterior cruciate ligament injuries
- Cranial cruciate ligament injuries
What MetLife does not cover?
MetLife excludes the following things from coverage.
- Pre-existing conditions
- Elective procedures
- Expression or removal of anal glands
- Breeding or conditions related to breeding
- Pet food, special diets, vitamins, and mineral supplements
- Grooming costs and bathing
- Including medicated baths
- Parasite prevention and parasite treatment
- Illness or injury related to racing, coursing, commercial guarding, or organized fighting of your pet
- Routine wellness and preventative care
- You can purchase additional insurance to cover routine wellness and preventative care
- Organ transplants
Pros & cons of MetLife Pet Insurance
Pros
- Less than 24-hour waiting period for injuries
- Coverage for hereditary conditions
- Customizable plans
- Use any veterinarian nationwide
Cons
- Six-month waiting period for some coverages
- No option for an unlimited annual benefit
- Poor consumer reviews on Trustpilot. Common complaints highlight a poor claims process, claims not being approved, large price increases from year to year, and a lack of communication
How to get a policy with MetLife
If you want to get a policy with MetLife, there are some things that you need to know.
Eligibility information
One benefit of working with MetLife is that almost any cat or dog is eligible for insurance. If your pet is at least eight weeks old, your pet is eligible. There is no age limit or restriction on your pet’s breed. However, certain breeds may cost more to insure, and older pets tend to cost more, as well.
How to apply
The easiest way to apply for MetLife pet insurance is online. You can visit MetLife’s website directly to begin an online form to receive a free quote.
Once you’re on the website, you can click the button to begin your quote. You’ll have to provide the following information:
- Whether you own a dog or a cat
- Whether your pet is male or female
- Your pet’s name
- Your pet’s age
- Your pet’s breed
- Your pet’s fur color
- Your e-mail address
- Your ZIP code
Once you’ve chosen your pet health insurance policy, submit your payment, and wait for MetLife to confirm the coverage.
Ready to get started? Get a free quote in less than a minute on MetLife’s website by clicking here.
Where to find alternatives to MetLife
MetLife isn’t the only company to offer pet insurance. There are many insurers and pet wellness plans out there, so shopping around to find the right one is a good way to save money while keeping your pet healthy.
Our guide to the best pet insurance companies can help you find additional options to compare.