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Insurance Pet Insurance

MetLife Pet Insurance Review

Updated Apr 03, 2024
5-min read
TJ Porter Author Photo
Reviewed by TJ Porter
TJ Porter Author Photo
Reviewed by TJ Porter

Expertise: Credit, credit cards, investments

TJ Porter is a Boston-based freelance writer specializing in credit, credit cards, and bank accounts. He graduated with a degree in business from Northeastern University.

Learn more about TJ Porter

Best Family Plan

4.2 /5
LendEDU Rating
Free Quote
Pet Insurance
  • 24/7 telehealth concierge chat
  • Cover multiple pets with one policy
  • Accidents are covered as soon as one day after enrollment
  • No money-back guarantee period
  • $12 admin fee to enroll
  • 6-month waiting period on cruciate ligament coverage
Annual coverage$2,000, $5,000, or $10,000
Reimbursement70%, 80%, or 90%
Deductible$50, $100, $250, or $500

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

MetLife Pet Insurance
Eligible breedsNo restrictions
Eligible ages8 weeks and up
Annual benefit limits$2,000, $5,000, or $10,000
Reimbursement65%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100%
Deductible$50, $100, $250, or $500
Monthly premiumsStart at $9 for cats and $15 for dogs
Waiting period for illnesses14 days
Waiting period for accidentsMidnight after enrollment
Medical examNo
Visit MetLife’s websiteView 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.