MetLife Pet Insurance Review

Best Family Plan

4.2 _/5

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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
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
Deductible	$50, $100, $250, or $500

MetLife pet insurance has supported families with four-legged fur babies for 15 years. It’s particularly attractive to pet parents with multiple pets, thanks to the family plan, which lets up to three pets (dogs and cats) be on a single policy. That’s one monthly payment and one annual deductible.

MetLife pet insurance is also a top option for pet parents of puppies, kittens, and senior dogs and cats, as there are no age and breed restrictions. The short waiting period on accidents, coverage for exotic pets, and 24/7 access to vets online make MetLife pet insurance worth your consideration.

MetLife pet insurance at a glance

Term	Detail
Eligible breeds	No restrictions
Eligible ages	No minimum or maximum ages
Annual benefit limits	$2,000, $5,000, or $10,000
Reimbursement	70%, 80%, or 90%
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 required to enroll?	No

MetLife offers pet insurance for dogs and cats with no restrictions on your pet’s age or breed—so you can insure your pet any time you’d like. MetLife also offers pet insurance for exotic pets (birds, reptiles, small rodents, amphibians, opossums, hedgehogs, pigs, goats, rabbits, and ferrets) in select states, but you must call for a quote.

You can select from one of three coverage levels or customize your plan to fit your needs and budget. You can change the annual maximum benefit, deductible, reimbursement rate, and routine care coverage.

MetLife has almost no waiting period for accident coverage and covers some situations other insurers don’t. For example, MetLife covers hereditary issues common to certain breeds, which many other insurers don’t.

Our take on MetLife pet insurance

There are several things we like about MetLife’s pet insurance:

• It’s a great choice for pet parents since there are no age restrictions. If you have a young puppy or kitten or a senior dog or cat that you’re struggling to get covered elsewhere, MetLife may be your best bet. Similarly, MetLife does not have any breed restrictions.
• It offers the best family plan for pet parents. If you have multiple pets, you can include up to three on a single policy—even mixing and matching dogs and cats. This means one monthly payment instead of three and one annual deductible per policy.
• Coverage is comprehensive, and there are wellness care plans that can make the policy even more robust. You’ll pay more for MetLife pet insurance than several competitors, but the robust coverage could be well worth the cost over the life of your pet.

But there are some policy exclusions to be aware of:

• There’s no option for an unlimited annual benefit.
• MetLife pet insurance reviews from customers leave something to be desired.

How much does MetLife pet insurance cost?

The price of MetLife pet insurance varies depending on several factors, such as your dog or cat’s size, age, and breed. You’ll also pay more for more comprehensive plans.

Below are examples of monthly insurance costs for different pets.

Pet	Monthly cost
3-year-old male cockapoo	$24.11 – $48.80
3-year-old husky	$24.89 – $50.47
10-year-old cockapoo	$74.43 – $157.93
3-year-old cat	$14.34 – $27.59

What does MetLife pet insurance cover?

MetLife pet insurance initially covers the following:

• 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 doesn’t cover

MetLife excludes the following from coverage.

• Pre-existing conditions
• Elective procedures
• Expression or removal of anal glands (covered under preventive care add-on)
• Breeding or conditions related to breeding
• Pet food, special diets, vitamins, and mineral supplements
• Grooming costs and bathing (includes medicated baths)
• Parasite prevention and parasite treatment (covered under preventive care add-on)
• Illness or injury related to racing, coursing, commercial guarding, or organized fighting of your pet
• Routine wellness and preventive care—You can purchase additional insurance to cover routine wellness and preventive care
• Organ transplants

Pros & cons of MetLife pet insurance

Consider these pros and cons before purchasing a MetLife policy for your pets.

Pros

• Less than 24-hour waiting period for injuries

• Coverage for hereditary conditions

• Customizable plans

• Use any veterinarian nationwide

• Family plan that covers multiple pets with one policy

• No age or breed restrictions

• Coverage for exotic pets in select states

• Several employer discounts

• 24/7 vet chat for advice

Cons

• Six-month waiting period for some coverages

• No option for an unlimited annual benefit

• Exotic pet coverage not available in every state

• One-time enrollment fee

• Poor consumer reviews on Trustpilot

How to get a policy with MetLife

Here’s how to get a pet insurance policy with MetLife:

1. Research policy options

Review MetLife’s various coverage options and add-ons to get a better understanding of what your dog or cat needs. Being informed is important when choosing an insurance policy for every four-legged member of the family. If you’re new to pet coverage, read up on how pet insurance works before reviewing a specific insurer’s policy info.

2. Get a quote online

Getting a quote on MetLife’s website is easy. Launch the quote process from the home page and select either dog or cat insurance. If you have an exotic pet and you’re in a qualifying state, you’ll have to call (855) 421-7227 to continue.

After selecting the type of pet, you’ll enter some basic information, including:

• Your pet’s name
• Your pet’s age
• Your pet’s sex
• Whether your pet is a pure or mixed breed—enter the breed for pure breeds. For mixed breeds, enter the pet’s size.
• Your email address
• Your ZIP code
• Your employer (optional, for potential discounts—up to 10%)

3. Review plan options

After inputting the information above, you’ll be taken to a quote. MetLife shows the recommended plan, but you can also toggle to a balanced plan and a high-deductible plan.

Alternatively, you can customize your plan on your own by setting:

• The reimbursement level
• The annual benefit
• The deductible

You can also tack on the optional preventative care plan and select discounts for which you’re eligible.

This will generate a final monthly premium for you.

4. Research competitors

Before settling on any pet insurance company, we recommend doing your due diligence and researching at least two others. Getting quotes from multiple pet insurance providers allows you to compare prices, waiting periods, coverage options and exclusions, and other important factors.

Only after comparing multiple pet insurance policies side by side should you choose the best pet insurance policy for your needs—whether that’s MetLife or another insurer.

5. Enter contact and billing info

If MetLife pet insurance is the best option for your furry friend, move forward by entering your contact and billing info. Make your first payment and wait for coverage to kick in.

Where to find alternatives to MetLife

MetLife isn’t the only company that offers pet insurance. Many insurers and pet wellness plans offer excellent coverage, so shopping around to find the right one is a good way to save money while keeping your pet healthy.

For instance, MetLife offers great coverage, but it’s certainly not the cheapest option out there.

• If you’re looking for pet insurance on a budget, check out our roundup of the cheapest pet insurance policies, including Pets Best and Embrace.
• If you want pet insurance that pays the vet directly, try Trupanion.
• For pet insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, check out AKC.

There are so many pet insurance companies out there; you have to think through what’s best for your dog or cat—and your wallet.