How Much Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cost? 2024 Price Update
Updated on
Click to Skip Ahead
Pet insurance is becoming more and more popular because of the ever-increasing costs of veterinary care. For those looking into obtaining pet insurance, the task of finding the right plan for the right price can be a bit overwhelming.
MetLife is a major player in the insurance game that also offers pet insurance for its customers. The price depends on many factors, such as breed, age and your location but on average you can expect to spend $42 for a dog and $21 for a cat. We’re going to take a closer look into the company and see what kind of costs you can expect if you were to choose them as your pet insurance provider.
The Importance of Pet Insurance
Getting hit with unexpected expenses can cause a very negative impact on your finances and cause a lot of setbacks in your life. As pet parents, we know to expect the unexpected but when the time comes, it can be very hard to deal with.
Pet Insurance is a way for pet owners to protect themselves from the financial burden that can come along with sharing your life with your best friend. You can choose between paying a monthly or yearly premium for the coverage of your choice.
If anything were to happen within your scope of coverage, you will cover the agreed-upon deductible and then be reimbursed accordingly for approved expenses.
MetLife offers a wide range of plan options and a great breadth of coverage that can include accidents, illnesses, and wellness. That all sounds great, but what’s the cost? Keep reading to learn more.
How Much Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cost?
MetLife offers a comprehensive accident and illness policy that encompasses costs related to injuries, incidents, and other health conditions. It also allows for coverage related to certain alternative and holistic therapies.
They also have an optional preventative care add-on that helps cover the cost of routine veterinary care such as wellness examinations, vaccinations, dental cleaning, and more.
The exact cost of any pet insurance is going to vary by individual circumstances and needs, just like with any insurance policy. Many factors go into the final cost of the premium.
| Dog Breed | Average Monthly Premium | Cat Breed | Average Monthly Premium |
| English Bulldog | $50.36 | Persian | $24.63 |
| Golden Retriever | $41.26 | Maine Coon | $24.63 |
| Beagle | $34.22 | Ragdoll | $16.57 |
Species
MetLife covers both dogs and cats and depending on which species you are buying coverage for; your price will certainly reflect it. Coverage for dogs is more expensive than for cats.
Breed and Size
Both breed and size can play a significant role in overall premium cost. Purebreds tend to have more genetic health concerns, especially certain breeds. Larger dogs are also more likely to experience health issues, especially later in life. Mixed breeds tend to be hardier and will typically cost less to cover. Both cats and dogs are subject to breed-related premium fluctuation.
Age
It’s no secret that the older you get, the more health issues you are likely to experience, and the same goes for our pets. If your pet is of more advanced age, your premium is likely to be higher. MetLife requires animals to be at least 8 weeks of age or older for coverage but has no age restrictions beyond that for their pet insurance. The premium is subject to increase each year as your pet gets older.
Location
Geographical location plays a role in determining your total premium cost for several reasons. Not only does the cost of living vary by region, but veterinary costs also vary depending on whether you are in an urban or rural setting. You will be able to obtain an accurate quote by providing your zip code as well as information about your pet.
Coverage
Since pet insurance plans offered by MetLife will cover a range of injuries, conditions, and illnesses, your cost will depend on what type of coverage you choose. This also includes your chosen deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual limit.
Discounts
MetLife offers a few discounts that are worth checking out when you are shopping around. Not only do they offer an online purchase discount for the first year, but you can also save for each year you go without a claim.
Other discounts can help save you on your overall premium cost, so you will want to see if you are eligible.
- Employer Benefit Discount
- Affinity Group Discount
- Internet Purchase Discount
- Military, Veteran & First Responder Discount
- Healthcare Workers Discount
- Animal Care Discount
Additional Costs to Anticipate
Pre-Existing Conditions
Any pre-existing condition, which is any illness or injury that occurred before the policy went into effect, will not be covered by your pet insurance. Therefore, any veterinary bills related to a pre-existing condition will have to be paid out of pocket.
Upfront Costs
MetLife pet insurance plans do not pay your veterinarian directly. The cost of care at the clinic will be your responsibility upfront. You will then submit a claim to MetLife to be reimbursed for the covered expenses on your policy.
Deductible
Deductibles for MetLife pet insurance are flexible and range from $0 to $2500. Depending on which deductible you agree upon when selecting coverage, that amount will be paid out of pocket before you are eligible for reimbursement.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses will vary by the policy since not all coverage, reimbursement percentages, and deductibles will be the same. MetLife will only cover what is agreed upon in your policy, so it’s important to read it thoroughly and understand your coverage before you make the final purchase. You also need to keep in mind that you will only be reimbursed your agreed-upon reimbursement percentage after the deductible has been met.
MetLife Coverage Options
Deductibles
The deductible is the amount you will out-of-pocket for veterinary bills before your coverage allows for reimbursement. MetLife’s pet insurance offers flexibility with deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500 per year. The higher your deductible amount, the lower your monthly premium will be.
Reimbursement Percentages
As mentioned, you will need to pay for veterinary care upfront and then submit a claim for reimbursement from your policy. Once the deductible has been met, you will be reimbursed for your eligible costs depending on which reimbursement percentage you have chosen. MetLife offers reimbursement percentages that range from 50 to 100 percent. You can lower your monthly premium by choosing a lower reimbursement level.
Annual Coverage Limits
Annual coverage limits are the highest annual amount your pet insurance company will pay for claims. If you have reached your annual limit, all veterinary expenses for the remainder of the year will be out of pocket. MetLife allows for flexible annual coverage limits that range from $500 to unlimited. A
| Deductibles | $0 – $2500 |
| Reimbursement Percentages | 50% – 100% |
| Annual Coverage Limits | $500 to Unlimited |
Other Top-Rated Pet Insurance Companies
What Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cover?
MetLife offers a comprehensive policy for accidents and illnesses with a wider breadth of coverage than some other companies. They also have a convenient add-on option for preventative care. Here’s a look at what is covered:
- Exam fees
- Telemedicine
- Diagnostic imaging (x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.)
- Injuries
- Sudden illnesses
- Surgery related to accident or illness
- Hospitalization
- Emergency services
- Prescription medications and/or food
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Dental disease
- Holistic and alternative therapies
- End-of-life costs
- Preventative medication.
- Spay or neuter
- Microchip
- Vaccinations
- Dental cleanings
- Wellness examination
- Laboratory testing
- Health certificates
What Does MetLife Pet Insurance Not Cover?
It’s always best to read through your policy to understand what is and isn’t covered, but here’s a brief overview of some of the main things that will not be covered under a MetLife pet insurance policy:
- Pre-existing conditions
- Elective procedures
- Grooming
- Costs related to breeding and pregnancy
- Supplements
- Organ transplant
- Anal gland expression
Find The Best Insurance Companies in 2024
Conclusion
The cost of MetLife pet insurance will depend on your individual circumstances and can vary depending on many factors including specifics about your pet, your location, and the policy options you choose. The best way to get a more precise idea of how much this pet insurance will cost you is by visiting their website and filling out your information for a personalized quote.
Featured Photo Credit: Oleg Ivanov, Unsplash
