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MetLife Pet Insurance Review 2024: Pros, Cons, & Verdict

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By Nicole Cosgrove

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In This Review: Our Review | Pricing | Coverage | Deductibles & Claims | FAQ | Conclusion

MetLife is a familiar name in the insurance and employee benefits space. The company has offered pet insurance for over 15 years. MetLife is accessible to all cat and dog owners, and the company does not have breed restrictions or upper age limits.

Check with your employer before signing up for an independent pet insurance policy. You may be eligible for a group rate through your job, which could lower your monthly premium.

Our Verdict

We give MetLife Pet Insurance a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.


MetLife Pet Insurance Review

Metlife Pet Insurance

Pros
  • Customizable deductibles, annual limits, and reimbursement rates
  • No lifetime or per-incident limits, even for older pets (all claims are subject to your annual limit)
  • No breed exclusions or upper age limits
  • Multiple ways to submit claims: mobile app, online portal, fax, email, and mail
  • Covers holistic and alternative therapies provided by a licensed vet
  • See any licensed vet in the U.S.
Cons
  • No coverage for conditions related to breeding
  • No coverage for illnesses or injuries caused by racing, coursing, or commercial guarding
  • There are annual limits for claims
  • Some plans do not pay for prescription food
  • No coverage for parasite treatment

About MetLife Pet Insurance

MetLife pet insurance is available nationwide, and you can see any licensed vet of your choice for treatment.

MetLife allows you to customize your deductible, annual limit, and reimbursement percentage. The company stands out by not having any lifetime limits or per-incident limits.

MetLife pet insurance does, however, have an annual limit. Certain surgeries and cancer treatments are expensive and could easily surpass your annual limit. You may want to consider another pet insurance if you would exhaust every possible treatment for your pet. Trupanion offers unlimited payouts.


Other Top Rated Pet Insurance Companies

Most Affordable
Our rating: 4.3 / 5
Most Customizable
Our rating: 4.5 / 5
Best Wellness Plans
Our rating: 4.1 / 5

Pricing & Plans (Updated in 2024)

Pet Insurance Cost Comparison

Insurance Company Sample Monthly Cost for Dogs Sample Monthly Cost for Cats Learn More
Lemonade $25.93 $13.73 Get Quote
Spot $22.29 $22.29 Get Quote
Wagmo $47.33 $29.14 Get Quote
Trupanion $78.98 $44.76 Get Quote
Fetch $46.43 $26.46 Get Quote

Base Policy

MetLife’s base policies cover medical treatment for illnesses and accidental injuries. Base policy coverage includes exam fees, diagnostic tests, hospitalization, surgeries, medications, and holistic and alternative therapies. The monthly premium is based on your pet’s breed, age, size, and location. You can customize your coverage by choosing from several deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual coverage options.

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Customizations

MetLife offers several customizations to create the right plan for your pet and your budget. You can reduce your monthly premiums by choosing a higher deductible and lower reimbursement amount. However, you will be responsible for more out-of-pocket expenses if your pet gets sick or injured.

Optional Preventive Care Coverage

MetLife’s base policies only cover illnesses and accidental injuries. The optional Preventative Care add-on provides reimbursement for wellness check-ups and vaccines.

Preventative Care may or may not be a good value for you. You’ll need to compare what you would pay out of pocket for these planned expenses versus what your monthly cost for the add-on would be.

Annual Benefit Amounts

Your annual benefit amount is the maximum payout you can receive in a policy year. The annual benefit amount for a male, 5-year-old medium mixed breed dog can range from $2,000 to $10,000.

Annual Deductible Amounts

Your deductible is the annual amount you must pay out of pocket before MetLife will cover a claim. The deductible amount for a male, 5-year-old medium mixed breed dog can range from $50 to $500.

Reimbursement Amounts

The reimbursement amount is the percentage of allowable charges MetLife will pay each policy year. The deductible amount range for a male, 5-year-old medium mixed breed dog is 70%, 80%, or 90%.


MetLife Pet Insurance Price Comparison for Dogs

We chose some of the most popular breeds in the U.S. for price comparisons.

Toy poodle Labrador retriever
Male or Female Female Male
Age 3 years Under 1 year
Location Chicago, IL Albany, NY
Reimbursement Level 80% 90%
Annual Deductible $250 $500
Annual Max $5,000 $10,000
Price per month $28.86 $51.61

The monthly premiums in the table below reflect a 70% reimbursement level, a $500 deductible, and a $5,000 annual maximum for dogs living in Austin, TX.

Breed Name Under 1 5 Years Old
French bulldog, male $33.71 $41.19
Beagle, female $19.42 $29.02
Golden retriever, male $30.89 $35.04

Deductibles & Claims

The annual deductible you choose is the amount you must pay out of pocket before MetLife will cover a claim. MetLife’s deductibles range from $50 to 500. Your location, pet’s breed, and age, and whether you have independent or employer-sponsored coverage determine which deductible options are available to you.

MetLife requires that you submit the claims form and related documents within 90 days of the treatment or invoice date. You can submit claims online via the smartphone app, mail, email, or fax. MetLife processes most claims within 10 days.


What Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cover?

The base policy for MetLife pet insurance covers most medical treatment for illnesses and accidental injuries. Below are specific examples of covered and not covered services and procedures.

Covered
  • The exam fee/Office visit fee
  • Diagnostic tests like X-rays and ultrasounds
  • Hospital stays
  • Surgery to treat an illness or accidental injury
  • Prescription medication
  • Alternative and holistic therapies provided by a licensed vet
Not Covered
  • Elective procedures
  • Wellness visits
  • Preventive vaccinations
  • Parasite treatment
  • Any treatment for a pre-existing injury or illness

Pre-Existing Conditions

MetLife does not cover treatment for any illnesses or injuries your pet had prior to enrolling. This is the industry standard, as most pet insurance companies do not pay for pre-existing conditions.

Waiting Periods

MetLife states they have “among the shortest wait periods for accident and illness coverage.” Illness coverage begins 14 days after the effective date of your policy. Accident coverage and optional wellness coverage start on the effective date of your policy.

Reviews from Customers

It’s helpful to read what current MetLife pet insurance customers have to say about the company. We’ve searched the internet for some of the most beneficial reviews.

The claims process is quick and easy for most customers.

“I have Metlife Pet Insurance. It was recommended to me by someone who uses it at my work. My work uses MetLife for benefits. I’ve filed a few claims, and it’s pretty easy you just upload the documents they ask for then I got approved and got a direct deposit. I have the routine care benefit too, and take advantage of it. Their rates are good compared to other companies.” Reddit comment by Rudy–1

“They have been great for us. Pretty prompt on payouts, and the app makes it very easy to submit and deal with claims.” Reddit comment by 3TipsyCoachman3

Most negative reviews center around pet owners not fully understanding their coverage prior to submitting a claim.


FAQ

How Do I Submit a MetLife Pet Insurance Claim Form?

You can access MetLife’s Pet Insurance Claim Forms online. You can mail, email, fax, or upload the claims form and any required documentation.

Can I See Any Vet if I Have MetLife Pet Insurance?

Yes. You can bring your pet to any licensed vet or emergency animal clinic in the United States.

How Do I Pay My MetLife Pet Insurance Premiums?

You can pay your monthly premiums via automatic deductions from a bank account or credit card. If you receive MetLife pet insurance through your employer, payroll deduction may be an option.

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Our Verdict

MetLife pet insurance offers nationwide, customizable coverage for cats and dogs. The company does not have any breed restrictions or age limits and is known for its easy claims process. We were impressed with MetLife’s customizable plans and simple claims process. The biggest drawback is that MetLife has an annual payout limit. Another pet insurance company might be a better option if you pursue expensive treatments for your pet. MetLife is available as an employee benefit and to the general public.

See Also:


  • Hepper acknowledges that it is not licensed as an insurance agent, and therefore will not offer any advice regarding insurance, nor recommend a particular coverage, policy, or insurance company.

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