MetLife Pet Insurance Review in 2025. Good for Pet Parents on a Budget
MetLife Pet Insurance offers multiple perks to attract pet parents. It places no restrictions on eligible breeds, covers dogs and cats 8 weeks and older, and offers 100% reimbursement. Best of all, the accident coverage begins at midnight the day you sign up for the policy.
On the flip side, treatments or services provided outside the United States aren't covered. This might worry pet parents who regularly travel internationally. Also, unlike some of its competitors, it doesn't provide a plan for unlimited annual benefits.
What does all of this say about MetLife Pet Insurance? Is it one of the best for your four-legged friend? Or can you do better? Read on if you’re worried about unforeseen vet costs.
MetLife Pet Insurance Review
Premiums
Premiums are the amount insurance providers charge to keep the policy going. In most cases, the better the coverage and benefits, the pricier the premiums.
MetLife's monthly premiums kick off at $9 for cats and $15 for dogs. Here's how they compare with those of other pet insurance providers:
- PetFirst: $9 for cats; $15 for dogs
- Pet Assure: $9.95 for cats; $11.95 for dogs
- Progressive Pet Insurance: $6 for cats (accidentonly); $9 for dogs (accident-only)
All in all, MetLife's monthly premiums are just about average for the pet insurance market.
Coverage
MetLife Pet Insurance offers three annual benefits limits ($2,000, $5,000, or $10,000), four reimbursements (65%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%) and multiple deductibles ranging from $0 to $2,500. Here is what all these terms mean.
- Annual benefit limit is the maximum amount an insurance provider will pay for claims annually.
- Reimbursements refer to the percentage of the vet’s bill that your insurance provider will pay.
- Deductible is the amount you’d pay before getting your money reimbursed from the insurance provider.
You can customize things like routine care coverage, reimbursement rate, deductible, and annual maximum benefit, among others. Check out MetLife's website to know more.
Waiting Period
Long waiting periods are as bad as downright exclusions. Insurance providers treat any claims made during the waiting period as pre-existing conditions. This gives them the carte-blanche to deny related claims for the life of your furry friend.
Which is why we appreciate that MetLife only has a 14-day waiting period for most illnesses. No matter how you look at this number, it is remarkably short. Embrace, one of MetLife's direct competitors, has a 6-month waiting period for dogs!
However, there a six-month waiting period applies for cruciate ligament issues. The same goes for intervertebral disc disease. In comparison, Trupanion doesn't have an extended waiting period for both conditions.
Covered Conditions
Here’s an overview of conditions covered by MetLife:
Accidents
- Fractured bones
- Toxic ingestion
Regular Illnesses
- Rashes
- Vomiting
- Ear infections
Serious Illnesses
- Allergies
- Diabetes
- Cancer
Diagnostics
- Blood tests
- CT scans
- Ultrasounds
Monetary
- Advertising and reward for lost and/or stolen pets
Miscellaneous
- Surgeries
- Hospitalization
- Grief counselling
You can also add a wellness plan to your existing plan. It will cover services such as vaccinations, routine check-ups, heartworm prevention, and more.MetLife also gives you the option to purchase an accident-only plan, which, as the name implies, won't provide coverage for illnesses or other emergencies.
Exclusions
Here's what MetLife Pet Insurance doesn't cover:
- Preexisting conditions
- Elective procedures
- Grooming costs
- Organ transplants
- Supplements (vitamin and mineral)
- Accidents or illnesses that are a result of organized fighting or racing, coursing, commercial guarding
- Removal or expression of anal glands
- Breeding & breedingrelated conditions
As stated earlier, illnesses and illness-related problems won't be covered if you opt for an accident-only plan.
Discounts
Following pet parents can get a discount on MetLife's Pet Insurance plans:
- Who are going to insure more than one pet on the same policy
- Who are going to insure more than one pet on separate policies
- Military, veterans, and firstresponders
- Health care workers
- Animal care workers
- Employers
- Affinity groups
MetLife Pet Insurance FAQs
Does MetLife Pet Insurance cover dental?
Yes, dental illnesses are covered as long as they are not pre-existing conditions.
Does MetLife Pet Insurance cover pet neutering?
Yes, it is covered under the 'Met Pet Protection' suite of the insurance plans.
Does MetLife Pet Insurance cover vaccinations?
Yes, vaccines are covered under their insurance plans.
Are there any incident or illness caps?
Yes, there is an annual limit of $10,000. Aside from that, a limit will be imposed on each preventive care treatment if you purchase the wellness plan.
Final Verdict: Is MetLife Pet Insurance Worth It?
MetLife Pet Insurance will certainly attract pet parents who are on a budget. Its budget-friendly monthly premiums, wide-ranging illness coverage, and short waiting period make it one of the best pet insurance policies on the market.
Sure, there are areas where its competitors perform better.
Trupanion, for instance, pays your vet straightaway if they have its software (MetLife takes up to 10 days to pay the reimbursement claim). It also has a plan for unlimited annual benefits. Still, for those of you on a budget, MetLife Pet Insurance remains one of the better options.