MetLife Pet Insurance Review 2024

You’ll find pet insurance plans at MetLife similar to what you’d find at the best pet insurance companies. MetLife offers an accident and illness policy, which is the most common type, and it also offers an accident-only plan for budget-minded pet owners who only want coverage for emergencies related to injuries. You can also add a preventative care plan for routine vet expenses.

Accident and Illness Coverage

MetLife’s “major medical plan” for pets covers accident- and illness-related medical expenses, including:

Accident-Only Coverage

You may be able to purchase a MetLife accident-only pet insurance policy. As the name implies, you’ll be covered for accident-related vet expenses such as hospitalizations, surgeries and diagnostics, but you won’t be covered for illness-related vet expenses. There is an exception for infections that results from an external injury.

MetLife Add-Ons

MetLife’s preventative care add-on covers expenses such as:

• Behavior training (if recommended by a vet for aggression or anxiety).
• EKG.
• Dew claw removal.
• Gastropexy.
• Heartworm treatment.
• Most vaccinations, such as rabies and feline panleukopenia virus (FVP).
• Nail trim.
• Parasite prevention.
• Radiograph screenings.
• Routine vet care.
• Tail docking.
• Teeth cleaning.
• Spaying and neutering.
• Supplements and vitamins.

Exclusions in pet insurance plans are typical and MetLife has several coverage exclusions, including:

• Breeding or conditions related to breeding.
• Cosmetic or aesthetic procedures.
• Elective surgeries.
• Grooming costs and routine nail trims.
• Health/travel certificates.
• Illness or injury caused by racing, coursing, commercial guarding, law enforcement or organized fighting of your pet.
• Microchipping.
• Non-prescription food.
• Obedience training.
• Organ transplants.

Maximum Annual Limit Options

The cap on reimbursement your insurer will pay in a policy year is known as the annual coverage limit. MetLife offers the following annual coverage limits:

• $2,000
• $5,000
• $10,000

Deductible Options

A deductible is an amount you must pay toward vet bills before your coverage begins to reimburse you. MetLife offers the following deductibles:

• $50
• $100
• $250
• $500

Reimbursement Options

MetLife pet insurance insurance is reimbursement-based, meaning you’ll pay up-front for your pet’s medical expenses and submit a claim for reimbursement for problems covered by your policy. MetLife offers the following reimbursement options:

• 70%
• 80%
• 90%

MetLife  has the following waiting periods:

• Accident coverage begins at 12:00 a.m. ET the day after you purchase a policy.
• 14-day waiting period for illnesses.
• Six-month waiting period for cruciate ligament issues.

MetLife does not have any upper age limits for purchasing a pet insurance policy. Some insurers have limits (such as age 14) to buy a new policy.

Company	Accident waiting period	Illness waiting period	Special waiting period
Pets Best	3 days	14 days	6 months for cruciate ligament conditions
Embrace	Begins at 12:01 a.m. ET the day after you purchase your plan	14 days	6 months for orthopedic conditions (can be waived with an orthopedic exam)
Paw Protect	Begins at 12:01 a.m. ET the day after you purchase your plan	14 days	6 months for orthopedic conditions (can be waived with an orthopedic exam)
MetLife	Begins at 12:00 a.m. ET the day after you purchase your plan	14 days	6 months for cruciate ligament issues

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MetLife pet insurance costs an average of $47 per month for dogs and $26 per month for cats, according to a our analysis of pet insurance costs. That’s for a policy with $5,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level. A policy with $10,000 of annual coverage, a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level costs an average of $63 for a dog and $32 for a cat.

MetLife Price Comparison for Dogs

Dog breed	Average cost per month for puppies age 3 months	Average cost per month for dogs age 3 years
Beagle	$40	$40
Bulldog	$114	$114
Dachshund	$41	$41
French bulldog	$76	$76
German shepherd	$58	$58
Golden retriever	$67	$67
Labrador retriever	$61	$61
Mixed breed (large)	$63	$63
Mixed breed (medium)	$50	$50
Mixed breed (small)	$46	$46
Poodle	$52	$52
Rottweiler	$71	$71

Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on $10,000 annual coverage with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.

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MetLife Pet Price Comparison for Cats

Cat breed	Average cost per month for kittens age 3 months	Average cost per month for cats age 3 years
Abyssinian	$29	$29
Bengal	$29	$29
Bombay	$29	$29
British shorthair	$29	$29
Exotic shorthair	$29	$29
Maine coon	$40	$41
Mixed breed	$27	$27
Persian	$40	$41
Ragdoll	$40	$41
Siamese	$40	$41

Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on $10,000 annual coverage with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level.

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MetLife Costs vs. Other Top Insurers

Company	Company - Logo	Forbes Advisor Rating	Forbes Advisor Rating	Average monthly cost for dog insurance	Average monthly cost for cat insurance	Learn More CTA text	Learn more CTA below text	Learn more
Pets Best		5.0		$48	$27	Compare Plans
Embrace		4.5		$76	$37	Compare Plans
Paw Protect		4.5		$77	$38	Compare Plans
Figo		4.3		$60	$26	Compare Plans
Spot		4.3		$97	$46	Compare Plans
Fetch		4.1		$77	$40	Compare Plans
Healthy Paws		4.1		$55	$22	Compare Plans
Lemonade		4.1		$52	$28	Compare Plans
MetLife		N/A		$47	$26	Compare Plans

Source: Forbes Advisor research. Costs are based on unlimited annual coverage ($15,000 for Fetch, $100,000 for Lemonade and $10,000 for MetLife) with a $250 deductible and 80% reimbursement level for dogs and cats, ages 3 months, 2 years, 5 years and 7 years.

MetLife pet insurance is available in all 50 states.

You can file a MetLife pet insurance claim:

• Online: MyPets login
• App: You can download the MetLife mobile app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.
• Email: pet_submit_claim@metlife.com
• Fax: (877) 281-3348
• Text: (317) 820-2275
• Mail: 400 Missouri Ave, Suite 105, Jeffersonville, IN 47130

Customers must file a MetLife pet insurance claim within 90 days of the treatment or invoice date. You will need to provide:

• Completed and signed claim form.
• Veterinary medical records from the incident (SOAP notes).
• Itemized invoice.

MetLife got its start in 1864 by selling insurance to sailors and soldiers serving in the Civil War for wartime-related disabilities. Headquartered in New York City, MetLife now sells insurance in 40 countries.

In 2021, MetLife expanded its insurance offerings to pet insurance, underwritten by Independence American Insurance Co. (IAIC) and Metropolitan General Insurance Co. (MetGen).