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MetLife Review

MetLife Pet Insurance was formerly called PetFirst. This pet insurance company offers customizable accident and illness plans. You can choose your deductible, reimbursement amount, and coverage limit for pets of any age and breed. MetLife also offers wellness add-ons. The company is present in all 50 states.

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Written by:Emma Street

Reviewed by: Emma Street,

What Does it Cover

MetLife offers different annual coverage options, and the possibility to choose a lifetime policy or per-incident limits. Pets of all ages can benefit from this insurance which covers:

  • Hospitalization

  • Accidental injuries

  • Illnesses

  • Surgeries

  • Diagnostic tests

  • Cruciate ligaments
  • ACL
  • MCL
  • X-rays
  • Ultrasounds
  • Medications
  • Holistic care & alternative therapies emergency care
  • Pet food, special diet
  • Parasite prevention and treatment (available with optional Preventive Care coverage)
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
  • Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL)
  • Hereditary and congenital conditions
  • Chronic conditions
  • Examination fees

Preventive care coverage is available at an additional cost, and it includes, among others, parasite prevention and treatment.

MetLife Features 

The insurance MetLife offers is customizable in terms of annual benefits, deductibles, and reimbursement rates. To learn how much it will cost to get your furry friend insured, you need to request a personalized quote on the company’s website. This insurance is flexible and comprehensive so you can personalize the plan based on your budget and your pet's needs. MetLife offers family plans that cover several pets on a single policy. You can use this insurance at any licensed vet. Any cat and dog breed and age is covered and there is no exam required for enrollment.

MetLife Pricing Plans

MetLife offers insurance policies starting at $15 a month for dogs and as low as $9 a month for cats. The exact amount of your premiums will depend on your pet’s age, breed, and location. Some discounts are available during the first year for those who purchase insurance online. Other discounts are available for

• Current and retired members of the Armed Forces & First Responders
• Active healthcare workers who purchase MetGen underwritten policies
• Employees and owners of animal care facilities
The annual coverage limit is from $1,000 to $25,000 in $1,000 increments. If you get a MetGen underwritten policy, there is also a $500 annual limit. MetLife also offers unlimited benefit options subject to availability.

Based on estimates, an insurance policy for a domestic shorthair cat of six months is up to $20 per month for maximum coverage of $5,000 and $500 in deductibles. A large mixed-breed dog aged one would cost almost $28 per month in the same circumstances


MetLife Waiting Periods

If you choose this provider, the waiting period for accidents ends at midnight EST on the day you sign up. The waiting period for illness coverage is 14 days. Some diseases such as disc disease or ligament issues require a longer waiting period of six months.

MetLife Reimbursement and Deductibles

The reimbursement options are 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. Moreover, there is also a 50% option for policies underwritten by MetGen and 65% for IAIC policies. Your deductible can fit into the following range of options: $0−$750 in $50 increments or $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500 deductibles. The deductible automatically decreases by $25 (for IAIC policies) and $50 (for MetGen policies) every year when you don’t get reimbursed for your vet expenses. This discount does not apply in Tennessee.. 

Claims Process

The claim process for this pet insurance is not difficult but it isn't among the easiest or fastest either. According to the company's website, most claims are processed within ten days. If you read the fine print at the bottom of the home page, it further explains that about 80% of claims take up to 10 days to be processed. To claim money for your eligible expenses after paying at the vet, you need to send your claim online and attach the vet records and invoices. The company also offers a mobile app where you can manage your plan and reimbursement claims. If any information is missing from your claim, MetLife will follow up with your vet.

Why You Should Choose MetLife

If you are looking for customizable insurance policies for dogs or cats of any age and breed, MetLife is a good choice. It covers a variety of accident and illness circumstances. You can also add preventive care and wellness options to complement your basic insurance and choose the deductible and coverage limit that fits your budget. Some discounts are also available to certain professional categories.

Contact Details and Physical Address

The contact details on the company's website are a phone number (855.270.7387) and fax (877.281.3348).
The support service works Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 9 pm EST, and on weekends from 10 am to 7 pm EST.
You can also chat live with the support team email them or reach out to them on social media. 

Email: pet_info@metlife.com


MetLife Pet Insurance
400 Missouri Avenue
Suite 105
Jeffersonville, IN 4713

Why We Chose Metlife

We chose this insurer for its flexibility, the fact that it doesn’t exclude pets based on age or breed, and also offers holistic care and alternative therapies, as well as different discounts depending on your job.

What Is Missing

Some of the expenses this pet insurance company doesn't cover include
• Elective Procedures
• Anal glands or anal vasculitis expression or removal
• Breeding and conditions related to breeding
• Vitamins and mineral supplements • Grooming and bathing
• Illness or injury that results from racing, coursing, organized fighting
• Organ Transplants

Some pre-existing conditions may also not be covered. To see exactly what preexisting conditions are excluded, you have to check your policy.

Disclaimer

The information on this website is provided for the sole purpose of helping you make an informed decision when selecting a pet insurance company. Our team of experts thoroughly analyzes each brand in order to provide our readers with up-to-date and accurate information. However, the pricing plans and other insurance details mentioned in our reviews are subject to change as each company might update its offer. The information on our website does not constitute legal advice and should not be treated as such.


Pros and cons

Pros
Customizable Insurance & Different Discounts
A Single Plan For Multiple Pets
No Age Exclusions
Preventive Care Add-Ons
Cons
The Claims Process Could Be Faster
Prescription Food Is Not Included In All Plans
Not All States Benefit From All The Discounts