Compare MetLife Pet Insurance

Comparison Fact Sheet
Updated 2/3/2023

To get the most from these sheets, please read the Guide to Pet Insurance first.



Company Info
Company Name MetLife
Also Known As / Affiliates / Partners Formally Known As - PetFirst
Address 400 Missouri Avenue
Suite 105
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Phone 1-855-270-PETS (7387)
Website www.metlifepetinsurance.com
Plans That Provide Both Accident and Illness Coverage MetLife Accident and Illness Plan *
States Covered Available in all states
Underwriter and AM Best Financial Strength Rating Insurance underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company and Metropolitan General Insurance Company..

Independence American Insurance Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A-" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 2/3/2023.

Metropolitan General Insurance Company has an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of "A" and an Outlook of "Stable" as of 2/3/2023.

For the most recent ratings go to: AM Best
Year Company Started Started as PetFirst Pet Insurance Company in 2004. PetFirst became MetLife Pet Insurance in 2020.

 

Policy Basics
Policy Term Not clear
Effective Date The Effective Date will be listed on the Declarations Page of your policy after you apply and are accepted.
Enrollment Age No age limits
Cancellation Policy Ask for a current copy of their insurance policy so that you may review their cancellation policy
Waiting Period 14 days for illness.

Accident coverage on midnight EST of the effective day of your policy.

For policies underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company:
6 months for Intervertebral Disk Disease.
6 months for cruciate ligament conditions.

**Waiting Periods can vary by state. See actual policy or contact MetLife to confirm the waiting periods for your state.
Waiting Period for Cruciate Injury For policies underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company:
6 months for cruciate ligament conditions.

**Waiting Periods can vary by state. See actual policy or contact MetLife to confirm the waiting periods for your state.
Coverage When Travel Out of State or Country? You may visit any licensed veterinarian in the US
Can the Price of the Policy Increase as my Pet Ages? Yes, the policy premium can increase as your pet ages. The premium may also increase due to inflation or other reasons.

Contact MetLife for more information on when and by how much your premium may increase.
Does Coverage Stop Due to Age? Not Clear
What Happens when the Policy Renews? Chronic conditions will continue to be covered each year as long as you do not go over your Maximum Payout.

(See 'Max Payout' section below)
Can the Price of the Policy Increase if a Claim is Filed? Not Clear
Choice of Vet? You can choose any licensed veterinarian in the US
Money Back Guarantee? Not Clear
Surcharge for Visiting a Specialist or Emergency Clinic? No
Referral needed to Visit a Specialist? No
Pre-certification Required? No
Additional Requirements **See actual policy or contact MetLife for a complete list of the requirements you are expected to adhere to in order to maintain coverage.
Pet Insurance Policy Available for Pre-Purchase Review? Sample policy NOT available online

 

What's Covered
Species Covered Dogs and Cats
Accident/Injury -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers exams, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medications.
Illness -
Baseline Coverage		 Covers exams, diagnostics and lab tests, surgery, treatments, hospitalization, prescription medications.
Behavioral Therapy Coverage Not Clear
Alternative Therapy Coverage [NOT CLEAR] According to their website, "MetLife Pet Insurance can potentially provide reimbursement for holistic or alternative therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, laser therapy, hydrotherapy, chiropractic care and more, as long as it is performed by a licensed veterinarian and is approved and covered by the policy"

[What does "can potentially" mean? When could it "potentially" not be covered?]
Pre-existing Conditions Policy Pre-existing conditions are not covered.

According to their website, "Pre-existing conditions include conditions, illnesses, injuries or symptoms that manifested prior to the coverage date and/or any applicable waiting period."

**See actual policy or call MetLife for complete description of their pre-existing conditions policy.
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions Coverage [INCLUDED] Hereditary and congenital conditions are covered as long as they are not pre-existing and have not occurred during the waiting period.

These conditions are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below)
Continual Coverage for Chronic Conditions [INCLUDED] Continual coverage for chronic conditions is included with the policy.

Chronic conditions are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below)
Chronic Conditions Policy Chronic conditions are covered as long as they are not pre-existing and have not occurred during the waiting period.

Chronic conditions are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below)
Cancer Coverage [INCLUDED] Cancer conditions are covered as long as they are not pre-existing and have not occurred during the waiting period.
Cancer Coverage Limits Cancer conditions are covered up to the Maximum Payout. (See 'Max Payout' section below)
Hip Dysplasia [NOT CLEAR] According to their website, "Hip dysplasia, if it is not a pre-existing condition, could potentially be coverable."

[What does "could potentially" mean? When specifically could it "potentially" not be covered?]
Prescription Drug Coverage [INCLUDED]

**See actual policy or call MetLife for full list of inclusions and exclusions
Pregnancy Coverage [NO]
Routine/Wellness Coverage [OPTIONAL]

Routine/Wellness Coverage is available for an additional fee.

**See actual policy or contact the company for a complete description of their Wellness Coverage
Vaccinations [OPTIONAL] - See Routine/Wellness Coverage above for details
Spay/Neuter Not clear if Spay/Neuter is covered by the Routine/Wellness Add-On
Dental Care (Routine) Not clear if routine dental care is covered by the Routine/Wellness Add-On
Dental Care (Illness/Accident) [LIMITED COVERAGE]

If coverable under the selected policy, not a pre-existing condition, or a policy exclusion, MetLife Pet Insurance provides the opportunity for potential periodontal disease coverage

You "...may be reimbursed for dental issues resulting from accidental illness and disease, including periodontal disease"

You "...may reimburse costs related to diagnosing and treating periodontal disease"

Treatment for a fractured tooth may be covered if due to an injury.

They do not "...provide coverage for tooth extractions recommended after a routine dental exam."

It is not clear whether Endodontic/Orthodontic procedures are covered.

**See actual policy or contact MetLife for full list of inclusions and exclusions.
Bilateral Conditions Policy [NOT CLEAR]

According to their website, "MetLife Pet Insurance can potentially provide coverage for bilateral conditions"

[What does "can potentially" mean? When specifically could it "potentially" not be covered?]

**Contact MetLife for a list of medical conditions that are considered bilateral for the purpose of exclusion and for a complete description of their Bilateral Conditions Policy.
Coverage - Overview
(please read policy for full coverage details)		 Diagnostics and treatments due to illness and accidents

[Included] Cancer, Prescription Medications, Hereditary/Congenital coverage, Alternative Therapy, Dental Illness/Accident (limited coverage), Continual Chronic Conditions Coverage (Refer to each category's section for limitations)

[Optional] Routine/Wellness Care (Refer to each category's section for limitations)

**See actual policy or call MetLife for full list of inclusions, exclusions, limitations and conditions.
What's not Covered - Overview
(partial listing, please read policy for full details)
  • Pre-existing conditions
  • Conditions that occur during the waiting period
  • Boarding, grooming and grooming supplies
  • Costs from breeding or pregnancy
  • Organ Transplants
...See policy for a complete listing

 

How The Policy Works
Reimbursement Choose from 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%

There is also a 50% option for policies underwritten by Metropolitan General Insurance Company and a 65% option for policies underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.
Deductible Annual Deductible

Depending on the state you live in, deductible options range include: $0−$750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500.
Flat Deductible vs % Deductible Flat
Deductible Per Incident vs Annual Deductible Annual
How is Reimbursement Determined It is not clear whether reimbursements are based on UCR or Actual Vet Bill.

Reimbursements are calculated by subtracting the deductible before applying the reimbursement percentage.
Max Payout Annually Depending on the state you live in, the maximum annual payout options range from $1,000−$25,000 in $1,000 increments. In addition, there is also a $500 annual limit option for Metropolitan General Insurance Company underwritten policies.

There is an Unlimited option that is subject to availability.
Max Lifetime Payout This plan does not have a maximum lifetime payout
Max Payout per Incident This plan does not have a maximum payout per incident.
Max Payout Based on Body System This plan does not have a maximum payout based on body system
Client Reimbursed or Vet Paid Directly You pay the veterinarian and then you are reimbursed after you file the claim.

 

Pricing
Approximate Monthly Costs Approximately $9 - $150 depending on your location, options you select, etc.

 

Additional Info
My Review MetLife Review
What are Customers Saying? PetInsuranceReview.com and Yelp.com

Check with your state's Department of Insurance to see if any complaints have been filed for this company.
Better Business Bureau bbb.org
Additional Info  

*The information in the above charts applies to MetLife pet insurance plans that cover illness and accidents. If your pet is only eligible for accident coverage, please contact MetLife for details on that policy.

**Disclaimer: These charts are created based on my research. While I do my best to stay current, information can change quickly. Also, terms and conditions can vary from state to state. Before buying a pet insurance plan, confirm all information by contacting the company or reading the most current policy for your state. We will not be held liable for errors or omissions. If you see something that is incorrect or needs clarifying, please let me know.

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