MetLife Pet Insurance Review 2022 – Investopedia

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Investopedia/Design by Amelia Manley
Our Take
MetLife offers customizable accident and illness policies, and it's known for having some of the shortest coverage waiting periods in the industry.
Discounts available
Flexible deductibles
No incident limits
Limited coverage options
Vague cancellation policy
Very few payment options
Investopedia/Design by Amelia Manley
If you’re looking for a basic level of pet insurance coverage, MetLife has an accident and illness plan with no lifetime or per-incident limits. You can customize your deductible and reimbursement rates so they work best for your pet's needs and your budget.
Founded in 2004 and headquartered in New York City, MetLife offers coverage for cats and dogs of all ages and breeds, and it's known for having some of the shortest waiting periods in the pet insurance industry. It has over 100 years of experience in core and voluntary benefits for various insurance products.
MetLife’s pet insurance coverage allows you to visit any licensed vet or emergency clinic, as long as it’s in the U.S., and you can potentially receive up to 100% reimbursement for covered expenses. MetLife offers various levels of coverage and doesn’t have any breed exclusions. No initial exam or previous vet records are required to obtain coverage.
See more pet insurance providers in a variety of categories with our picks for the best pet insurance companies.
MetLife offers a fairly thorough accident and illness plan that has no lifetime or per-incident limits for pets of all ages. This policy offers chronic care coverage and allows you to customize your deductible and reimbursement rates. You can insure dogs and cats of any breed or age. 
The following table outlines the main covered treatments.
Some coverage details may depend on your state of residence and insurance underwriter (IAIC or MetGen).
Alongside its accident and illness plan, MetLife offers a Routine Care add-on wellness plan, which covers preventative care like parasite prevention and treatment. You can select an annual coverage amount for routine care treatments when customizing your policy. 
MetLife advertises some of the shortest wait periods in the industry for accident and illness coverage. The accident coverage and wellness coverage begin on the effective date of the policy. Illness coverage begins 14 days after the effective date of the policy. 
For policies issued by IAIC, treatment coverage for the following conditions is subject to a six-month wait period:
Unfortunately, MetLife is not very upfront about its cancellation policy. If you want to cancel your plan, you can contact customer support via email, online chat, or phone to get the process started. 
The following areas of coverage are not included in MetLife’s pet insurance policy.
Pre-existing conditions are defined by MetLife as any conditions, illnesses, injuries, or symptoms that manifested prior to the coverage date or before the waiting period ends.
According to customer support, issues like ear infections and allergies may be covered if the pet hasn't shown symptoms for six months. But it's up to the claims department, and there's no guarantee.
MetLife’s annual deductibles range from $50 to $2,500, and reimbursement levels range from 70% to 100%. Annual coverage limits start at $500 and go up to unlimited, with no lifetime cap on benefits. You can customize all those details when you select your policy. 
When it comes to monthly premium costs, your pet’s age and breed will affect the price, as well as your location and some other factors. The level of annual coverage you choose will also impact how much you pay for your premium. You can check your options by getting a custom quote online. 
MetLife also offers these discounts:
If you make no claims in a policy year, MetLife will automatically decrease your deductible by $25 or $50, depending on your underwriter. Eligibility for other discounts may depend on the underwriter, as well.
MetLife requires you to submit any pet insurance claims and supporting documentation within 90 days of the treatment or invoice date. You can submit your claim and veterinary records via the online portal, mobile app, email, fax, or mail. When you submit a claim you will need to provide a completed and signed claim form, veterinary medical record, and an itemized invoice from the incident.
You will receive your reimbursement by check or direct deposit if your claim is approved. 
MetLife processes about 80% of claims within 10 days or less. 
If you require customer support for your MetLife pet insurance policy, you can connect with them via email, online chat, and phone. You can send an email to [email protected], or call (855) 270-7387 during the following days and hours.  
MetLife’s pet insurance products are underwritten by two different companies, depending on where the customer lives—Independence American Insurance Company and Metropolitan General Insurance Company. IAIC has an AM Best Financial Strength rating of an A-, which indicates the company is financially stable and likely to pay out for insurance claims. MetGen is rated highly as well, with a Financial Strength rating of A+ and a Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of A+.
In our pet insurance customer survey, one MetLife customer said they would renew their plan with MetLife because “I enjoy my experience with the company.” On the whole, customers rated the company highly regarding claim filing and customer support.
Finding the best pet insurance policy for you—one that meets your budget that offers the coverage you need—can take a decent amount of research. Spend some time trying to find answers to the following questions for each plan you’re considering before you make a decision.
Those seeking a basic level of accident and illness coverage will appreciate that MetLife’s plan covers a wide variety of treatments, without much need for riders and add-ons (although you can pay extra for preventative coverage). MetLife has no lifetime or per-incident limits, and makes it relatively easy to customize your deductible and reimbursement rates.
Investopedia is dedicated to providing consumers with unbiased, comprehensive reviews of pet insurance companies. We rated 25 providers and collected over 2,000 data points, including information about plan options, company features, and fees and limits, to ensure that our reviews help users make informed decisions for their pet insurance needs.
Our full pet insurance methodology, including our data collection process and weighted data points, is available for review.
MetLife. "Frequently Asked Questions."
MetLife. "MetLife Pet Insurance." 
MetLife. "Contact Us."
MetLife. "Coverage and Exclusions." 
MetLife. "Tell Us About Your Furry Family Member."
MetLife. "Easy Claims Submission."
AM Best. "Independence American Insurance Company."
AM Best. "AM Best Assigns Credit Ratings to Metropolitan General Insurance Company."

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