MetLife Pet Insurance Review

MetLife Pet Insurance: Features and Benefits

MetLife Pet Insurance is administered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC, with policies underwritten by Metropolitan General Insurance Company and Independence American Insurance Company. That long-established backing gives it a level of financial stability that newer pet insurance startups may not offer.

• No breed restrictions on any policy

• No upper age limit for enrollment

• Coverage available for exotic pets, including reptiles, birds, rabbits, and ferrets (select states)

• Family Plan allows up to three pets on one policy with a shared deductible and annual limit

• Unused annual coverage rolls over to the following year

• Deductible decreases by $50 each claim-free year

• 24/7 vet helpline available with all policies

• Optional preventive care add-ons available

• Grief counseling benefits if a pet passes away

MetLife Pet Insurance: Editorial Rating

Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for MetLife Pet Insurance: 9.5

Our rating system gave MetLife Pet Insurance a 9.5/10, placing it at the top of our nationwide review of the best pet insurance providers. MetLife earned its position through a combination of broad eligibility, meaningful policy innovations, and strong customer satisfaction scores, particularly for pet owners whose needs aren't well served by more restrictive providers.

What sets MetLife apart most clearly is its accessibility. Having no breed restrictions and no upper age limits, pet parents with senior pets or breeds that other insurers often decline can find coverage here. Further extending accessibility in some states is the inclusion of exotic pet coverage.

The Family Plan also stands out from competitors. Instead of purchasing separate policies for each pet, households with up to three pets can share a single deductible and annual limit. The feature can be practical and cost-effective, and isn't widely available with other providers. Add the rollover coverage benefit, which carries unused annual coverage into the next policy year, and MetLife offers a level of long-term value that helps it rank at the top of our list.

However, MetLife's score reflects some limitations as well. The absence of a direct pay option means you'll pay the vet at the time of service and wait for reimbursement. The policy excludes pre-existing conditions, as is standard across the industry. MetLife may cover future incidents of curable pre-existing conditions if the new incident is medically unrelated to the prior one. Pet parents with a MetLife group policy through their employer may also qualify for pre-existing condition coverage.

See Coverage Options

About MetLife Pet Insurance

MetLife's Family Plan

MetLife's Family Plan allows pet parents to insure up to three pets under a single policy with a shared deductible and annual limit. Dogs and cats can be combined on the same plan, regardless of age. If one pet needs more care in a given year, the shared limit can absorb the difference. For households with more than three pets, additional Family Plans can be added.

Rollover Coverage and Diminishing Deductible

Two features distinguish MetLife from most of its competitors. First, if your policy has at least $5,000 in annual coverage and you have $1,000 or more unused at the end of the policy year, MetLife automatically increases your coverage by $500 the following year at no additional cost.

Second, your deductible decreases by $50 each policy year in which you don't receive a claim reimbursement.

Exotic Pet Coverage

MetLife covers a wider range of animals than most pet insurers. In addition to dogs and cats, coverage is available in select states for reptiles, birds, rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and other exotic species. Pet parents with non-traditional companions will find few other providers willing to extend coverage to these animals.

MetLife Pet Insurance Waiting Period

MetLife's waiting periods are among the shortest available of the providers we reviewed. Accident coverage begins immediately on the policy's effective date, with no waiting period. Illness coverage begins 14 days after purchase.

Cruciate ligament conditions carry a 6-month waiting period, which is standard across most providers. As with all pet insurance policies, conditions that arise or show symptoms before the waiting period ends will be considered pre-existing and will not be covered.

MetLife Pet Insurance Discounts

MetLife offers several discounts that can help make coverage more affordable:

• 10% discount for military service members and veterans

• Discounted rates for federal government employees

• 10% discount for animal industry employees and volunteers

• Additional discounts available through employer-sponsored enrollment

Discount availability varies by state. Restrictions may apply when combining multiple discounts.

MetLife Pet Insurance Availability

MetLife Pet Insurance is available for dogs and cats in all 50 states, and Washington, D.C. Exotic pet coverage is available in 19 states, including Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

MetLife Pet Insurance Coverage

MetLife's core Accident & Illness plan covers a broad range of conditions and treatments. There is no accident-only plan available. All policies include both accident and illness coverage by default.

How Much Does MetLife Pet Insurance Cost?

MetLife pet insurance premiums vary depending on your pet's species, age, breed, and location, as well as the deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit you select. Cat coverage averages $36 per month, while dog coverage averages roughly $57 per month, though your actual premium may differ based on your specific choices.

Deductible options range from $50 to $500, which gives pet parents significant control over their monthly costs. Choosing a higher deductible will lower your premium, while having a lower deductible will increase it. The company also provides variable reimbursement rates of 70% to 90% for additional flexibility.

MetLife Pet Insurance Customer Reviews

MetLife Pet Insurance holds a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on more than 7,300 verified reviews. Positive reviews frequently highlight the claims process, particularly the ease of submission through the MetLife Pet app and the speed of payments. Many customers report seeing direct deposits within one to two weeks of making a claim. MetLife also holds a BBB rating of A-.

Some reviewers noted that first-time claims can require additional documentation, including up to 12 months of prior veterinary records, which can slow the initial processing. Subsequent claims are generally faster once the pet's history is on file.

MetLife Pet Insurance vs. Lemonade Pet Insurance

MetLife and Lemonade both rank among the leading providers in our nationwide review of the best pet insurance companies, but they serve somewhat different needs. MetLife leads on eligibility and long-term policy value, with no breed restrictions, no age limits, and features like rollover coverage and a diminishing deductible that reward long-term policyholders.

Lemonade stands out for its bundling discounts. For example, pet parents who already carry Lemonade home, renters, or auto insurance can access meaningful savings. It also stands out for its end-of-life care add-on, which covers euthanasia, cremation, and a commemorative item, which MetLife doesn't offer.

MetLife Pet Insurance Alternatives

Finding the right coverage for your pet is one of the best things you can do for them. Here are more of our top-rated pet insurance providers to consider:

• Careplus by Chewy Pet Insurance

• Lemonade Pet Insurance

• Spot Pet Insurance

• Embrace Pet Insurance