MetLife
MetLife sells customizable plans for dogs, cats and even other animals in some states.- Deductible goes down each year you don't make a claim in some states.
- Accident coverage starts right away, with no waiting period.
- Includes coverage for holistic and alternative care.
- No option to have the company pay your vet directly.
Choose MetLife pet insurance if...
You want comprehensive coverage from a well-known national insurer.
Why trust NerdWallet
Strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating pet insurance.
More than 1,000 rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 25 insurance companies evaluated. (See our top picks.)
About MetLife pet insurance
MetLife earned 5 stars out of 5 for overall performance.
Founded in 1868, MetLife is a well-established insurer that offers solid coverage for pets. It puts no age restrictions on pet enrollment, has a 24/7 vet chat service for policyholders and offers more potential discounts than most other pet insurers. It’s also got relatively short waiting periods before your coverage starts.
Unlike many pet insurers, MetLife may cover animals besides cats and dogs in some states. Depending on where you live, you may be able to buy a policy for a reptile, rabbit, ferret, or bird.
MetLife is on NerdWallet's list of the Best Pet Insurance Companies.
MetLife pet insurance plans and coverage
MetLife offers a comprehensive accident and illness policy, which covers:
Vet exam fees.
Hospitalizations, surgeries and emergency care.
Diagnostic tests, including X-rays and ultrasounds.
Prescription medications and food.
Cruciate repairs.
Hereditary, congenital and chronic conditions.
Skin allergies.
Periodontal disease.
Holistic and alternative therapies.
Cremation or burial costs.
The insurer also has an optional preventive care package. This add-on is designed to lower the costs of routine care and may reimburse you for:
Flea, tick or heartworm medication.
Vaccinations.
Dental cleaning.
Nail trimming.
Certain procedures such as dew claw removal and gastropexy (which helps prevent bloat).
Supplements and vitamins.
Anal gland expression.
Behavioral training.
Select preventive testing.
Do the math before buying a wellness add-on. If you don’t use all the services in the plan, you might end up paying more for the coverage than you get in return.
Note: Coverage options and availability may vary depending on where you live and the age and breed of your pet.
» MORE: What does pet insurance cover?
What's not covered
MetLife’s plans typically don’t cover:
Most pre-existing conditions.
Elective procedures.
Grooming and bathing costs.
Breeding costs.
Organ transplants.
Any injuries or illnesses related to racing, coursing, commercial guarding or organized fighting.
Microchipping.
Obedience training.
Did you know...
If you buy a MetLife policy through your employer, you may have coverage for conditions covered by another company under a previous pet insurance plan.
» MORE: Is pet insurance worth it?
MetLife plan options
Deductibles: A pet insurance deductible is the amount of your vet bills you’ll need to pay before your insurer starts reimbursing you. MetLife’s deductibles range from $0 to $2,500 per year, depending on the policy. Not all options are available online or for all pets.
Reimbursement options: 50% to 90%, depending on the policy. Again, options for online quotes may vary.
When calculating your claim payout, MetLife uses a more generous formula than some other insurers. It subtracts your deductible before applying your reimbursement rate. Here’s how that could work for a $2,000 vet bill if you have a $500 deductible and an 80% reimbursement rate:
$2,000 vet bill - $500 deductible = $1,500.
$1,500 x 0.8 (80% reimbursement rate) = $1,200 reimbursement.
You’d pay the remaining $800 of the vet bill.
Watch your wallet
If your insurer applied the reimbursement rate to your vet bill before subtracting the deductible, you’d be reimbursed only $1,100. Here’s the math:
$2,000 vet bill x 0.8 (80% reimbursement rate) = $1,600.
$1,600 - $500 deductible = $1,100.
Coverage limits: Options we saw in our online test quotes ranged from $2,000 to $10,000. However, coverage limits as low as $500 and as high as unlimited may also be available when you buy over the phone. Exotic pets have a maximum limit of $10,000 per year.
Restrictions and waiting periods
Age restrictions: None.
Waiting periods: A pet insurance waiting period is the time between when you buy your policy and when your coverage starts. With MetLife, pets are covered for accidents and wellness costs on the day the policy goes into effect. Illness coverage kicks in after 14 days.
MetLife pet insurance sample rates
The cost of MetLife pet insurance depends on where you live, the coverage limits you choose and your pet’s breed and age.
To give you a rough idea of how much you might pay, we gathered sample rates for several popular dog breeds at ages 2 and 8. Rates below are sample monthly premiums for dogs living in Katy, Texas. Our sample plan was for accident and illness coverage with a $250 deductible, $5,000 of annual coverage and an 80% reimbursement rate. Your own price will vary.
Breed | Age 2 | Age 8 |
|---|---|---|
French bulldog | $64 | $163 |
German shepherd | $45 | $101 |
Golden retriever | $55 | $123 |
Labrador retriever | $49 | $112 |
Medium mixed-breed dog | $38 | $80 |
Poodle | $39 | $88 |
We also gathered rates for a variety of cat breeds with the same coverage limits as above. Rates below are sample monthly premiums for cats living in Katy, Texas.
Breed | Age 2 | Age 8 |
|---|---|---|
Devon rex | $23 | $44 |
Domestic shorthair | $18 | $36 |
Exotic longhair | $23 | $44 |
Maine coon | $30 | $46 |
Persian | $30 | $46 |
Ragdoll | $30 | $46 |
» MORE: The best cheap pet insurance
MetLife pet insurance discounts
MetLife discounts vary by state, but may be available if you:
Buy a policy through your workplace or an affinity group.
Get your policy online.
Are a veteran or active member of the military.
Are a health care worker, first responder or staff member at an animal care facility.
Additionally, you might be able to lower your deductible by $50 each year you don’t submit a claim.
We recommend getting pet insurance quotes from at least three companies to make sure you’ve found the best deal.
State availability
MetLife sells pet insurance in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Availability may change at any time. Coverage may not be available to all pets in a given state.
Digital experience
You can get quotes and buy a policy on MetLife’s user-friendly website. The company's app is compatible with Apple and Android devices. You can use it to view policy information, track the progress of claims, upload health records and chat with a vet.
How to file a claim with MetLife
You can file a claim online or through the MetLife app. Alternatively, you can download and fill out a form, then send it back by email, fax or mail. Most claims pay out within five business days.
How to contact MetLife customer service
You can contact MetLife via live chat, by calling 855-934-6153 or by emailing pet_info@metlife.com. For policyholders, MetLife’s vet chat is available 24/7, 365 days a year.
MetLife pet insurance vs. competitors
See how MetLife pet insurance stacks up against plans from several other popular carriers.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Maximum coverage limit | Policy highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
Unlimited | No age restrictions for enrollment. | ||
Unlimited | Many ways to save on your policy. | ||
Unlimited | May be able to pay your vet directly. | ||
$100,000 | Pays some claims almost immediately. | ||
$10,000 | Covers dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and other pets. | ||
Unlimited | Unlimited annual coverage for all pets. |
How we review pet insurance
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines that ensure fairness and accuracy to help you choose the financial products that work best for you. In our pet insurance reviews, we consider coverage, discounts, financial strength ratings from AM Best and more to determine our star ratings.
In our evaluation, we:
Analyzed 2,100 data points.
Got 1,200+ quotes from pet insurers.
Compared 25+ companies.
Our rating system rewards companies that cover a wide range of potential expenses, offer many ways to customize your plan and have a strong financial rating. Within the consumer experience category, we looked at features such as mobile app ratings and whether the company offers direct vet payments. To calculate each insurer’s rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale.
Dive deeper with our criteria for evaluating pet insurance companies.
Frequently asked questions
How much is MetLife pet insurance?
How much is MetLife pet insurance?
MetLife says its pet insurance plans start at $16 a month for dogs and $7 a month for cats. Prices vary based on the breed and age of your pet, as well as where you live and how much coverage you need.
Does MetLife have a neuter or spay requirement?
Does MetLife have a neuter or spay requirement?
No. MetLife doesn’t require pets to be neutered or spayed to qualify for pet insurance coverage.
Can I take my pet to any vet?
Can I take my pet to any vet?
Yes. You can bring your pet to any licensed vet in the U.S.
Can I add another pet to my MetLife pet insurance policy?
Can I add another pet to my MetLife pet insurance policy?
Yes. You can cover multiple pets on a single policy with a shared deductible under MetLife’s Family Plan.
Does MetLife have any breed restrictions?
Does MetLife have any breed restrictions?
No. MetLife covers all cats and dogs, regardless of their breed.
Pet insurance star ratings
NerdWallet’s pet insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, scope of coverage, the ability to customize your plan and more. Our “consumer experience” category looks at factors such as website transparency and mobile app ratings. To calculate each insurer’s star rating, we adjusted the scores to a curved 5-point scale. See our full pet insurance methodology.
These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines.
Pet insurance sample rates
To find sample pet insurance rates, NerdWallet gathered quotes for the base level of accident and illness coverage on each insurer’s website. Quotes reflect the monthly cost of a policy and do not include wellness coverage or other optional add-ons. Each plan for a given company had the same deductible, coverage limit and reimbursement rate for all sample pets.
These are sample rates gathered for specific pets living in Katy, Texas. Your own rates will be different.
