MetLife has been selling life insurance since 1868, but moved into the pet insurance market in 2004 – and those 150+ years of experience really show. Its plans tick a lot of positive boxes, not least their flexibility and reliability, with plenty of adjustable financial options – including 50% to 100% reimbursement – and around eight out of 10 claims paid within 10 days.
It’s also an industry leader when it comes to waiting periods. Illnesses are a competitive 14 days, but accidents start at midnight on the day you take out your plan, which is as short a waiting period as you can hope to get.
MetLife has a heart, too, donating $500,000 to animal shelters in 2021. Other nice touches include discounts for members of the armed forces, first responders, and the staff and owners of animal care facilities.
Founded in
2004Employees
60Headquarters
Jeffersonville, INPetted Review
We like the financial options with MetLife and the super short accident waiting period. The reward scheme and Family Plan are unique benefits, too, but note the lack of a telehealth service.
User Reviews
Expensive but reliable!
I have been a faithful customer of Metlife (formerly PetFirst) for 14 years since my Pomeranian was a year old. Metlife has been such a blessing, especially when I have had unexpected visits to the vet, as well as for yearly exams. Since purebreds are known to have more physical health issues compared to mixed breeds, the amount I have paid yearly in membership costs has worked out. I would have paid more out-of-pocket vet fees if it wasn’t for pet insurance. Unfortunately, the rates go up every year, and I try to see if I can get that lowered or search for another provider. However, since my Pom is a senior with pre-existing conditions, the other insurers do not cover those. So I am stuck with the one I have; I don’t get reimbursed if I go somewhere else or discontinue altogether. I recently upgraded my plan since we are making more trips to the vet due to my Pom’s decline in health due to aging. So I feel the extra cost will save me with how much I am paying in vet fees in the long run. However, I do feel it is still costly per month. They offer discounts, but unfortunately, I do not qualify for any. So while I do recommend them, please do your research before signing up if your pet does not already have pre-existing conditions. Sooner the better!
Choose wisely
I had the insurance with MetLife for 3 years for my dog Benny who I rescued when he was 7. The rate was not very highly ($35-$40 per month) but the coverage was very limited and it was not worth keep paying every month. I switched to Petco Viral Care which is very satisfying. You pay a small monthly fee and get reward points every month that can be used at Petco, also get Benny checked (regular check up) at vetco covered by the vital care. They just extended to birds. I have 2 dogs and 2 birds, they are all covered by Vital Care and we could not be happier !
Overall Pretty Good
MetLife was really helpful in creating a package that I wanted. They made it easy to submit claims within the app ask they even had a tracker to let me know if reimbursement statuses. Overall, they are pretty awesome.
Pet Insurance
Helpful! Gives you all the information you need. East to contact if you are needing help. Highly recommend! Easy to set up and use.
MetLife is competitively priced, easy to use, and pays like it should!
I got insurance because getting a puppy means a ton of “what-ifs”. MetLife offered me the best pricing for a broad range of coverage, including an addon for some standard care like getting spayed. This turned out to be one of my best ideas ever.
Dot wound up getting sick several times, and our other household dog was not overly friendly to her at first, resulting in some unnecessary injuries. MetLife covered all of these as the plan stated it would, and most of the time we received our payouts in a couple of weeks. Submitting a claim is easy and payment was quick once approved. I have no complaints about the service they provided. I wound up getting a second plan for our other dog, just in case. Thanks MetLife, for helping us give Dot an incredible first year of life!
