MetLife Introduces Enhanced Pet Insurance Offering, Coverage of Pre-Existing Conditions1 for Pet Parents Switching Carriers

Rhea-AI Summary

MetLife has launched a new pet insurance product to assist the nearly 12 million households that adopted pets during the pandemic. With more than 2 million adoptions from shelters, many pet owners are financially unprepared for veterinary costs. MetLife's pet insurance features competitive rates and various benefits such as telehealth services, rollover benefits, and no wait periods for orthopedic conditions. Employees can also access discounted rates through employers, with the unique option to cover pre-existing conditions from other insurers.

Positive

• New pet insurance product addresses financial concerns for 12 million new pet households.
• Innovative features include telehealth, benefit rollover, and no wait periods for orthopedic conditions.
• Discounted rates available for employees via employer benefits.
• Unique coverage for pre-existing conditions when switching from other insurers.

Negative

• None.

Nearly 12 million households² brought a new pet home during the pandemic, including more than 2 million adoptions of dogs and cats from animal shelters³, yet one in five pet parents say they are financially unprepared when it comes to managing veterinary expenses⁴. Today, MetLife introduces a new, innovative pet insurance⁵ offering helping pet parents better manage both the expected and unexpected financial stress that comes with the joys of pet parenthood.

MetLife’s new pet insurance offers a range of features at highly competitive rates available to dogs and cats of all ages and breeds. These features include innovative benefits for pet parents such as:

• Access to telehealth concierge services⁶
• Opportunity to roll over benefits from the prior year
• Family plans allowing multiple pets to be covered by a single policy⁷
• No wait periods for orthopedic conditions
• Grief counseling⁶

MetLife’s pet insurance features some of the shortest wait periods⁸ for accidents and illnesses⁹ and provides a hassle-free claims experience in which claims can be easily submitted and tracked via a mobile app. Pet parents have freedom to choose their preferred U.S. licensed veterinarian and can expect to engage with caring, passionate, and experienced pet advocates.

“Pet parenthood brings love and comfort to so many, who reap the physical, mental, and social health benefits of caring for a pet, especially during the pandemic,” said Katie Blakeley, vice president and head of MetLife Pet Insurance. “To ensure our beloved pets receive the best care, it’s critical that pet parents realize the value of pet insurance.”

MetLife Pet Insurance is also available as an employee benefit at discounted rates¹⁰. When obtaining coverage through their employer, employees who already have pet insurance with another insurance carrier will be able to switch to MetLife with the assurance that their pets’ pre-existing conditions¹ will be covered. MetLife Pet Insurance is the only carrier in the industry to offer this benefit⁷.

“Pet parents’ expectations of their employers to provide benefits that support their whole families – pets included – and their financial wellbeing are growing,” Blakeley said. “Employers who add pet insurance to their benefits offering show they understand how employees’ lives have changed and what they need to feel supported going forward. MetLife has introduced a simple yet comprehensive pet insurance product that is focused on helping pet parents care for their pets with confidence.”

To learn more visit www.metlife.com/petinsurance.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates ("MetLife"), is one of the world's leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 markets and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

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¹ We do not cover all pre-existing conditions; just those covered by the previous provider.

² https://todaysveterinarybusiness.com/pets-appa-survey-covid/

³ Shelter Animals Count, Data Dashboards, 2020

⁴ MetLife x Civic Sciences Survey, August 2020

⁵ Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, is the insurance carrier for this product. Availability across all 50 states is subject to pending regulatory approvals. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. This entity was previously known as PetFirst Healthcare, LLC and in some states continues to operate under that name pending approval of its application for a name change. The entity may operate under an alternate, assumed, and/or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions as approved, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota), MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois), and such other alternate, assumed, or fictitious names approved by certain jurisdictions. Application is subject to underwriting review and approval. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies issued by MetGen contain certain deductibles, co-insurance, exclusions, exceptions, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. For costs, complete details of coverage and exclusions, and a listing of approved states, please contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC.

⁶ May not be available in all states.

⁷ Based on a January 2021 review of publicly available summary information about competitors’ offerings

⁸ Accident coverage is midnight EST as of the day of enrollment compared to wait time of 2 to 15 days for many competitors; Illness coverage begins 14 days from the day of enrollment compared to 14 to 30 days for many competitors, based on a January 2021 review of publicly available summary information about competitors' offerings. Competitors did not furnish copies of their policies for review. If you have questions about a particular competitor's policy or coverage, please contact them of their representative directly.

⁹ Accident coverage and Preventive Care coverage (for those who select it) begin on the effective date of your policy. Illness coverage begins 14 days later.

¹⁰ This discount is not available in Tennessee. This discount is only available to individuals who are eligible members or employees of an entity that has arranged for MetLife to offer pet insurance to its population (the discount is 10% for Employer Groups of all sizes and 5% for Associations of all sizes).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210707005701/en/

FAQ

What new product has MetLife introduced for pet owners?

MetLife has introduced a new pet insurance offering aimed at helping pet owners manage veterinary expenses.

How does MetLife's pet insurance benefit employees?

Employees can access MetLife's pet insurance at discounted rates through employers.

What unique feature does MetLife's pet insurance provide regarding pre-existing conditions?

MetLife is the only carrier that allows pet owners to switch their existing pet insurance and cover pre-existing conditions.

What are some benefits of MetLife's new pet insurance?

Benefits include telehealth services, no wait periods for orthopedic conditions, and rollover benefits.

When did MetLife launch its pet insurance product?

MetLife launched its new pet insurance product in July 2021.