PET INSURANCE
What To Look For When Purchasing Pet Insurance
Purchasing pet insurance can be a confusing process. Pet insurance is highly customizable and is very different from plan to plan and company to company.
1. What Does your Pet Insurance Plan Cover?
It is important to make sure that the plan you are looking at offers coverage for accidents and illnesses and is not just a wellness plan or a plan to assist with the coverage of routine care. If a plan that you are looking at offers discounted rates on procedures versus an actual coverage percentage or amount, then it's probably not a true pet insurance plan.
2. How Does Pet Insurance Really Work?
Most pet insurance works on a reimbursement basis. Plans that work on a reimbursement basis allow you to utilize any vet so that you don't have to stay within a certain network of offices or hospitals that accept the insurance. Learn more about how pet insurance works.
3. Are There Certain Providers I have to Use?
With major pet insurance companies, customers are able to use the insurance anywhere due to the fact that it works on reimbursement. With pet insurance, this includes specialists and holistic practices, as long as the practitioner is a licensed veterinarian.
It is important to verify whether or not the plan you are looking at provides this flexibility up front so that you are aware of any constraints on service. As mentioned above, some plans are actually discount or wellness plans that can be associated with just one veterinary practice.
4. Can I Get Cat and Dog Insurance at the Same Time?
Absolutely. MetLife Pet1, offers family plan discounts which allow you to put up to three pets (cats or dogs) on a policy. However, it is important to compare coverage options and limits before you go this route as not all policies are eligible for family plans.
5. Does the Coverage Pay on a Schedule?
This is among the most important of questions to ask.
Consider Investing in Pet Insurance
Looking for more ways to keep your pets happy and healthy? Consider investing in a pet insurance policy with MetLife Pet Insurance.1 Get your free quote today.
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Nothing in this article should be construed as financial, legal or veterinary advice. Please consult your own advisors for questions relating to your and your pet’s specific circumstances.
1 Pet Insurance offered by MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 485 Madison Avenue, NY, NY 10022, and Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, in those states where MetGen’s policies are available. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator authorized by IAIC and MetGen to offer and administer pet insurance policies. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC 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.
2 Provided all terms of the policy are met. Application is subject to underwriting review and approval. Like most insurance policies, insurance policies issued by IAIC and 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.