Don't Get Pet Insurance Without Asking These 11 Questions

Pet insurance can help offset some of the costs involved with keeping your pet healthy throughout their lifetime, including vet visits when they’re sick and standard vaccines.

However, pet parents should be conscientious about selecting a plan that suits their companion’s needs. Here are some pet insurance questions to investigate when considering pet health insurance for your furry family.

11 Pet Insurance Questions To Ask

Asking these questions can help you figure out what to look for in pet insurance and ensure you find the right fit for you and your pet.

1. What are the deductible and premium options?

A pet insurance deductible is the dollar amount you have to pay out of pocket as the policyholder before your insurance provider starts reimbursing you for covered expenses — they can be annual or per-incident amounts. The monthly premium is the dollar amount you pay each month to keep your policy active.

These amounts vary depending on the coverage your plan provides and which provider you choose. You can usually select an amount you’re more comfortable with based on the options provided. With MetLife Pet, you can customize your deductible, reimbursement rate, and your annual limit — all of which affect your premium — so you can choose which options are right for your needs.^1,2,3

2. Are congenital, breed-specific, and chronic issues covered?

Congenital illnesses are diseases your pet is born with, but they may not exhibit symptoms until later in life.⁴ Some insurance providers consider congenital illnesses pre-existing conditions, so be sure to clarify if the plan covers congenital disease or not.

Additionally, many breeds experience illnesses that are widely unique to the breed’s characteristics (e.g., pugs and other brachycephalic breeds with flat faces can experience many breathing problems). Research the health conditions common in your pet’s breed, and seek a plan or rider (an amendment that adds benefits to your standard policy) that covers them.

Congenital conditions and chronic issues might be covered by MetLife Pet, but we don’t typically cover pre-existing conditions. We may, however, be able to cover certain pre-existing conditions that are already covered by another insurance provider when you switch to a MetLife Pet policy through your employer.

3. Does the plan cover exam fees?

Your vet’s exam fee is the base amount that’s charged for seeing and examining your pet. These fees can be high at specialty clinics, emergency animal hospitals, or surgeons.

You may find that plans only cover diagnostics and treatment without covering exam fees — so it’s important to get this question answered when searching for a policy that’s right for you. MetLife Pet does cover exam fees in our standard insurance policy.

4. Does the plan cover bilateral conditions?

Bilateral conditions are medical issues that can affect both sides of your pet’s body. Usually, if your pet experiences issues in one hip, eye, or elbow, they’re likely to experience the same condition in the corresponding body part as well. Issues like ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and CCL (cruciate ligament) injuries are common bilateral conditions, especially in older pets and large dogs.

These issues — along with hip dysplasia, cataracts, and other bilateral conditions — might be considered pre-existing conditions in some plans and excluded from coverage. Still, others may offer bilateral coverage or a plan rider to cover these issues. MetLife Pet may be able to cover bilateral conditions if they’re diagnosed after your waiting period ends.

5. Is preventive care covered?

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and preventive care lets you be proactive about your pet’s health. Some examples of preventive care include vaccinations, parasite prevention, and spaying or neutering.

Many providers exclude preventive or routine care from their insurance plans and instead offer an optional plan for it that you can add to your policy. Not all pet insurance providers have this option, but MetLife Pet offers a Preventive Care plan add-on that can cover the items listed above, as well as dental cleaning and heartworm protection.

6. Does it cover holistic care or alternative therapies?

Alternative forms of medicine are available for our pets just as they are for us. Treatments like acupuncture and hydrotherapy are used to treat conditions when traditional medicine may not provide favorable results, as a supplemental treatment, or if there are no other treatments for your pet’s condition.

MetLife Pet Insurance can reimburse you for certain holistic therapies depending on your specific policy.

7. Is there a per-incident or lifetime limit?

A per-incident limit is the highest amount an insurer will reimburse for a specific condition or issue. Lifetime limits are the maximum benefit a pet is eligible to receive in their lifetime. Policies can also include annual limits to be aware of.

MetLife Pet has no per-incident limits, no lifetime limits, and you can customize your annual limit.³

8. Does this plan cover all breeds?

Insurers may not cover higher-risk dog breeds, such as pit bulls or German shepherds. Be sure to identify any restrictions on your pet’s breed before purchasing a plan. MetLife Pet has no breed restrictions — so you can protect your pet without worry.

9. Will it cover emergencies?

If your pet has an accident, injury, or gets sick, you could face some hefty emergency vet bills — particularly if surgery is required. Knowing what a plan covers in the event of an emergency is vital.

Say your dog was running at the park and suffered a cruciate ligament rupture that required TPLO surgery. This procedure can cost several thousand dollars, and not everybody has that type of money on hand. Knowing you have a pet insurance policy, like MetLife Pet, that can reimburse you for those types of emergencies can allow you to focus more on your pet’s recovery than the veterinary bills.

10. What’s the waiting period?

Insurance policies typically have a waiting period after enrollment before coverage begins. Waiting periods vary from provider to provider, so it's important to factor that in when looking for the right pet insurance policy.

For example, MetLife Pet offers different waiting periods, including a 0-day waiting period for accidents and optional preventive care, and a 14-day waiting period for illnesses.⁵ That could be an attractive option since your plan’s accident coverage starts at midnight after you enroll. So if your pet sustained an injury the day after you took out a policy, they’d likely be covered.

11. What exclusions aren’t covered in the policy?

Knowing what pet insurance covers is important, but so is knowing what’s not.

In addition to pre-existing conditions, expenses related to things like elective surgeries or procedures, grooming, breeding, and obedience training typically aren’t covered in standard pet insurance plans. Other exclusions can include preventive or routine care, unless the insurance company offers a specific plan or add-on for it, like MetLife Pet.

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Knowing what to look for when buying pet insurance is an important first step. It’s also important to understand how pet insurance works.

After selecting a pet insurance plan, you pay your monthly or annual premium. When your pet visits their veterinarian, you pay your bill and then submit a claim to your insurance provider. Your claim is processed, and you’ll be reimbursed for covered expenses after meeting your deductible.

With MetLife Pet Insurance, claims are typically processed within 5 days and you can receive your reimbursement by check or direct payment. We offer reimbursement rates up to 90% on covered expenses.²

Asking Questions About Pet Insurance Can Help You Select the Best Policy

Armed with the proper inquiries, you can help ensure you’re selecting the right pet insurance plan so your furry friend is covered and your wallet is protected.

Get a free quote today to see if MetLife Pet Insurance is right for you.