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COMPARISONS

MetLife Pet Insurance vs. Trupanion

Five Minutes

Feb 19, 2024

A girl at the park holding her dog. The dog’s tongue is out and they look happy

Choosing the best pet insurance for your family can feel like an overwhelming challenge, but MetLife Pet can make it easier by helping you compare policies. Consider what’s most important to you as a pet parent while you read our comparison guide below to see how we match up against Trupanion.

Compare MetLife Pet Insurance** vs. Trupanion

Let’s take a look at how some of the MetLife Pet Insurance policy provisions compare with those of a Trupanion policy.¹

MetLife Pet’s Plan vs. Trupanion's Plan

Download the excel sheet

This table has 3 columns and 20 rows. 1st column represents the product 2nd & 3rd represent MetLife and its competitors. Each row indicates whether the product is covered by MetLife or its competitors
	MetLife Pet Insurance	Trupanion
Wellness and Preventative Care	Yes (optional add-on coverage)²	No
Prescriptions	Yes	Yes
Holistic/Alternative Therapy	Yes	Yes
Dental Care	Yes (optional add-on coverage)	No (unless related to an accident or illness)
24/7 Telehealth Access	Yes³	No
Cancer Coverage	Yes	Yes
Euthanasia/Cremation	Yes	Yes (optional add-on coverage)
Grief Counseling	Yes⁴	No
Spaying and Neutering	Yes (optional add-on coverage)	No (unless related to an accident or illness)
Includes All Ages and Breeds	Yes	No
No Per-Incident Limits	Yes	Yes
Reimbursement	Flexible (50% – 90%)⁵	90% (customizable between 50% and 90% in Florida)
Average Deductible	Flexible ($0 – $2,500)⁶	Flexible ($0 – $1,000 per condition over your pet’s lifetime)
0-Day Accident Waiting Period	Yes⁷	No
Illness Waiting Period	14 days⁷	30 days
Deductible Savings	Yes⁸	No
Days to Reimburse	Up to 30 days, (80% of claims reimbursed within 10 days)	Paid at checkout if the vet participates in direct pay - if not, 70% of claims reimbursed within 24 hours
Days to Submit Claim	90	90
NerdWallet Rating⁹	5 stars	4.5 stars
NerdWallet Callout⁹	Customizable plans for dogs, cats, and even other animals in some states.”⁹	“Generous coverage with features that stand out from the crowd.”⁹

This table has 3 columns and 20 rows. 1st column represents the product 2nd & 3rd represent MetLife and its competitors. Each row indicates whether the product is covered by MetLife or its competitors
	MetLife Pet Insurance	Trupanion
Wellness and Preventative Care	Yes (optional add-on coverage)²	No
Prescriptions	Yes	Yes
Holistic/Alternative Therapy	Yes	Yes
Dental Care	Yes (optional add-on coverage)	No (unless related to an accident or illness)
24/7 Telehealth Access	Yes³	No
Cancer Coverage	Yes	Yes
Euthanasia/Cremation	Yes	Yes (optional add-on coverage)
Grief Counseling	Yes⁴	No
Spaying and Neutering	Yes (optional add-on coverage)	No (unless related to an accident or illness)
Includes All Ages and Breeds	Yes	No
No Per-Incident Limits	Yes	Yes
Reimbursement	Flexible (50% – 90%)⁵	90% (customizable between 50% and 90% in Florida)
Average Deductible	Flexible ($0 – $2,500)⁶	Flexible ($0 – $1,000 per condition over your pet’s lifetime)
0-Day Accident Waiting Period	Yes⁷	No
Illness Waiting Period	14 days⁷	30 days
Deductible Savings	Yes⁸	No
Days to Reimburse	Up to 30 days, (80% of claims reimbursed within 10 days)	Paid at checkout if the vet participates in direct pay - if not, 70% of claims reimbursed within 24 hours
Days to Submit Claim	90	90
NerdWallet Rating⁹	5 stars	4.5 stars
NerdWallet Callout⁹	Customizable plans for dogs, cats, and even other animals in some states.”⁹	“Generous coverage with features that stand out from the crowd.”⁹

This table has 3 columns and 20 rows. 1st column represents the product 2nd & 3rd represent MetLife and its competitors. Each row indicates whether the product is covered by MetLife or its competitors
	MetLife Pet Insurance	Trupanion
Wellness and Preventative Care	Yes (optional add-on coverage)²	No
Prescriptions	Yes	Yes
Holistic/Alternative Therapy	Yes	Yes
Dental Care	Yes (optional add-on coverage)	No (unless related to an accident or illness)
24/7 Telehealth Access	Yes³	No
Cancer Coverage	Yes	Yes
Euthanasia/Cremation	Yes	Yes (optional add-on coverage)
Grief Counseling	Yes⁴	No
Spaying and Neutering	Yes (optional add-on coverage)	No (unless related to an accident or illness)
Includes All Ages and Breeds	Yes	No
No Per-Incident Limits	Yes	Yes
Reimbursement	Flexible (50% – 90%)⁵	90% (customizable between 50% and 90% in Florida)
Average Deductible	Flexible ($0 – $2,500)⁶	Flexible ($0 – $1,000 per condition over your pet’s lifetime)
0-Day Accident Waiting Period	Yes⁷	No
Illness Waiting Period	14 days⁷	30 days
Deductible Savings	Yes⁸	No
Days to Reimburse	Up to 30 days, (80% of claims reimbursed within 10 days)	Paid at checkout if the vet participates in direct pay - if not, 70% of claims reimbursed within 24 hours
Days to Submit Claim	90	90
NerdWallet Rating⁹	5 stars	4.5 stars
NerdWallet Callout⁹	Customizable plans for dogs, cats, and even other animals in some states.”⁹	“Generous coverage with features that stand out from the crowd.”⁹

A “No” accompanied with a red “X” in the above table means this is not included or that exclusions may apply.

As with any insurance policy, coverage may vary and exclusions apply. See our coverage and exclusions page for more details, and learn how our pet insurance works.

Still searching for pet insurance? See how we compare to other providers.

Why Consider MetLife Pet Insurance Over Trupanion

Let’s take a look at why MetLife Pet Insurance may stand out against Trupanion.

Shorter waiting periods: When you enroll your dog or cat in pet insurance, our accident coverage starts at midnight, while Trupanion’s accident coverage kicks in 5 days after enrollment. MetLife Pet also gives you illness coverage in 14 days, whereas Trupanion’s waiting period for illness coverage is typically 30 days.^1,7
Exam fees covered: Many vets charge an exam fee for the physical examination of your pet. This can be a flat fee in addition to any testing or treatment costs. MetLife Pet can cover this fee, while Trupanion typically doesn’t.¹
Family plans: MetLife Pet is the only pet insurance offering family plans that can cover up to three pets on a single policy with a shared deductible.⁹ You can even put your cats and dogs on the same policy!
Preventive Care plan: MetLife Pet offers an optional Preventive Care plan, which can help pay for routine vet expenses that help keep your pet healthy.²Trupanion doesn’t offer preventive care coverage.¹
Holistic coverage isn’t an extra cost: MetLife Pet includes coverage for alternative therapies and holistic treatments in its plans. In some states, Trupanion requires you to pay extra for things like acupuncture, physical therapy, and hydrotherapy as part of a ”Recovery And Complementary Care” package.¹

Why Choose MetLife Pet Insurance?

MetLife Pet understands that individual pet parents have different priorities. That’s why we offer customizable plans with a variety of options. We let you adjust your deductible, reimbursement rate, and coverage levels.^5,6 Here are a few more ways we may stand out from other providers.

Discounts

As part of our commitment to providing more accessible coverage, we offer discounts to eligible policyholders.

Military discount: This discount is available for veterans, military members, and first responders.¹⁰

Animal care discount: We offer a 10% discount to animal care workers, such as veterinarians and shelter employees.¹¹

Healthcare discount: This is available for healthcare workers, like doctors and nurses.¹⁰

Employer benefit discount: This discount is for those who purchase a policy through their workplace.¹²

Internet purchase discount: This is offered to those who buy a pet insurance policy online.¹³

Deductible discount: Your pet's deductible automatically decreases by $25 (for IAIC underwritten policies) or $50 (for MetGen underwritten policies) each policy year you don't receive a reimbursement for a submitted claim.⁸

Free mobile app

Unlike other pet insurance apps, MetLife Pet’s mobile app is a comprehensive space for claims, records, and pet care — and it’s free for policyholders! Our app lets you find nearby vets, manage your pet’s medical records, submit claims, and read artificial-intelligence-recommended pet health articles tailored to your beloved companion.

We also have a telehealth³ feature with veterinarians available to chat 24/7 and answer your pet-related questions. Whether you’re wondering if your dog will be OK after consuming a piece of candy or you’re trying to figure out why your cat won’t stop meowing, our chat service can help.

MetLife Pet cares

About the community: In 2023, we donated over $1.3 million to our animal shelter collaborations all over the U.S. This helped to sustain operations and care for rescued animals. In addition to these donations, MetLife Pet recently announced our Golden Beagle Award — which awards $20,000 to an animal welfare organization trying to find forever homes for large-breed dogs.

Outside of donations, we strive to provide pet health education that can help pet parents care for their furry family members. And if you adopt a pet from one of the shelters we collaborate with, you may be able to enroll in a MetLife Pet Insurance policy — making it easier to obtain the coverage you need to care for your new adoptee.

About our customers: We may be able to assist with paying for boarding fees for your pets if you’re hospitalized. This way, your pets will be cared for while you focus on your own health.

Preventive Care plan

From routine veterinary exams to preventative care, like vaccinations, MetLife Pet is invested in keeping your pet healthy — not just treating them when they’re sick. Our Preventive Care add-on plan can provide coverage for the cost of regular checkups, neutering and spaying, and vaccinations, as well as parasite prevention and treatment.²

Holistic coverage

We want to give you options when it comes to caring for your pets — including coverage for alternative therapies and holistic treatments. You can explore avenues like chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, and more.

Success stories

MetLife Pet helps pet parents every day. Whether we’re covering accidents, illnesses, or routine care, we’re here to help you to afford veterinary care. Wondering if pet insurance is worth it? Here’s a real claim story and how much we covered.

Lily, a mixed breed puppy, caught canine parvovirus in the fall. She was lethargic, vomiting, and had a high fever for a few days. When her family brought her to the vet, she was diagnosed with parvovirus — a dangerous disease for puppies that attacks their gastrointestinal system. The exam fee and treatment cost about $3,100, and MetLife Pet footed the entire bill. Lily took some time to recover, but she’s doing much better now.¹⁴

With both experience and acclaim caring for pets, award-winning¹⁵ MetLife Pet Insurance may be a strong choice for your family’s coverage. Get started on your pet insurance journey with a personalized quote for your pet.

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Coverage is subject to the language of the policies as actually issued. This comparison or description of Trupanion policy(ies) was not furnished by Trupanion. It was prepared solely by MetLife Pet Insurance based on publicly available summary information about competitors' offerings and highlights selected coverages of the policies referenced as of January 2024 and is subject to change without notice. It may not be completely accurate and should not be the sole source of information relied upon in deciding which insurance coverage to purchase. To receive the latest information about other providers' available plans, please visit their website. If you have questions regarding the illustration or about a particular competitor’s policy or coverage, please contact a representative of Trupanion. Referenced publicly- available material for Trupanion sample plan. For completely reliable benefit comparisons, insurance departments (including North Dakota’s) advise that you obtain the benefit schedules directly from each applicable insurance company.

**As with any insurance policy, coverage may vary. Learn how MetLife Pet pet insurance works and review our coverage and exclusions.

¹ Based on Trupanion’s sample policy, retrieved from https://trupanion.com/pet-insurance/policy/view-sample-policy, and information found across the Trupanion website.

² For IAIC policies, optional Preventive Care coverage is based on a Schedule of Benefits. For MetGen policies, optional Preventive Care coverage is included in the annual limit.

³Virtual veterinary services are available through the MetLife Pet App and are provided entirely by AskVet, a third-party partner; MetLife Pet is not responsible for any pet guidance or advice provided or taken. Veterinarians providing virtual veterinary services cannot prescribe medication or answer questions about the pet policy

⁴ Grief Counseling services are provided through an agreement with TELUS Health, an unaffiliated third-party service provider. Grief counseling services provided by TELUS Health are separate and apart from the insurance provided by MetLife Pet. Not available to NY residents.

⁵ Reimbursement options include: 70%, 80% and 90% and a 50% option for MetGen policies and a 65% option for IAIC policies only. Pet age restrictions may apply.

⁶ Deductible options range include: $0 – $750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500

⁷ Accident and optional Preventive Care coverage begins on midnight EST of the effective day of your policy is compared to a wait time of 2 to 15 days for many competitors; Illness coverage begins 14 days from the effective day of your policy compared to 14 to 30 days for many competitors. Based on a January 2024 review of publicly available summary information. 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 or their representative directly.

⁸ Your pet’s deductible automatically decreases by $25 (IAIC policies) or $50 (MetGen policies) each policy year that you don’t receive a claim reimbursement. May not be available in all states.

⁹ Based on a January 2024 review of publicly available summary information. 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 or their representative directly.

¹⁰ Discount may not be available in all states. A discount is available to Healthcare Workers, First Responders, and serving and retired members of the Armed Forces.

¹¹ Discount may not be available in all states. A discount is applicable to staff/owners of animal care facilities.

¹² Discount is not available in MN or TN. This discount is only available to individuals who are eligible members or employees of an entity that has arranged for MetLife Pet to offer pet insurance. (IAIC policies, the discount is 10% for Groups > 1000 lives and 5% for Groups 51-999 lives. MetGen policies, this discount is 10% for Employer Groups and 5% for Associations).

¹³ When coverage is purchased on-line, a premium discount will apply during the first year of the policy. When using multiple discounts, discounts cannot exceed 30%. Each discount may not be available in all states. Please contact MetLife Pet for further details.

¹⁴ All claims paid amounts are based on MetLife Pet internal claims data from October 2022. Story altered for illustrative purposes.

¹⁵ “2024 Pet Insurance of the Year Award” Winners, Pet Independent Innovation Awards

Coverage issued by Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886, and Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 11333 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85454. Coverage subject to restrictions, exclusions and limitations and application is subject to underwriting. See policy or contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC (“MetLife Pet”) for details. MetLife Pet is the policy administrator. It may operate under an alternate or fictitious name in certain jurisdictions, including MetLife Pet Insurance Services LLC (New York and Minnesota) and MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions Agency LLC (Illinois).

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