Already have Pet Insurance? How does MetLife affect me? Should I change?
With the new MetLife Pet Insurance plan, there are a lot of things for pet owners to consider, especially if you already have pet insurance. But before we dive too deep into what you need to know let’s cover the big things:
If you already have Nationwide Pet Insurance through SDPEBA your plan is not changing.
That means you will still get our group rate, your options will not change, and you will still be able to get service and help from the SDPEBA team.
We know that sometimes a new plan can mean out with the old, but we will still be writing articles and supporting all Nationwide plan holders.
Preexisting Conditions
The biggest reason you cannot usually swap providers is because of the preexisting conditions clause that’s in nearly all pet insurance plans. This clause states that you cannot get coverage if your pet had a condition/illness prior to getting that specific insurance.
That is still true for the new MetLife Pet plan, but there is a neat exception. If your pet has what would be considered a “preexisting condition,” but that condition is covered by your current insurance provider, MetLife will honor that and allow you to receive coverage for that specific condition.
This is a huge win for people with pet insurance as you can often feel stuck in one specific insurance plan if your pet gets an illness/injury that needs regular vet visits.
Note that this applies to any insurance provider, not just Nationwide.
Premium Comparison
Since pet insurance quotes vary based on the pet’s breed and age, we highly recommend you get a quote through MetLife (City Quote and County Quote) and compare it to your existing premium.
MetLife lets you customize your reimbursement percentage, annual benefit, and deductible. Reimbursement refers to the percentage MetLife will pay you back after you hit your deductible. Annual benefit refers to the total amount of coverage MetLife will pay in a given year. Deductible refers to the amount you’ll be responsible for before MetLife can kick in.
Be sure to play with the options available to find what works best for you.
MetLife’s Wellness Plan
The wellness plan covers preventative treatments for your pet with the intent to limit vet visits in the first place. The following items are covered:
- Parasite, worm, and Lyme Prevention
- Vaccines
- Teeth Cleaning
- Supplements and Vitamins
- Nail Trim
- Genetic Testing (if done through a licensed vet)
- Dew Claw Removal
- Radiograph Screenings
- Tail Docking
- EKG
- Spay/Neutering
- Behavior Training (if recommended by a vet for anxiety or aggression)
- Gastropexy
This is on top of the normal coverage MetLife Pet provides all policy holders.
As a note, coverage for this still applies to your deductible and your reimbursement percentage.
If any of that sounds especially good to you, maybe it is worth considering the switch! As always, we recommend you start with a quote and just see if it would fit into your budget.
Get a Quote – Active City and Retirees
Please remember that your quote will be monthly, not per paycheck.