Those not from Arkansas may be surprised to learn that the Natural State is known for its vast wilderness areas, including deep valleys, hot springs, caves, and pine forests. Arkansas not only boasts natural beauty, but it’s also teeming with unique culture. Visitors can find themselves immersed in the food, music, and art scene in Little Rock, the national parks across the state, or some of the only active diamond mines in the country.
No matter what type of lifestyle you lead, having a pet to share memories with can make life in Arkansas that much more enjoyable. And with an award-winning1 MetLife Pet Insurance policy to help you afford your vet bills, you can keep the memories going year after year. Read on to find out why having pet insurance in Arkansas may help you protect your pet and save you money.
Looking for Pet Insurance in Arkansas?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in Arkansas
Arkansas is full of natural landscapes, activities, and breathtaking views you can share with your furry friend. Hunt for crystals with your pet in the Wegner quartz crystal mine of Mount Ida. Enjoy a staycation at the Rosehaven Cottage Cabins in Little Rock with your cat. Canoe with your pup around Lake Leatherwood. However, all of these adventures come with risks that could result in a trip to the vet.
According to MetLife’s Pet Parent Study, 54% of pet parents worry about being able to afford pet care in the future given current economic uncertainties. But you and your pet shouldn’t be limited in the adventures you can take together because you’re worried about affording an unexpected vet bill.
Pet insurance plans can help make pet care more affordable by reimbursing you for covered expenses. For a monthly premium, you can customize the coverage you need. Whether your farm cat gets their tail caught in a barn door near Garland City or your Labrador retriever comes across a Timber rattlesnake in Clarksville, you can help get them the best care, while potentially keeping money in your wallet.
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
Looking for the best pet insurance in Arkansas can come with questions regarding coverage, costs, and options. That’s why MetLife Pet — winner of the “Pet Insurance of the Year” award in 2023 at the Pet Innovation Awards — strives to keep costs and limitations low, while providing coverage.
Here are some things MetLife Pet parents might love about our pet insurance plans:
- You can get up to 100% of covered veterinary expenses reimbursed from any licensed vet or clinic in the U.S.
- Family plans allow you to add up to three pets on one policy with a shared deductible.2
- A short claims process means you could be reimbursed within 10 days.3
- Customizable coverage fits your pet’s needs and your budget, including optional wellness coverage and parasite prevention plans.4
- There are no breed or age restrictions.
- We accept pre-existing conditions under certain circumstances.5
- We have some of the shortest waiting periods for accident and illness coverage.6,7
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in Arkansas
Visit the vet
Take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, clinic, or specialist in Arkansas — or anywhere in the U.S. to get the care they need, without worrying about networks.
Send us your claim
Once you’ve paid your vet bill, submit your claim to us, along with any required vet records.
Get reimbursed quickly
We’ll process your claim quickly — typically within 10 days — so you can get reimbursed for covered expenses.3,8
MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in Arkansas. See What’s Covered
Pet parents in Arkansas have their choice of MetLife Pet dog insurance and cat insurance policies, which can be customized to fit your lifestyle and budget needs.
While the exact coverage depends on your policy, here’s a look at what we can typically cover:
- Accidents and illnesses
- Diagnostic tests and exam fees
- X-rays and ultrasounds
- Hospitalizations and emergency care
- Medications
- Surgeries
Visit our coverage and exclusions page for a more thorough list — including additional coverage options, like preventative care plans.4
How Much Is Pet Insurance in Arkansas?
MetLife Pet Insurance policies can start as low as $9 per month for a single cat and $15 per month for a single dog. But your monthly premium will depend on a few factors.9
The cost of pet insurance can vary based on your pet’s species, breed, age, sex,10 and any pre-existing conditions they may have. It’ll also change if you decide to add more pets to your policy, increase your coverage limit, or adjust your deductible and reimbursement rate.11,12
Lastly, where you live can impact how much you pay. You could pay more for a policy if you live in a larger city, like Little Rock or the Fayetteville area, than if you live in a smaller town, like McGehee or Calico Rock.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in Arkansas
MetLife Pet Insurance policies cover a wide range of care options, and you may be wondering if pet insurance is worth investing in. To see our coverage in action, take a look at this list of claims we’ve reimbursed to Arkansas pet parents:13
- Over $295 paid — This assisted with paying for a routine spay procedure for a mixed breed puppy in Benton, AR.
- Almost $140 paid — This helped pay for an exam to repair a torn nail on a 4-year-old mixed breed dog in Fayetteville, AR.
- Over $90 paid — This provided financial relief for a German shepherd puppy’s routine exam in Jonesboro, AR.
- Almost $85 paid — This helped pay for routine vaccinations for a one-year-old mixed breed cat in Bentonville, AR.
- Over $50 paid — This provided coverage for a domestic shorthair kitten’s routine exam in Texarkana, AR.
Notable claim in the Natural State
Marshal, a mischievous 4-year-old mixed breed dog, gets very excited when his family orders pizza and chicken wings to watch football from their home in Fort Smith, AR. Although he’s not allowed to eat them, one day, Mashal got himself into trouble by digging some chicken wing bones out of the garbage to have his own feast.
When Marshal’s family noticed he wasn’t feeling well, they took him to the vet. After some diagnostic testing, the vet found that Marshal had indeed swallowed chicken bones. The testing and treatment for Marshal’s mishap could’ve cost his family almost $240. Fortunately, the entire vet bill was reimbursed thanks to their dog insurance policy. Marshal’s family bought a locking lid trash bin to keep him safe from more unwanted snacking.13
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in Arkansas
Between grassy fields, deep valleys, mountains, and forested areas, Arkansas’ geography is quite expansive. And the risks for pets that live in each of these areas vary as well. Here’s a list of some common pet illnesses and injuries that may require a trip to the vet in Arkansas:
- Parasites and tick-borne diseases: Heartworm, ticks, and fleas can cause a host of problems for pets. Tick-borne diseases are common in Arkansas because humans and pets alike enjoy spending time in the many grassy and wooded areas where ticks live. Yearly parasite prevention is key to protecting your pet.14
- Interactions with wildlife: Most wildlife in Arkansas tend to stay to themselves. However, there are some species that may pose a threat to pets that get too curious or in the way. Alligators, Western pygmy rattlesnakes, bobcats, and poisonous spiders are just a few examples. Skunks and bats are also high-risk wildlife that can carry rabies.15
- Heat exhaustion and stroke: During summer months, temperatures can rise into the high 90s and triple digits in Arkansas. Pets that don’t have proper shelter and hydration could suffer from dangerous heat stress conditions.16
- Frequent storms: Being in Tornado Alley, Arkansas is no stranger to extreme summer storms that can cause damage to homes and yards. Pets may be injured or lost during a storm, especially if they’re outdoors or home alone when bad weather hits.16
Plants Found in Arkansas That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
The Natural State has many opportunities to spend time in a variety of outdoor environments — like hiking in the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, watching the sunset across Millwood Lake, or camping along the Mississippi River. Whether your ventures take you across the state or into your own backyard, there are some plants that can be toxic to pets you’ll want to know about.
An animal hospital in northern Arkansas put together a list of common plants you may find across the state that could be poisonous to pets.17 Here are a few of the plants on that list:
- Autumn crocus
- Bloodroot
- False hellebore
- Horsetail
- Nightshades
- Pigweed
- Spurges
- Wisteria
Check out the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' (ASPCA) Animal Poison Control for a thorough list of toxic plants.18
Popular Dog Breeds in the Natural State
It seems like Arkansans love dogs that are full of energy and able to go with them on outdoor adventures — as the most popular dog in the Natural State is the outgoing and eager Labrador retriever.19 But if you think this breed might not be the best fit for you, check out the other top breeds in the state and some potential health conditions to be aware of:
- Labrador retriever: Loyal, family-oriented, and full of energy, these pups may be prone to heart disease, obesity, hip dysplasia, and cancer.
- German shepherd: Affectionate, loyal, and service-oriented, these pups may be prone to upper respiratory infections, colitis, dermatitis, and growths.
- Beagle: Smart and loving toward their family, the beagle may be prone to cherry eye, luxating patella, epilepsy, and allergies.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in Arkansas
Now that you know more about protecting your Arkansas pet, are you ready to add a furry friend to your family? Whether you want to hike the Hot Springs trails with your pup or enjoy cuddling with your cat, Petfinder has lots of dogs and cats available for adoption to fit whatever lifestyle you live in the Natural State.
If You Live in Arkansas, Consider Insuring Your Pets
Between routine vet visits and unexpected ones, veterinary bills can put a damper on the good times. Help prioritize their health, and get them the care they need when they need it. Get your free quote today.
Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Pet
Injury & Illness Costs
There is no substantive difference between a MetLife Pet Insurance policy in Arkansas and a MetLife Pet policy in another U.S. State.
1 “2023 Pet Insurance of the Year Award” Winners, Pet Independent Innovation Awards
2 Based on a January 2022 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 or their representative directly.
3 Approximately 80% of claims are processed within 10 days or less.
4 Available at an additional cost.
5 We do not cover all pre-existing conditions; just those covered by the previous provider. For group policyholders only.
6 Wait period for accident coverage is midnight EST compared to 2 to 15 days for competitor's; wait period for illness coverage is 14 days compared to 14 to 30 days for competitor's, based on a January 2021 review of publicly available summary information about competitor's offerings.
7 Accident coverage and Preventive Care coverage (for those who select it) begins on the effective date of your policy. Illness coverage begins 14 days later.
8 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.
9 Calculation based upon select plans and coverages. Actual rates may vary based on pet age, breed, location, deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limits you choose.
10 For IAIC policies only
11 Deductible options range include: $0−$750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500.
12 Reimbursement options include: 70%, 80%, 90% and 100%. In addition, there is also a 50% option for MetGen underwritten policies only and a 65% for IAIC underwritten policies only.
13 All claims paid amounts are based on MetLife internal claims data from October 2022.
14 “Parasites and Ticks,” Davis Animal Hospital
15 “Rabies Animal Bites,” Arkansas Department of Health
16 “Pets and Extreme Weather,” City of Rogers Arkansas
17 “Poisonous Plants to Avoid,” Ozark Animal Medical Center
18 “Poisonous Plants,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
19 “Most Popular Dog Breeds by State in 2023,” Pet Keen
Coverage underwritten and issued by Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”), a Delaware insurance company, headquartered at 11333 N Scottsdale Rd, Ste 160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 or Metropolitan General Insurance Company (“MetGen”), a Rhode Island insurance company, headquartered at 700 Quaker Lane, Warwick, RI 02886. Coverage subject to restrictions, exclusions and limitations. Application is subject to underwriting review. See policy or contact MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC for details. MetLife Pet Insurance Solutions LLC is the policy administrator for this coverage. 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).
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