The nation’s capital is known for its historic landmarks and vibrant culture, as well as its fast-paced nature and high cost of living. That means that as a D.C. pet parent, you have little time to waste when it comes to keeping your furry family happy and healthy. Fortunately, we’re here to help. MetLife’s award-winning pet insurance is designed to give you and your pets the coverage you need, fast.1 Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of pet insurance in Washington, D.C.
Looking for Pet Insurance in D.C.?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in D.C.
Your pets’ safety is your top priority. But accidents still happen. Investing in pet insurance is a crucial step to take when guarding your pets against life’s surprises.
Anyone who lives in Washington, D.C., knows that the region is no stranger to severe weather, from blizzards to hurricanes. Heavy snow and flooding pose a threat to pets as well as property. But with a pet insurance policy you can rest easy knowing your cat or dog can get the healthcare they need without worrying about the bills.
D.C. is also a breeding ground for diseases that your pet could catch from wildlife. Some of the diseases are zoonotic, which means they pass between animals and humans. The D.C. Department of Health monitors the following diseases in the area:2
- Rabies
- Influenza
- West Nile virus
- Canine parvovirus
- Feline panleukopenia
- Leptospirosis
Any one of these could send your fur baby to the vet. A pet insurance policy can help cover preventive care, such as vaccines and illness treatment.
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
The value of pet insurance can be clear to see for some pet parents. But what might make pet parents consider ours to be the best pet insurance in D.C.? One simple answer might be “flexibility.” When you purchase one of our pet insurance plans, you get to choose the premium, deductible, and coverage that best fits your wallet.3,4 We’re also one of the only pet insurance providers to offer family plans.5 With a family plan you can protect multiple pets under a single policy with a single monthly premium.6
Want to know more? Here are a few other reasons why MetLife Pet Insurance won "Pet Insurance of the Year" in the 2023 Pet Independent Innovation Awards:1
- Claims reimbursement in 10 days or less
- Annual deductible discounts7
- 0-day waiting period for accident and preventive care8
- Coverage of some pre-existing conditions9
- Grief counseling10
- No age or sex restrictions
- No breed restrictions
Pet Insurance — How It Works
Take your pet to the vet
Visit any licensed vet, emergency clinic or specialist in the U.S. There's no network of providers to worry about.
Send us your claim
Pay your pet's vet bill, and send us your claim along with vet records and invoice from the visit.
Get money back quickly
MetLife Pet will follow up with your vet for any missing info. Most claims processed within 5 days.
MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in D.C. — See What’s Covered
The ability to customize your pet insurance means that your exact coverage depends on your policy. That being said, here are a few things we can routinely cover:
- Preventive Care (check-ups, vaccines, parasite prevention, etc.)
- Surgery
- Emergency Care
- Hospitalization
- Cruciate Ligament Tears11
- Diagnostic Tests
- Vet-Prescribed Medication
- Specialty Diet Food
- Hereditary Illness
- Alternative Therapies
Plus, our pet insurance plans have no network restrictions. That means you can choose any licensed veterinarian or clinic in D.C. or anywhere in the United States. Still wondering if pet insurance is right for you? Check out our article, “Is Pet Insurance Worth It?”, to learn more.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in D.C.?
All this coverage might not mean much if it costs you an arm and a leg on top of vet bills. So how much should you expect to pay for your pet’s policy? The answer might surprise you!
A MetLife pet insurance plan can cost as low as $9 per month for cats and $15 per month for dogs.12 But your monthly premium depends on a few factors, including where you live.
Generally speaking, you may pay more for pet insurance the closer you live to the heart of D.C. That’s because the cost of veterinary care tends to be higher in more populated areas. According to Pawlicy Advisor, most D.C. vet bills fall towards the upper end of the national average.12 The higher the bills, the higher your premium and deductible are likely to be.
Your zip code isn’t the only thing that determines your pet insurance premium. Other factors that can influence the price include your pet’s species, breed, sex,13 age, and pet insurance coverage type. For instance, choosing a higher reimbursement rate usually means a higher deductible, and vice versa. For more information, check out “How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost” or get a free quote in just a few steps.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in The District
Want a clearer picture of what MetLife Pet Insurance looks like in action? Here are a few D.C.-based customers who benefited from their pet insurance policies:14
- More than $4,100 paid — A crucial surgery was covered for a kitten who had swallowed a hair tie in Washington, D.C.
- About $4,000 paid — This helped pay for surgery for cruciate rupture for a senior Australian Shepherd in Washington, D.C.
- Over $1,350 paid — This helped cover treatment for 6-year-old dog Frankie’s bite wound in Washington, D.C.
- Nearly $840 paid — Over 50% of the bill was covered for 3-year-old cat Juliet’s gastritis exam in Washington, D.C.
If You Live in D.C., Consider Insuring Your Pet
Whether you’re living in Georgetown or Petworth, your cat or dog may need veterinary care throughout their lifetime. Make sure they can get the care they need with the help of an award-winning MetLife Pet Insurance plan.1 Fetch a quote today so you can focus on the good stuff — like tummy rubs.
Pet Insurance Can Help Cover
Pet Injury & Illness Costs
There is no substantive difference between a MetLife Pet Insurance policy in Washington, D.C. and a MetLife Pet policy in another U.S. State.
1 “2023 Pet Insurance of the Year Award” Winners, Pet Independent Innovation Awards
2 “Zoonotic Diseases,” DC Health
3 Deductible options range include: $0 – $750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500
4 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.
5 Based on a March 2023 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.
6 IAIC family plan policies are limited to dogs and cats under the age of 10. MetGen family plan policies are limited to dogs under the age of 13 and cats under the age of 15. Multi-policy discount is not available with Family Plans.
7 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.
8 Accident and optional Preventive Care coverage begins on midnight EST of the effective day of your policy 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 March 2023 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.
9 We do not cover all pre-existing conditions; just those covered by the previous provider.
10 Grief Counseling services are provided through an agreement with LifeWorks. US Inc., an unaffiliated third-party service provider. Grief counseling services provided by LifeWorks are separate and apart from the insurance provided by MetLife.
11 For policies issued by IAIC, coverage for these conditions is subject to a 6-month wait period. Please review your policy for complete details.
12 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.
13 For IAIC policies only
14 All claims paid amounts are based on MetLife internal claims data from October 2022. Story altered for illustrative purposes.
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).
Disclosure for Maine Residents
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