Home to hayrides, horse races, and forests as far as the eye can see, Kentucky boasts country living at some of its finest. From city life in Louisville to farm life in Midway, there may be something for everyone. Derby horses aren’t the only animals getting love in the Bluegrass State, though. Kentucky is also home to dogs and cats across the plains and valleys, whether it’s a farm cat or a dog chilling in an apartment.
With the cost of living increasing nationwide, some pet parents may be worried about how to best care for their four-legged family members. The good news is MetLife Pet offers award-winning1 pet insurance that can help.
Looking for Pet Insurance in Kentucky?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in Kentucky
Kentucky is known for its farmland and vast forests. In fact, 50% of the state’s land is forested.2 With millions of acres of forested land comes great risks to pets. This includes native animals like black bears, coyotes, and various poisonous snakes and spiders.
If your dog or cat comes in contact with any of these animals, if they ingest something they shouldn’t out in the wild, or even if they contract an illness throughout their lifetime, having pet insurance could save you money on trips to the veterinarian.
Here’s how pet insurance comes in. When you enroll your pet in a policy with MetLife Pet Insurance, you pay a monthly fee for coverage. When you take your pet to the vet, you’ll pay the bill upfront and submit the claim for reimbursement.
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
With so many options, it can be difficult to choose the best pet insurance. Kentucky pet owners can have flexibility with MetLife Pet. But don’t just take it from us — the Pet Innovation Awards gave MetLife Pet Insurance the “Pet Insurance of the Year” award in 2023.
Here are a few more reasons why pet parents might choose our policies:
- We have no age or breed restrictions.
- We work with all licensed veterinarians in the U.S.
- We may accept pets with pre-existing conditions if you transfer from another provider.3
- We have among the shortest waiting periods for Accident and Illness coverage.4,5
- We process and reimburse claims typically within 10 days.6
- We offer family plans with shared deductible coverage for up to three pets.7
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in Kentucky
Go to the vet
No need to worry about in-network and out-of-network providers. Bring your pet to any licensed vet in Kentucky or anywhere in the U.S. for a visit.”
Pay upfront and send us your claim
Pay your pet’s bill at the vet’s office, and send us a claim with an itemized invoice and any other relevant records.
Get reimbursed fast for approved claims
We’ll reach out to your vet if we need any additional information and process your claim in about 10 days, so you can get reimbursed for covered expenses quickly.6,8
MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in Kentucky. See What’s Covered
Whether you’re in the market for cat insurance or dog insurance, MetLife Pet offers coverage. We know our customers want policies that work with their lifestyle, which is why we offer customizable plans. This includes adding up to three pets on a single policy, add-ons for more comprehensive care, and adjustable reimbursement rates and deductibles.9,10,11
While exact coverage depends on your pet’s plan, here are some things a MetLife Pet Insurance policy can cover:
- Diagnostic testing (X-rays, ultrasounds, etc.)
- Emergency care and hospital stays
- Prescription medication
- Accidents and illnesses
- Surgery
- Alternative therapies
How Much Is Pet Insurance in Kentucky?
At MetLife Pet, our policies start at just $9 per month for one cat and $15 per month for one dog — but the exact cost of pet insurance depends on a variety of factors.12
One thing that contributes to your monthly premium is your location. You may pay a higher premium if you live in a busy city like Louisville, compared to a smaller area like Greenville. Your premium can also vary depending on whether you have a dog or cat, as well as their breed, sex,13 age, and any pre-existing conditions they may have.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in Kentucky
Pet parents across the Bluegrass State have leaned on MetLife Pet Insurance to help alleviate the cost of care for covered expenses. Here are a few real claims we’ve covered in the state of Kentucky:14
- More than $100 paid — This helped cover an exam for a 10-year-old domestic shorthair cat with neoplasia in Lexington, KY.
- About $700 paid — This helped pay for a hospital stay for a cruciate rupture in a 2-year-old Newfoundland in Newport, KY.
- More than $700 paid — This provided some financial relief for an exam of a 2-year old domestic shorthair cat with cardiomyopathy in Louisville, KY.
- About $200 paid — This helped cover an exam for a mixed breed puppy with colitis in Mount Washington, KY.
- About $90 paid — This helped pay for epilepsy medication for a 4-year-old Labrador retriever in Louisville, KY.
Notable claim in Louisville, Kentucky
When a domestic shorthair kitten named Bella was diagnosed with temporomandibular joint luxation (TMJ), her pet parents took her to the vet for care. The exam to diagnose Bella’s condition cost just over $1,000, and it was covered in full with their MetLife Pet Insurance policy. When it came time for her surgery, the bill was about $2,500. MetLife Pet was able to reimburse Bella’s parents for the full cost of her surgery, too. Now Bella is recovering at home, and her pet parents can rest easy knowing they were able to get their beloved kitten the care she needed without breaking the bank.14
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in Kentucky
Since Kentucky has a significant amount of forested land, most of its threats are out in the wilderness. Here are a few things to look out for to help keep your pet safe:
- Bear and coyote attacks: Kentucky’s wilderness is home to black bears and coyotes. If you have an outdoor cat or a dog who likes to adventure with you, be mindful of your surroundings. Be wary about letting your pet wander at night and consider taking a training course to practice recall in dangerous situations.
- Tick bites: Ticks are present in the forests and on some horse ranches throughout Kentucky. While Lyme disease isn’t as prevalent in the state, there’s risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis via tick bites.15 To prevent tick-borne illnesses, give your pet flea and tick preventatives.
- Snake bites: Out of the 33 snake breeds found in Kentucky, four are venomous.16 They include timber and pigmy rattlesnakes, copperheads, and western cottonmouths. While snakes can live in forests, they have been found in other areas as well. To prevent bites from happening, learn what a venomous snake looks like so you can keep your distance, and keep your pet leashed so they won’t be compelled to chase any that they see.
Kentucky Plants That Can Be Poisonous to Pets
With so much nature in Kentucky, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of potentially poisonous plants that can harm your pet. According to Gainesway Small Animal Clinic in Lexington, here are a few common household and native plants in the state that could be poisonous to your pet:17
- Amaryllis
- Baby's breath
- Morning glory
- Mountain laurel
- Tomato plant leaves
- Rhododendron
Most Popular Dog Breeds in Kentucky
While some Kentuckians may tell you the most loved four-legged animals in the state are in the Kentucky Derby, there’s still room for their favorite dog breeds. Interestingly enough, Kentuckians love the beagle so much that they take up the entire top three dog breeds in the state.18 Here are some common health problems they may face:
- Beagle: The friendly and intelligent beagle is prone to obesity, hip dysplasia, periodontal disease, and allergies.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in Kentucky
You may be considering adding a four-legged friend to your crew. The good news is there are plenty of dogs and cats looking for loving homes in the Bluegrass State. Whether you’re looking for a feline friend to snuggle with or a canine companion to adventure alongside, visit PetFinder to find adoptable dogs and adoptable cats in Kentucky.
Adoption shelters in KY
If you’re looking for other adoption options, adoption shelters in Kentucky are ready to help! Check out some of them below and head to their location to see all the good boys and girls ready for their forever home.
1000 Lyndon Lane, Louisville, KY 40222
1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504
If You Live in Kentucky, Consider Insuring Your Pet
While it’s likely your pet will need veterinary care at some point in their lifetime, vet bills can add up quickly, and you shouldn’t have to compromise when it comes to your pet’s health. Consider investing in pet insurance to help save on covered expenses.8 Get a free quote and continue focusing on living your best life with your furry companion by your side.
Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Pet
Injury & Illness Costs
There is no substantive difference between a MetLife Pet Insurance policy in Kentucky and a MetLife Pet policy in another U.S. State.
1 “2023 Pet Insurance of the Year Award” Winners, Pet Independent Innovation Awards
2 “Kentucky’s Emerging Forest Threats,” United States Department of Agriculture
3 We do not cover all pre-existing conditions; just those covered by the previous provider. For group policyholders only.
4 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.
5 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.
6 Approximately 80% of claims are processed within 10 days or less.
7 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.
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 Available at an additional cost.
10 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.
11 Deductible options range include: $0−$750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500.
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.
15 “Ticks and Disease in Kentucky,” Entomology at the University of Kentucky
16 “Department of Forestry Kentucky Snake Identification,” University of Kentucky
17 “Plants That Are Poisonous to Pets,” Gainesway Small Animal Clinic
18 “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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