Award-Winning Pet Insurance in Michigan

Some people may consider pet insurance an optional expense for their furry friend, or think their healthy pet may never need it. It’s not until an accident happens that people may wish they were protected. This is where the award-winning MetLife Pet Insurance¹  can come in.

From Detroit to Traverse City, pet parents are impacted by the rising costs of living. Statistics from MetLife’s Pet Parent Study show that despite the increased cost of living across the country, nearly half of pet parents don’t utilize financial resources like pet insurance to offset the costs associated with owning a pet. Aside from peace of mind in the event of an emergency, pet insurance can be a worthwhile investment to help you ensure your dog or cat (or both) stays happy and healthy. Want to learn more? Here’s everything you need to know about pet insurance in Michigan.

Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea If You Live in Michigan

If you’re unsure why pet insurance is a worthwhile investment for your furry companion, let’s take a closer look at what pet insurance is and how it can help you financially. You pay a monthly premium for a policy and submit your vet bills for reimbursement on covered expenses. This may include accidents like broken paws, surgery to remove foreign objects, or treatment for parasitic infections.²

So why can pet insurance make sense for Michiganders, specifically? With over 20 million acres of forested land, Michigan can be a wealth of adventure — whether your pet is a hunter, swimmer, or a curious explorer, there’s something for every pet.³ With that, however, comes many risks to your pet’s health. Even if your pet is a Motor City dweller, there are still things like frigid winters and sweltering summers to contend with, as well as potentially toxic backyard plants or tasty-looking garbage. There can be plenty of reasons to consider investing in pet insurance if you live in the Wolverine State.

Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?

If you’re looking for the best pet insurance in Michigan, MetLife Pet Insurance can be a good choice. As the winner of the "Pet Insurance of the Year" award from the Pet Independent Innovation Awards, our pet insurance policies can help you take care of your pets veterinary bills, so you can focus on being the best pet parent possible. Here are just a few more reasons why pet parents might choose us:

• There are no age limits or breed exclusions for pets.
• Our coverage is customizable, so you can find a plan that suits your lifestyle — from preventative care add-ons to a customized reimbursement rate.
• Have more than one pet? We offer family plans that allow you to put up to three pets on the same policy with a shared deductible.⁴
• If you switch to us, we’ll continue your coverage for pre-existing conditions.⁵
• Love your vet? You can keep them. Our coverage works with any licensed vet in the U.S.
• Our wait periods ^4,6 for coverage are some of the shortest on the market.⁷
• Most claims are processed within 10 days.⁸

MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in Michigan. See What’s Covered

Your pet’s coverage depends on your policy, but here’s a list of what can typically be covered:

• Exam fees
• Accidents
• Illnesses (including hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions)
• X-rays and ultrasounds
• Surgeries
• Medications
• Emergency care
• Holistic and alternative therapies

If you choose to add on preventative coverage, your pet may then be covered for parasite prevention, spaying and neutering, and other preventative care services. Read more about MetLife Pet Insurance’s coverage and exclusions for a more exhaustive list of what’s covered.

How Much Is Pet Insurance in Michigan?

Pet parents can pay as little as $9 per month for cats and $15 per month for dogs⁹, but your monthly premium will vary depending on where you live, among a few other factors.

Typically, if you live in or around a large city like Detroit or Grand Rapids, you might pay more for veterinary bills than if you live in a small town like Lexington. Meanwhile, the type of animal you have, as well as their breed, age, and gender¹⁰ can impact the cost of pet insurance. If you’re curious about how much a plan would cost for your pet (or pets) get a free quote.

Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in Michigan

Want to know just how much our customers get paid? Read these claims we’ve paid out in the state:¹¹

• About $3,400 paid — This was for diagnostic testing for a 7-year-old mixed breed with a fungal infection in Detroit, MI.
• More than $3,300 paid — This helped pay for a surgery for a 1-year-old mixed breed with a cruciate rupture in Ferndale, MI.
• About $30 paid — This assisted in covering an anal gland expression for an 8-year-old mixed breed in Sterling Heights, MI.
• More than $45 paid — This helped fund a routine exam for a 7-year-old domestic short hair in Roseville, MI.

Notable Claim in the Great Lakes State

After a long day enjoying the great outdoors with her parents and human siblings, a 1-year-old American pit bull terrier named Poppy decided to snack on one of one of her siblings’ tiny socks before a nap. Poppy was experiencing visible discomfort, so she was rushed in for care at her local vet. After an exam and medication to induce vomiting, the emergency vet bill was about $4,600.

Luckily, Poppy’s insurance policy with MetLife Pet covered more than $3,800, and she recovered just fine.¹¹

Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in the State

Living in a place where you can find forests, lakes, and metropolitan lifestyles within miles of each other, pet owners have to be aware of a myriad of concerns. Here are a few things you might have to deal with if you have a cat or dog in the Great Lakes State:

• Tick bites: With millions of acres of dense forests, it’s no surprise that ticks are a concern for pet owners in the state. There are several tick-borne illnesses pet parents should be aware of, the most common being Lyme disease.
• Parvovirus: Recently found in dozens of northern Michigan dogs, parvovirus is a deadly and highly contagious viral infection that plagues unvaccinated puppies and causes health issues like diarrhea, weight loss, and vomiting among others.¹²
• Black bear attacks: One of the largest mammals in the state, black bears can pose huge risks to both humans and pets. Black bear attacks can result in various serious injuries or even death.

Plants That Can Be Poisonous to Pets in the Mitten State

Some pet owners aren’t aware of the common plants that are poisonous to cats and dogs. If your pet ingests any of these plants, a trip to the emergency vet will likely be on the agenda:

• Arrowhead
• Asparagus fern
• Swallow-wort
• Yarrow
• Wild iris

Note: ASPCA Animal Poison Control has an extensive list of toxic plants.¹³

Most Popular Dog Breeds in the State

With so many different lifestyles in Michigan, it’s no surprise that there’s variety in the residents’ favorite breeds. Whether your idea of an ideal companion is a hunting dog, a purse pup, or an affectionate friend forever, Michiganders can have it all! Here are the most adopted breeds in the state and some common health problems they face:¹⁴

1. Labrador retriever: This ever-popular breed often deals with obesity, hip dysplasia, and allergies.
2. Golden retriever: This smart and fun-loving breed may be predisposed to hypothyroidism, hot spots, hip dysplasia, and obesity.
3. German shepherd: This loyal and athletic breed may be prone to gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, and growths.

Adoptable Dogs and Cats in Mich.

Ready to adopt one of these popular breeds? Now that you’re well-versed in the challenges that come with owning a pet in this great Midwestern state, consider welcoming a new fur baby into your heart and home.

Visit PetFinder to find adoptable dogs and adoptable cats near you.

Consider Insuring Your Pet in the Wolverine State

Whether you’re looking for a hiking companion in Isle Royale National Park, a Lake Superior swimmer, or a furry friend for a Detroit apartment, veterinary care is a necessity. MetLife Pet can help. Get a quote now.