West Virginia is full of forests, canyons, caves, flat-topped hills, and high peaks. In fact, the entire state resides within the Appalachian Mountain region, so it’s no surprise that it’s dubbed “The Mountain State.” However you enjoy life in West Virginia, having a pet by your side can add to the good times.
But having a pet comes with the responsibility of being their sole caretaker, and that can mean both routine and unexpected expenses. So when pet care expenses come knocking, you may be able to get some financial peace of mind with an award-winning1 MetLife Pet Insurance policy. Keep reading to see how pet insurance in West Virginia can help you.
Looking for Pet Insurance in West Virginia?
Why Pet Insurance May Be a Good Idea if You Live in West Virginia
From Bluefield to Weirton, West Virginia’s natural beauty and adventures can come with risks for your pets. Not only that, but just like humans, pets can get sick or be predisposed to certain health conditions. Both can cause trips to the vet that could be emotionally tough and put a strain on your wallet.
The good news is, a pet insurance policy can help — and even be customized to fit your lifestyle and budget. So if your beagle eats some wild mushrooms on your hike in Kanawha State Forest or your American shorthair eats something they shouldn’t have during Mountaineer gameday at home, you can focus on their care rather than the cost.
Why Choose a MetLife Pet Insurance Policy?
Pet parents across the country have many choices when it comes to pet insurance companies and plan options. Your pet deserves the best care, and MetLife Pet, winner of the 2023 “Pet Insurance of the Year” award at the Pet Innovations Awards Program, might be a great option for you.
Here are some reasons you may want to choose a MetLife Pet policy:
- With our family plans, you can add up to three pets on one policy with a shared deductible.2
- There are no breed or age restrictions.
- You can visit any licensed veterinarian in the U.S.
- Claims are processed quickly, typically within 10 days.3
- We have some of the shortest waiting periods for accident and illness coverage.4,5
How MetLife Pet Insurance Works in West Virginia
Visit the vet
Take your pet to any licensed veterinarian, specialist, or clinic in West Virginia — or anywhere in the U.S. — without worrying about networks.
Submit your claim
Once you’ve paid your vet bill, submit a claim with your invoice and any required vet records.
Get money back quickly
Your claim gets processed quickly — typically within 10 days — and you’ll be reimbursed for any covered expenses.3,6
MetLife Pet Insurance Is Available in West Virginia. See What’s Covered
MetLife Pet offers dog insurance and cat insurance policies for routine and emergency care that you can customize to meet your needs. Add on a Preventative Care Plan or a Wellness Plan to cover things like parasite prevention, routine vet visits, and vaccinations. You can also adjust your coverage limit, reimbursement rates, and deductible.7,8 Customization aside, here are some items we typically could cover:
- Accidents and illnesses
- Exam fees and diagnostic testing
- Ultrasounds and X-rays
- Emergency care and hospitalizations
Take a look at our coverage and exclusions page for a more thorough list, and know that your exact coverage will depend on your policy.
How Much Is Pet Insurance in WV?
MetLife Pet policies can start at $9 per month for one cat and $15 per month for one dog.9 However, the exact cost of pet insurance can depend on a few factors. Adding more coverage (or additional pets), as well as adjusting your reimbursement rates and deductible can impact the premium you pay.7,8
Your premium can also vary based on your cat or dog’s breed, sex,10 age, and any pre-existing conditions they may have. You may pay more for pet insurance if you live in larger cities like Charleston than in smaller areas like Marlinton, WV.
Pet Insurance Claims We Paid in West Virginia
Pet parents across the Mountain State have used MetLife Pet policies to help them cover vet bills. To view our coverage in action and see if pet insurance is worth it for you, take a look at a few claims we’ve paid out to West Virginians:11
- Over $110 paid — This helped cover an ear hematoma exam for a 12-year-old mixed breed dog in Charleston, WV.
- $70 paid — This helped pay for a 10-year-old Australian cattle dog’s supplements to treat their enlarged liver in Morgantown, WV.
- Over $60 paid — This completely covered an intestinal parasite fecal test for a 1-year-old mixed breed dog outside of Martinsburg, WV.
Notable claim in the Mountain State
Dexie is a 10-year-old mixed breed pup loving life with his family in Charleston. They go camping, hiking, fishing, and visit dog parks across the state in their mini RV. With all of that outdoor time and playing with other pups, comes the risk of tick bites or getting fleas. That’s why Dexie’s parents keep him up-to-date on his flea and tick prevention medication.
This prescription costs his parents nearly $140 at the vet, but because they have a dog insurance policy, they were able to get almost $125 reimbursed. Because of this, Dexie’s routine medication is more affordable for his family, leaving more room in their budget for adventures!11
Pet Injuries and Illnesses Typically Found in West Virginia
West Virginia is one of the most forested states in the U.S. with its protected woodlands. It’s also covered in mountains, canyons, and other natural areas that could prove to be dangerous to your pet. These risks and potential threats across the Mountain State could result in a trip to the vet.
Here are a few common illnesses or injuries you could encounter:
- Tick-borne diseases: If you spend any time outdoors with your pet, especially in wooded or grassy areas, ticks can be a major risk. Tick bites can lead to tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, babesiosis, and anaplasmosis. Routine parasite prevention can help protect your pets.
- Outdoor risks: When your adventures take you to the great outdoors of West Virginia, that can come with risks for your pet such as interactions with potentially dangerous wildlife, accidents while hiking, or getting sick from poisonous plants.12
- Flooding: The steep hillsides and canyons that carry water across the state can cause major flooding, and even landslides, when there’s increased precipitation. With many residents living in flood zones, this can be dangerous for dogs left home alone, outside, or while camping when rain storms or snowmelt occurs.13
Most Popular Dog Breeds in the Mountain State
When you’re looking to add a dog to your pack, do you ever wonder what breed other West Virginians seem to adopt the most? Whether great minds think alike or you want to go against the grain, here are the top three dog breeds across the Mountain State and some health conditions they may be prone to:14
- German shepherd: Athletic and bred for work, this dog is a fierce yet loving companion. German shepherds may be prone to some skin conditions like dermatitis, pyoderma, and otitis.
- Beagle: Friendly and smart, the beagle may be prone to luxating patella, obesity, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism.
- Labrador retriever: Full of energy, the loyal lab can be prone to obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, cancer, and heart disease.
Adoptable Dogs and Cats in West Virginia
Are you ready to add a furry member to the family? First-time and experienced pet parents in West Virginia can check out adoptable dogs and cats to find the best match. There are plenty of pets looking to make your home their furever home!
Consider Investing in Pet Insurance in WV
Having pet insurance can help keep the cost of routine and unexpected vet bills more affordable by reimbursing you for covered expenses.6 Get your free quote today and see how MetLife Pet can help you protect your beloved companion and your wallet.
Pet Insurance Can Help Cover Pet Injury
& Illness Costs
There is no substantive difference between a MetLife Pet Insurance policy in West Virginia 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 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 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.
7 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.
8 Deductible options range include: $0 − $750 in $50 increments and $1,000, $1,250, $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500.
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 All claims paid amounts are based on MetLife internal claims data from October 2022.
12 “Poisonous Plants,” American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
13 “‘Top of the list’: W.Va. faces surprising climate dangers,” E&E News
14 “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).Pet Keen
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