Hey everyone, I have an 8-year-old male domestic short-haired cat. I’ve been with Embrace Pet Insurance for a couple of years, but they’re doubling my monthly rate now, so I’m looking to switch.
I’ve found MetLife, Spot, and ASPCA as options within my budget that also cover some preventive care. Has anyone had any experience with these insurance plans or filed claims with them? Are there any age restrictions or significant increases in premiums at renewal? Has anyone dealt with changes in coverage between plans or during renewals?
My cat has some pre-existing conditions, so I don’t expect these new plans to cover them, but I want to be prepared for future needs.
Any insights would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
I know Spot and ASPCA both accept older pets, but MetLife’s policies vary because they have different underwriters depending on the state.
ASPCA can take a while to process claims, sometimes over a month. They seem to require follow-ups to keep things moving. They were acquired by JAB Holdings in recent years, so they’re under new management now.
Spot, on the other hand, is quicker but might be stricter with paperwork and may need a health exam before processing claims. They started in 2019 and are also owned by JAB Holdings.
MetLife acquired PetsFirst, which was around since 2004. Experiences with MetLife vary based on state and underwriter. There’s MetGen, which is more lenient, and IAIC, which can be tougher. Some people find MetLife’s process slow with lots of paperwork, while others have had smoother experiences.
Be aware that many pet insurers are raising premiums or dropping coverage due to a major industry price correction. With rising vet costs and past low premiums, it’s likely to see significant increases.
Pre-existing conditions are a downside to switching insurers. If your cat hasn’t developed new conditions, that risk is mitigated, but any recorded symptoms could be used to classify conditions as pre-existing.
Long-term stability is important. With the current industry upheaval, choosing a well-established company is wise to avoid being left with a worthless policy.
Thanks for the info. I’ve had a great experience with ASPCA. They’ve reimbursed me over $17,000 this year alone, and all claims were paid within a week.
Even though our premiums went up significantly, I’ve received more than double what I’ve paid for one of my cats, so I can’t complain. ASPCA is why my cats are still with me. I’ll stick with them for life.
Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s great to hear that ASPCA has been so reliable for you. How much did your premiums increase, and how old are your cats?
My premium for my 10-year-old cat went from $71 to $111, and for my 9-year-old, it went from $55 to $84.
I have a $250 annual deductible, 90% reimbursement, and a $10,000 annual limit. To be transparent, I used to work for ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, so I know that premium increases depend on the pet’s age and the average vet costs in your area.
My cats were enrolled in 2018 in Chicago, which has high vet costs. The increases seem steep, but I’m still happy with the coverage. My 9-year-old needed surgery, and my 10-year-old was just diagnosed with cancer. The insurance helps cover his $900/month chemo, which makes a big difference.
To lower premiums, you might consider raising your deductible or moving to a less expensive area.
Thanks for explaining how the premiums increase. I signed up my dogs when they were young, so while their premiums went up, it wasn’t as drastic as it might be for older pets. It makes sense to get pet insurance while they’re young to keep premiums lower and avoid pre-existing condition exclusions.
With ASPCA, a condition is considered “cured” and no longer pre-existing if it’s been 180 days without treatment or symptoms. So if a cough was resolved and hasn’t recurred without medical help, it should be eligible for coverage again.
