When we talk of pet care, pet insurance and its alternatives are worth considering, especially when it comes to ensuring our pet’s health, safety, and protection.
Pet insurance and its alternatives aren’t one and the same, however. Depending on the policy, there are different coverages, terms and conditions, and rates. With this, understanding each policy and how it matches our pet’s specific needs is a must before making a decision.
Weighing our options when it comes to pet insurance or its alternatives is essential. Below, we’ll be comparing two pet insurance options: Petcube Emergency Fund & MetLife Pet Insurance. Let’s get to know more about what they offer below.
Stop Googling - Ask a Real Vet
Content:
- What is Covered By The Insurance
- What is Not Covered By The Insurance
- How Many Pets Can Be Insured
- What is The Waiting Period for Insurance
- How Much Does The Pet Insurance Cost a Month
- How to Cancel Pet Insurance
- Conclusion
What is Covered By The Insurance
Petcube Emergency Fund Coverage
If you are considering emergency pet insurance, Petcube’s Pet Emergency Fund covers pet emergencies including unexpected, serious, and life-threatening situations that need immediate medical care.
Among common emergencies are:
- Choking
- Severe Coughing / Breathing Difficulties
- Toxin Ingestion
- Vomiting / Diarrhea
- Major Insect Stings
- Severe Injuries (both internal & external)
- Severe Blockages
The Petcube Emergency Fund only covers life-threatening emergencies. In such cases, all pets are covered, regardless of age, breed, or medical history (even those related to pre-existing conditions). Note that scheduled operations and appointments related to health issues aren’t covered as the fund only covers emergencies.
All emergencies will be evaluated on a case-to-case basis by a skilled and experienced team of vets. The veterinarians will ultimately decide whether emergency care is needed and if the pet is eligible for being granted the Emergency Fund.
MetLife Pet Insurance Coverage
Standard Policy
Is MetLife Pet Insurance good? Let us first discuss what it covers. With the standard plan, MetLife Pet insurance covers expenses involving accidents and illnesses that are first incurred within the term of the policy. This coverage includes:
- Accidents and Injuries
- Illnesses and Conditions
- Procedures
- Diagnostics
- Prescriptions and Treatment
- Holistic / Alternative Therapies
Optional Preventative Care Policy
For those who want more enhanced coverage, there is an optional add-on to include preventative care. This plan adds extra wellness coverage on top of the standard injury and illness policy. It includes:
- Preventative Care
- Spaying & Neutering
- Parasite Prevention
- Dental Work
What is Not Covered By The Insurance
Petcube Emergency Fund - Not Covered
Below are those that aren’t covered by the Petcube Emergency Fund:
- Non-Life-Threatening Emergencies
- Routine Check-ups and Procedures
- Vaccinations
- Deworming
- Scheduled Appointments
- Scheduled Surgeries
- Wellness Visits
- Pregnancy or Breeding Issues
- Parvovirus
- Any other medical procedure not related to an emergency approved by their vets
MetLife Pet Insurance - Not Covered
The following are not covered under MetLife Pet Insurance:
- Breeding or breeding-related conditions
- Microchipping
- Non-prescription food
- Obedience training
- Grooming
- Health/travel certificates
- Organ transplants
- Elective surgeries
- Cosmetic or aesthetic procedures
- Illness or injury incurred from racing, coursing, law enforcement, commercial guarding, or organized fighting
How Many Pets Can Be Insured
Petcube Emergency Fund
A Petcube Emergency Fund subscription can protect up to 6 pets, covering one pet emergency per year. This is a viable alternative to pet insurance for multiple pets in cases of emergency.
MetLife Pet Insurance
A Metlife pet Insurance policy covers individual pets. However, multiple pet insurance is also offered through their family plans. The family plans for multiple pets cover up to three dogs or cats under the same policy, having a shared deductible.
What is The Waiting Period for Insurance
It’s usual for pet insurance to have a waiting period or a short period before a policy begins, where coverage isn’t active yet. This helps prevent fraudulent claims. The period may vary based on the coverage type and state laws.
Petcube Emergency Fund
After signing up for a Pet Emergency Fund subscription, a mandatory 14-day waiting period ensues before funds become available. This means that when your pet gets into a life-threatening emergency during the waiting period, the funds won’t be available yet. Also, if you cancel and then renew your subscription later on, the subscription will be subject to a new 14-day waiting period.
MetLife Pet Insurance
You might be wondering - Is there pet insurance with no waiting period? With MetLife Pet Insurance, for instance, accident coverage as well as wellness coverage (for those who avail of this add-on) starts effectively on the same date that the policy starts, without any waiting period. Meanwhile, illness coverage has a 14-day waiting period.
How Much Does The Pet Insurance Cost a Month
Petcube Emergency Fund
An affordable pet insurance alternative, Petcube’s Emergency Fund costs $29 per month (or less than $1 per day). A subscription gives you up to $3000 in case of an emergency, which covers up to 6 pets. This also gives you access to a 24/7 online vet service so you can consult with certified veterinarians anytime and anywhere.
MetLife Pet Insurance
The monthly cost of Metlife Pet Insurance depends on several factors such as your pet’s age, breed, species, gender, and where you live. On average, starting rates per month are $15 for dogs and $9 for cats.
Metlife Pet Insurance also offers family plans, where up to 3 dogs and cats can be covered in one policy, sharing the same deductible. At the same time, you don’t need to change vets since the coverage applies to any licensed vet in the U.S.
How to Cancel Pet Insurance
Petcube Emergency Fund
To cancel your subscription, you may email emergency.fund@petcube.com or contact their Administrative Team at +1-833-351-8987 stating the pet owner’s name as well as the pet’s name.
MetLife Pet Insurance
If you want to cancel your policy, you may speak with a customer service representative by calling 866-280-3633 (855-270-7387).
Conclusion
Choosing among the many pet insurance or pet insurance alternatives can get overwhelming. However, getting to know each one and what exactly it is they are offering will help you determine which ones would be the most beneficial for both you and your pet/s, whether you are looking for emergency pet insurance, your pet’s first insurance, or what have you.
Petcube Emergency Fund and MetLife Pet Insurance are both great options. We hope that you were able to understand the benefits of both in our comparisons above.