Why is Shelterluv offering pet insurance and why MetLife (PetFirst)?

Announcement video from Greg, the founder of Shelterluv:

How does pet insurance help pets?

(Link to download MetLife pamphlets at bottom of the article)

• Insured pets are 40% less likely to be returned to the shelter or rescue
• Insured pets see the vet and follow the vet's recommendations more often since the cost is less of a barrier
• Nearly 1/4 of pet parents have credit or personal loan debt to cover pet health and vet costs. Pet insurance helps adopters prepare for unexpected vet expenses down the road. In fact, 70% of Shelterluv adopters are interested in pet insurance and request a quote at checkout!

What benefits does MetLife Pet Insurance have over other providers?

(Link to download MetLife pamphlets at bottom of the article)

• The PetFirst team, now MetLife, has been committed to shelter pets since the beginning. In fact, they were founded by a former shelter director! Because of this, they have the most shelter-pet-friendly plans.
• Short or waived waiting periods -- policies activate at midnight the day after adoption
• Cover incubating and undetected illnesses like kennel cough
• No age limit or breed restrictions, cover mixed breed animals
• Don't require vet exams to sign up
• No lifetime limits
• A dedicated team of pet owners to assist policyholders
• Find coverage and policy details on their FAQ page

Who will be offered MetLife Pet Insurance?

Adopters who pay using Shelterpay's text-to-checkout feature will have the option to get an instant quote and purchase pet insurance within the checkout flow. The offer is currently available to adopters in all 50 US states and Washington, DC.

How does this change my adoption process?

It doesn't! The only change from your current process is that adopters will see an extra screen during mobile checkout with a quote for pet insurance for their adopted pet (see image below).

All questions and communication will be handled by MetLife -- in fact, if you don’t have a property insurance license, you are not allowed to answer any questions about pet insurance. All questions should be directed to MetLife's Shelterluv-dedicated toll-free number 855-693-1497 or pet_info@metlife.com.

Who should adopters contact if they have a question about pet insurance?

(Link to download MetLife pamphlets at bottom of the article)

First, please refer to our printable FAQ sheet: MetLife (PetFirst) Pet Insurance FAQ for Adoption Counselors 

Please direct all policy questions to MetLife's Shelterluv-dedicated toll free number 855-693-1497 or pet_info@metlife.com

You may also direct them to MetLife's FAQ page for coverage and policy details

Note: if you don’t have a property insurance license, you are not allowed to answer any questions about pet insurance

Will every adopter's contact information be shared with MetLife?

No! Unlike traditional shelter partner programs, adopter information is shared with MetLife only when a quote is requested by the adopter. The requested information is needed by MetLife to send back an accurate quote (adopter zip code, animal breed and age).

For adopters who would like pet insurance, how does payment work?

If an adopter adds a policy to their cart, the first month's premium will be charged at the time of adoption using the same credit or debit card as the rest of the transaction. This will appear as a separate charge on their statement, directly from MetLife. All future premiums will be charged directly by MetLife. The policy will be active at midnight that night.

Can adopters who do not opt-in for insurance during checkout still purchase coverage later?

Yes! Adopters who received a quote during the Shelterpay checkout but did not opt-in will have the option to purchase the same coverage options offered during the Shelterpay checkout at a later date for the pet they adopted by visiting adopterluv.com/insurance.

Adopters who activate their free Adopterluv account will find this link directly in their account and can also purchase coverage for any other pets!

Adopters who purchase coverage during the Shelterpay checkout or via Adopterluv, benefit from waived waiting periods (typically 14-30 days if purchased from MetLife directly). The policy coverage goes into effect at midnight on the day of the purchase.

Is there a discount for our staff and volunteers if they'd like to sign up for MetLife (PetFirst) pet insurance?

Yes! Your staff and volunteers are eligible for a 10% animal welfare discount. Please have the employee or volunteer visit adopterluv.com/insurance or call the Shelterluv-dedicated toll-free number at 855-693-1497 to sign up for a policy and let them know that they work for an organization that uses Shelterluv!