MetLife Auto Insurance Review: Features, Pros & Cons, and Costs
BY: Sara Coleman | November 12, 2020
From its humble beginnings in a tiny New York office during the Civil War, MetLife has grown to become one of the largest auto insurance providers in the United States. You can find MetLife in over 40 countries now, in addition to right here in our backyards. Besides auto coverage, MetLife offers a full range of products including homeowners insurance, renters insurance, RV, and life insurance to name a few.
But as we know here at JoyWallet, bigger or well-established doesn’t always mean it’s the best for you. So let’s dig in a little deeper and find out what MetLife is all about and what it has to offer you for auto insurance.
What is MetLife car insurance?
MetLife started writing personal insurance policies in 1864. While the country was ravaged by war, MetLife was trying to gain its footing in the insurance industry. Interestingly, by the 1880s, a struggling MetLife brought over British salespeople who had become well-trained on selling insurance policies door-to-door in England. These British workers came to teach the Americans how to properly sell life insurance policies. This paved the way for the strong MetLife agent network that still exists today.
Fast forward over 150 years later and MetLife maintains a strong presence in the insurance world, and this includes auto insurance. MetLife policies can be obtained by working with customer service or working through a local agent.
MetLife has also grown financially and now maintains an A+ Superior A.M.Best rating, while maintaining its status as one of the largest providers of insurance products in the world.
How does MetLife work?
Like other auto insurance companies, MetLife allows you the ability to obtain a free quote online. But if you want an exact quote on your premiums, you’ll need to work directly with an agent or call customer service.
MetLife provides the standard auto insurance coverage options you’d expect from a large company:
- Liability protection
- Collision and comprehensive
- Medical payments
- Uninsured and underinsured motorists
But MetLife offers other coverages that are both expanded and ones you might not find with other carriers. For example, the rental car coverage is expansive, providing extras such as:
- Rental income lost during repairs
- Insurance claims handling expenses
- Decrease in market value of the rental
- Related expenses like towing and storage
If you need even more options, there are additional ways to customize your policy:
- New car replacement. If you total your new car within one year of purchase or during the first 15,000 miles then your car gets repaired or replaced with the new car value.
- Major parts replacement. MetLife pays to replace certain major parts no matter what the depreciated value is at the time of the accident.
- Glass repairs without a deductible
- Legal defense costs. If you’re sued as the result of an accident, MetLife covers your legal fees.
- Lease or loan gap coverage. Your vehicle’s lease or loan is paid off if your vehicle is a total loss due to an accident, even if the amount exceeds the value of your vehicle.
- Rideshare coverage. Additional coverage if you drive for a company such as Uber or Lyft.
How much are MetLife auto insurance rates?
Like all other auto insurance carriers, your premiums with MetLife are determined by several factors. The best way to find out how much it will cost is to get a quote from an agent or online.
The biggest factors determining pricing are your:
- Age
- Gender
- Marital status
- Location
- Driving record
- Credit score
- Vehicle type
- Deductible amounts
- Coverage amounts
MetLife Features
MetLife has numerous features designed to enhance your auto insurance policy.
Deductible savings benefit
Earn $50 per year towards your deductible (up to $250) if you are claim-free in a year.
Bundle and save
Although MetLife doesn’t offer as many discounts as other providers, if you bundle your policy with other insurance plans like home insurance then you can find significant savings of up to 15%.
MyJourney program
If you live in Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, New Jersey, Utah, or Wisconsin you can take part in the MyJourney program. This is an app that monitors your driving and provides feedback plus additional discounts on your premiums.
Who should use MetLife auto insurance?
Who does MetLife auto insurance best suited for?
Those who need specialty options
If you need a policy that provides more specialty options, MetLife likely has you covered. If you need to add coverage to your policy such as rental car, GAP coverage, or rideshare, then MetLife can put something together for you.
If great customer service ratings are important to you
If you place a high value on customer service, you’ll be impressed with MetLife’s scores. For starters, MetLife scored well-below the national average for customer complaints with the NAIC complaint index.
The high marks don’t stop there though. MetLife is ranked 4th overall in the JD Power 2020 Auto Claims Overall Customer Satisfaction Survey, ranking high above the industry average.
If you like working with agents
You can call the customer service number if you need to, but if you like the idea of having a local agent, then MetLife has this option. If you don’t know of a local agent, you can request one online.
Who shouldn’t use MetLife auto insurance?
MetLife may not be the perfect fit for every driver. What type of driver should consider other auto insurance options?
If you have a small budget
If you’re looking for the cheapest auto insurance, MetLife likely will not be your answer. When compared to other auto insurance quotes, MetLife typically comes in at a higher cost on premiums.
If you love discounts
MetLife doesn’t offer multiple discounts, especially when you compare it to other big-name insurance companies. Currently, MetLife offers discounts for specific club affiliations, good student discounts, good driver discounts, and if you’ve taken a qualifying defensive driving course. You can also get an insurance discount for policy bundling.
If you want to use a highly-rated app
Many people prefer to have their auto insurance information at their fingertips on their smartphone, especially considering some states allow you to carry digital insurance cards. MetLife does have an app that allows you to view your policy, access your cards, even report an accident. But the reviews of the app are mixed at best, with 1.3 stars out 5.
Pros & Cons
MetLife has an established history of providing an array of policies. It’s likely you can get an auto insurance policy tailored to your exact needs. But MetLife has thrived through the year, which has resulted in tremendous financial strength. It’s also clear that strong customer service continues to be a priority for its policyholders.
Where MetLife has an opportunity is with its poorly rated app and cumbersome website. Both platforms don’t provide the information you need right away, without putting in extra effort to find the info. And even with discounts, MetLife’s premiums tend to be higher, so it may take more effort with your agent to get the premium within your budget.
MetLife vs. competitors
| Insurer | Discounts available | 2019 J.D. Power Rating | A.M. Best Rating | Average Annual Premium* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MetLife | 5 | 3/5 | A+ | $2,457 |
| Geico | 16 | 3/5 | A++ | $1,218 |
| Amica Mutual | 18 | 5/5 | A+ | $1,631 |
| USAA | 12 | 5/5 | A++ | $963 |
| Progressive | 13 | 3/5 | A+ | $1,646 |
| State Farm | 12 | 3/5 | A++ | $1,585 |
| Erie | 7 | 3/5 | A+ | $1,108 |
| Farm Bureau | 7 | NR | A | $984 |
| Nationwide | 12 | 3/5 | A+ | $1,582 |
| American Family | 15 | 3/5 | A | $1,685 |
| Liberty Mutual | 17 | 3/5 | A | $1,942 |
| Allstate | 14 | 3/5 | A+ | $1,920 |
average annual premium based on drivers in their 30s
As you can see, MetLife is definitely not the least expensive option for standard coverage. But the financial strength and coverage options make it worth obtaining a quote from MetLife.
FAQs
How much will I pay for my policy with MetLife?
The best way to answer this is by getting an exact quote from an agent or through customer service. There are numerous factors influencing your premiums.
Can I purchase MetLife insurance in any state?
Yes, MetLife auto insurance is available in all states, although coverage options may vary depending on the state.
How can I lower my premiums?
In addition to policy discounts, improving your credit score can impact your premiums. You can raise your credit score by paying your bills on time, lowering your debt-to-income ratio, and reviewing your credit report each quarter for discrepancies. Another option is to raise your deductible to lower your premiums or lower your coverage options (as long as you meet your state’s minimum coverage requirements).
The bottom line
In the insurance world, MetLife is one of the standards almost everyone has heard of. Many of us still associate MetLife with the beloved Snoopy as their commercial mascot.
But after all these years and well-known marketing, MetLife still offers a wide range of coverage options for you. If you need a customized policy, MetLife is a great option. It’s an even better option if you are looking for a company that is still delivering on its customer service promises after all these years.
Metlife Customer Service
| Support Type | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| General Support | 1-844-887-1795 |
| Policy Support | 1-800-422-4272 |
| Claims Support | 1-800-854-6011 |
| Metlife HQ Address | 200 Park Ave., New York, NY 10166 |