Overview

MetLife is one of the most well-established insurance companies in the game, with a wide network of agents and a solid array of offerings as well as some unique features, longer-than-standard policy lengths, that help it stand out from the pack.

As a major carrier, MetLife Auto & Home offers similar coverage options and rates as its competitors. And if you repair your vehicle through one of MetLife’s preferred service providers, MetLife promises “quality repairs,” which often means original manufacturer parts for your car.

As with most of the big insurance carriers, MetLife is accessible to almost all drivers, but you likely won’t get the level of personalized service while filing a claim that you might with a smaller, more specialized auto insurance carrier, which may account for some of the dissatisfaction when it comes to claims.

Which states is MetLife available in?

MetLife auto insurance is available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, indicated in the map and chart below.

Policy details

As a major carrier, MetLife offers all the standard coverages you’ll find from comparable providers, plus some additional coverages that not every insurer offers. MetLife also offers 12-month auto policies, as opposed to the industry standard six-month policy. An annual auto insurance policy means that your rate is locked in for a whole year instead of up for renewal every six months, which can be a big perk if you don’t want to deal with the possibility of a premium increase.

Standard coverage options

• Liability protection - Protects you from being on the hook financially if you cause damage or injuries to someone else, their vehicle or other property

• Personal injury protection - This covers medical expenses for you and your passengers after an accident

• Collision coverage - Covers damage to your car after an accident, no matter who was at fault

• Comprehensive coverage - Covers damage to your car that isn’t a collision (like extreme weather, vandalism, fire or theft)

• Uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage - Covers the costs of an accident caused by an uninsured driver or a hit and run, or pays for the costs that exceed the coverage amount of an uninsured driver

Additional coverage and features

• Rental car coverage - Covers charges from the rental agency if you have an accident in a rental car

• Major parts replacement - Pays to replace parts like tires, brakes and batteries after an accident, even if those parts had depreciated in value

• Glass repairs without a deductible - If your windshield is damaged, you can get it repaired without having to reach your deductible

• Legal defense coverage - Pays legal fees if you’re sued

• Custom sound system coverage - Coverage for a custom or aftermarket sound system that you’ve added to your vehicle

How much does MetLife cost?

The cost of auto insurance varies widely and is determined by a number of factors, including your address, the type of car you have, your driving record, your age, your credit score and how frequently you drive. No matter who you are, MetLife will likely be able to write you a competitive policy.

Below is a sample policy for a year-old Mazda SUV, written for a policyholder who lives in a suburb in a coastal state. The annual premium for the policy is $1,260, slightly below that state’s average annual car insurance expenditure. The MetLife quote was also about $600 less than an auto quote the policyholder received from competitor Plymouth Rock.

Total annual premium = $1,260

Group discounts

MetLife’s group coverage offers discounted rates to employees of MetLife affiliates and, in many cases, insurance payments can be taken directly out of your paycheck. Group coverage is available to employees of a number of Fortune-500 companies, top airlines, the NBA, and several large unions.

Company details

Application process

MetLife auto offers an online application process for car insurance, and it’s pretty straightforward. You’ll need to input information like your name, address, job and the type of car you drive in order to get a quote, and you’ll get a quote estimate based on that.

After you get your quote, you can complete your application online, which is a plus for convenience, but the website can be a little finicky, and froze for us in the middle of the quote process, so you might wind up just calling an agent anyways.

Claims process

MetLife allows you to submit claims online or through its mobile app, and the mobile app will also help you record info you need after an accident, like photos and details of the incident.

On the J.D. Power 2018 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study, MetLife scored 854, slightly below the industry average of 861 but higher than competitors like 21st Century, Esurance and Progressive. Customers who complained about the claims process tended to mention long wait times or lack of communication from claims adjusters.

Other types of insurance offered

A smart way to save money on your auto insurance from MetLife is by bundling it with another type of insurance the company offers, so if you have another property or vehicle to insure, consider combining.

• RV & motorcycle insurance - Covers your sweet bike or your equally sweet RV
• Boat insurance - Whether it’s a rowboat or a luxury yacht, you can insure it
• Home insurance - Coverage for your home, obviously
• Condo insurance - If you own a condo or a townhome, this is insurance for everything your master policy doesn’t already cover
• Renters insurance - Rent a place? This will cover your stuff, whether it’s inside or outside your home
• Landlord insurance - Insurance to protect you in case your tenants damage your property
• Mobile home insurance - Insurance for your home that moves

Digital tools

• Online bill payment
• A mobile app for paying bills, filing claims and viewing your policy overview

Contact info

Website: www.metlife.com
Phone: 1-800-638-5433
Headquarters: 200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166

The review on this page is only for the company’s auto insurance products.