Is MetLife Auto Insurance Good?
Last Updated on April 22, 2024
MetLife auto insurance provides drivers with competitive rates, solid customer satisfaction, and respectable coverage. Those who qualify for an auto insurance discount through MetLife are especially pleased with the company’s service. It is possible to decrease auto insurance rates by 50% with one of the company’s many discounts. MetLife even provides special perks for those who own new vehicles, making the financial burden of buying an automobile sting much less.
Key Takeaways:
- MetLife auto insurance offers competitive rates, solid customer satisfaction, and respectable coverage, especially for those who qualify for group discounts or special perks.
- MetLife auto insurance has a variety of discounts available, such as the Superior Driver Discount, the Mature Driver Discount, the Student Discount, and the My Journey program.
- MetLife auto insurance provides coverage options for aftermarket add-ons, glass repairs, and new vehicle replacement without depreciation or wear.
- MetLife auto insurance has some drawbacks, such as high rates for high-risk drivers, a cumbersome online quote process, and below-average customer satisfaction ratings.
- Insurance Panda rates MetLife 3.6/5
The Basics of MetLife Auto Insurance
MetLife auto insurance is not geared toward any specific customer or driver living in any particular geographic area. Though MetLife might seem somewhat unremarkable at first glance, the company should be commended for providing several group-based price breaks for individuals in various organizations, ranging from labor unions to employers and beyond.
Some of those insured through MetLife enjoy upwards of a 50 percent price decrease in their monthly auto insurance premiums. Most of those who qualify for a MetLife auto insurance discount tend to stick with the company for life, as the discounted rate is typically superior to that provided by the competition.
For example, MetLife customers who insure a new vehicle through the company and end up totaling the vehicle in an accident before the vehicle reaches a year in age are treated to something very special: a new vehicle paid for by MetLife without depreciation factored in. Furthermore, MetLife even goes as far as replacing important parts of vehicles, such as tires and brake pads, if such parts are damaged in a collision. The best part about such a replacement is that it is performed without consideration for wear.
What Are the Benefits of Insuring With MetLife?
MetLife is a very reputable company with strong financials. MetLife customers enjoy solid customer satisfaction and great discounts for those who qualify for them.
Pros:
- MetLife offers good bundling options with a single deductible if you buy home and auto insurance in most states.
- MetLife has reasonable accident surcharges. Your rates won’t go through the roof after a single accident.
- MetLife has great discounts for good drivers who use a tracking app.
- MetLife provides coverage options for aftermarket add-ons, such as custom wheels, stereo systems, or navigation devices.
- MetLife is rated A+ (Superior) by AM Best, which indicates a strong financial ability to pay claims.
Are There any Negatives to Insuring a Vehicle Through MetLife?
Metlife, unfortunately, has some flaws of note. In particular, MetLife customers are fairly critical of the company’s customer service representatives and online tools. It is somewhat challenging to obtain a quote online through the MetLife website. To be more specific, MetLife customers have commonly reported using the company’s online-only insurance tool known as MyDirect is fairly challenging. Others have reported it is difficult to get a customer service representative on the line when necessary.
Cons:
- MetLife has high insurance rates compared to top competitors, especially for drivers with a speeding ticket, an accident, a DUI, or poor credit.
- MetLife has a cumbersome online quote process that requires personal information and may result in unwanted calls from agents.
- MetLife has below-average customer satisfaction for auto insurance shopping and higher-than-expected complaints to state regulators.
- MetLife does not offer policyholders an accident forgiveness program.
A Closer Look at MetLife Auto Insurance Discounts
Those who qualify for MetLife auto insurance discounts will find that the company’s rates are more than fair. The primary means of obtaining an auto insurance discount is to be affiliated with a specific organization that qualifies for a group discount through the insurer. All in all, MetLife provides discounts to hundreds of businesses and other organizations across the nation. From labor unions to public employers, private employers, and credit unions, MetLife offers various auto insurance discounts to all sorts of groups.
The money a customer saves on MetLife auto insurance differs according to his or her unique group affiliation. However, discount savings typically equate to 35% to 49% off current rates. MetLife discounts extend beyond employers. However, the availability of non-employer discounts can hinge on one’s location. If you bundle your MetLife auto insurance with a home insurance policy, you will be provided with upwards of a 10% discount. If you do not make a claim in a year, you will be provided with a $50 credit applicable to a subsequent deductible up to a total of $250. MetLife deserves praise for offering upwards of a 15% discount for college or high school students with solid grades.
Of particular importance is the company’s Superior Driver Discount. This discount provides upwards of a 12% rate break for violation-free drivers for half a decade of driving. This discount extends to 20% if the driver in question does not have a violation or claim in the same five-year period. A Mature Driver Discount is also available for drivers between the ages of 50 and 65.
For teenage drivers, MetLife offers up to a 7% discount to those who complete the teenSMART driver safety course. Teenage drivers tend to pay the most out of all age groups for auto insurance, so this discount can be significant. Contact your MetLife Agent first to see if you qualify.
Recently, MetLife also released their “My Journey” program, which tracks the user’s driving habits through an app and then assigns a score based on their driving safety. With My Journey, the better your score, the more significant the discount you will receive.
Overview of MetLife’s Discounts:
| Type of Discount | Description |
|---|---|
| Deductible savings benefit | Every year you don’t make a claim, you’ll get a $50 credit towards your deductible. |
| Defensive driver discount | If you’ve taken a defensive driving class within the past 3 years, you’ll get a 7% discount on your premiums. |
| Superior driver discount or MetRewards | If you’re claim-free for 5 years, you’ll get a 12% discount. If you’re claim and violation-free, you’ll get a 15% discount. |
| Multi-policy discount | Up to 10% discount if you bundle with a MetLife home insurance policy. Up to 5% if you bundle with a life insurance policy. |
| Good student discount | High school and college drivers with good grades receive up to a 15% discount off premiums. |
| Group discount | If you’re employed by a MetLife partner or a member of a MetLife affiliated organization, you’ll receive a discount (varies) on your premiums. |
| Automatic Payment/ExpressIT Discount | If you set your insurance policy to AutoPay, you’ll receive a small discount on your premiums. |
| Car Equipped with Anti-Theft or Safety Devices | If your car is equipped with certain anti-theft devices, you’ll receive a discount (varies) on your premiums. |
| Mature Driver Discount | If your 50-65 years old, you’ll receive a discount (varies) on your premiums. |
| Telematics | With MyJourney Safe Driving Tracker, you’ll receive a 10-30% discount on your premiums based on your driving score. |
| teenSMART Discount | Teens that complete teenSMART can save up to 7% on their premiums. |
MetLife Auto Insurance Coverages and Features
MetLife provides the standard features and coverages offered by most auto insurers. The company provides 24-hour phone service and the ability to obtain a quote, file a claim, or pay your bill online. MetLife also provides mobile apps for Android and iPhone, empowering customers to manage their auto insurance policy on the go with incredible ease.
If you are interested in establishing an auto insurance policy with MetLife, contact a local agent or give the company’s national number a call. MetLife provides an array of policy options ranging from comprehensive and collision coverage to liability coverage, roadside assistance coverage, glass coverage, and gap coverage. The fact that glass coverage is standard is important as most auto insurance providers offer glass coverage in the form of an add-on only. Furthermore, there is no deductible for glass repairs, so you won’t have to worry about paying anything out-of-pocket if your windshield ends up with a chip or crack.
