MetLife is seeking a 7.6% overall rate increase for its California pet insurance business, affecting 90,066 policyholders and $75.8 million in written premium.

The increase would generate approximately $5.8 million in additional premium. Individual policy changes would range from a 1% decrease to a 13% increase, with 65% of policyholders facing increases between 10% and 15%.

Injury and illness coverage would increase by an average of 8.1%, while preventative care coverage would rise by 5.5%. MetLife plans to raise base rates by 11.5% for injury and illness coverage and 9.5% for standard preventative care, partially offset by a 10% reduction to the direct-to-consumer distribution factor.

The filing comes shortly after a 36.9% rate increase took effect in March 2026 and follows a 20% increase approved in July 2025. Because of the overlapping changes, 48,546 policies could experience a compounded average increase of 65.3%, excluding pet aging and rate caps. A small number could see increases exceeding 300%.

MetLife cited a 7.9% annual loss trend and described pet insurance as a high-lapse product due to its voluntary nature, sensitivity to rate increases and growing competition.

The filing remains pending, with MetLife requesting a November 1, 2026, effective date for new and renewal business.