Kimberly Alt
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Hey! Yeah, the pet insurance names definitely make things interesting. At least they’re memorable, right?
You’re right that Pumpkin’s 90% reimbursement and multi-pet discount can be big perks, especially for a multi-pet household like yours. Our lower score isn’t just because they haven’t been around for five years (though longevity does play a role in assessing financial stability). Some of the main reasons Pumpkin ranks lower include:
- Excludes Endodontic Disease – Unlike some competitors, Pumpkin doesn’t cover endodontic disease, which can be an important factor for pet dental care.
- Claim Denials – Some policyholders report claims being denied due to pre-existing condition classifications that they feel were unfair.
- Limited Wellness Plan – Customers have noted that certain routine care expenses aren’t covered, making it less comprehensive than wellness plans from other providers.
- Fewer Reimbursement Rate Options – Pumpkin only offers 80% and 90% reimbursement rates, so there’s no 70% option for those wanting even more control over their premium.
- No Mobile App – While many providers offer an app for easy claims management, Pumpkin only provides an online portal.
That said, Pumpkin is still a strong option for those looking for broad coverage with fewer exclusions, and they may improve over time. If you want to dig deeper into their coverage details, check out our Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review for a full breakdown.
Since you have multiple pets, you might also find our Pet Insurance for Multiple Pets guide helpful—it covers which providers offer the best multi-pet discounts and coverage options.
And if you’re looking at coverage for your cats as well, here’s our Best Cat Insurance Guide to compare options that work well for multi-pet households.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
When you say “emergency visits,” are you referencing the emergency office exam fee? Or do you mean unexpected trips to the vet? If it’s the former, then insurers handle this differently. Some companies include the exam fee as being eligible for reimbursement, while others exclude it or offer it as an add-on to your policy. As for unexpected trips to the vet, let’s say if a dog were hit by a car, then yes, pet insurance covers those sudden, unexpected trips to the vet when there’s an emergency. Clear as mud? Let me know if you have questions!
You can cancel your pet insurance policy at any time. Most companies refund any money you have paid in advance for coverage after your policy is terminated.
I’d be happy to! Each of these pet insurance providers has unique features, pricing structures, and coverage options. Here’s a breakdown of Pets Best, Lemonade, and Embrace to help you compare:
1. Pets Best ???? – Full Review Here
✅ Best for: Affordable plans with customizable coverage and fast claims processing
???? Pricing: Competitive, often lower than many competitors
???? Coverage:- Accidents & illnesses
- Routine care (optional add-on)
- Covers dental illnesses
- No upper age limit for enrollment
- Covers curable pre-existing conditions that are healed or are curable and require no further treatment (e.g., broken legs, kennel cough, etc.)
- Accident-only plan is available for all enrollment ages
???? Claims Process: Averages 10 days (can pay vets directly in some cases)
???? Downsides:
- Some users report issues with claim denials or slow processing at times
- 6 month waiting periods for CCL injuries
- Coverage for exam fees and complementary care are add-ons
2. Lemonade ???????? – Full Review Here
✅ Best for: Fast, AI-driven claims processing with a user-friendly app
???? Pricing: Often one of the most affordable options, especially for younger pets
???? Coverage:- Accidents & illnesses
- Optional wellness add-ons for routine care
- Extremely customizable plans allowing you to more easily find something to fit your budget
- Covers curable pre-existing conditions that are considered cured after 1 year (chronic and knee-related conditions are exempt from coverage)
???? Claims Process: Averages 2 days (AI-driven, sometimes reimbursed within minutes)
???? Downsides:
- Limited availability (only in 38 states)
- Breed restrictions based on age
- 6 month waiting periods for CCL injuries
- Add ons for coverage included in other insurers’ base policies (e.g., behavioral therapies, complementary care, vet exam fees, dental illness)
3. Embrace ???????? – Full Review Here
✅ Best for: Comprehensive coverage, including alternative therapies & diminishing deductibles
???? Pricing: Moderate to high, but offers more extensive coverage
???? Coverage:- Accidents & illnesses
- Best dental coverage compared to Pets Best and Lemonade
- Covers curable pre-existing conditions as long as the pet goes symptom or treatment free for 1 year or more
- Complementary care is included at no extra fee
- Unique Feature: “Healthy Pet Deductible” (decreases by $50 each year you don’t file a claim)
???? Claims Process: Averages 5 days
???? Downsides:
- Prescription medication and vet exam fee coverage are add-ons
- More expensive than some competitors
- 6 month waiting periods for CCL injuries, hip dysplasia, IVDD and patellar luxation
- Doesn’t cover pets over 14 for illness plans (only accident-only coverage)
Which One Should You Choose? ????
- Go with Pets Best if you want an affordable plan with flexible options and a solid reputation.
- Go with Lemonade if you prefer a tech-savvy experience, low-cost plans, and fast claims.
- Go with Embrace if you want the most comprehensive coverage, including alternative therapies and detailed dental coverage.
You can compare them all side by side in my pet insurance comparison and get instant quotes from all three of them in this form.
Curable pre-existing conditions are temporary, one-time illnesses that can be healed or cured and be symptom-free, requiring no further treatment or medicine. Examples include ear infections, urinary tract infections, broken bones, upset stomach, respiratory infections, poisoning, eye trauma, skin infections, and foreign body ingestion. If they become chronic, some of these conditions can be classified as incurable and be excluded from coverage by some providers.
Your Lab’s recurring ear infections would likely be excluded by pet insurance because they are chronic. However, each company handles this differently, and it depends on how much time there is between ear infections. Each company requires a set time for the dog to be symptom-free before they will cover a second bout of a health condition.
Pet insurance does not cover routine expenses like vaccines. However, wellness plans cover routine care items and can be added to a pet insurance policy. You can learn more about pet wellness plans and what they cover here: https://www.caninejournal.com/pet-wellness-plans/
@mississippi_leg_hound I definitely recommend insurance for your Lab. I grew up with Labs, and many family members have them. Unfortunately, each of them has had an illness at the end of their lives that has required expensive vet care. Here’s an article I have dedicated to pet insurance for labs.
Pet insurance is worth it if you can afford the monthly premium and it covers what you need/want. Unfortunately, mixed breeds are still vulnerable to accidents and illnesses, so I recommend pet insurance. You can learn the basics about pet insurance and go into more depth about your decision if pet insurance is worth it in our article.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. Unfortunately, pancreatitis will most likely be considered a pre-existing condition by pet insurance because symptoms are already showing before you’ve signed up and waiting periods have passed.
Upon enrollment, insurers may require a vet exam or your pet’s medical records. If a vet exam is required for enrollment, the insurer typically requests it be within 30 days of the policy’s effective date. During this appointment, your vet will assess your dog’s overall health and note any abnormalities. Some providers require a detailed exam of your dog’s legs and hips for orthopedic issues.
Additionally, providers may collect this information by analyzing your dog’s past vet records. If your dog hasn’t had a recent vet exam, the insurer may ask you to have your dog assessed.
Generally speaking, pre-existing conditions are determined as accidents and illnesses that have manifested before the policy’s effective date or during the waiting period.
However, a few insurers offer coverage for curable pre-existing conditions if they are free from treatment and symptoms for a set period. Conditions that may be covered include ear infections, urinary tract infections, kennel cough, gastrointestinal issues, and more. Furthermore, AKC Pet Insurance is entering new territory for the industry and offering coverage for pre-existing conditions after 365 days of continuous pet insurance coverage.
I have no tips for you, but I want to say you’re not alone. My dog, Sally, does this same thing. We rescued her when she was 3 and have had her for 7 years, and it’s one of the few quirks we haven’t been able to break. Just this past week, we had our basement remodeled. The contractor was super nice and greeted her. She sniffed him and “accepted his presence.” I had her on a leash in my office (located by the front door) to keep her from entering his workspace. She would bark at him whenever he’d speak to me or come in/out of the house. She’s not aggressive with people; she wants to be free to go up to them. But her bark sounds so vicious, I feel terrible. It became so constant that I put her upstairs in my bedroom, which decreased the amount of barking some. I know not everyone is a dog person, but even the workers who are dog people still need space to work safely and not have a dog in their faces. Plus, I don’t want her ever getting hurt because she’s getting into their tools and whatnot. So, she is always on a leash next to me or put in a room where she is still able to roam but unable to interfere with the worker. It’s the best solution I’ve found that works for us. I’ve noticed as she’s gotten older, she’s becoming increasingly more and more protective. If she’s on a leash, she is more aggressive with it than if given the freedom to go wherever she pleases. But I can’t always allow her to be off leash, so it just stirs things up for her.
I’m so sorry to hear about your cousin’s dog. I hope she’s making a recovery as fast as possible. It’s crucial to do what the vet has recommended. Antibiotics are the most commonly prescribed treatment for Lyme disease. Our supplement specialist, @Tara Maurer, may have other recommendations for how your cousin can boost her dog’s immunity.
To learn more, we have an entire article about Lyme disease here: https://www.caninejournal.com/lyme-disease-in-dogs/
Congrats on the puppy! I bet she’s a cutie! One thing to keep in mind for Yorkiepoos is that they are itty-bitty, which often means dental issues. I recommend prioritizing a company with excellent dental coverage. In addition to the resources @Michelle Schenker shared above, I also recommend my article about the best dental insurance. Gum disease can be prevalent in smaller breeds like yours, and it isn’t covered by all providers.
I also suggest establishing a good dental routine for your dog to help prevent costly and painful dental issues for your dog. Your pup is so lucky to have you looking out for her! Let us know if you have any other questions, and enjoy bonding with your puppy!
Oh my goodness, I’m so sorry! To answer your question, Figo covers non-routine dental treatment, trauma to the teeth, and tooth extractions due to an accident. Policies can vary, but I believe Figo will cover this based on the sample policies I have read. Thank goodness you signed her up for insurance!
We have an entire article about Pugs vs French Bulldogs. The main differences include:
- Size – Pugs are smaller
- Energy – Frenchies have lower energy levels than Pugs on average
- Health – Pugs have average health, while Frenchies are below average
- Cost – Frenchies are typically more expensive to purchase
