Pumpkin is a relative newcomer, entering the pet insurance world in 2020. Their wellness program brings something unique to the industry, and they are the first pet insurance producer to incorporate under a global pharmaceutical giant. At first glance, Pumpkin appears to offer a solid and innovative product to help protect pet owners, but let’s dig in to learn more.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review
Product Name: Pumpkin Pet Insurance
Product Description: Pumpkin offers pet insurance for dogs and cats.
Summary
As a newcomer to the pet insurance space, Pumpkin has some unique offerings, including its wellness program. With many plan customizations and coverage for conditions often excluded by competitors, Pumpkin may be worth considering for your pet.
Overall Score
Pros
- Optional non-insurance wellness plan called Preventative Essentials can be purchased as an add-on
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- 10% multi-pet discount for all additional pets
- Your pet is covered when they travel with you in the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and U.S. Virgin Islands
- No upper age limits for enrollment (pets must be 8 weeks or older)
Cons
- Price quotes tend to be more expensive than most competitors
- $2/month transaction fee
- Policies have a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses
- No app (most competitors have an app)
- Excludes dental procedures
Key Features
- Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster company
- A.M. Best rating: A
- Bilateral exclusions (a condition or disease that affects both sides of the body): ligament and knee conditions
- Claims process:
- Must submit claims within 270 days of the service date
- Direct deposit or check reimbursement is available
- Curable conditions term: Pre-existing conditions are not covered. However, an injury or illness that is cured and free of treatment and symptoms for 180 days will no longer be regarded as pre-existing, with the exception of knee and ligament conditions. If a knee or ligament condition occurs before the coverage effective date or during a waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.
- Pumpkin agency is formed under Zoetis, the world’s largest global animal health company
Customer Service Options & Hours
- Email: help@pumpkin.care
- FAQ
- Phone: 866‑273‑6369
- Monday – Friday from 8 am to 8 pm EST
- Live Chat
What Are Pumpkin’s Pet Insurance Waiting Periods*?
- Illness: 14 days
- Accidents: 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Events: 14 days
- Hip Dysplasia: 14 days
- Wellness: 0 days (Wellness is not insurance, so there is no waiting period associated with it)
*States are slowly adopting a Model Law for pet insurance. This Model Law attempts to standardize each state’s regulations, which includes a standard for waiting periods that all companies must follow. Waiting periods for California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Washington are as follows:
- Accidents – 0 days
- Illnesses – 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions – 30 days
- Routine Care – 0 days
What Does A Pumpkin Plan Cover?
Please know that none of the pet insurance plans offered by providers in our pet insurance comparison charts cover pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
All of them cover the following items when deemed medically necessary and prescribed to treat a covered condition: emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, dental illnesses, and prescription medications. However, this coverage may have limitations, so please check your policy.
| Condition | Covered By A Pumpkin Plan |
|---|---|
| Behavioral Issues |  |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapies (prescribed for covered conditions) | |
| Exam Fees (for covered conditions) | |
Preventative Essentials Add-On
Preventive Essentials is Pumpkin’s wellness package. It’s not insurance, but an optional benefit you can add to your Pumpkin plan if you want refunds for certain routine care your dogs need to stay healthy. If you opt to pay $18.95 per month for Pumpkin’s Preventative Essentials plan, here is what you’ll be reimbursed for.
- 1 annual wellness exam fee
- 4 vaccines
- 1 blood test for heartworm and tick disease
- 1 fecal test for intestinal worms
How Much Is Pumpkin Pet Insurance?
Pumpkin has no one-time enrollment fee but a $2 transaction fee for every premium payment. Your monthly premium is based on the deductible, reimbursement percentage, and annual payout options that you choose from the table below.
| Deductible Options | Payout Options | Reimbursement Options |
|---|---|---|
| $100 $250 $500 $1,000 | $5,000 $10,000 $20,000 Unlimited | 80% 90% |
Pricing is also based on your pet’s details (age, species, breed, location, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes from Pumpkin for your specific pet to get a more accurate idea of how much a policy would cost you.
Compare Pet Insurance Quotes From Multiple Providers
Pumpkin vs Other Companies
Interested in seeing how Pumpkin stacks up against other popular pet insurance companies? We’ve written comparison articles to show how Pumpkin and other leading pet insurance companies compare in coverage, customer service and reputation, claim processing, plan customization, and price.
- Embrace vs Pumpkin
- Healthy Paws vs Pumpkin
- Lemonade vs Pumpkin
- Nationwide vs Pumpkin
- Pets Best vs Pumpkin
- Trupanion vs Pumpkin
Is Pumpkin The Best Pet Insurance For My Dog?
Pumpkin is relatively new to the industry, but it’s proving to be an excellent contender in the space with its comprehensive coverage. It didn’t make it into our top pet insurance reviews this year, but you may see it listed in the future.
Methodology
We review each U.S. pet insurance company to provide an unbiased breakdown of providers’ performance in real claim situations. We use a 100-point scale for each pet insurance company to rank them. Our in-depth research includes:
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We scrutinize every policy from top to bottom and read all the fine print, carefully noting each exclusion. We factor in any age restrictions, required add-ons for basic coverage, and whether a company is available nationwide. Insurers with fewer exclusions receive more points in this category than those with less coverage.
- Pricing (15%) – We evaluate pricing by running thousands of sample quotes for dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, locations, and ages. We analyze which companies charge extra fees and discounts and consider which companies nick and dime pet owners with add-on coverage. Providers with the lowest premiums, fewest extra fees, most discounts, and fewer add-ons receive more points in this category.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We assess hundreds of customer reviews, scope out the sign-up process, speak with representatives, and factor in company history and years in the pet insurance marketplace to determine the points in this category. Companies with an easy sign-up process, highly rated mobile apps, multiple ways to reach customer service, positive consumer feedback, and a seamless claim filing process score high in this category.
- Financial Strength (10%) – Insurance is only beneficial if you can count on reimbursed claims. Companies with at least five years of nationwide experience and high A.M. Best and Demotech ratings receive high remarks in this category.
- Customization Options (10%) – We consider customizations available to adjust your coverage to fit your budget. Companies with fewer restrictions based on breed, age, location, etc., multiple plan options, and more reimbursement rates, deductibles, and annual limits earn the highest scores.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Providers with the shortest illness and accident waiting periods and fewer additional waiting periods for other conditions merit high remarks.
- Claim Processing (5%) – We share our firsthand experience submitting claims with companies and examine how long it takes to be reimbursed. Insurers with a vet direct pay option and short claim processing averages earn the most points.
- Innovation (3%) – We meet with company representatives to discuss changes related to the industry, their company, and their offerings. Providers offering unique, comprehensive coverage and utilizing advanced technology receive more points.
Unlike many other review sites, we refuse to let pet insurance companies pay for the top spot in our rankings. Companies must earn their position in our comparisons by performing well in the marketplace. We also highlight each company’s pros and cons in light of their competitor’s strengths. In doing so for over a decade, we’ve helped pet parents make more educated decisions among the top pet insurance options. Pet insurance providers read our reviews, regularly check them for accuracy, and value our input to help create positive industry changes and better protect your pets. We only recommend the best of the best because it’s what our readers deserve.
Why Trust Canine Journal?
Canine Journal has been covering the topic of pet insurance since 2012, well before other conglomerates discovered the rising popularity of health care for our pets. Many of our authors have personal experience with pet insurance, including Kimberly Alt, who has been Canine Journal’s go-to author for pet insurance for over a decade, having written about nearly every possible facet related to pet insurance. Kimberly knows the subject so well that she can answer a breadth and depth of pet insurance questions immediately. And on the rare occasion she doesn’t know the answer off the top of her head, she can find it within minutes due to her extensive list of resources.
Kimberly also consulted with Michelle Schenker, Canine Journal’s in-house licensed insurance agent, for additional expertise, to ensure accuracy, and give Canine Journal the authority to write about and assist readers in purchasing policies that are accurately represented.
Disclosure From Pumpkin
Pumpkin Pet Insurance policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. Waiting periods, annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit limits, and exclusions may apply. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/insurancepolicy. Products and rates may vary and are subject to change. Discounts may vary and are subject to change.
Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN#19084749) is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer. Insurance is underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113. Morristown, NJ), a Crum & Forster Company, and produced by Pumpkin. Pumpkin receives compensation based on the premiums for the insurance policies it sells. For more details visit pumpkin.care/underwriting-information and pumpkin.care/insurance-licenses.
Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product and administration. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Pumpkin Preventive Essentials is not available in all states.
