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After extensive research, I recommend Nationwide over Pumpkin to most pet parents. There are some unique exceptions where I suggest Pumpkin. However, after comparing coverage, customer service and reputation, claim processing, pricing, and plan customizations, I’ve determined Nationwide to be the more robust insurer among these two companies.
But each pet is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. This is why I always recommend obtaining quotes from multiple insurers to ensure you’re purchasing the best pet insurance policy to meet your needs and price.
| Pumpkin | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Coverage | Extensive | Extensive |
| Customer Service & Reputation | Uncertain, New | Good |
| Claim Processing Average | 5 Days | 4 Days |
| Price Of Policy | Higher | Lower |
| Plan Customizations | Restricted | Restricted |
| Overall Winner |  | |
| Get Pumpkin Quote | Get Nationwide Quote |
Alternatives To Pumpkin & Nationwide
Don’t like the stats you’re seeing above? Our experts have analyzed over a dozen pet insurance providers. Check out our pet insurance reviews to learn more about this year’s top-ranked companies or get multiple pet insurance quotes.
Policy Coverage
Policy Coverage Winner
The table below shows precisely what Pumpkin and Nationwide cover. Both companies cover emergency care, surgery and hospitalization, specialized exams and specialty care, X-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds, cat scans, MRIs, rehabilitation, cancer, chronic conditions, euthanasia, hereditary conditions, congenital conditions, non-routine dental treatment, and prescription medications. Neither covers pre-existing conditions, cremation and burial costs, pregnancy and breeding, or unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
| Pumpkin | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|
| Illness Waiting Period* | 14 Days | 14 Days |
| Accident Waiting Period* | 14 Days | 14 Days |
| Hip Dysplasia Waiting Period* | 14 Days | 14 Days |
| CCL Surgery Waiting Period* | 14 Days | 12 Months |
| Behavioral Therapies | | |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | | |
| Wellness Care For An Extra Fee | | |
| Exam Fees | | |
| Underwriter | United States Fire Insurance Company | National Casualty Company Veterinary Pet Insurance Company (California only) |
| A.M. Best Rating | A | A+ A+ |
*States are gradually adopting a Model Law for pet insurance, aiming to standardize regulations, including uniform waiting periods. In California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Washington, Rhode Island, and Maryland, waiting periods are:
- Accidents: 0 days
- Illnesses: 14 days
- Cruciate Ligament Conditions: 30 days
- Routine Care: 0 days
At a glance, it may appear that Pumpkin and Nationwide offer similar, detailed coverage. However, there are some things you’ll want to be aware of before making your decision. First, some of Nationwide’s pet insurance policies use a benefit schedule. This is different than any other pet insurance policy.
A benefit schedule outlines the maximum coverage amount you should expect to be reimbursed per incident when you make a claim. This is different from other pet insurance companies (like Pumpkin), where the claim repayment calculation is based on your vet’s receipt, and thus, the amount you paid your vet vs a figure reflected in the benefits schedule that may not cover what you paid.
Another key deciding factor for you may be the age restrictions attached to Nationwide, which doesn’t enroll pets older than 10.
One thing Nationwide has going for it is that it doesn’t list any bilateral exclusions for CCL injuries. Many other pet insurance companies we review exclude CCL injuries if one leg has experienced pre-existing issues. This makes Nationwide a good option for those of you with dogs with pre-existing knee conditions because they’re more likely to cover a second, currently healthy knee than their competitors. However, it’s always important to read your contract carefully because the sample policies we’ve examined may differ from yours.
In the end, Nationwide’s coverage for bilateral conditions tips the scale in its favor. But Pumpkin may be a good fit for you if your dog is older than ten.
Customer Service & Reputation
Customer Service & Reputation Winner
Pumpkin, founded in 2020, has many customer complaints regarding conditions flagged as pre-existing, rude staff, denying claims, and more. This frustrates customers because they purchase a policy expecting certain things to be covered and reimbursed but feel disappointed by what they get when they need Pumpkin the most.
Nationwide is the largest pet insurance provider, and finding negative reviews for Nationwide isn’t too tricky. According to feedback from our readers, consumer complaints about Nationwide include its benefit schedule not having enough coverage, not paying out claims, low claim reimbursements, being told false information about coverage, high premiums, and more.
In the end, Nationwide wins this category because of its massive customer base and decades of experience compared to Pumpkin. The ratio of negative reviews for Nationwide is better than Pumpkin’s.
Claim Processing
Claim Processing Winner
Nationwide allows 30 days to process its claims but averages four days. A four-day claim process is among the fastest in the industry.
Pumpkin averages 5 days for claim processing. Previously, Pumpkin was averaging 14-28 days.Because of Nationwide’s shorter, more consistent claim processing average, it wins this category.
Price Of Policy
Price Of Policy Winner
Pumpkin has customizable plans with no enrollment fees and a $2 transaction fee for each payment. Meanwhile, Nationwide has four different plans, but not all are available for each dog. Nationwide has no enrollment fee but charges a $2 transaction fee, which can add up over time.
Pricing is based on your pet’s details (age, breed, location, etc.). We recommend obtaining quotes from each company for your specific pet. You can also visit our pet insurance comparison quotes to see a few sample prices we’ve gathered.
On average, Nationwide has some of the lowest premiums, while Pumpkin’s prices tend to fall in the middle but are occasionally among the most expensive. Nationwide is the winner here due to premiums that are typically lower than Pumpkin.
Remember that it’s always best to get quotes for your specific dog to compare what pet insurance could cost you. You can use our pet insurance quote form below to get multiple company quotes when you complete this one-quick form.
Coupons
Pumpkin
Pumpkin offers the following discount:
- 10% off for multiple pets
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.
Nationwide
Nationwide Pet Insurance offers the following discounts:
- 5% off for 2-3 pets covered
- 10% off for 4 or more pets covered
Use this link to take advantage of the best possible price. No promo code is needed.
Plan Customization
Plan Customization Winner
Nationwide offers four different plan options: Whole Pet, Whole Pet With Wellness, Major Medical, and Major Medical With Wellness. The two Whole Pet plans are similar to other pet insurance plans in that they reimburse a percentage of what you paid the vet for treatment. The two Major Medical plans use a benefit schedule that outlines the maximum amount you can expect as reimbursement for any given condition or treatment, regardless of what your vet charges you.
Pumpkin’s plans are similar to Nationwide’s Whole Pet plans, where the policyholder can customize their coverage. However, Pumpkin only offers 90% reimbursement for its plans.
Below are the options from each company. As you can see, Nationwide has more options than Pumpkin.
| Pumpkin | Nationwide | |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible Options | $100, $250, $500, and $1,000 | $100, $250, $500 |
| Payout Options | $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, and unlimited | Limited Per Condition, $5,000, unlimited |
| Reimbursement Options | 80%, 90% | 50%, 70%, 80%, 90% |
| Optional Wellness Plan | | |
| Accident-Only Plan |
What’s The Verdict?
Overall Winner
Nationwide wins in this comparison against Pumpkin. Nationwide is the longest-standing pet insurance company with a faster claim processing average and lower pricing. However, if your dog is older than ten, it’s worth getting a quote from Pumpkin.
If you didn’t find what you were looking for in this comparison, our experts have gone in-depth with individual reviews of Pumpkin and Nationwide.
Our experts have spent thousands of hours researching to bring you our comprehensive and frequently updated pet insurance reviews, including our top picks, along with details on each of the most popular pet insurance companies. So, if you want to know how other providers compare against one another, you may find this review helpful in your pet insurance search.
Methodology
My team and I conduct extensive research on the most reputable pet insurance companies, analyzing customer feedback, policy changes, and industry trends. Our licensed insurance agent fact-checks everything, and we update our reviews year-round as insurers adjust premiums, coverage, exclusions, and customer service.
We rank each U.S. pet insurance provider using a 100-point scale, ensuring an unbiased breakdown of how companies perform in real-world claims.
Our Ranking Criteria
- Coverage & Exclusions (30%) – We analyze policies, exclusions, and age restrictions, rewarding companies with fewer coverage limitations.
- Pricing (15%) – We run thousands of sample quotes and factor in extra fees, discounts, and add-ons.
- Customer Service & Reputation (12%) – We review hundreds of customer experiences, assess the sign-up process, and evaluate claim support.
- Financial Strength (10%) – We examine A.M. Best & Demotech ratings to ensure companies can pay claims reliably.
- Customization Options (10%) – Providers with more deductible, reimbursement, and payout flexibility rank higher.
- Waiting Periods (5%) – Shorter illness & accident waiting periods result in a better score.
- Claim Processing (5%) – Companies offering fast reimbursements and direct vet pay score higher.
- Innovation (3%) – We recognize unique offerings and advanced technology in the industry.
Unbiased Pet Insurance Rankings: Putting Pets First
Unlike many review sites, we don’t sell rankings—every provider earns its spot based on real performance. Our in-depth comparisons help pet parents make informed decisions, while insurers use our reviews to improve their policies. We only recommend the best because that’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.
