Pumpkin pet insurance review 2023
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 3:05 p.m. UTC June 23, 2023
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Pumpkin
Pros
- Extensive preventive care for kittens and puppies. Dogs and cats that are under six months of age can take advantage of a preventive care plan for puppies and kittens. For example, it reimburses you for up to four vaccines (the regular plan covers two).
- Coverage for virtual visits. You can utilize telehealth appointments with a veterinarian and still qualify for coverage. Pumpkin is one of the few that covers virtual appointments.
- Short waiting periods. Pumpkin’s waiting period is only 14 days for accidents and illnesses, including orthopedic conditions.
- Covers microchip. A Pumpkin insurance plan covers the cost of microchipping your pet.
Cons
- No reimbursement percentage choices. With Pumpkin, you only have one choice for the level of reimbursement you choose: 90%. You can’t adjust the percentage to suit your budget.
- No 24/7 vet helpline. Unlike some pet insurance companies, Pumpkin doesn’t have a 24/7 vet telehealth line, which can help cut down on unnecessary vet visits and expenses.
- No accident-only plan. If you’re shopping for a basic accident-only plan, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Why trust our insurance experts
Our team of experts evaluates hundreds of insurance products and analyzes thousands of data points to help you find the best product for your situation. We use a data-driven methodology to determine each rating. Advertisers do not influence our editorial content. You can read more about our methodology below.
- 2,295 rates reviewed.
- 360 coverage details evaluated.
- 5 levels of fact-checking.
Pumpkin pet insurance overview
Pumpkin pet insurance offers accident and illness coverage for dogs and cats, plus an optional preventive wellness package add-on. It isn’t the cheapest pet insurance company, but Pumpkin stands out for its expansive coverage.
Pumpkin was founded by animal pharmaceutical maker Zoetis in April 2020, at a time when the coronavirus pandemic was keeping people indoors and causing a spike in dog and cat adoptions.
Though it doesn’t have a mobile app, the company’s sleek, mobile-optimized website eases the sometimes complicated task of taking out insurance. It has a helpful blog for pet owners and has positive customer reviews on third-party websites.
It’s worth mentioning that Pumpkin uses the same underwriter — United States Fire Insurance Company — as some other pet insurance companies, so expect a similar level of coverage to what you’d find elsewhere. Pumpkin and Spot, for example, have identical sample policies available online.
Learn more: Best pet insurance companies.
Pumpkin pet insurance plans
Pumpkin provides a standard accident and illness policy for dogs and cats of various ages and breeds.
For pet owners who want preventive coverage, Pumpkin offers a supplementary option for covering wellness visits, diagnostics, vaccines and other routine care expenses.
Pumpkin pet insurance waiting period
You have to wait 14 days after buying your Pumpkin plan to get coverage for accidents and illnesses for your pet, a fairly standard timespan in the industry.
Pumpkin stands out for its 14-day waiting period for orthopedic injuries and hip dysplasia, while most carriers require up to six-month waiting periods.
Some pre-existing conditions are covered at Pumpkin if your pet has been cured of the condition and hasn’t experienced related symptoms for 180 days.
What’s covered by Pumpkin pet insurance
These issues are covered by Pumpkin pet insurance:
- Alternative therapies.
- Behavioral issues.
- Bite wounds.
- Broken bones.
- Cancer and related treatments.
- Dental, gum disease.
- Diabetes.
- Digestive illnesses.
- Emergencies, hospitalization.
- Eye, ear and skin infections.
- Hereditary conditions.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Kidney disease.
- Microchip implantation.
- Prescription medicine, supplements and food (for covered conditions).
- Radiology, diagnostic tests.
- Sick and injury visit exam fees.
- Surgery, specialized care.
- Swallowed objects.
- Toxic ingestion.
- Urinary infections.
- Parasites and infectious diseases.
- Stem cell therapy.
- Virtual vet visits.
- Surgery.
- Specialized care.
Pumpkin pet insurance add-ons
Pumpkin lets you expand your pet insurance coverage with a preventive care add-on called Preventive Essentials.
Preventive Essentials
Pumpkin’s Preventive Essentials plan isn’t an insurance policy, but it does allow you to budget for routine care for your dog or cat.
You can use Preventive Essentials the same day you enroll.
Each year, your dog or cat can receive the following with a Pumpkin Preventive Essentials plan:
You might see more expansive coverage on a wellness plan with another insurer. It’s not uncommon for competing companies to offer dental cleanings as part of this add-on, for example.
Pumpkin pet insurance exclusions
Exclusions are conditions that will not be covered by your pet insurance plan.
Pre-existing conditions that occur before the end of your waiting period will be excluded from coverage. This includes any condition your pet has symptoms of, even if they have not been diagnosed.
Curable conditions, such as diarrhea or vomiting, may be covered after your pet is symptom- and treatment-free after 180 days.
Here are additional exclusions outlined in Pumpkin’s sample policy:
- Aesthetic, cosmetic, endodontic or orthodontic dental services.
- Anal sac (gland) expression, treatment and/or resection when no infection is present.
- Boarding.
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping or nursing.
- Cosmetic and elective prostheses or procedures.
- Dental cleanings unless used to treat a covered illness.
- Experimental or investigational treatment or medication (including clinical trials).
- Funeral services, memorial items, urns, caskets or burial plots/fees.
- Grooming or grooming supplies.
- Herbal and herbal-like products (including Cannabis or CBD).
- House call fees.
- Illness or injury that results from intentional, malicious or grossly negligent activities.
- Non-medical supplies (such as toys).
- Non-veterinary services (like administrative fees).
- Organ or heart valve transplants.
- Prescription pet food.
- Preventive care (except for those covered under a Preventive Essentials plan added to the pet insurance policy).
- Supplements and vitamins.
- Training or training devices.
- Veterinary treatment by you, a policy co-owner or an immediate family member.
Pumpkin pet insurance cost
Pumpkin pet insurance costs an average of $49 per month for $5,000 in annual coverage for a dog, or $64 a month for a puppy, according to our analysis of rates.
How much you pay for Pumpkin pet insurance will depend on the annual limit and deductible you choose.
With an unlimited annual limit, for example, the average monthly cost for Pumpkin pet insurance for a dog goes up from $49 to $60.
Pumpkin pet insurance options
Your pet’s age and breed will also determine how much you pay for pet insurance. To show you what your Pumpkin pet insurance costs could be, we compared rates for nine dog breeds at three different ages.
Pumpkin pet insurance average monthly cost based on dog breed and age
How Pumpkin compares to other pet insurance companies
Here’s how Pumpkin compares to companies in our best pet insurance rating.
Pumpkin customer service
Pumpkin makes its phone line available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Monday to Friday. We called on a Thursday afternoon EST and, after selecting an automated option for current customers resolving claims, were connected with a human customer service representative after four minutes of light jazz “hold” music.
Pumpkin allows you to opt into SMS text messaging support. You can also contact its general email and, according to Pumpkin, expect a response in a “day or less.”
Methodology
To find the best pet insurance, we analyzed 18 pet insurance companies using data provided by PetInsurer.com.
Each pet insurance company was eligible for up to 100 points, based on its performance in the following key categories:
Cost: 50 points. We calculated average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans for dogs with unlimited annual reimbursement (or the highest level offered by that pet insurance company), a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage. Average rates were based on quotes for 10 dog breeds, three age groups and multiple ZIP codes. The lower the average rate, the higher the number of points
Annual coverage limits: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an annual reimbursement level of $100,000, or unlimited annual coverage scored in this category.
24/7 vet line: 10 points. Insurance companies that offer access to a 24/7 vet line earned points. Being able to call for medical advice might save you money on vet visits.
Routine wellness plan: 10 points. Pet insurance companies that offer an optional wellness plan add-on scored points. Wells plans can reimburse you for preventative care for your pet.
Pays vet exam fees: 10 points. If a pet insurance plan includes pet exam fees, the insurer received 10 points. If this is offered as a coverage add on, the insurer received 5 points.
Behavioral therapy: 5 points. If a pet insurance company covers behavior therapy in its pet insurance plans, it scored points.
Euthanasia or end of life expenses included: 5 points. If euthanasia or other end of life expenses are covered in pet insurance plans, a pet insurance company scored in this category.
Why some pet insurance companies didn’t make the cut
Of the 18 pet insurance companies we evaluated, nine made our rating of the best pet insurance companies. Companies with higher-than-average rates for accident and illness pet insurance plans, or those with less coverage for comparable cost, did not make the cut.
Pumpkin’s standard pet insurance policy doesn’t cover neutering or spaying your dog or cat. Its preventive care product also doesn’t cover neutering or spaying. Some of the best pet insurance companies cover this elective operation through add-on policies for wellness.
According to our analysis of pet insurance rates, the average cost of Pumpkin pet insurance is $60.35 per month for dogs. This is an average based on a plan with unlimited reimbursement, a $500 deductible and a 90% reimbursement percentage. Your pet’s age, breed, species, your location and coverage choices will determine how much you pay for Pumpkin pet insurance.
Yes, after you insure one pet at full price, Pumpkin offers a multiple-pet discount of 10% off each additional pet you enroll.
Pumpkin’s money-back guarantee allows you to get a full refund if you cancel your policy within 30 days. Cancellations outside the 30-day window will be prorated. New York residents have a year to cancel with a prorated refund.
Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy. The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.
