Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review

Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review

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Pets deserve the same quality care as humans, but many pet parents have trouble affording the care their pet needs when it’s unexpected. If you’re worried about expensive vet bills popping up out of nowhere, having pet insurance might give you the peace of mind you need.

Pet insurance is similar to health insurance for humans in that it acts as a backup plan. You’ll always have access to the care your pet needs without having to choose between treating your pet and paying your rent. Pumpkin is one of many pet insurance companies out there.

Read on to learn what you need to know about Pumpkin to decide if it’s the right option for you.

About Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Pumpkin Pet Insurance believes “the best treat is a healthy life.” Any pet owner wants nothing more than to keep their pets happy and healthy, and Pumpkin is here to help.

Owning a pet can be expensive, but Pumpkin seeks to help make those costs a little lower. Their comprehensive pet insurance plan covers accidents and illnesses, as well as a number of things other plans don’t. They also offer add-on coverage for preventive care which includes your pet’s annual wellness visit, vaccines, and fecal tests.

Here’s what Pumpkin has to say:

“While pet ownership & adoption rates are at an all-time high, 1 in 4 families are unable to provide the veterinary care they want for their pet, mostly due to financial barriers. We created Pumpkin because we believe all parents should be able to give their pets medical care if they’re sick or hurt, and preventive care that keeps them healthy throughout their lives.”

At Pumpkin, these are the 5 guiding principles:

1. Pets come first
2. Trust the pack
3. Jump fences
4. Share toys
5. Dig new holes

Pumpkin values pets, humans, and families as a whole and does everything they can to support them. Pets are at the center of everything and they want to “jump fences” by overcoming obstacles in the industry. Pumpkin is generous with giving and they’re always willing to “dig in” to challenge conventions in the pursuit of creating a better future in pet health care.

Read on to learn the basics about Pumpkin, their plans, and their coverage.

How Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance Work?

Pet health insurance is similar to health insurance for people, but it is a little bit different when it comes to processing claims. The idea is to help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, but with pets, you’ll have to pay for the entire service upfront. You can then submit a claim to have up to 90% of covered costs reimbursed. That’s how Pumpkin pet insurance works.

Here are the details you need to know for Pumpkin pet insurance:

1. Pet Insurance Plans

While many pet insurance plans offer different levels of coverage, Pumpkin keeps things simple with a single plan. You can customize your plan’s deductible ($100, $250, or $500), but all plans have a 90% reimbursement rate and a $10k (dogs) or $7k (cats) annual coverage limit. Pumpkin’s pet health insurance covers accidents and illness, but they also offer a preventive care package.

The Pumpkin pet policy covers the following major categories:

• Accidents and illnesses
• Diagnostics and treatments
• Prescription medications
• Emergencies and hospitalization
• Surgery and specialized care
• Hereditary/congenital conditions
• Dental and gum disease
• Behavioral issues
• Advanced care (like chemotherapy)
• Prescription food
• Six exam fees
• Alternative therapies

Here’s a quick review of the coverage Pumpkin pet insurance offers:

All pet insurance plans have exclusions, and none cover pre-existing conditions. If you want to have the most comprehensive coverage possible, consider getting both a pet health insurance plan and the Preventive Essentials plan for your pet.

2. Pricing

When it comes to pet insurance, prices vary quite significantly. Your individual price will depend on the type of pet you want to insure (dog or cat) as well as the pet’s size and age. Generally speaking, younger pets are more affordable to ensure because they tend to be healthier – your premium will likely go up as your pet gets older. That being said, we found Pumpkin’s pricing to be at the higher end of the spectrum for even very young pets (2 or 3 years old).

The best way to find out how much Pumpkin costs is to request a quote. To give you an example of two different pets, we’ll use a 3-year-old mixed-breed male dog weighing 50 pounds and a 2-year-old female mixed-breed cat.

Here’s the breakdown of plan pricing:

Though Pumpkin tends to be a little more expensive than most of the pet insurance plans we’ve reviewed, they offer one of the higher multi-pet discounts. You’ll receive 10% off your total monthly cost by enrolling multiple pets, though you’ll still be charged a $2.00 fee per transaction.

3. Waiting Periods

Most pet insurance companies require a waiting period to help reduce insurance fraud. Pet insurance is designed to help cover unexpected costs, so you won’t be able to purchase a policy if your pet is already sick and expect the plan to pay for treatment.

Pumpkin requires a 14-day waiting period for accidents, illnesses, and ligament and knee conditions. The waiting period starts on the effective date of coverage and any condition that occurs within the waiting period will be considered pre-existing.

4. Claim Limits

Many pet insurance companies set a limit on the amount you can request reimbursement for per accident or illness. At Pumpkin, you only have to worry about an annual limit that resets each year. For dogs, that annual limit is $10k and, for cats, it is $7k.

Here’s what Pumpkin says about these limits:

“Based on United States Fire Insurance Company data, August 2019. The data shows less than 1% of insured dog parents typically submit claims totaling over $10,000 in a policy year and less than 1% of insured cat parents typically submit claims totaling over $7,000 in a policy year.”

In other words, you’re unlikely to need more coverage than the plan provides. Some pet insurance companies offer annual limits up to $20,000 or even unlimited plans, but you’ll pay a higher premium for them and may never get anywhere close to the limit.

5. Deductibles

A deductible is the amount you pay for covered services before the plan starts to offer reimbursement – deductibles are on top of your monthly premiums. At Pumpkin, your deductible renews annually.

To help you understand how a deductible works, imagine you have a plan with a $250 deductible. If your pet’s first covered visit costs $600, you’ll be responsible for the first $250. After that, the plan will reimburse the remaining $350 at 90%.

With Pumpkin pet insurance, you can choose from three different deductibles: $100, $250, or $500. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be.

6. Pre-Existing Conditions

No pet insurance company covers pre-existing conditions. In other words, you won’t be able to receive reimbursement for any condition your pet has been diagnosed with or treated for before you purchased the plan (or during the waiting period). Different companies have a different length of time they consider for pre-existing conditions, but it lasts at least 12 months before the policy begins.

Here’s how Pumpkin defines pre-existing conditions:

“Illness, disease, injury, or change to your pet’s health that first occurs or shows symptoms before coverage is effective or during a waiting period. This includes conditions that are related to, secondary, or resultant from a pre-existing condition.”

One thing to note about Pumpkin pet insurance is that they will cover pre-existing conditions if they are cured. This refers to pre-existing conditions your pet has been cured from, free from treatment and symptoms, for at least 180 days. This doesn’t apply to knee and ligament conditions.

7. Optional Coverage

Part of being a responsible pet owner is being proactive about protecting your pet’s health. Veterinarians recommend annual wellness exams and routine vaccinations to promote long-term health and wellness, and Pumpkin offers optional plans to help offset the cost of those treatments.

Here’s what Pumpkin has to say about preventive coverage:

“Our preventive care pack covers these yearly essentials, so it’s easier to help your pet avoid preventable illnesses and catch parasite infections early – when treatment can help the most!”

Pumpkin’s preventive care plans cover these essentials:

• Annual wellness exam
• Vaccines (2 per year)
• Yearly blood test and fecal test

It’s important to note that Pumpkin does not sell their preventive care packages separately from pet insurance plans. If you cancel your pet health insurance plan, your preventive coverage will be terminated as well.

8. Pets Covered

Pumpkin offers pet insurance for dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies. If your pet is under 1 year old, you may want to consider the Preventive Essentials Pack which includes an annual wellness exam, 4 start vaccines, and an annual fecal test. You may even be able to get a full refund for 4 vaccines received any time before enrolling.

Pumpkin Customer Reviews

If you’re considering pet insurance, it’s a good idea to do your research. Every pet insurance company is different, and it’s always helpful to find out what current or past customers are saying about the brand.

Here are some positive reviews and negative reviews from real customers:

Positive Reviews

“I debated getting pet health insurance for my two cats for a few years, but I didn’t move forward until I found Pumpkin. No other provider I looked into offered preventative care coverage or dental coverage, while preventative care is the bulk of my vet costs. I have so much peace of mind knowing that I can spread out the cost of my cats’ health care over the year instead of being surprised with large bills.”- Mariah P. of Wilmington, DE

“Signed my dog and cat up for Pumpkin and really appreciate that there is finally a pet insurance company that makes preventive meds and care a priority. Pumpkin reached out to my vet to take care of getting their Rx, and both my pets got their flea and tick meds delivered within a week, complete with a personalized note and toy for each of them. From the signing up online to getting their first box in the mail- and even having their care team proactively reach out to make sure they had the info they needed for a speedy refund – everything about the Pumpkin experience has been purrfect.”- Julia J. from Brooklyn, NY

Negative Reviews

“Quite alarmingly, after speaking to the customer representative to understand why my dog’s claim was denied, they refused to let me speak to anyone else on the matter. Pumpkin will let both you and your pets down. They deserve better.”- Mesa P. of Long Island City, New York, NY

“After having coverage for about 3 months, Olive was due for her annual checkup with her usual vet. She had elevated liver enzyme levels, so the vet recommended further testing and an ultrasound. We, of course, agreed to this. We submitted our claim afterwards expecting for the overage after deductible to be covered… but no. Pumpkin handily denied it, citing “pre-existing condition” as a blanket reasoning, leaving us with over $1000 in charges for the testing.”- Leo C. from New York, NY

How Do You Sign Up?

Signing up for pet insurance is usually pretty simple. You just need to provide some information about your pet and your location for Pumpkin to give you an accurate quote. You can then customize your plan in a few ways to adjust your premium, if desired.

Here’s the information you’ll need to provide:

• Your pet’s name and species
• Additional pets (10% off for each)
• Your pet’s sex, breed, and age

Once you fill out this basic information, Pumpkin will ask a series of questions to help pair you with the best plan for your needs. This may include questions about your pet’s lifestyle and your own preferences for coverage. If you’re not satisfied with the recommendation, you can view all the options instead.

When you’re taken to the quote page, you’ll see the price for Pumpkin pet health insurance AND the Preventive Essentials Pack. If you want to purchase insurance only, simply click the link below the box.

Is Pumpkin Pet Insurance Worth It?

It’s difficult to say definitively whether pet insurance is worth it because every pet parent’s situation is different. If your pet is young and healthy, the amount you’d spend on monthly premiums might be wasted on a plan you never use. If you wait too long to insure your pet, however, he may end up with pre-existing conditions that no company will cover.

At Pumpkin, they try to walk the line between providing comprehensive coverage and keeping things simple. You may pay a little more for Pumpkin pet insurance, but this company covers things other plans don’t. Plus, pre-existing conditions can be considered cured if your pet is treatment- and symptom-free for 180 days. You can also purchase optional wellness coverage.

In the end, there’s no way to say for sure whether Pumpkin pet insurance is worth it. It’s one of the pricier companies out there and some customers report issues with reimbursement, but the comprehensive coverage is certainly a draw.

Click Here to Get A Quote on Pumpkin Pet Insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns Pumpkin pet insurance?

Pumpkin Insurance Services, Inc. is an insurance agency, but not an insurer. Their plans are underwritten by the United Sates Fire Insurance Company, a Crum & Forster Company, and produced by Pumpkin.

How to cancel Pumpkin pet insurance?

You can cancel your Pumpkin insurance plan at any time by contacting the company. If you haven’t filed any claims, you may be able to cancel with a full refund within 30 days.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover cremation?

Yes, Pumpkin covers what they call “end of life” fees but they don’t cover funeral services, memorial items, or burial plots.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover hip dysplasia?

Yes, Pumpkin covers hip dysplasia as long as it isn’t a pre-existing condition.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover allergy testing?

Yes, Pumpkin covers diagnostic testing including allergy testing as long as it isn’t a pre-existing condition.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover blood work?

Yes, Pumpkin covers diagnostic testing related to accidents and illnesses which includes bloodwork, as long as it isn’t for a pre-existing condition.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover dental?

Pumpkin covers the cost of services related to dental disease and injury, but they don’t cover routine dental cleanings for pets.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover emergency visits?

Yes, Pumpkin covers emergency visits including sick exam fees.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover neutering?

No, Pumpkin does not cover the cost of spay/neuter surgery.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover medication?

Yes, Pumpkin covers prescription medications related to covered conditions.

Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover prescription food?

Yes, Pumpkin covers prescription food as long as it is related to the treatment of a covered condition. They don’t cover prescription diets for prevention or general health maintenance.