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- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
- The insurance advice, products, and links below are intended for and only available in the states where Rover Pet Insurance Services, LLC is licensed as an insurance producer.Insurance advice, products, and links contained in this article are currently intended for and only available in the states where Rover Pet Insurance Services, LLC is currently licensed as an insurance producer. As we expand our licensing to other states we will update our websites and links. If you are located in a state in which we are not currently licensed, but would like to learn more about pet insurance products available in your state, you may contact a licensed insurance agent or broker in your state. The information provided below is offered for educational and informational purposes only. If you have questions regarding particular plans, you should reach out to your insurance company for more information.
With its strong coverage options and lauded customer service, 3-year-old Pumpkin Pet Insurance may be a good option for pet parents who want broad, extensive coverage in one standard plan—including sick exam fees—and don’t mind limited flexibility with their annual deductible and reimbursement limits.
Pumpkin may not be the best choice for those who just want a stripped-down, bare-bones policy for pet emergencies—it doesn’t offer accident-only plans, so if that’s something that appeals to you as a pet parent, you may want to consider other providers.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review: Pros and Cons
Pros | Cons |
Flexible annual limit options, including unlimited | Only one reimbursement rate |
Virtual vet visit coverage | No vet helpline |
14-day waiting period* for all conditions (including orthopedic) | No accident-only plan |
Coverage for alternative therapies to treat eligible conditions | No mobile app |
Coverage for behavioral issues | |
Coverage for dental illnesses
|
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Coverage for curable conditions | |
Coverage for vet exam fees related to accidents and illnesses
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Who is Pumpkin Pet Insurance best for?
Pumpkin’s extensive accident and illness plan is comparable to Spot’s—our top pick for pet insurance. We think it’s best for pet parents who want broad coverage across a wide range of health conditions, but don’t need quite as much flexibility as a provider like Spot offers in financial customizations.
Pumpkin may also be a good choice for pet parents who prioritize a kind and helpful customer service experience, as Pumpkin has an enthusiastic pet parent following in some corners of the internet.
Which pet owners may want to look elsewhere?
Most pet insurance providers offer policyholders a choice of three reimbursement rates: 70%, 80%, and 90%. Pumpkin only offers 90%, which means that pet parents can’t select a lower reimbursement rate to help bring down their premiums. Pumpkin believes that 90% is the best reimbursement option, so they only offer that to customers.
Pumpkin also doesn’t offer an accident-only plan. Accident-only plans may be particularly appealing to pet parents on a limited budget who want simplified catastrophic insurance without the bells and whistles—and the costs—of a standard accident and illness plan.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance: A Brief Overview
Annual Deductible Options | $100, $250, $500, $1,000 |
Reimbursement Options | 90% |
Annual Limit | $7,000 to unlimited for cats, $10,000 to unlimited for dogs |
TrustPilot Rating | 4.6/5 |
Founded | 2020 |
Phone Number | 866-273-6369 |
Waiting Periods | 14 days* |
Sample Policy | https://www.pumpkin.care/sample-plan/# |
Headquarters | New York, NY |
App | No |
Telehealth | No |
Claim Reimbursement Timeline | Typically processed within 2-4 days |
State Availability | All 50 states and Washington, D.C. |
Coverage Available: One Standard Plan and a Wellness Add-On
Pumpkin’s pet insurance offering is pretty straightforward—they offer one standard accident and illness plan. They also have a wellness package, Preventive Essentials, which is not insurance, but an optional add-on. Below are a few examples of what’s covered under a standard Pumpkin insurance plan:
- In-clinic or virtual vet exam fees for accidents or illnesses
Behavioral issues (when diagnosed by a vet) - Parasitic infections
- Prescription food* (when prescribed by a vet)
- Alternative therapies
- Surgeries and hospitalizations
- Microchipping
- X-rays, MRIs, CT scans
What isn’t covered under Pumpkin’s pet insurance plans?
- Spaying and neutering
- Breeding costs
- Cosmetic procedures
- Herbal supplements
- Funeral services (but it does cover end of life expenses)
- Illness or injury that results from negligence
- Boarding fees
- Dental cleanings, unless used to treat a covered condition
Please review a sample policy for a full list of exclusions.
Wellness add-on
Pumpkin offers one preventative care package—otherwise known as a wellness add-on—that pet parents can add to their standard insurance plan. Wellness packages, or plans, differ slightly depending on your provider, but they typically help cover routine care that you can plan for, like vaccinations, dental cleanings, and annual exams.
Pumpkin’s wellness package is called Preventive Essentials, which is not standard insurance, but an optional add-on. It offers 100% reimbursement each year for:
- 4 Vaccinations for puppies, 2 for dogs, and 1 for cats
- 1 Annual wellness exam fee
- 1 Screening for parasites like heartworm and ticks for dogs
- 1 Fecal test for intestinal worms
If you’ve got a puppy between the ages of 8 weeks and 5 months and receive their vaccinations before you sign up for a wellness plan, Pumpkin will refund you the full amount of four vaccinations.
Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance cover spaying and neutering?
Pet insurance providers typically do not cover spaying and neutering under a standard plan, but many will reimburse you up to a certain amount under a wellness plan or package. Pumpkin does not offer spay or neuter coverage under its wellness package.
Customizations: Deductibles, Reimbursement, and Coverage Limits
Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans offer plenty of coverage limits and deductible options, including an unlimited coverage option for both cats and dogs. Pumpkin’s coverage limits work a little bit differently than other providers: they have different limits depending on if you’re insuring a dog or a cat.
Most providers also typically offer a range of reimbursement choices, while Pumpkin simply offers 90%.
Deductible options:
- $100
- $250
- $500
- $1000
Reimbursement amounts:
- 90%
Coverage limits:
- $7000 (cats)
- $10,000 (dogs)
- $15,000 (cats)
- $20,000 (dogs)
- Unlimited (both)
Pre-Existing and Hereditary Conditions
Like virtually all pet insurance providers, Pumpkin doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions (any illness, injury, or disruption to your pet’s health that first shows symptoms before coverage begins or during the waiting period).
However, a condition may be covered if it becomes a “curable” pre-existing condition, which means the condition is curable, cured, and has shown no symptoms or required treatment in over 180 days. Depending on the provider, that period of time typically falls between 6 to 18 months.
Pumpkin’s curable pre-existing condition requirement falls at 180 days (6 months), among the best compared to competitors. Note that Pumpkin, like most pet insurance providers, makes an exception for knee and ligament issues, which cannot be considered curable.
Hereditary conditions, ones that are passed down genetically, are covered as long as no signs are present before the policy starts and the waiting period is over. Similarly, congenital illnesses, defects a pet is born with, are also covered if no signs present themselves before the policy begins and the waiting period is over.
Waiting Periods
Pumpkin has a blanket waiting period of 14 days* for accidents, illnesses, and knee and ligament issues. While other providers do offer slightly shorter waiting periods for accidents—typically just a few days—pet parents may appreciate the short waiting period for ligament issues. Many other pet insurance providers have a lengthy waiting period for orthopedic conditions, often up to 6 or even 12 months. This can be an especially long time to wait, particularly if you have an older pet or a breed prone to orthopedic issues.
Age Limits and Breed Restrictions
Any dog or cat must be at least 8 weeks old to qualify for a Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan, but there are no upper age limits or breed restrictions.
Dental Coverage
Pumpkin’s dental coverage is extensive compared to many other pet insurance providers. It covers dental illnesses (including gum disease), along with any of the following that may be used to treat illness:
- Exams
- X-rays
- Treatments
- Surgery
- Prescription medications
- Tooth extractions (including ones for dental injuries)
Pumpkin also covers cleanings related to dental illness, but excludes standard cleanings unrelated to an illness or condition.
Coverage for Holistic and Behavioral Therapies
Pumpkin offers coverage for behavioral issues, which it defines as “an illness or condition, either social or medical, that results from your pet’s action, inaction, or temperament that is abnormal, dysfunctional, or unusual.” A few examples of conditions that may be covered include excessive chewing or licking, fears and phobias, separation anxiety, and aggression.
Pumpkin also covers alternative therapy, as long as it’s performed by a veterinarian or at a facility with a supervising vet. While Pumpkin doesn’t specifically outline a list of included therapies, it defines alternative therapy as “treatment that doesn’t generally fall within the realm of conventional veterinary medicine as used by the American Association of Rehabilitation Veterinarians (AARV).” Some common ones include acupuncture, chiropractic, and hydrotherapy.
Other Features
Pumpkin has a few other features within their policy that make their plans pop.
Virtual visit coverage: Although Pumpkin doesn’t offer a 24/7 helpline, it does cover telehealth appointments with a veterinarian. So if you’re struggling to get an appointment with a vet in your immediate area, Pumpkin will cover telehealth appointments with other vets that may be easier to schedule with.
Microchipping coverage: Most providers don’t cover the cost of microchipping implantation, and if they do, it’s often under an add-on. Pumpkin covers microchipping under a standard plan.
Exam fee coverage: When related to an accident, illness, or injury, Pumpkin covers exam fees you may incur.
Customer Experience
A solid customer service experience can be a major benefit to many pet parents, especially when you consider that navigating the world of insurance isn’t easy.
Here’s a high-level overview of Pumpkin’s customer service.
How to get in touch
There are a few different ways that policyholders and or prospective customers can contact Pumpkin.
Online chat: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday
Email: Send an email to help@pumpin.care; the company says they respond in a day or less
Phone: Call 1-866-ARF-MEOW 8 a.m – 8 p.m. ET Mon-Fri and 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday
How to submit a claim
Although Pumpkin doesn’t yet have its own app like many other pet insurance providers, they have a relatively easy member login center policyholders can use to submit claims. Pet parents enter their claim info online along with a copy of their vet bill and any pertinent medical records.
If they prefer, customers can also download a paper claim from their account instead. After they fill it out, they can email the form and their itemized vet bill to claims@pumpkin.care.
How to receive your reimbursement
Pet parents can choose to be reimbursed via direct deposit or paper check, which may take a little longer. Pumpkin notes that claims processing time will differ depending on the case.
How to cancel a policy
If you cancel your Pumpkin pet insurance within 30 days of purchasing, you can receive a full refund (assuming you haven’t filed any claims during this time).
Pumpkin Pet Insurance rankings and reviews
Pumpkin currently has an excellent 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot.
On Trustpilot, a large number of satisfied customers praised Pumpkin’s quick and easy claims process along with their dependability and warm and friendly staff. One customer also wrote that Pumpkin went above and beyond and sent her flowers after her dog passed away.
Discounts
Policyholders can get a 10% multi-pet discount off for each additional pet they insure.
How We Reviewed
When reviewing pet insurance coverage, Rover takes many factors important to pet parents into consideration, including breadth of coverage, customizability, waiting period convenience, customer service experience, and more. We take a close look at customer satisfaction scores on TrustPilot and Better Business Bureau, while acknowledging that each pet parent has their own experience that may not apply to every consumer.
Further Reading
- Is Pet Insurance Worth It? How To Know If It’s a Good Deal for Your Pet
- What Does Pet Insurance Cover, and How Does It Work? A Beginner’s Guide
- How Does a Pre-Existing Condition Affect Pet Insurance Coverage?
- The Best Pet Insurance Wellness Plans: How Preventive Care Add-Ons Work
- How To Choose the Right Insurance for Your Pet
- How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
- What To Know About Waiting Periods and Pet Insurance
- What Are Pet Insurance Deductibles, and How Do You Pick One?
- When Should You Get Pet Insurance?
PRESCRIPTION FOOD & SUPPLEMENT COVERAGE TERMS: A Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan covers prescription food & supplements to treat an eligible accident or illness. It does not cover prescription food & supplements used for weight management or general health maintenance.
30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE TERMS:
Full refund of insurance monthly premium, only if no covered claims have been filed. Not available in all states. New York residents will receive a prorated refund for the remaining days in the month.
MAINE WAITING PERIOD INFORMATION:
For Maine residents, plans have no accident waiting period and a 14 day illness coverage waiting period applies to the first policy period. Maine residents may elect at their cost to pursue a Waiting Period Health Assessment. If you and your pet meet the requirements of the Waiting Period Health Assessment, then the waiting period may be modified. Refer to our Notice for Maine Residents for more information.
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, discounts, and rates may vary and are subject to change. Insurance products are underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company (NAIC #2658; Scottsdale, AZ), or United States Fire Insurance Company (NAIC #21113; Morristown, NJ); and are administered & produced by Pumpkin Insurance Services Inc. (“Pumpkin”) (NPN #19084749; New York, NY; CA License #6001617). Please refer to your policy forms to determine your policy’s underwriter. Pumpkin is a licensed insurance agency, not an insurer, and receives compensation based on the premiums for the insurance policies it sells. Preventive Essentials is not an insurance policy, and is not available in all states. It is offered as an optional add-on non-insurance benefit. Pumpkin is responsible for the product & administration. For full terms, visit pumpkin.care/customeragreement. Form #100706