Pumpkin was created just recently, in 2020, with a mission to provide pet parents with the ability to give their pets the best medical care when they’re hurt or sick, or simply upkeep their wellbeing throughout their lives.
Pumpkin’s team guides their mission and follows five main principles:
- Pets Come First – providing what’s best for pets is always at the forefront;
- Trust the Pack – empower pet families by instilling trust in Pumpkin;
- Jump Fences – go above and beyond to remove obstacles and ensure pets are always taken care of;
- Share Toys – join charitable initiatives and be generous with gifts to bring everyone together;
- Dig New Holes – overcome challenges and provide new ideas to enable a safe and healthy future for every pet.
While Pumpkin is still a novice in the pet insurance industry, they make sure to fill the bowl with new ideas and projects in order to grow as a company and make communities one large human + pet family.
Now, you must be asking a ton of questions. Is Pumpkin pet coverage enough for your cat and/or dog? Can they keep up with the expertise that veteran pet insurance companies have? Are their prices adaptable to your budget?
In this Pumpkin pet insurance review, we’ll answer all these questions and more, so read on.
Pumpkin’s Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No physical exam is required prior to enrolling with Pumpkin | Long waiting period for accidents |
| Short waiting period for ligament and knee conditions – 14 days | Bilateral exclusions for ligament and knee conditions |
| Pet coverage is valid throughout the US, Guam, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Canada | No unlimited annual/lifetime coverage option |
| Options for pet wellness care for dogs + puppies and cats | No accident-only coverage plan is available |
| Reinstatement of curable conditions after no signs of related symptoms have been noticed in 180 days | No coverage for cremation and burial expenses |
| Coverage for genetic conditions, alternative therapies, behavioral issues, and veterinary exam fees | Expensive premiums for senior pets |
| No restrictions for upper age for dogs and cats | $2.00 monthly transaction fee |
| 10% multi-pet discount | |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
Pumpkin’s Key Attributes
- Underwriter: United States Fire Insurance Company
- AM Best Rating: A
- BBB Rating: Not rated
- Exam period: Your pet doesn’t have to go through a full veterinary exam to become eligible for enrollment with Pumpkin. However, Pumpkin requires every medical record or document to be made available to them when you submit your first claim. They’ll use the information to assess your pet’s overall health condition and determine what’s covered and what’s excluded from their insurance policy.
- Increase in monthly premium: Your Pumpkin policy premiums will eventually increase in price over time. This is only possible at policy renewal and the company will notify you about any increases or policy changes at least 60 days in advance. Pet insurance providers impose premium increases due to the veterinary cost fluctuations that depend on your area of residence. Additionally, your pet becomes more susceptible to injuries and illnesses as they grow older, so Pumpkin will factor in this aspect when increasing your premium as well.
- Claim submission time limit: While there is no limit to how many claims you can submit during your policy cycle, you need to remember that each claim has to be filed within a 270-day timeframe from the moment of your pet’s veterinary procedure.
- Claim processing times: Pumpkin guarantees that each submitted claim they receive will be reviewed and processed within 30 days from the moment of filing. While the average time from claim filing, processing, and reimbursement is in fact from 10 to 14 days on average, it is a bit slower than other similar companies on the market.
- Waiting periods: Pumpkin waiting periods are super easy to understand. They are all the same whether accidents, illnesses, or orthopedic conditions are in question. That being said, all of the waiting periods are 14 days. After this period your policy goes into full effect and every claim after this period is eligible for reimbursement. Pet preventive care with Pumpkin has a waiting period of only one day.
- Accidents – 14 days;
- Illnesses – 14 days;
- Wellness – 1 day
- Orthopedic conditions – 14 days;
- Pet insurance coverage with Pumpkin is valid all across the USA with every licensed veterinarian, specialist, or emergency clinic. Additionally, your pet will be covered with Pumpkin’s pet insurance policy when you travel to Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands.
- Bilateral conditions are partially excluded from pumpkin’s pet coverage. While some remain covered, ligament and knee conditions such as knee tissue disorders, patella, meniscus, or ligament conditions are excluded if they affect your pet at least once in its lifetime.
Pumpkin’s Insurance Plans
Pumpkin offers four pet insurance plans – Pumpkin Dog insurance and Pumpkin Puppy Insurance, which are essentially the same plan, and Pumpkin Cat Insurance and Pumpkin Kitten Insurance, again, one insurance plan designed for felines in mind.
These industry-leading pet health insurance plans offer coverage for accidents and illnesses encapsulating everything your sick pet might encounter. All things from diagnostics, therapy, and prescription medications, to emergency care, surgery, and rehab therapy are covered.
The difference between the canine and the feline plans lie in the annual claim limit options. The ones for dogs are different from those designed for cats. The rest is fundamentally the same. Below we’ll review the customizable benefits that are available with all Pumpkin pet insurance plans.
- Pumpkin Dog insurance and Pumpkin Puppy Insurance:
- Annual benefit amounts: $10,000 and $20,000;
- Annual deductibles: $100, $250, and $500;
- Reimbursement percentages: 90%.
- Pumpkin Cat Insurance and Pumpkin Kitten Insurance:
- Annual benefit amounts: $7,000 and $15,000;
- Annual deductibles: $100, $250, and $500;
- Reimbursement percentages: 90%.
All of the waiting periods on these plans amount to 14 days, even those dedicated to orthopedic conditions.
Kittens and puppies need to be at least 8 weeks old to be able to acquire Pumpkin’s pet coverage, but there is no limit to how old your pet should be to become a member of the Pumpkin family.
You can use your Pumpkin pet coverage at every licensed veterinary clinic in the country, including specialists and emergency clinics. Besides, your coverage is valid in Canada and territories under US protection (Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands).
Finally, you can get your reimbursement from Pumpkin in the form of a check through regular mail, eCheck through email, and direct deposit in your bank account.
What’s Covered With a Pumpkin Policy
Pumpkin will cover all of the unexpected illnesses and accidents that pose a threat to your pet’s life and wellbeing, no matter which insurance plan you decide to go for.
Even though Pumpkins converge is drafted in great detail, we feel it’s pretty important that you should try and always be in the loop with all of the details of your coverage.
For that purpose, we’ll include the most important instances that come included with your Pumpkin pet insurance policy, however, we recommend that you access a sample policy for your state and ensure you go through even the minor clauses.
- Illnesses – digestive issues, UTIs, infections of the ears and skin, diarrhea, vomiting, heartworm, and many more;
- Accidents – fractures and bodily trauma, ingestion of foreign bodies, poison control, lacerations, car accidents, ligament tears, bites, wounds, burns, cuts, sprains, bruises, and many more;
- Hereditary and genetic conditions – heart disease, IVDD, eye disorders, diabetes, upper respiratory infections, liver disease, glaucoma, cataracts, and many more;
- Chronic conditions – arthritis, allergies, epilepsy, asthma, and more;
- Orthopedic conditions – elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, and orthopedic conditions that concern ligaments and knees but haven’t been observed before;
- Cancer treatment – chemo and radiotherapy;
- Non-routine dental treatments – tooth extractions and tooth injury repairings resulting from accidents;
- Alternative therapies – hydrotherapy, homeotherapy, stem cell therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, and many more;
- Behavioral treatments – destructive chewing, tail chasing, depression, fur pulling, anxiety, aggression, excessive licking, and much more;
- Veterinary exam fees;
- Prescribed medications – drugs that are approved by the FDA and used to treat the conditions that are covered by Pumpkin’s pet insurance policy including foods prescribed by a veterinarian for the same use;
- Tests and exams – diagnostics, laboratory exams and tests, and consultations including but not limited to blood panel, urinalysis, CT scans, MRI scans, ultrasound, hematology, and more;
- Surgery and hospitalization – hospital care, rehab, physical therapy, and more;
- Microchip implementation;
- Euthanasia as a recommendation by a veterinarian to terminate a pet’s life.
Pumpkin makes pre-existing conditions, which are not natively included in your coverage, to enter the list of covered conditions in your policy under the condition your pet goes symptom-free for the related condition for at least 6 months (180 days). After this period Pumpkin will reinstate the condition and will provide coverage in case your pet is affected again in the future.
What’s Excluded From Pumpkin’s Coverage
To keep things affordable and accessible to more economic groups, Pumpkin imposes exclusions in its pet coverage. That means that if your pet is affected by any of the exclusions listed below, you cannot receive reimbursement for the vet bills regarding an excluded condition.
This is the list of excluded items mentioned in the Pumpkin’s pet insurance policy:
- Pre-existing conditions;
- Cosmetic and elective treatments such as ear cropping, nail trimming, claw removal, tail docking, and more;
- Cosmetic and aesthetic orthodontic and endodontic procedures for dental purposes such as dental cleaning, caps, crowns, implants, root canals, and more;
- Anal gland (sac) expression, resection, and related treatments;
- Ligament and knee conditions that affect any side of the pet’s body;
- Pet wellness care such as spaying/neutering, deworming, vaccinations/titer, wellness exams, health certificate, and more (available as an optional add-on);
- Boarding fees;
- Breeding, pregnancy, whelping, and nursing;
- Dental cleanings performed for non-routine purposes;
- Final respects expenses such as cremation, burial, caskets, urns, memorials, and more;
- Experimental treatments and medications;
- Bathing and grooming;
- Additional supplies including but not limited to bedding, toys, leashes, ramps, and others;
- Any injury or illness that is inflicted intentionally by you or a member of your close family;
- Organ transplants;
- Activities that include organized fighting, guarding, coursing, racing, or law enforcement.
Pumpkin’s Wellness Plans
Doggos and cattos need more than just pet insurance to stay permanently healthy. Visiting your vet even if nothing’s wrong with your pet and ensuring they are routinely checked up and treated preventively will guarantee a long and happy life.
For that reason, Pumpkin designed two Preventive Essentials plans to provide an optional set of benefits that can be added to your Pumpkin insurance plan.
These two Preventive Essentials plans are tiered to offer more benefits for more money; they’re simply dedicated to different pets. One is designed to aid wellness care for dogs and puppies, and the other provides everything that cats need to stay optimally healthy.
Here’s every wellness benefit that you can be fully reimbursed for if you sign up for one of the Pumpkin Preventive Essentials plans:
| Type of Wellness Benefits | Included Benefits |
|---|---|
| Preventatives | Dewormer to Prevent Intestinal Parasites Injectable Heartworm Disease Preventive |
| Vaccines | Vaccine for Disease Prevention Vaccine Titer to Check Immunity Status for Diseases |
| Wellness Diagnostics | Advanced Blood Chemistry Panel Advanced Wellness Blood Screening Standard Wellness Blood Screening Fecal “Poop” Test for Intestinal Worms & Giardia Fecal “Poop” Test for Intestinal Worms Fecal “Poop” Test for Giardia Blood Test for FIV, FeLV & Heartworm Blood Test for FIV & FeLV Spay/Neuter Pre-Anesthetic Bloodwork ProBNP Blood Test for Heart Health Complete Urinalysis for Bladder Health T4 Blood Test to Check Thyroid Health Blood Test for Heartworm & Tick Diseases Dental Strip Test for Periodontal Disease Ultrasound for Routine Preventive Care X-Ray for Routine Preventive Care SDMA Test for Kidney Health Blood Pressure Test for Routine Preventive Care |
| Wellness Exams | Wellness Exam Fee |
| Wellness Services | Wellness Anal Gland Expression Nail Trim Spay/Neuter Anesthetic Spay/Neuter Anesthesia Monitoring Spay/Neuter Fluid Support Spay/Neuter IV Administration Spay/Neuter Post-Operative Laser Therapy Spay/Neuter Pre-Anesthetic Exam Spay/Neuter Surgery Spay/Neuter Take-Home Pain Medication Rabies Tag for Proof of Vaccination |
With the Pumpkin Preventive Essentials plan, every cat has the right to obtain one benefit from each benefit type per a single policy cycle (12 months), for free.
Dogs, on the other hand, get to claim one of each benefit type, with the exception of vaccines from which they can receive two per a policy term (12 months) for free, and two wellness diagnostic benefits (one blood panel test and one fecal “poop” test). Puppies younger than 6 months can receive their full set of four vaccines, but only one wellness diagnostic (the fecal “poop” test).
The Pumpkin Preventive Essentials plan can be obtained only by adding it to your base Pumpkin Pet Insurance policy. It costs $11.95/month for cats and $18.95/month for dogs since they can receive more benefits.
On top of everything, when enrolling in this plan, your pet will receive a welcoming kit that includes a pet toy.
Extra Features
Pumpkin came around about the same time as Covid-19 did. As the pandemic progressed around the country and the world, closing business left and right, health and veterinarian clinics had to double their efforts and keep their doors open for all our precious pets’ essential and emergency needs.
Pumpkin decided they wanted to express their gratitude for the sacrifice that vets constantly do, so they launched the #ArfMeowForVets program.
The initiative consists of raising a small amount of money each time a pet parent thanks their veterinarian. Everyone who writes a “thank you” note to their pet’s veterinarian and snaps a pic of it next to their pet, then shares it on their Facebook or Instagram, will incentivize Petplan to donate $5 to that veterinarian clinic.
If you wish to help with the program, make sure to include the hashtag #ArfMeowForVets and tag @pumpkinpetcare on your post. Pumpkin will donate $5 for each thank you post – up to $5,000 for each veterinarian clinic Covid-19 relief fund.
Pumpkin’s Pricing Quotes
We’ve combed through Pumpkin insurance quotes through and through and made certain there is no stone left unturned.
When prices are concerned, we obtain a number of quotes to figure out who is Pumpkin most suitable for, price-wise. After our extensive thorough research, we concluded that pet parents of young fur babies would benefit from a Pumpkin pet insurance policy the most.
Mixed cat and dog breeds have the most affordable premiums, as is the practice with every pet insurer, especially if enrolled while they’re still young. But, even pure breeds can get decent pet coverage from Pumpkin if you ensure to sign them up while they’re still in their cradles.
Pet insurance prices are always subject to your pet’s age, breed, size, and the location where you reside. The older they are and the costlier your area of living is, the higher the price of your premium will be.
Finally, you can pick a lower annual claim limit and a higher deductible option to ensure a more affordable monthly premium.
Pricing Quotes for Dogs
| Breed | German Shepherd | French Bulldog | Labrador Retriever |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | Male | Female |
| Age | 2 years 4 months | 4 years 2 months | 6 years 6 months |
| Location | New York | California | Colorado |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Claim Limit | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Pumpkin Pet Health Insurance for Dogs | $66.29/month | $69.94/month | $105.85/month |
*quotes obtained in August 2021
Pricing Quotes for Cats
| Breed | Siamese | Persian | Abyssinian |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Male | Male | Female |
| Age | 2 years 5 months | 4 years 1 month | 8 years 2 months |
| Location | New York | Colorado | California |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Claim Limit | $7,000 | $7,000 | $7,000 |
| Reimbursement | 90% | 90% | 90% |
| Pumpkin Pet Health Insurance for Cats | $27.12/month | $42.24/month | $32.76/month |
*quotes obtained in August 2021
Discounts and Savings
You can always add an additional pet to your Pumpkin pet insurance policy, whether that’s at the time of enrollment or any moment later during your policy period. But, each time you do so, Pumpkin will reward you with a 10% multi-pet discount on your additional pet’s insurance policy.
Play smart and enroll the pet with a higher premium as an additional pet. That way you can apply the discount on their premiums and save more money.
There’s also the 30-day money-back guarantee as well. You can enroll with Pumpkin to only try their service and get a full refund on your first payment if you cancel the subscription within the first 30 days. Note that you can’t file any claims during this period if you want to obtain your refund.
How Does Pumpkin Compare With Its Competitors?
We dedicate this section to compare Pumpkin with some of their competition to see how they stand out from the pack. Every bit of information regarding Pumpkin and their rivals will be included in the comparison tables below.
This will help you evaluate what and how much each of these pet insurers provides, so you can narrow down your search and focus on the details that matter the most to you.
In this comparison, Harville, Figo, and ASPCA Pet Insurance will measure their strengths against Pumpkin. Let’s dig in.
Pumpkin vs. Hartville
Pumpkin and Hartville are extremely similar to each other. This is probably due to the fact that both are owned by Crum & Forster Pet Insurance Group™ and underwritten by the United States Fire Insurance Company. However, they have their differences as well.
Hartville offers a standalone accident-only plan and has a lot more options for annual claim benefits. Hartville has been a part of the industry for much longer than Pumpkin and it’s rated A+ with the Better Business Bureau®.
| Feature | Pumpkin | Hartville |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Effective | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada |
| Reimbursement | 90% of covered expenses | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses |
| Co-Payment | 10% | 10%, 20%, or 30% |
| Deductible | $100 – $500 | $100 – $500 |
| Type of Deductible | Annual | Annual |
| Claim Limit Options | $10,000 and $20,000 for dogs$7,000 or $15,000 for cats | $2,500 – $10,000 |
| Accident-Only Plan | Not available | Available |
| Wellness Plan | Available | Available |
| Unlimited Benefits Plan | No | No |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Orthopedic Conditions Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Bilateral Exclusions | Yes | Yes |
| Chronic Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary and Congenital Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral Issues | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Required for Enrollment | No | No |
| Available At Any Vet Clinic | Yes | Yes |
| Microchip | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Pet Age Limit | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Maximum Pet Age Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Entry Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Multi-Pet Discount | 10% for each additional pet | 10% for each additional pet |
| Claim Repayment | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) | Within 30 days (14-16 days on average) |
| Direct Vet Bill Payment | No | No |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| AM Best Rating | A | A |
| BBB Rating | Not rated | A+ |
*companies compared in August 2021
Read the full Hartville Pet Insurance review.
Pumpkin vs. Figo
Figo is a great alternative to Pumpkin if you’re looking for worldwide pet insurance coverage. The company has one of the shortest waiting periods as well (24 hours for accidents) and the claim processing takes only about 1 to 4 days on average.
Nevertheless, Figo charges a one-time entry fee of $15.00, something you won’t experience with pumpkin. Their premiums are quite expensive as well.
| Feature | Pumpkin | Figo |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Effective | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada | Worldwide |
| Reimbursement | 90% of covered expenses | Choice of 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of covered expenses |
| Co-Payment | 10% | 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% |
| Deductible | $100 – $500 | $100 – $1,500 depending on pet’s age |
| Type of Deductible | Annual | Annual |
| Claim Limit Options | $10,000 and $20,000 for dogs$7,000 or $15,000 for cats | $5,000, $10,000, or Unlimited |
| Accident-Only Plan | Not available | Not available |
| Wellness Plan | Available | Available in most states except AK, CO, FL, ID, MO, NJ, NY, UT, and WA |
| Unlimited Benefits Plan | No | Yes |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 14 days | 1 day (3 days in AK, CO, FL, ID, MO, NJ, NY, UT, and WA) |
| Orthopedic Conditions Waiting Period | 14 days | 6 months (only applies to dogs) |
| Bilateral Exclusions | Yes | Yes |
| Chronic Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary and Congenital Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral Issues | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Fees | Yes | Optional add-on |
| Exam Required for Enrollment | No | No |
| Available At Any Vet Clinic | Yes | Yes |
| Microchip | Yes | Optional add-on |
| Minimum Pet Age Limit | 8 weeks | 8 weeks |
| Maximum Pet Age Limit | No limit | No Limit |
| Entry Fee | $0.00 | $15.00 |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Multi-Pet Discount | 10% for each additional pet | 5%-10% for each additional pet (depending on the state) |
| Claim Repayment | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) | Within 10 days (1-4 days on average) |
| Direct Vet Bill Payment | No | No |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| AM Best Rating | A | A- |
| BBB Rating | Not rated | B |
*companies compared in August 2021
Read the full Figo Pet Insurance review.
Pumpkin vs. ASPCA Pet Insurance
ASPCA Pet Insurance is another similar insurance provider to Pumpkin. They share the solid multi-pet discount option and available wellness coverage for cats and dogs. However, ASPCA offers to pay your vet bill directly, so you don’t bother with claims and reimbursement. The company is also the only one that offers pet insurance coverage for horses.
Despite these advantages, ASPCA Pet Insurance has a long claim repayment process and it doesn’t provide an unlimited claim benefits option.
| Feature | Pumpkin | ASPCA Pet Insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage Effective | USA, Puerto Rico, Guam, US Virgin Islands, and Canada | USA, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and US Virgin Islands |
| Reimbursement | 90% of covered expenses | Choice of 70%, 80%, or 90% of covered expenses |
| Co-Payment | 10% | 10%, 20%, or 30% |
| Deductible | $100 – $500 | $100 – $500 |
| Type of Deductible | Annual | Annual |
| Claim Limit Options | $10,000 and $20,000 for dogs$7,000 or $15,000 for cats | $3,000 – $15,000 |
| Accident-Only Plan | Not available | Available |
| Wellness Plan | Available | Available |
| Unlimited Benefits Plan | No | No |
| Accidents | Yes | Yes |
| Illnesses | Yes | Yes |
| Illness Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Accident Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Orthopedic Conditions Waiting Period | 14 days | 14 days |
| Bilateral Exclusions | Yes | Yes |
| Chronic Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Hereditary and Congenital Conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Cancer | Yes | Yes |
| Dental Coverage | Yes | Yes |
| Prescription Medicine | Yes | Yes |
| Alternative/Holistic Therapy | Yes | Yes |
| Behavioral Issues | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Fees | Yes | Yes |
| Exam Required for Enrollment | No | No |
| Available At Any Vet Clinic | Yes | Yes |
| Microchip | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Pet Age Limit | 8 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Maximum Pet Age Limit | No limit | No limit |
| Entry Fee | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Monthly Transaction Fee | $2.00 | $2.00 |
| Multi-Pet Discount | 10% for each additional pet | 10% for each additional pet |
| Claim Repayment | Within 30 days (10-14 days on average) | Within 30 days (14-16 days on average) |
| Direct Vet Bill Payment | No | Yes |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| AM Best Rating | A | A |
| BBB Rating | Not rated | A+ |
*companies compared in August 2021
Read the full ASPCA Pet Insurance review.
Customer Service
Pumpkin offers all the standard customer service channels so you can communicate all of the questions you may have regarding your policy, coverage, premiums, account information, and everything else.
You can use the following options to get in touch with a Pumpkin representative:
- Phone:
1-866-ARF-MEOW (1-866-273-6369)
Available: Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm EST - Text:
1-559-853-4779 - Email:
help@pumpkin.care - Live chat:
Available: Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm EST
To submit and review claims, you can use the Pumpkin member portal where you can upload your veterinary invoice. Pumpkin’s website is made readily responsive for mobile use, however, they still lack a mobile app. The company doesn’t offer access to a 24/7 live vet helpline as well.
Customer Reviews
Our mission at ProtectMyPaws is to always strive to provide the most unbiased content possible. However, we realize that there are moments when we need to step down and let others speak freely. Customers revealing their real-life experience with a service is of the utmost importance when evaluating a service.
To better understand the entire picture, we’re dedicating this section to some real customer testimonials, both positive and negative. Dig in to learn what they have to say about Pumpkin.
Positive Pumpkin Pet Insurance Reviews
So far so good! Our Louie had a bad bacterial infection (3 types of bacteria) over several months. The bills were piling up. It was out of the ordinary this came about. Not long after submitting it, I was reimbursed in my bank account. What a relief!
Definitely fast claim payment and decent price of the premium = one satisfied dog owner and customer of Pumpkin Insurance! Thanks Pumpkin for getting our backs. I think I may add the wellness coverage too.
Marianne G.
Pumpkin is amazing. After getting a recommendation from the breeder to sign up for pet insurance with a particular company, I did some research and found Pumpkin. Not only were their prices much more reasonable, but the claim process was also easy, and I received my payment within one or two days. Thank you Pumpkin!!!
Khinckson K.
Although I have only been using Pumpkin insurance for a month, so far they have been wonderful! I filed a claim for my dog’s first check-up after we adopted him, and even though this took place prior to his eligibility date, they did reimburse the allowable amount very quickly. The claim that was denied (which was no surprise, I just submitted it to have his records updated), a representative reached out to me to ensure I understood my EOB and offered to follow up with me if I had any questions. I am very pleased with my selection of pet insurance.
Stacey W.
Love Pumpkin! I’ve never had pet insurance before so I had a bunch of questions when I first started using them. Their customer service was super helpful. My kitten injured her paw which required a few visits to the vet. I was extremely grateful that I decided to get insurance after not getting it with my first cat. I’d highly recommend it if you have a puppy or kitty that likes to get into trouble!
Danielle V.
Signed my dog Pokey up for Pumpkin Petcare and it worked great. Pokey got her annual visit as well as vaccines covered by Pumpkin, as well as tick and flea medication. I was promptly and easily reimbursed by them with little fuss or back and forth. Appreciate the easy communication and smooth reimbursement.
Akansha D.
Negative Pumpkin Pet Insurance Reviews
This “insurance” is a great way to waste money. In my experience with a $1,000+ vet bill, the only thing covered was an exam fee and a vaccine, totaling less than $100. They don’t cover basic x rays or even blood work, part of what should be considered standard diagnoses/check-up items. I pay Pumpkin ~$90 per month, obviously, I’m canceling. The whole operation has big scam energy, they’re raking in major dollars while reimbursing virtually nothing. 0/10 would recommend, you’ll literally save money paying at the vet out of pocket.
Melissa M.
Proceed cautiously! Pumpkin denied a claim for our French Bulldog saying it was a pre-existing condition. He had an episode of vomiting which could have been attributed to anything under the sun. He could have eaten something, been bit by something, or anything else for that matter. There was no diagnosis. The vet simply treated him with a Cerenia injection. No diagnosis was made. Pumpkin then denied the claim saying it was a pre-existing condition. WTF?!
Misty M.
I canceled my plan because it’s honestly not worth it. Had the accident and illness plan along with the essential pack. Filed a claim for a wellness exam and instead of being reimbursed for it, the money went towards my deductible. The employee I talked with was nice and tried to figure out why that happened but I still got no money back. I called to cancel and the employee I spoke with apparently never canceled my plan because I was charged for the next month.
Sam
Conclusion
After evaluating every single aspect in our Pumpkin pet insurance review, it’s time we declare our final thoughts on Pumpkin’s service.
Our overall assessment of Pumpkin’s pet insurance coverage is generally positive. They have a single plan that envelops all of the conditions and health risks your pet might encounter in the future, including hereditary conditions and the fees you need to pay for veterinary exams.
Their wellness plans are unusual but great by ensuring you get the proper preventive care needed for your pet to grow and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
However, Pumpkin doesn’t offer an unlimited claim payout option and premiums can inflate rather quickly as your pet grows into adulthood.
With this in mind, only you can bring the final judgment and decide whether Pumpkin is a good option for your pet and not a huge hit on your bank account. To discover other different pet insurance solutions, visit ProtectMyPaws and feel free to browse around.
Pumpkin’s Alternatives
Petplan is a great alternative to Pumpkin since the company offers cremation and burial included in its pet coverage at no extra charge. Petplan also throws in benefits like vacation cancellation reimbursement due to a sick pet, boarding cattery or kennel fees in case you need to stay hospitalized, and advertising your lost or stolen pet including rewards. These benefits aren’t included in Pumpkin’s coverage (they rarely are with any pet insurance company).
If pet wellness care is something you absolutely care about, Banfield Pet Hospital might be a much better option than Pumpkin’s pet Preventive Essentials plan. The company specializes in providing specifically routine care for cats and dogs. Besides the benefit of having unlimited office visits with Banfield, they also cover pre-existing conditions, unlike Pumpkin and all other pet insurance companies.
Our last Pumpkin alternative is Prudent Pet. The company is a top-rated pet insurance solution out there with affordable preventative care options and sizable discounts. While they’re still a novice and haven’t rolled out a smartphone app, Prudent Pet is amazing by offering unlimited benefit payouts and imposing no upper age restrictions on cats and dogs.
F.A.Q.
Why would I pick Pumpkin over another pet insurance company?
Your fur baby deserves the best options that will maintain the promotion of its healthy lifestyle and habits. While we have no definitive decision on which pet insurer is the best, we would recommend Pumpkin if the following aspects are your priorities:
- Pumpkin provides pet coverage regardless of your pet’s age and they don’t limit it as your pet grows older;
- They have a 90% reimbursement rate;
- Their pet coverage plan is compact in one simple policy; there’s no need to purchase extra add-ons;
- Exam fees, prescription foods, hereditary options, and behavioral issues are covered at no extra cost;
- Orthopedic conditions such as ligaments and knee injuries and hip dysplasia have a waiting period of only 14 days;
- If you decide to enroll more than one pet, each additional pet would grant you a 10% discount on their Pumpkin policy premium.
Is Pumpkin well rated among online reviewing services?
Absolutely! Pumpkin has a solid rating on reviewing websites such as Trustpilot and Yelp. The company has also been frequently mentioned by many relevant financial and business magazines. The Business Insider deemed Pumpkin the “Best Pet Insurance for Comprehensive Coverage” for 2020.
Is it possible to have the free quote that I have requested from Pumpkin saved?
Yes! If you entered all of your information correctly when you were requesting your Pumpkin quote, you should’ve received an email on the email address that you’ve provided. There should be a link to your quote where you can review it any time you wish.
Where can I download Pumpkin’s mobile app?
Sadly, Pumpkin still doesn’t have a mobile app, but its website is optimized for all devices like desktop screens, smartphones, and tablets, so your experience should be seamless anywhere you visit the website.
I understand that Pumpkin may increase my premiums as my pet grows older. Will the number of claims I file make a difference in this aspect?
Indeed, Pumpkin will probably increase your premium with time as your pet ages and to adapt to the rise in veterinary costs. However, your premiums will remain unchanged no matter how many claims you file with Pumpkin.
