Pumpkin is one of the newer pet insurance companies in the USA, launched by animal health company Zoetis in 2020. This insurer has one accident and illness plan, available for dogs and cats — so there’s no option to choose accident-only cover, unlike some other pet insurance companies.
There are no restrictions on which vet you can use for treatment and consultation; Pumpkin enables customers to visit any licensed veterinarian in the USA or Canada. Claims can be submitted online
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What does Pumpkin pet insurance cover?
Pumpkin pet insurance plans help cover accidents and illnesses, which include a range of common health conditions — and some services, too. Medical issues your dog or cat can be covered for include eligible:
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Cancer and Chronic Conditions
It’s the leading cause of death in senior dogs, so Pumpkin provides coverage for cancer treatments including radiation and chemotherapy. Other chronic conditions, including arthritis and kidney disease, are also covered. -
Orthopedic Conditions
Orthopedic conditions include hip dysplasia and luxating patella — all common in dogs and cats. -
Digestive illnesses
Digestive illnesses can be frequent — vomiting, diarrhea — or more of a serious concern, with conditions including colitis, pancreatitis and gastroenteritis. -
Eye, ear and skin infections
Pets are prone to different types of eye and ear infections that need treatment to resolve. Skin conditions can make your pet uncomfortable, itchy and sore and can’t be ignored. -
Parasites and Infectious Diseases
Most dogs and cats will be affected by internal parasites at some point; tapeworms, roundworms and whipworms aren’t unusual. Left untreated, these can become a more serious problem. -
Surgery and Specialized Care
Sometimes, surgery is needed to cure medical issues with pets — Pumpkin provides coverage for that, as well as specialized care, emergency treatment, and hospital stays.
Additional pet insurance cover from Pumpkin plans for eligible:
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Microchipping
Microchip Implantation is a way of tagging your pet, so if they’re lost — standard cat behavior — it’s easy to reunite with an owner. Pumpkin covers the cost of microchip implantation by a vet. -
Dental illnesses
Treatment for dental illnesses — periodontal or gum disease included — coverage available. Your pet can also be covered for any tooth extractions as a result of dental injury. -
Behavioral issues
Pumpkin offers coverage for treatment for a range of behavioral issues — such as aggression or separation anxiety — from a vet or an Applied Animal Behaviorist. -
Swallowed objects and toxins
Pets — especially dogs — have a habit of eating things they shouldn’t, some of which can lead to potentially serious issues like bowel obstruction. If your pet has ingested toxins, they need urgent care. -
Advanced Care
Stem cell therapy is a process that can be used to help repair damaged tissue, treating conditions including arthritis and dysplasia. -
Prescription Medication
The cost of any medication prescribed by a vet is covered by your policy, provided it’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Prescription pet food, for certain conditions, is covered, too*.
*Does not cover prescription food & supplements used for weight management or general health maintenance.
Does Pumpkin cover curable pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions aren’t covered by Pumpkin or any other pet insurer. These are injuries, illnesses or chronic conditions that a pet showed symptoms of, or was diagnosed with, before the policy was
taken out, or during a waiting period. But, like some other pet insurance companies, Pumpkin plans may cover some curable pre-existing conditions.
Curable
Pumpkin’s classification of a curable pre-existing condition is if ‘your pet’s pre-existing condition is curable and has been cured and free from treatment and symptoms for a period of 180 days, it is a new occurrence.’ Respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues are typically considered curable conditions as long as they are not caused or related to an incurable pre-existing condition.Incurable
What’s classed as an incurable pre-existing condition can vary by insurer, so double check with Pumpkin, but ligament and knee conditions diagnosed before the policy date won’t be covered. Cancer, arthritis and other chronic conditions are also excluded.Does Pumpkin cover cancer?
Hearing or fearing a cancer diagnosis is always a troubling time for any pet parent, so it’s good to know that Pumpkin pet insurance plans helps cover eligible cancer treatments for dogs and cats.
That cancer treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy, if required, but isn’t limited to those methods, so if your vet has recommended surgery, your pet should be covered for that, too.
With a cancer diagnosis, there’s a lot involved in the process. Pumpkin provides coverage for veterinary exam fees for accidents and illnesses, so consultation, diagnostics and treatment will all be included in your pet insurance policy. As well as surgery, specialized care — which can include the services of an oncologist, a cancer specialist — is also coverage offered by Pumpkin.
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What about hereditary and genetic breed-specific conditions?
Some breeds of dog and cat can inherit health issues from their parents — these are typically known as hereditary, genetic, or breed-specific conditions. Certain breeds of dog are known to be predisposed to particular health problems — Great Danes and cardiomyopathy come to mind, though there are lots of examples.
While some pet insurance companies may not provide coverage for hereditary conditions, or do provide coverage for an additional fee, Pumpkin insurance plans do provide coverage for accidents and illnesses at no additional cost.
If your dog is suffering from a breed-specific condition, they can be covered — unless it’s a pre-existing condition.
Do Pumpkin plans include alternative therapies?
Alternative therapies are included in a Pumpkin pet insurance policy, at no extra cost.
What are alternative therapies? This is the term for treatment that isn’t considered conventional in the medical sense, but can still be beneficial in helping your pet recover from various health issues. Examples are physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, laser treatment and massage. It can also include chiropractic manipulation and osteopathy.
These treatments can help ease pain, improve mobility and reduce swelling — especially as part of a rehabilitation plan after surgery or to treat the symptoms of a chronic condition like arthritis.
24/7 pet telehealth
If you want the peace of mind of knowing that support and advice are always available, Pumpkin does offer a 24/7 pet health helpline — though that comes as part of the Pumpkin Wellness Plan**. This is called Preventative Essentials, and is an optional add-on that costs extra, alongside your pet insurance policy.
This 24/7 support is provided by PawSupport, and can be used when a pet parent needs non-urgent advice on a range of subjects, including any concerns over behavior issues, training queries and symptoms that you might want to discuss. For emergency situations, you should always contact your vet immediately.
**THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE PRODUCT
Do Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans cover vet exam fees?
Examination fees aren’t necessarily included by all pet insurers. But Pumpkin includes examinations, consultations and laboratory tests — for eligible accidents and illnesses — so you can reclaim the cost of such fees.
This means that, if your pet is sufferings from an accident or illness, and you want to get them checked out, you can claim for the cost of a visit to the vet. Though, depending on the deductible on your policy, you may choose not to.
Pumpkin coverage levels
Although Pumpkin offers just one, simple pet insurance plan, pet parents are able to choose the level of coverage on that plan. The coverage amount is the maximum amount a policyholder can claim for every year they have a pet insurance plan. As a general rule, the higher that is, the higher the price of the policy, though there are other factors involved in the overall cost, too.
For dogs, Pumpkin offers three different coverage options:
For cats, annual coverage limits are:
Pet parents can choose from four different annual deductible levels:
Pumpkin waiting periods
In pet insurance terms, a waiting period is the period between someone taking out a policy, and when coverage properly starts — when a claim can actually be made. During the waiting period, you won’t be able to submit a claim for the cost of treatment and other expenses.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance has a 14-day waiting period for diagnosis, treatment or surgery related to accidents, illnesses and ligament and knee conditions. The waiting period begins on the first effective date of the policy. So, any condition that occurs during that waiting period is therefore considered a pre-existing condition.
Review a sample policy for your state specific waiting periods.
What does Pumpkin not cover?
Like all pet insurance companies, there are exclusions in Pumpkin’s coverage. Not everything that could potentially affect your dog or cat’s health and wellbeing will be covered.
We’ve already looked at pre-existing conditions, which are excluded from coverage. But what else isn’t covered by Pumpkin pet insurance? The list includes costs associated with:
- Breeding, pregnancy, nursing or whelping
- Boarding
- Cosmetic procedures
- Grooming or grooming supplies
- Non-medical supplies
- Training
- Dental cleaning (unless it’s to treat a covered illness), or cosmetic, aesthetic and orthodontic dental services
Review a sample policy for a full list of plan exclusions.
Reviews about Pumpkin Pet Insurance 1
‘Grateful for This Level of Support‘
‘I am so grateful for the support I receive from Pumpkin Pet Insurance, every time I take my cat Roz to the vet. I know I’ll be able to afford whatever she needs, so no more dreading or postponing vet visits because of the cost. Customer Service has always been very responsive and kind.’
Diane Pet parent to Roz
‘Fantastic company‘
‘Fantastic company, covered 95% of our puppy plan visit, and all her shots. Fast reimbursement and great peace of mind. Highly recommend!! ♥️ ‘
Carlos
‘I have always been pleasantly surprised…‘
‘I have always been pleasantly surprised the way pumpkin has handled my claims. I work in the veterinary field and I’ve never had such a positive experience as I have with my own dog with pumpkin. I recommend pumpkin to all my clients.’
Lisa
Pumpkin Pet Insurance FAQs
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Yes — like some other pet insurers, Pumpkin does offer a multi-pet discount; useful if you have more than one pet in your household. For every additional pet you get insured with Pumpkin, you receive a 10% discount off a plan.
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The Preventive Essentials Plan** is Pumpkin’s optional wellness plan, available at an additional cost to a core pet insurance policy. Preventive Essentials provides different benefits for dogs and puppies, and cats and kittens.
Dogs get one annual wellness exam fee and two annual vaccinations. The cost also includes a 12-month supply of medication to protect against ticks, fleas, heartworm disease, roundworms, and hookworms for $15.95 a month.Cats receive one annual wellness exam fee and one annual vaccination. The plan also provides a 12-month supply of medication to prevent parasites for $10.95 a month.
**THIS IS NOT AN INSURANCE PRODUCT
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No. Spaying and neutering are considered an elective procedure, which isn’t necessarily required but an optional choice. There are benefits to both, but it’s usually the pet parent’s choice to go ahead with the procedure, so spaying and neutering isn’t covered.
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You can file a claim with Pumpkin Pet Insurance online. Access your account online, head to the claims section, upload a photo of your vet bill and submit. You can also download a claim form, print it out, and email it with a copy of the bill to Pumpkin.
Pumpkin doesn’t have a mobile app. -
No. There are no restrictions on which vet you can use for treatment. Pet parents can seek treatment and care from any licensed vet or specialist in the USA and Canada.
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Yes. Pumpkin pet insurance is available to buy in all 50 US states and Washington, D.C.
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Pumpkin Pet Insurance is underwritten by either Independence American Insurance Company or United States Fire Insurance Company.