Pumpkin pet insurance Review (2023)

PPumpkin Pet Insurance is a popular provider offering various plans and coverages. Pumpkin makes good on its promise to provide comprehensive care, offering pet insurance at a 90% reimbursement rate to all pets regardless of age.

However, Pumpkin falls short compared to the best pet insurance companies when it comes to breaking down financial obstacles that prevent some pet parents from providing this caliber of care. Read on to learn more about monthly costs, coverage options, and more.

Compare the top pet insurance companies to Pumpkin Pet Insurance below with our side-by-side breakdown of coverage, costs, and customer experiences.

Here are our top pros and cons for pet insurance with Pumpkin:

+ Reimburses claims at 90% of the total cost

+ Includes coverage for microchip implants in its standard policy

+ Provides a wellness care package for dogs and cats between 8 weeks and 5 months of age

– Does not provide customer service on Saturdays and Sundays

– Does not have a mobile app

Pumpkin offers one accident-and-illness plan, called Pet Health Insurance, and a preventative care pack for all your scheduled veterinary needs. Learn more about what each plan covers below.

Pumpkin's standard pet insurance plan covers veterinary costs associated with diagnosing and treating accidents and illnesses. The basic plan includes services that some other pet insurance companies only offer at an additional cost, such as microchipping, treatment of behavioral issues, prescription food and alternative therapies like acupuncture.

The Pet Health Insurance Plan also covers the following:

Pumpkin doesn't have any coverage add-ons other than its optional wellness package, which is described below. It prides itself on offering comprehensive base coverage without add-on fees.

Pumpkin also offers an add-on wellness benefits package for routine veterinary care. While not insurance, the Preventative Essentials Pack will provide you with partial refunds for services like an annual checkup and vaccinations. The optional plan costs about $12 extra per month for cats and just under $20 for dogs.

The following are included in the preventive care package for dogs:

The Preventative Essentials Pack for cats includes the following:

Pumpkin has a separate Preventative Essentials Pack specifically for puppies and kittens between 8 weeks and 5 months old that covers four vaccinations, the routine wellness visit and fecal exam for worms or parasites. Pumpkin gives full refunds for up to four vaccines, even if your puppy or kitten has already received some or all of them prior to enrollment.

Every pet insurance plan is defined by a few factors that control how much protection you receive and how much you pay. Pet insurance providers usually offer multiple deductibles, reimbursement rates and annual limits to allow policyholders to customize coverage to their needs. With Pumpkin, every pet gets a 90% reimbursement rate, but the plan's deductible and annual limit are adjustable.

Pumpkin offers four deductible options — $100, 250, $500 or $1,000. Choosing a higher deductible reduces monthly premiums but increases out-of-pocket expenses. A lower deductible means you’ll pay less for covered claims but have higher costs for coverage.

Pumpkin reimburses approved claims at 90% across all plans, regardless of your location or your pet's age. That means policyholders will have to pay 10% of claims after they pay their plan's deductible.

The annual limit of a pet insurance policy is the total amount the insurer is willing to pay during a policy year. Pumpkin offers different annual limits for dogs and cats but includes an unlimited option for both species. Here are Pumpkin's annual limits:

For dogs:

For cats:

Like nearly all pet insurance providers, Pumpkin does not provide coverage for any congenital or hereditary conditions diagnosed before the end of the company's required 14-day waiting period for claims. A waiting period is the amount of time after enrollment before you are eligible to receive reimbursements.

Although preexisting conditions aren't covered, Pumpkin will provide reimbursements for previously diagnosed and treated issues after your pet goes at least 180 days without needing additional treatment or showing any symptoms. This clause does not include knee- or ligament-related problems.

The following are some of Pumpkin's other exclusions:

While Pumpkin is available nationwide, policy details can vary by state, so it is best to download the sample policy for the state in which you live.

Pet insurance waiting periods refer to the length of time after coverage starts in which a condition is considered pre-existing and therefore not covered. While all pet insurers impose waiting periods, they are not always handled similarly.

Pumpkin has a 14-day waiting period for any diagnosis, treatment or surgery related to accidents, illnesses, and ligament and knee conditions. While some providers offer a shorter waiting period for accidents, Pumpkin stands out for applying its standard waiting period to knee injuries and hip dysplasia instead of a condition-specific six-month or one-year waiting period.

Pumpkin dog insurance is $109.74 on average. The company's average cat insurance is $61.57. However, these averages are derived from our sample quotes below, and your individual rates will vary. Pet insurers consider factors such as the age and breed of your pet and your location when determining your risk level and, therefore, pricing.

The quotes included in the chart are based on plans for 4-year-old dogs and cats in Raleigh, N.C. Sample pricing assumes a $15,000 annual limit and $250 deductible for cat plans and a $10,000 annual cap and $250 deductible for dog plans.

Pumpkin's high reimbursement rate on all plans is a standout feature. However, many pet insurance providers also offer a 90% payout option. Even though selecting that option will increase your monthly fee, the amount often comes in lower than Pumpkin's premiums.

For example, Pumpkin's sample quote for a medium-size, mixed-breed dog in Raleigh is $75.93 per month. Using the same plan details, Lemonade's monthly premium with the 90% payout option is about $24 and just $3 more than the same plan at an 80% reimbursement rate.

Although Pumpkin's premiums are higher than many of its competitors, the provider offers three discounts to keep costs down when you meet the eligibility requirements. Policyholders can get 10% off for insuring multiple pets and 10% off for working at a company that partners with Pumpkin. Veterinary staff can also request a discount by emailing the company, although the percentage is not published on Pumpkin's website.

After analyzing more than 100 customer reviews for Pumpkin, we found that customers frequently compliment the company for its high reimbursement rate and quality customer service. Conversely, customers who have not been satisfied with Pumpkin often cite poor customer service and delays in receiving claims payments.

While Pumpkin did not respond to our request for comment on negative customer input or the cons listed above, a representative did give follow-up clarification on many online reviews that the company does provide direct deposit, which significantly speeds up claims payments. Below are some representative customer reviews from Yelp and Google Reviews:

"We got our new miniature English pup around four months ago and read that Pumpkin is one of the best pet insurance companies. We decided to purchase a policy and, sadly, our pup fractured his leg. I submitted four claims, which included examination fees, bloodwork, X-rays, medication and surgery fees all at once totaling just under $6,000 and was paid a 90% reimbursement (minus the annual $100 deductible) via direct deposit in merely two days after submitting our pup's medical record. The process was shockingly fast and an overall straightforward process. Our pup is up and running now. Thanks again, Pumpkin." —T.P. via Yelp

"Pros: Customer service [is] very knowledgeable. Quick turnaround time once a claim is filed. Easy access on [the company's] website. Cons: A little more costly than other pet insurance. [The] wait time to speak to customer service [is] longer than what I consider average. I chose Pumpkin because I felt they offered a plan that had great coverage, and after six months of wellness, preexisting conditions no longer are excluded from coverage. I have only been using pet insurance for two months, however it feels nice to have peace of mind." —Marybeth Cloer via Google Reviews

"Extremely disappointed with Pumpkin lately. I have always had a great experience, however my dog's heartworm medicine has been delayed for 4 months. I have called and sent multiple emails to them.They keep telling me it's on the way and yet it's still not here and putting my dog's life at risk. This does not seem like a company that cares about animals!." —Christine Sommer via Google Reviews

"I’ve had Pumpkin for about a year now. I’m paying about $50 a month for insurance and all I can say is they have saved me hundreds of dollars! [The] only downside is they reimburse you with a check and it takes two to four weeks to arrive. I haven't had any issues with them so far and [am] hoping to not have any. My dog is in and out of the vet all the time. He happens to be allergic to everything, so he's on pills that he has to have probably for the rest of his life (another 10-20 years) and Pumpkin covers 90% of those [costly] pills. [The] only improvement I would make is getting reimbursed faster, since I have to go [to the vet] every month for his pills." —Kim Buus via Google Reviews

It's important to understand a pet insurance company's reputation during the shopping process. Unfortunately, Pumpkin leaves much to be desired in this category. Pumpkin has a D- rating with the BBB and is not accredited by the organization. This doesn't guarantee a poor experience with the company, but its collective public perception may forecast the typical customer experience.

A key area of the customer experience is claims handling. Pumpkin allows policyholders to file claims online using a 20-question form. Simply select the vet of your choice, enter your claim information along with a copy of your vet bill and any relevant medical records and submit. Pumpkin can pay claims via direct deposit or check.

Here's how Pumpkin stacks up against some of your other options for pet insurance:

Pumpkin is available in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Click on your state below to see available providers.

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Pumpkin's basic and preventive coverages are on par with or above industry standards and may be especially appealing if you have a young pet. The company will refund you the full amount of four vaccinations for puppies and kittens between 8 weeks and 5 months of age, even if your pet received those vaccines before you signed up for a Pumpkin wellness package.

Pumpkin's basic and preventive coverages are on par with or above industry standards and may be especially appealing if you have a young pet. The company will refund you the full amount of four vaccinations for puppies and kittens between eight weeks and five months of age, even if your pet received those vaccines before you signed up for a Pumpkin wellness package.

If cost is a primary concern for you regarding pet insurance, competitors like Lemonade and Spot may be worth considering. We suggest you request sample quotes and policies from at least three providers before making a final decision.

If your pet requires veterinary care due to an accidental injury or sudden illness, you must first pay your vet's office for these services in full. Pumpkin customers can sign up for an online account to enter claims for 90% reimbursement of any eligible diagnostic exams and treatment.

The online claims process includes uploading a copy or photo of your paid vet bill and any relevant medical records. Pumpkin handles all claims entirely online. Payments are remitted via check or direct deposit.

Eligible behavioral conditions covered under Pumpkin's accident-and-illness plan include the following:

Yes. Pumpkin covers this common chronic condition in dogs and cats of any age, provided symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hip dysplasia did not occur before the end of the 14-day waiting period after enrollment.

A significant distinction between pet insurance and human health insurance is that most pet policies are not limited to a network of providers. Instead, pet insurance companies like Pumpkin reimburse you for your costs directly, so you can visit any licensed veterinarian within the United States or Canada.

Although Pumpkin's Preventative Essentials package is technically not insurance, receiving reimbursements is much the same as it is for the company's accident-and-illness plan.

After you have paid for your pet's veterinary care, you can upload a copy of your bill to Pumpkin's website. The company will pay you for the actual cost of all eligible wellness services by direct deposit or check. New customers can file for refunds on approved wellness care your pet received at the vet up to two weeks before enrollment.

Puppy and kitten owners with the Preventive Essentials plan can file claims for vaccines (up to four) and any other services included in the plan that were performed before signing up with Pumpkin.

Our review of pet insurance companies is based on in-depth industry research that includes reading hundreds of customer reviews, scoping quote and purchasing processes by secret shopping, speaking to representatives on the phone to assess the customer service experience, and surveying 1,000 dog and cat owners nationwide to determine the most important elements of pet insurance coverage.

We scored each provider on a 100-point scale based on those elements. We then divided this final score by 20 to calculate an overall star rating out of 5.0 stars.

Here are more details about each factor and how it's weighted:

We use our rating system to compare and contrast each company against key factors to help us determine the best pet insurance companies in the industry. To learn more, read our full pet insurance methodology for reviewing and scoring providers.

Mike Miller is a writer with a decade of experience producing product and service content to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. Mike has a bachelor's degree in creative advertising. In his spare time, Mike enjoys riding and fixing motorcycles, reading a good book and spending time with his wife and two cats.

Sabrina Lopez is an editor with over six years of experience writing and editing digital content with a particular focus on home services, home products and personal finance. When she is not working on articles to help consumers make informed decisions, Sabrina enjoys creative writing and spending time with her family and their two parrots.