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Pumpkin Pet Insurance Review 2025
July 1, 2025
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Pumpkin Pet Insurance Overview
Pumpkin is a newer pet insurance provider, launched in 2020 by animal health company Zoetis. It has quickly become known for its broad coverage and focus on preventive care. Pumpkin operates in all 50 U.S. states and offers one standard accident & illness plan (with up to 90% reimbursement) plus an optional wellness add-on for routine care. Unlike some competitors, Pumpkin has no upper age limit for enrollment – even senior pets can be insured. Customers also get a 10% multi-pet discount for each additional pet enrolled.
Pros: Pumpkin covers many conditions and treatments that some other insurers don’t, such as dental illnesses, behavioral issues, alternative therapies, prescription food, and even microchip implantation. It also offers an “urgent pay” Pumpkin🐾Now service that can reimburse big claims ($1,000+) within minutes of approval, helping you pay the vet before leaving the clinic. Another plus is the relatively short 14-day waiting period (even for orthopedic issues like knee injuries), whereas some insurers impose 6+ months for those conditions.
Cons: On the downside, Pumpkin’s premiums tend to be on the higher end for pet insurance. You pay extra for its extensive coverage. Its wellness/preventive care plan is somewhat limited in scope (covering only basics like one annual exam and a few vaccines). Pumpkin also has no mobile app for managing your policy (you use the website instead). Finally, customer reviews are mixed – many pet parents praise Pumpkin’s fast claims and coverage, but others have complained about denied claims or high costs.
Coverage and Benefits
What’s Covered
Pumpkin’s standard plan is quite comprehensive. It covers accidents and illnesses including exam fees, diagnostics, surgery, medications, hospitalization, dental illnesses, hereditary conditions, behavioral therapy, alternative therapies, cancer treatment, and more. Notably, vet exam fees for injury/illness visits are covered (some pet insurers charge extra for this). Pumpkin also covers prescription diets and supplements when prescribed for a covered condition – a benefit many competitors exclude.
All eligible claims are reimbursed at 80% or 90% of costs, depending on the reimbursement rate you choose (Pumpkin’s default is often 90%). You can customize your annual coverage limit ($5,000 up to Unlimited) and deductible ($100 up to $1,000) to suit your budget.
Preventive Care
For routine wellness, Pumpkin offers an optional add-on (formerly called Preventive Essentials or Wellness plan). This add-on will reimburse 100% of certain preventive services – like one annual wellness exam, a set number of vaccines, and parasite screenings each year. However, the wellness plan’s coverage is limited to those basics. For example, it might pay for an annual heartworm test but not the monthly heartworm preventative medication.
It doesn’t cover spay/neuter, dental cleanings, or extensive routine bloodwork, which some other insurers’ wellness plans might include in part. In short, Pumpkin’s wellness add-on helps with routine vet visits, but serious pet parents may find it a bit narrow in scope.
What’s Not Covered
Pumpkin excludes the standard list of pre-existing conditions (any issue noted before coverage or during the waiting period). Like all pet insurers, Pumpkin will not pay for intentional injuries or neglect, cosmetic procedures (e.g. ear cropping), or breeding-related costs. Routine care not included in the wellness plan (e.g. elective dental cleanings) is also not covered.
One quirk: Pumpkin does not cover herbal or holistic supplements (like CBD) outside of prescriptions. Also, Pumpkin doesn’t currently offer things like a 24/7 vet advice hotline, which some competitors include as a perk.
Pricing and Discounts
Pumpkin’s premiums are above average, reflecting its broad coverage. How much does Pumpkin cost? Rates vary by your pet’s breed, age, and location. For example, monthly premiums range roughly from $43–$148 for dogs and $20–$82 for cats for typical plans. Large breed or older dogs will be on the higher end of that range. Pumpkin’s comprehensive coverage does come at a price – in fact, Pumpkin often costs more than other pet insurers that have lower coverage levels.
To potentially save, Pumpkin offers a 10% multi-pet discount on each additional pet’s policy. There’s also sometimes a discount if you pay annually instead of monthly (around 5-10% in some cases). Pumpkin’s policies come with a 30-day money-back guarantee (full refund if you cancel within 30 days and haven’t filed a claim), which can ease the risk of trying it out.
When budgeting, remember you’ll still pay the vet bill up front and then get reimbursed. Pumpkin’s claims are processed fairly quickly – within about a week on average – and the Pumpkin🐾Now service can pay you back in as little as 15 minutes for large claims that qualify. This fast reimbursement can be a lifesaver for big vet bills. However, note that Pumpkin requires you to meet an annual deductible (you choose the amount) before reimbursements start.
They use a deductible-first calculation, which actually yields a slightly higher payout than some competitors’ method. For example, on a $2,000 vet bill with a $500 deductible and 90% coverage, Pumpkin would reimburse $1,350 (you pay $650), whereas some other insurers would reimburse $1,300 under the same scenario.
Customer Experience and Reviews
Claims & Service
You can file Pumpkin claims online through their website (there’s no mobile app, but the site is mobile-friendly). Claims typically are paid within 5-7 days, via check or direct deposit, once approved. Pumpkin’s standout feature is PumpkinNow, which, if you set up in advance, can approve and pay qualifying emergency claims (>$1k) while you’re still at the vet – sometimes before you even swipe your card. This is a huge relief in urgent situations.
Pumpkin’s customer care is available by phone and live chat on weekdays and Saturdays. Many customers report friendly and helpful service agents, and some veterinarians even speak highly of Pumpkin’s support to clients.
Customer Ratings
Pumpkin earns high marks on some review platforms. For instance, Pumpkin has a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot (based on 1,700+ reviews as of mid-2025). Satisfied customers often say Pumpkin paid out as expected and praise the peace of mind it provides. On the flip side, negative reviews tend to focus on claims being denied due to conditions deemed “pre-existing” or delays in reimbursement.
The Better Business Bureau page for Pumpkin has several complaints from pet owners who felt their claims were unfairly denied as pre-existing even when the condition was new. Some also felt Pumpkin’s sales outreach was aggressive or premiums rose over time. Such polarizing feedback is not uncommon in pet insurance – people who never need to claim often love their policy, while those with denied claims are understandably upset.
Overall, Pumpkin’s reputation is mixed but generally positive. It’s clear that Pumpkin pays out generously for many policyholders (especially for costly emergencies), but you should read the fine print on waiting periods and exclusions to avoid surprises. If your pet has any prior health issues, assume those pre-existing conditions won’t be covered (unless your pet has been symptom-free for 180+ days and the issue was cured). As long as you understand what’s covered and not, Pumpkin’s coverage can be a lifesaver in serious situations.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance FAQs
Is Pumpkin Pet Insurance worth it?
Yes, Pumpkin Pet Insurance is worth considering if you want robust coverage for your pet and don’t mind paying a higher premium for peace of mind. Pumpkin earned 5 out of 5 stars in NerdWallet’s review and is considered an industry leader with a broad range of benefits that many competitors lack. It’s especially valuable for owners of breeds prone to costly health issues or senior pets (since Pumpkin has no age limit).
Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance cover pre-existing conditions?
No, Pumpkin (like almost all pet insurers) does not cover pre-existing conditions. Any injury or illness that showed symptoms before your policy’s start date (or during the 14-day waiting period) will be excluded from coverage. The only exception is for curable conditions: if your pet had a condition in the past that was fully cured and symptom-free for at least 180 days, Pumpkin will consider it no longer pre-existing.
Is Pumpkin Pet Insurance more expensive than other providers?
Yes, in general Pumpkin’s premiums are on the higher side compared to many other pet insurance providers. Pumpkin’s comprehensive plans often cost more per month because they cover more conditions (like dental illness, exam fees, etc.) and have high reimbursement rates. For example, monthly costs can be around $40–$100+ for a dog (depending on breed/age), which is higher than some competitors that might charge $20–$50 for basic coverage.
Does Pumpkin Pet Insurance cover vet exam fees?
Yes, Pumpkin’s standard plan covers the exam fee your vet charges for an accident- or illness-related visit. This is a significant perk – many pet insurers do not include exam fees by default (or they require buying an add-on). With Pumpkin, if your pet gets sick or hurt, the consultation fee the vet clinic charges for the exam will be reimbursed just like medications or procedures would be. Routine wellness exam fees, however, are only covered if you’ve added the wellness plan.
Is there an age limit for enrolling in Pumpkin Pet Insurance?
No, Pumpkin does not have any upper age limit – you can insure a pet of any age, whether a 8-week-old kitten or a 15-year-old senior dog. This is a big advantage of Pumpkin over some competitors that might stop offering new policies once a pet is above a certain age (e.g. 8 or 10 years old).
Keep in mind that for older pets, Pumpkin’s premiums will be higher (since age is a factor in cost) and pre-existing condition exclusions still apply. But you can start a Pumpkin policy for a senior pet, which can help with unexpected ailments in their golden years. There are also no breed restrictions – all breeds of cats and dogs are welcome on Pumpkin policies.
Conclusion
Pumpkin Pet Insurance provides one of the most comprehensive pet insurance offerings on the market in 2025. It excels in covering a wide array of health issues and has unique features like instant claim payouts and no age limits. While it comes at a premium price, many pet owners find the broad protection and peace of mind worth the cost – especially in the face of a major vet emergency. If you’re looking for top-notch coverage for your furry family member, Pumpkin is definitely a contender for “best in show.”
Before you sign up, be sure to compare quotes and consider your budget and your pet’s specific needs. And if you do choose Pumpkin (or any pet insurer), Kudos can help you get more out of it – for example, by identifying which of your credit cards will give you the most cash back or rewards points when paying your pet insurance premiums.
With the right coverage in place and a little help from tools like Kudos, you can focus on enjoying life with your pet, knowing you’re financially prepared for whatever comes your way.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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