Pumpkin vs

Pumpkin & MetLife: Key Differences

While Pumpkin and MetLife (also known as PetFirst in some states) both offer pet insurance plans for accidents & illnesses and an optional wellness package or routine care benefit, there are some key differences to be aware of when choosing which provider is right for you and your pet. Let’s dig in…
Pumpkin plans cover recurring incidents of ingested foreign bodies. MetLife plans don’t.
With Pumpkin insurance plans, treatment for all eligible conditions is covered, regardless of whether there is a repeat occurrence within 18 months of the first treatment date. MetLife’s policy states that they won’t cover “More than one (1) anesthetic removal of an ingested foreign body in one (1) period of insurance.” For example, if your puppy gets into the trash and eats something toxic, your Pumpkin plan would cover that treatment. If a similar episode happened again a year later, your plan would be able to cover that, too.
Pumpkin plans for dogs don't have a 180-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
Pumpkin insurance plans have the same waiting period for all accidents & illnesses: 14 days.* This includes coverage for orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament injuries (AKA knee ligament injuries), bone fractures, and hip dysplasia. These conditions are very common and can happen at any age. If surgery is needed to repair a bone or ligament, it can cost thousands, so it’s important that you’re covered as quickly as possible. With MetLife insurance plans in certain states, dogs have a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic condition coverage.
Pumpkin plans give you up to 270 days to submit a claim. MetLife plans don’t.
At Pumpkin, we understand that after a sudden accident or illness happens, submitting your claim for reimbursement might not be top of mind. That’s why we give all policyholders up to 270 days (over 8 months) to submit your claim to us. MetLife plans give you a 90 day time limit to submit a claim, which is only 3 months.
Pumpkin plans offer a 10% multi-pet discount for every additional pet. MetLife plans may not.
We know pet care can be expensive – especially when you have more than one four-legged family member to budget for. That’s why Pumpkin plans offer a 10% multi-pet discount for each additional pet you enroll. MetLife plans only offer a 5% multi-pet discount for your first additional pet, then 10% for additional pets after that.
It’s ALWAYS possible to get full value each year from Pumpkin’s optional wellness package.

Pumpkin’s wellness package is called Preventive Essentials. It’s not insurance, but an optional benefit you can easily add to your insurance plan for a monthly fee. Designed with leading vets to help you plan and pay for crucial routine care your pet needs to stay healthy, Preventive Essentials gives you a 100% refund each year for an annual wellness exam fee, key vaccine(s), and important parasite screening test(s). To get the most out of your package – all you have to do is use these 3 benefits.

MetLife’s optional Routine Care Benefit can also be added to their insurance plan for a monthly fee. The benefit comes in 5 levels, each offering different reimbursement amounts up to a capped amount per service, per year. It currently covers up to 10 routine care services with the highest tier of coverage. MetLife’s Routine Care Benefit can be helpful if you use most of the services offered, but not everything on the menu is a typical yearly expense (e.g., deworming, microchipping, spay/neuter procedure). Whatever benefits you don’t use in the year term, you lose – there are no carryovers. Plus, one service on their list – treatment for behavioral issues – would already be included as a basic benefit of your Pumpkin insurance plan.

Compare Plans

Type of Insurance
Accident & Illness
Accident & Illness
Reimbursement Rate
90% of covered vet bills
50%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of covered vet bills
Annual Coverage Limit

$10k, $20k, or unlimited for dogs
$7k, $15k, or unlimited for cats

$500-unlimited
Deductible
Annual Deductible with flexible pricing options
Annual Deductible with flexible pricing options
Illness Waiting Period
14 days in most states*
14 days in most states*; 180 days for orthopedic conditions in dogs depending on the state
Accident Waiting Period
14 days in most states*
Midnight following the enrollment day in most states;* 180 days for orthopedic injuries in dogs
All Pets Ages 8 Wks. & Up Are Eligible to Enroll
All Pets Eligible to Enroll, Regardless of Health
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions
Chronic Conditions
Behavioral Issues
Dental Illnesses
Illnesses Preventable by Vaccines
Parasite Infections
Exam Fees for Accident & Illness Related Vet Visits
Diagnostics, including Radiology & Lab Tests
Surgery, Emergency Services & Hospitalization
Specialized Care
Alternative Therapies
Prescription Meds
Prescription Supplements to Treat Covered Conditions
Prescription Food to Treat Covered Conditions
Microchip Implantation
*
End of Life Services
Cremation and burial expenses only
Wellness Package / Benefit

Preventive Essentials package:
(Not insurance, but an optional add-on)

100% refund of the following routine care services each year:
+ 1 Annual Wellness Exam Fee
+ 4 Vaccines for Puppies, 2 for Dogs, 1 for Cats
+ 1 Fecal “Poop” Test for Intestinal Worms
+ 1 Blood Test for Heartworm & Tick Diseases or Heartworm Only (for Dogs)

Routine Care Benefit:
5 benefit levels that reimburse an annual amount ranging from $125-$575 for a list of up to 10 routine care services

Discount for Multiple Pets
10% off for each additional pet
Varying discount when you insure multiple pets each with their own policies
Money Back Guarantee
30 days, as long as you have not received approval or payment for a claim (except in NY)
30 days, as long as you haven't submitted any claims, whether approved or denied
Claim Submission Period
270 days (in states that permit restrictions)
90 days (in states that permit restrictions)

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