Pumpkin vs
Pumpkin & Nationwide: Key Differences
While Pumpkin and Nationwide both offer pet insurance plans for accidents & illnesses, there are some key coverage differences you should be aware of when choosing which provider is right for you and your pet. Nationwide has several legacy plans and corporate plans available, but their Modular Pet Insurance plan in this comparison is the one currently offered on their website in most states.¹ Let’s dig in…
Pumpkin plans offer a 90% reimbursement rate option for covered vet bills. Nationwide plans may not.
Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance plans reimburse 50%, 70% or 80% of eligible vet bills for accidents & illnesses. At Pumpkin, we believe every pet parent deserves to get maximum cash back on eligible vet bills, which is why Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans only offer high 80% and 90% reimbursement rates. Let’s look at a hypothetical example – say your pet fractures their leg and surgery costs $5,700. Assuming you’ve already met your deductible and it’s a covered procedure, a Pumpkin insurance plan with a 90% reimbursement rate could pay you back for $5,130. A plan with a 50% reimbursement rate could pay you back for $2,850!
Pumpkin plans don’t charge extra to cover behavioral issues.
With over 99% of U.S. dogs reported to have behavior issues in a recent study,² coverage for common behavioral problems like separation anxiety and aggression can prove to be very valuable. That’s why Pumpkin insurance plans cover consultations, treatment, and Rx meds for behavioral issues. Treatment for behavioral issues isn’t automatically covered by Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance plans – it’s an optional add-on for an additional monthly fee.
Pumpkin plans don’t charge extra to cover congenital & hereditary conditions.
From cleft palate, to elbow dysplasia, to polycystic kidney disease – congenital and hereditary conditions are extremely common in both dogs and cats, and can show signs at any age. Due to the prevalence of debilitating conditions like these, we recognize how crucial this coverage is for pets. It’s why all Pumpkin insurance plans cover congenital and hereditary conditions. Congenital and hereditary conditions aren’t automatically covered by Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance plans – this coverage is an optional add-on for an additional monthly fee.
Pumpkin plans don’t charge extra to cover Rx food & supplements.
Rx food & supplements can be very helpful for pets suffering from a range of illnesses, from kidney disease to diabetes, but they can also be a costly recurring expense. As long as a food or supplement is prescribed to treat an eligible accident or illness and not for general health or weight maintenance, Pumpkin insurance plans can cover it.³ Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance plans only offer this coverage as an optional add-on for an additional monthly fee.
Pumpkin plans don’t limit illness coverage options for senior pets.
Veterinary care for aging pets and seniors is crucial, as pets are more prone to developing certain illnesses as they grow older. That’s why all pets 8 weeks and up are welcome to enroll in Pumpkin insurance plans for accidents & illnesses. With Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance plans, pets 8 years or older are not eligible to enroll in illness coverage.
Pumpkin plans don’t have a 365-day waiting period for knee injury coverage.
Knee injuries, like CCL tears or meniscal ruptures, are extremely common in cats and dogs and can happen at any age. If surgery is needed to repair the knee, it can cost thousands. With a Pumpkin insurance plan, you can count on a short waiting period of 14 days or less for all illnesses & accidents, including knee injuries.⁴ With Nationwide Modular Pet Insurance plans, your pet has to wait a year after they enroll to be eligible for this coverage.
Pumpkin plans offer a 10% multi-pet discount. Nationwide plans offer a 5% multi-pet discount.
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 offers a 10% multi-pet discount for each additional pet you enroll.⁵ Nationwide offers a 5% multi-pet discount when you enroll 2-3 additional pets, and a 10% discount when you enroll 4 or more pets.
Compare Plans
Accident & Illness
Type of Insurance
Accident & Illness or Accident Only
80% or 90% of covered vet bills
Reimbursement Rate
50%, 70%, or 80% of covered vet bills
$5k-unlimited
Annual Coverage Limit
$5k or unlimited for accidents
$5k or unlimited for illnesses
Annual Deductible with flexible pricing options
Deductible
Annual Deductible with flexible pricing options
14 days in most states
Illness Waiting Period
14 days in most states
14 days in most states
Accident Waiting Period
14 days in most states; 365 days for knee ligament injuries
All Pets Ages 8 Wks. & Up Are Eligible to Enroll
Pets 8 years & up are not eligible to enroll in illness coverage
All Pets Eligible to Enroll, Regardless of Health
Hereditary & Congenital Conditions
Optional add-on for an additional monthly fee
Chronic Conditions
Only if optional illness coverage is purchased
Behavioral Issues
Optional add-on for an additional monthly fee
Dental Illnesses
Optional add-on for an additional monthly fee
Parasite Infections
Only if optional illness coverage is purchased
Exam Fees for Accident & Illness Related Vet Visits
Diagnostics, including Radiology & Lab Tests
Surgery, Emergency Services & Hospitalization
Specialized Care
Alternative Therapies
Optional add-on for an additional monthly fee
Prescription Meds
Prescription Food to Treat Covered Conditions
Optional add-on for an additional monthly fee
Prescription Supplements to Treat Covered Conditions
Optional add-on for an additional monthly fee
Microchip Implantation
⁶
End of Life Services
10% off for each additional pet
Discount for Multiple Pets
5% off for 2 or 3 pets,
10% off for 4 or more
30 days in most states, as long as you haven’t received approval or payment for a claim⁷
Money Back Guarantee
30 days, as long as you haven’t received approval or payment for a claim
270 days (in states that permit time restrictions)
Claim Submission Period
90 days (in states that permit time restrictions)

