What does a Pumpkin Pet Insurance plan cover?
Premium pet insurance from Pumpkin means that we’re there for your kid, from allergies to emergencies, and whatever mystery object they eat next. Pumpkin plans are here for you too, covering what other insurers won’t, like senior pets, hereditary conditions, dental illnesses, behavioral issues, and alternative therapies.
Common Accidents
Bites
Broken bones
Swallowed objects
Toxic ingestion
Cuts and lacerations
Average Cost¹
$1,400
$1,347
$1,200
$968
$546
Pumpkin Pays¹
$1,260
$1,212
$1,080
$871
$491
Accidents
Accidents happen. Knowing the true cost of care is important when choosing the right plan for your pet.
Pumpkin Pays: $70
Average Cost: $78²
Pumpkin Pays: $135
Average Cost: $151²
Pumpkin Pays: $187
Average Cost: $208²
Pumpkin Pays: $243
Average Cost: $270²
Pumpkin Pays: $540-$2,700
Average Cost: $600-$3,000³
Pumpkin Pays: $145
Average Cost: $162/month²
Pumpkin Pays: $420
Average Cost: $467²
Illnesses
There’s nothing worse than seeing your kid sick. When something’s wrong, having a Pumpkin plan makes visiting the vet a no-brainer. Check out some common illnesses and the cost for care:
A Pumpkin plan in action:
Mooshu ate rocks and needed X-rays followed by emergency surgery to remove them and prevent more internal damage. A Pumpkin plan helped cover the bill.
Pumpkin paid: $5,796⁴
Total vet bill: $6,984
Diagnostics & Testing
Whether your dog is limping or your kitten is lethargic, that calls for a vet. X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, blood tests, and fecal tests can show what’s really going on.
Treatment for hereditary conditions: such as corrective airway surgery for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) and Total Hip Replacement Surgery (THR) for hip dysplasia
Orthopedic treatments: open surgeries, arthroscopy procedures, and stem cell therapies to repair broken bones, torn ligaments, and/or resolve joint problems
Emergency treatments: urgent, life-saving procedures to repair internal injuries from a car accident, for example, or to remove a foreign object
Cancer treatments: surgeries to remove cancerous tumors or growths, radiation, and chemotherapy
Surgery & Procedures
Whether it is an emergency surgery or planned, the vet bill can add up with anesthesia, IV fluids, and hospitalization. Fortunately, many common surgeries and procedures can be covered with a Pumpkin plan.
Hereditary, Congenital & Chronic Conditions
Other insurers exclude hereditary, congenital, or chronic conditions such as heart disease and defects, hip dysplasia, and cancer. We say that’s all the more reason to cover them.
Here is a list of some other conditions Pumpkin plans have covered:
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Hypothyroidism
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Eye conditions like cataracts or cherry eye
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Allergies
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Epilepsy seizures
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Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
For a full list of benefits, see a sample pet insurance policy.
Breed spotlight: French Bulldogs
“Jack was really struggling. He could barely be outside in the heat for more than a few minutes without gasping for air. I made the decision to move forward with Stenotic Nare and Soft Palate resection surgery. By the time I walked in the door with him, the reimbursement from Pumpkin was already in my account.”
– David, Jack’s parent⁵
Pumpkin paid: $5,113⁶
Total vet bill: $7,059
What about prescription food & supplements?
As long as it's prescribed to treat an eligible accident or illness and not for general health or weight maintenance, Pumpkin insurance plans can cover it.
Prescription Medications & Food
According to recent reports, almost 43% of dog and cat parents give their pets medications daily.⁷ Luckily, pain medicine, antibiotics, injections, IVs, and other vet-prescribed medications and treatments can be reimbursed through pet insurance. A Pumpkin plan can cover up to 90% of eligible prescription costs.
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Covered
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Cleanings and other treatment related to stage 1-4 periodontal disease (symptoms include tartar, plaque, gingivitis, halitosis, and loose teeth)
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Treatment related to other dental illnesses, such as FORLs, gingival hyperplasia, and stomatitis
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Tooth extractions for fractured teeth and other covered conditions
Not Covered
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Routine dental cleanings when no periodontal disease is present
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Caps, crowns, and crown amputation
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Root canals
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Fillings and implants
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Planing (even when it's related to periodontal disease)
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For a full list of exclusions, see a sample policy
Pet Covered by Pumpkin Plan AFTER Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Occur*
Pet Covered by Pumpkin Plan BEFORE Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Occur*
Preventative cleaning not covered
Preventative cleaning not covered
Cleaning not covered
Cleaning covered
Dental Disease (Stage 1-4)
No Dental Disease
*Symptoms may include but aren’t limited to tartar, plaque, gingivitis, halitosis, and loose teeth. Provided for illustrative purposes only. Exclusions and limitations apply. Refer to a sample policy for more details.
Dental Illnesses
Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans are designed to cover treatments for pets suffering from dental illnesses – not routine cleanings to help prevent dental illnesses in kids with healthy teeth and gums. Check out the chart below to see if your pet’s cleaning would be covered.
Alternative Therapies
When Zuri was diagnosed with two forms of bilateral elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis, she found relief in laser therapy, acupuncture, and underwater treadmill therapy – all covered by her Pumpkin plan.
Pumpkin plan paid back: $7,601⁸
Total cost of treatment: $8,446
Zuri’s healing journey
When your kid is hurting, you just want to help. Alternative therapies like acupuncture, physical therapy, and laser therapy can make them recover faster and get stronger. Some insurance providers exclude alternative therapies or charge extra fees, but with Pumpkin, it’s all part of the plan.
Behavioral Conditions
72-85% of dogs exhibit at least one behavior-related issue during their lifetime.⁹ Sometimes, the issue needs professional intervention. Pumpkin plans can cover consultations, diagnostics, behavior therapy, and prescription medications for behavioral conditions in both dogs and cats that are diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian.
Here are some examples of common behavioral issues that can be covered with a Pumpkin plan.
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Sometimes Covered
Never Covered
Diagnostics
Surgery
Cancer treatment
Flea & heartworm treatment
Allergy medicine
Physical therapy
Arthritis medication
Dental cleaning
Treatment for pre-existing conditions (curable)
Treatment
for pre-existing conditions (incurable)
Usually Covered
Diagnostics
Surgery
Cancer treatment
Flea & heartworm treatment
Allergy medicine
Physical therapy
Arthritis medication
Dental cleaning
Treatment for pre-existing conditions (curable)
Treatment for pre-existing conditions (incurable)
Usually Covered
Sometimes Covered
Never Covered
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Pumpkin Pet Insurance: coverage at a glance
Pet insurance shouldn’t be tricky to navigate. Here’s an easy guide to determine when certain conditions and treatments are covered.
What’s not covered?
Although Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans include a lot, some expenses are not covered:
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Pre-existing conditions
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Preventive care
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Boarding and travel costs
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Grooming services
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Cosmetic or elective procedures
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Spay/neuter procedures
While pet insurance doesn’t cover vaccines and annual checkups, a wellness plan can make it easier to pay for routine care. It’s not insurance, but a convenient way to manage costs.
Just like pets, insurance plans come in all shapes and sizes. The amount you pay depends a lot on where you live and the species and age of your pet. With Pumpkin, you can customize your deductible, reimbursement rate, and annual limit to determine a monthly premium that’s right for you. Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans are on average $65 for dogs, and $35 for cats.¹⁰
The short answer is: the sooner, the better. Enrolling early gives your pet the broadest protection and helps you avoid coverage restrictions, like pre-existing conditions, later on. While it’s best to get your kid coverage early, you can sign up for pet insurance any time after 8-weeks or older with Pumpkin plans. Unlike many insurance providers, Pumpkin Pet Insurance plans don’t have an upper age limit, so you can enroll your pet even if they’re older than 12 years old (a common cut off).
Unlike some pet insurance plans, Pumpkin plans cover dental illnesses (including periodontal disease AKA gum disease), along with any exams, X-rays, treatment, surgery, and prescription meds used to diagnose or treat them. Pumpkin plans also cover tooth extractions for dental injuries. Pumpkin plans do not cover annual dental cleanings and certain cosmetic or elective services. For a full list of what Pumpkin insurance plans do and don’t cover, check out a sample policy.
Pet insurance plans help cover the diagnostics and treatments your pet needs to recover from unexpected accidents or illnesses. They’re not designed to cover routine veterinary care that helps keep your pet healthy, like vaccines. Wellness plans are not insurance, but they can help pay for important preventive care, including annual vaccines that protect against disease and routine blood & fecal tests that catch issues early, when they’re often easier – and less expensive – to treat. Learn more about wellness plan options here.
Like most pet insurance plans, Pumpkin plans don’t cover “pre-existing conditions” that occur or show symptoms before coverage starts or during a waiting period. However, if a pre-existing condition is curable (e.g., UTI, paw fracture), was cured, and has been free of symptoms and treatment for 180 days, Pumpkin plans would cover it if it occurs again in the future, with the exception of knee & hind leg ligament conditions. If a knee or hind leg ligament condition occurs prior to the day after you purchase your Pumpkin plan or during the waiting period, any future ones won’t be covered.
It’s important to note that not all pet insurances will cover eligible cured pre-existing conditions that occur again in the future, so this is definitely a plus with Pumpkin insurance plans.
All that said, having an incurable pre-existing condition, or a knee or hind leg ligament condition, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t join the Pumpkin pack! You can always enroll your pet and get covered for new conditions that develop down the road. Have questions? Call us at 1‑866‑273‑6369 or email help@pumpkin.care.Losing a pet is one of the hardest things any parent has to go through. Pumpkin plans offer coverage for services such as cremation, burial, and euthanasia. Though nothing can fully ease the pain, it’s one small way we can be there for you and hold space for you to grieve.
With Pumpkin, it’s never too late to get a pet insurance plan. In fact, it’s recommended for older pets! As health issues like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer become more common (and usually more expensive) in senior dogs and cats, having pet insurance can help with the cost of care. Many insurers reduce coverage or deny coverage once your pet reaches a certain age, but Pumpkin insurance plans don’t. Older pets can still enroll and stay covered without restrictions based on age.
Frequently asked questions on coverage
