Pumpkin dog insurance: what it covers
Thinking about Pumpkin dog insurance? Here’s what Pumpkin’s policy really covers, explained in plain English and taken straight from Pumpkin’s own documents. We’ve focused on the parts that decide whether a claim gets paid, such as waiting periods, pre-existing conditions and how much you pay yourself. Nothing here is a recommendation.
Pumpkin at a glance
- Deductible you pay first
- Annual, applies each policy period
- Share of each vet bill it pays back
- Percentage shown on the declarations page
- Wait before illness is covered
- 14 days
- Vet exam fees
- Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations")
Common questions about Pumpkin dog insurance
How long is the Pumpkin waiting period?
14 days
Does Pumpkin cover pre-existing conditions?
A curable condition is treated as new once it has gone 180 days without treatment or symptoms. Not for chronic, knee or ligament conditions.
Does Pumpkin cover vet exam fees?
Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations")
Does Pumpkin cover behavioural training or a behaviourist?
Covered when treated by a vet, or by a certified animal behaviourist or veterinary behaviourist your vet refers you to.
Does Pumpkin pet insurance cover dental?
Dental illness covered. Cleanings only when they treat a covered illness; cosmetic and orthodontic work isn't covered.
Does Pumpkin cover cruciate ligament surgery?
14-day waiting period. Knee problems count as affecting both sides, so a pre-existing problem in one knee rules out the other.
How does Pumpkin treat a condition on both sides, like both knees?
Ligament and knee conditions count as bilateral: a condition on one side affects both. Bilateral conditions of pre-existing conditions are excluded
How old does my puppy need to be for Pumpkin?
8 weeks
Does Pumpkin offer a multi-pet discount?
10% off the plan for each additional pet you enrol.
Does Pumpkin cover cancer treatment?
Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, are listed under the policy's illness benefits.
Working on reactivity or another behaviour problem? Read how to choose a reactive dog trainer, or find a trainer near you.
How does Pumpkin compare with other US insurers?
The same five points for every US insurer we compare, so you can see how Pumpkin stacks up. Click any insurer to read its full page.
| Insurer | Deductible you pay first | Share of each bill paid back | Wait before illness is covered | Vet exam fees | Behavioural treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trupanion | Per condition: once paid for an illness or injury, that condition is covered with no further deductible | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page; the website says up to 90% | 30 days (illnesses in the first 30 days are treated as pre-existing) | Not covered, at any time | Only with the optional Recovery and Complementary Care rider (which also covers rehab, acupuncture, hydrotherapy, chiropractic) |
| Nationwide | Annual | Percentage of eligible costs on some plans, pre-set benefit allowances on others; the worked example uses 80% | 'Most plans start 1–14 days after your application is approved and payment has been processed' (no split by illness/injury stated) | Not found yet | Modular Plan lists Behavioral coverage among its coverages; it excludes behavioural training not medically necessary for a diagnosed condition, and obedience training |
| Lemonade | Annual deductible (the FAQ's examples and wording) | 70%, 80% or 90% co-insurance | 14 days | Not covered by the base policy; covered with the vet visit fee add-on | Not found yet |
| Healthy Paws | Annual: applies once per 12-month coverage term | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 15 days | Not covered | Not covered (training, therapy, medication or other behaviour modification) |
| Embrace | Annual, per pet | Reimbursement percentage shown on the Schedule of Insurance | 14 days | Covered only if shown on the Schedule (optional) | Covered: vet diagnosis, tests, medication and training sessions as Behavioral Therapy |
| Pets Best | Annual: $50 to $2,000 in $50 steps | 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% | 14 days | Only with the optional office visits/exam fees benefit, chosen at enrolment | Training and treatment not covered, except consultations and prescription medication if the supplemental benefits are bought |
| Pumpkin | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
| Figo | Annual deductible, plus an optional per-incident copay | Coinsurance shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Not covered unless the optional Office Visit and Exam Fees cover is bought | Not covered unless the optional Holistic and Alternative & Behavioral Problems cover is bought |
| Spot | Annual, applies each policy period | Percentage shown on the declarations page | 14 days | Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations") | Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB) |
Everything we checked in Pumpkin’s policy
Each point shows where we found it in Pumpkin’s own document, so you can check it yourself. Where an insurance term needs explaining, we’ve added a short note.
- Type of policy
- Accident and illnessWhere: What is covered
- Deductible you pay firstThe amount you pay towards vet bills before your insurer starts paying.
- Annual, applies each policy periodWhere: Deductible and reimbursement percentage
- Share of each vet bill it pays backAfter your deductible, the percentage of each vet bill your insurer pays back.
- Percentage shown on the declarations pageWhere: Deductible and reimbursement percentage
- Most it will pay out
- Annual limit shown on the declarations pageWhere: Definitions: Annual limit
- Wait before illness is coveredThe time after you buy a policy before you can claim for an illness.
- 14 daysWhere: Waiting periods
- Wait before injuries are covered
- 14 daysWhere: Waiting periods
- Wait before knee problems are coveredSome insurers make you wait longer before knee problems, like a torn cruciate ligament, are covered.
- 14 days for ligament and knee conditionsWhere: Waiting periods
- Problems on both sides of the body, like both kneesIf your dog has problems on both sides (both knees, both hips), many policies treat them as one condition.
- Ligament and knee conditions count as bilateral: a condition on one side affects both. Bilateral conditions of pre-existing conditions are excludedWhere: Definitions; Exclusions c.
- Cover for pre-existing conditionsAnything your dog had, or showed signs of, before the policy started.
- Excluded, but a curable condition that has been free of treatment and symptoms for 180 days is treated as new. Not for chronic, ligament or knee conditionsWhere: Cured condition eligibility
- Vet exam fees
- Covered as part of eligible treatment ("examinations, consultations")Where: What is covered m.
- Cover for behavioural treatment
- Covered if treated by a vet or, on a vet's referral, by a certified animal behaviourist (CAAB, ACAAB) or veterinary behaviourist (Dip ACVB)Where: What is covered c.
- Dental cover
- Dental illness covered; cleanings only to treat a covered illness; cosmetic and orthodontic work excludedWhere: Exclusions a., h.
- Oldest age your dog can join
- Not in the documents we read.Where: Not stated in the policy
- Youngest age your dog can join
- 8 weeksWhere: Puppy insurance page (Pumpkin’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Discount for insuring more than one pet
- 10% off the plan for each additional petWhere: Puppy insurance page (Pumpkin’s website, read 5 October 2026)
- Cancer treatment
- Covered: cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation, are listed under illness benefitsWhere: Illness benefits b
Source: Pumpkin pet insurance sample policy. Read on 5 October 2026. Underwriter: Independence American Insurance Company. Terms vary by state; these are for Texas. Policies change, so always read the current policy wording before you buy or claim. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.