To help prepare for unexpected medical costs, many dog and cat owners invest in a pet insurance policy. With multiple companies to choose from, it’s essential to look closely at what each policy does and doesn’t cover to ensure your pet is as protected as possible. As one of the newest insurance options available, Pumpkin has a lot to offer pet owners but are emergency vet visits covered?
Pumpkin covers emergency visits, including the exam fee and procedures that may be required. However, there are a few possible exceptions that we’ll make you aware of in this article.
Which Emergency Costs Does Pumpkin Cover?
Pumpkin offers accident-and-illness coverage for dogs and cats like most pet insurance policies. After an emergency visit, you’ll file a claim directly to the company. As the policy owner, you’ll be reimbursed for 90% of all covered procedures once your claim is approved.
Pumpkin pet insurance covers a wide range of procedures your pet may require during an emergency visit, including the exam fee. According to the company website, Pumpkin covers diagnostic procedures such as:
Once your pet receives a diagnosis, Pumpkin covers a range of treatments, including the following:
When Emergency Costs Might Not Be Covered
While Pumpkin offers one of the most comprehensive accident-and-illness policies, there are some cases where emergency visits might not be covered. Here are a few reasons you might end up paying for an emergency visit out-of-pocket.
It Occurs During a Waiting Period
Once you sign up for a pet insurance policy, there’s a mandatory waiting period that’s different for each company before coverage kicks in. Pumpkin has a 14-day waiting period for all covered accidents and illnesses. The costs won’t be covered if your pet has an emergency visit during that period.
You Haven’t Met Your Deductible
When you sign up for a Pumpkin policy, you’ll choose between three annual deductible options: $100, $250, or $500. Your monthly premium costs will be higher or lower depending on which amount you pick. Before the 90% reimbursement kicks in, you must meet the annual deductible.
If an emergency visit costs less than your deductible and you haven’t met it for the year, it won’t be covered.
Your Pet’s Condition is Considered Pre-Existing
No pet insurance policy that we’ve found provides coverage for conditions that are considered pre-existing. Essentially, any health issue documented before you signed up for a Pumpkin policy will likely be regarded as pre-existing. If it happens again after your policy kicks in, there’s a good chance the emergency costs won’t be covered.
However, Pumpkin states that they’ll consider many pre-existing conditions “cured” if your pet is free from symptoms or treatment for 180 days. After that time, they may once again be eligible to be covered.
Your Pet’s Condition is Excluded from Coverage
In addition to pre-existing conditions, Pumpkin also lists a few others that are automatically excluded from coverage. This includes conditions related to breeding and pregnancy, intentional injury to your pet, or any elective procedure. Read your policy carefully for a complete list of exclusions.
What About Preventative Care?
Pumpkin’s accident-and-illness policy covers many of the costs associated with emergencies, but what about paying for routine care like shots and heartworm tests?
While this type of preventative care is not covered under a standard policy, Pumpkin has an add-on wellness care plan for an additional monthly fee. This policy will reimburse you for a set number of routine yearly procedures.
Unlike some pet insurance policies, Pumpkin won’t deny coverage for illnesses prevented by a vaccine.
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Conclusion
You’re probably already stressed and worried if your pet is dealing with an emergency. Wondering how to afford your pet’s care will only worsen things. Thankfully, if you purchase a Pumpkin pet insurance policy, emergency visits are covered, with the minor exceptions discussed in this article. If you’re considering buying insurance for your pet, take the time to compare the policy options to get the most affordable and extensive coverage you can.
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Featured Image Credit: Nestor Rizhniak, Shutterstock
