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Paw Protect vs Pumpkin

Paw Protect vs Pumpkin: Verdict

Paw Protect and Pumpkin are two fairly new companies in the pet insurance space. You get a little more flexibility with Paw Protect’s three choices of 70%, 80% and 90% reimbursement percentages, while Pumpkin offers 80% or 90%. Both companies have ways to help you pay vet bills upfront.

Here’s how the two insurers compare in more detail:

PawPumpkin
Can pay vet bills upfront
Annual coverage options$5,000, $10,000, Unlimited$5,000, $10,000, $20,000, Unlimited
Deductible options$100, $250, $500$100, $250, $500, $1,000
Reimbursement options70%, 80%, 90%80%, 90%
Illness coverage start14 days14 days
Maximum age at sign-upCoverage (14 years) and Accident only (14+ years)No maximum
Vet exam fees included
Dental accidents covered
Dental illness covered
Wellness plan offered
24/7 Telehealth
End of life coverage included
10% Multi-pet discount
Military discount

Information correct as of April 2025

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Paw Protect vs Pumpkin: Claims process

Paw Protect has a great claims process that has changed the pet insurance game. When you’re at the vet and get your bill for a covered claim of $500 or more, you simply call Paw Protect 24/7. Once Paw Protect has approved your claim over the phone it will send the money for its share of the covered claim straight to your bank account in seconds – thanks to InstantPay. You can then pay the bill – the only bit you have to pay is your deductible and copay, which would be the same with any pet insurance plan.

Pumpkin, meanwhile, has its own version of this called Pumpkin Now, but there are some differences to Paw Protect’s InstantPay offering. PumpkinNow can only be used for covered vet bills of over $1,000, and while customers can call Paw Protect 24/7 to get covered claims paid immediately, PumpkinNow is only open Monday-Friday 8am-7pm EST, and Saturday 9am-4pm EST.

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