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Pumpkin & MetLife: Key Differences
While Pumpkin and MetLife (also known as PetFirst in some states) both offer pet insurance plans for accidents & illnesses and an optional wellness package or routine care benefit, there are some key differences to be aware of when choosing which provider is right for you and your pet. Let’s dig in…
Pumpkin plans cover recurring incidents of ingested foreign bodies. MetLife plans don’t.
With Pumpkin insurance plans, treatment for all eligible conditions is covered, regardless of whether there is a repeat occurrence within 18 months of the first treatment date. MetLife’s policy states that they won’t cover “More than one (1) anesthetic removal of an ingested foreign body in one (1) period of insurance.” For example, if your puppy gets into the trash and eats something toxic, your Pumpkin plan would cover that treatment. If a similar episode happened again a year later, your plan would be able to cover that, too.
Pumpkin plans cover treatment for parasite infections. MetLife standard plans don’t
Heartworms, ticks, fleas, and intestinal parasites (or worms) are year-round threats to dogs and cats across the US indoors and out, and can be lethal if left untreated. While routine vaccines and preventive meds can help protect against some parasites and catch infections early, research shows that most dogs and cats will suffer from a parasite-borne illness in their lifetime.17 For these reasons, Pumpkin insurance plans cover treatment for parasite infections. MetLife standard insurance plans don’t.*
Pumpkin plans for dogs don't have a 180-day waiting period for orthopedic conditions.
Pumpkin insurance plans have the same waiting period for all accidents & illnesses: 14 days or less, depending on your state.* This includes coverage for orthopedic conditions like cruciate ligament injuries (AKA knee ligament injuries), bone fractures, and hip dysplasia. These conditions are very common and can happen at any age. If surgery is needed to repair a bone or ligament, it can cost thousands, so it’s important that you’re covered as quickly as possible. With MetLife insurance plans, all dogs have a 6-month waiting period for orthopedic condition coverage.
Pumpkin plans give you up to 270 days to submit a claim. MetLife plans don’t.
At Pumpkin, we understand that after a sudden accident or illness happens, submitting your claim for reimbursement might not be top of mind. That’s why we give all policyholders up to 270 days (over 8 months) to submit your claim to us. MetLife plans give you a 90 day time limit to submit a claim, which is only 3 months.
Pumpkin plans offer a 10% multi-pet discount for every additional pet. MetLife plans may not.
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 plans offer a 10% multi-pet discount for each additional pet you enroll. MetLife plans only offer a 5% multi-pet discount for your first additional pet, then 10% for additional pets after that.
It’s ALWAYS possible to get full value each year from Pumpkin’s optional wellness package.
Pumpkin’s wellness package is called Preventive Essentials. It’s not insurance, but an optional benefit you can easily add to your insurance plan for a monthly fee. Designed with leading vets to help you plan and pay for crucial routine care your pet needs to stay healthy, Preventive Essentials gives you a 100% refund each year for an annual wellness exam fee, key vaccine(s), and important parasite screening test(s). To get the most out of your package – all you have to do is use these 3 benefits.
MetLife’s optional Routine Care Benefit can also be added to their insurance plan for a monthly fee. The benefit comes in 5 levels, each offering different reimbursement amounts up to a capped amount per service, per year. It currently covers up to 10 routine care services with the highest tier of coverage. MetLife’s Routine Care Benefit can be helpful if you use most of the services offered, but not everything on the menu is a typical yearly expense (e.g., deworming, microchipping, spay/neuter procedure). Whatever benefits you don’t use in the year term, you lose – there are no carryovers. Plus, one service on their list – treatment for behavioral issues – would already be included as a basic benefit of your Pumpkin insurance plan.
Compare Plans
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Type of Insurance |
Accident & Illness |
Accident & Illness |
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Reimbursement Rate |
80% or 90% of covered vet bills |
50%, 65%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 100% of covered vet bills |
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Annual Coverage Limit |
$5k-unlimited |
$500-unlimited |
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Deductible |
Annual Deductible with flexible pricing options |
Annual Deductible with flexible pricing options |
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Illness Waiting Period |
14 days in most states* |
14 days in most states;* 180 days for orthopedic conditions in dogs depending on the state |
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Accident Waiting Period |
14 days in most states* |
Midnight following the enrollment day in most states;* 180 days for orthopedic injuries in dogs |
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All Pets Ages 8 Wks. & Up Are Eligible to Enroll |
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All Pets Eligible to Enroll, Regardless of Health |
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Hereditary & Congenital Conditions |
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Chronic Conditions |
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Behavioral Issues |
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Dental Illnesses |
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Illnesses Preventable by Vaccines |
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Parasite Infections |
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Exam Fees for Accident & Illness Related Vet Visits |
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Diagnostics, including Radiology & Lab Tests |
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Surgery, Emergency Services & Hospitalization |
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Specialized Care |
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Alternative Therapies |
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Prescription Meds |
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Prescription Supplements to Treat Covered Conditions |
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Prescription Food to Treat Covered Conditions |
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Microchip Implantation |
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End of Life Services |
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Cremation and burial expenses only |
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Wellness Package / Benefit |
Preventive Essentials package: 100% refund of the following routine care services each year: |
Routine Care Benefit: |
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Discount for Multiple Pets |
10% off for each additional pet |
Varying discount when you insure multiple pets each with their own policies |
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Money Back Guarantee |
30 days, as long as you have not received approval or payment for a claim
(except in NY) |
30 days, as long as you haven't submitted any claims, whether approved or denied |
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Claim Submission Period |
270 days (in states that permit restrictions) |
90 days (in states that permit restrictions) |