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Like everything else, the cost of owning a pet has increased dramatically. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the average cost for three vet visits for a dog is $700, and $379 for an average of 2.4 visits for a cat. That’s not including costlier expenses like surgery. That makes getting insurance a wise proposition.
However, according to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), only 4.1 million pets are insured compared to the estimated 135.2 million dogs and cats in the United States. That’s only 3%. Fortunately, if you have Pumpkin Pet Insurance, you can rest assured that surgery is covered in most cases.
The Importance of Pet Insurance for Surgeries
Surgery is just as complicated for pets as it is for people. Diagnostic work is essential, which typically includes bloodwork, imaging, and other tests. Nevertheless, these expenses are vital for your veterinarian to make the correct diagnosis. Remember that the right treatment with minimal invasiveness is the goal to reduce stress and help your pet recover quickly.
Let’s discuss why you should consider pet insurance.
- Bowel obstruction (dog): Up to $7,000
- Cataract surgery (dog): $2,600 to $4,000
- ACL/CCL surgery (dog): $1,000 to $3,000 per knee
Remember that these figures don’t include aftercare and its associated costs. You may have to pay for hospitalization, medications, and follow-up visits. All these things add up to some hefty costs for surgery.
However, pet insurance differs from people’s health plans in several critical areas. You’ll find lengthy lists of exclusions that are sometimes breed-specific. Most insurers won’t cover cosmetic surgery for procedures like ear-cropping. It’s worth noting that the AVMA opposes these practices, so it fits in line with how insurance companies view them, too.
What Pumpkin Pet Insurance Covers
Like most insurers, Pumpkin Pet Insurance is transparent about what it does and doesn’t cover. You can download a sample policy based on the state in which you live. Not all companies serve the entire country. However, you can get a plan from this company in all 50 states. The monthly premium varies, depending on where you live. That’s not unusual for Pumpkin or any insurer.
The company limits its plans to cats and dogs. The surgery-related expenses that Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers include the following:
- Imaging, such as CT or MRI scan
- Intravenous (IV) fluids and medications
- Dental extractions
- Hospitalization
- Other medical supplies like splints
- Examinations
- Lab work
What Pumpkin Pet Insurance Doesn’t Cover
The exclusions are in line with the pet insurance industry. Of course, surgical costs related to the abuse or mistreatment of pets are not covered. That’s something you’ll see across the board in all 25 North American providers. Pumpkin also has a 14-day waiting period for accidents and illnesses. That’s somewhat unusual since many insurers only have a 48-hour slot for accidents.
The one glaring omission is ligament and knee conditions. Waiting periods apply because of the likelihood of a recurrence. However, it’s standard within the industry, sometimes with varying waiting periods. It’s worth noting that Pumpkin Pet Insurance considers spaying and neutering an elective procedure. Therefore, neither is covered in their plans.
We always recommend reading the fine print with policies. It’s no exception here. However, we hope you’ll never have to incur these expenses. Pumpkin Pet Insurance won’t cover surgeries or other treatment options arising from riots, war, or acts of war. The company also excludes injuries from guarding or in the context of law enforcement (working dogs).
What You Should Know About Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is typically a reimbursement plan. You pay the costs upfront, and Pumpkin will process your claim to get you paid quickly. You can choose your deductible and coverage. While they offer $10,000, the chances are highly unlikely you’d need that much. However, you have the peace of mind of opting for it if you choose.
You can use the veterinarian you prefer, which is a welcome perk over companies that force you to pick on in-network. The company has a mobile app to make filing claims as easy as possible.
Final Thoughts
Surgery is a stressful experience for both the owner and the pet. Of course, we know that you want the best for your animal companion.
Pumpkin Pet Insurance covers most surgeries and their related expenses. Nonetheless, we recommend reviewing the sample policy for your state to ensure it will meet your financial needs should you need it.
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