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FloridaHB 6552025HouseWALLET

Pet Insurance and Wellness Programs

Sponsored By: Kaylee Tuck (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationInsurance & Banking SubcommitteeCommerce CommitteeFiscal Policy

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Pet coverage protections come with limits

Beginning January 1, 2026, new pet policies cannot impose accident waiting periods. Illness, disease, and non-accident orthopedic waiting periods cannot exceed 30 days. Insurers must allow a veterinary exam to waive a waiting period, without exam requirements that unreasonably block that option. The exam can occur after purchase; you pay unless the policy says otherwise. Insurers can exclude preexisting conditions with proper written disclosure, but must prove the exclusion applies to a claim. These conditions include prior veterinary advice, treatment, or signs or symptoms supported by verifiable sources before coverage or during a waiting period. At renewal, insurers cannot impose waiting periods, require an exam, or treat a previously covered condition as preexisting.

Clearer costs for pet insurance buyers

Beginning January 1, 2026, pet insurers must explain exclusions, deductibles, coinsurance, annual and lifetime limits, and factors affecting coverage or premiums. They must identify exclusions for chronic, congenital, hereditary, and preexisting conditions, list other exclusions, and disclose any difference between the insurer and marketing brand. Before purchase, insurers must explain waiting periods and exam requirements, including how exam records can support a preexisting-condition exclusion. Policies must explain claim-payment formulas, including usual-and-customary fee limits, and disclose benefit schedules when used. Before issuing coverage, insurers must provide a clear payment-method summary; formulas and all benefit schedules used must also be accessible online. Defined policy terms must use the law’s meanings, appear in the policy, and be available through a clear main-page website link. Insurers must also link to an “Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions” document covering payment methods and exam effects. At issuance, they must provide it in at least 12-point type, plus the Division of Consumer Services’ website and toll-free number and the agent’s address and customer service number. Insurers must train agents on coverage, preexisting conditions, waiting periods, wellness programs, chronic, congenital and hereditary conditions, pricing, underwriting, renewals, and administration.

Pet insurance buyers get refund rights

Beginning January 1, 2026, you can return a pet insurance policy or rider within 30 days after receiving it. You can return it for any reason and get your premium refunded, provided you have not filed a claim. The insurer must refund the premium within 30 days after receiving the returned document. The first page must clearly explain the return process and warn that returning it voids coverage as if never issued.

Pet wellness plans stay separate

Beginning January 1, 2026, separate subscription or reimbursement programs for general pet health are wellness programs, not insurance. Programs making insurance-like promises to pay for chance events are subject to Florida insurance rules. A direct contract involving only a pet owner and service provider is not insurance unless other signs show otherwise. Wellness programs cannot be marketed as pet insurance, and misleading sales practices are unfair or deceptive. Your eligibility for pet insurance cannot depend on joining a separate wellness program. When an insurance agent sells a wellness program, its costs and terms must be separate, its products cannot duplicate policy coverage, and advertising cannot mislead. Prescription-related, wellness, or other noninsurance benefits included in a policy form become contract benefits subject to applicable insurance rules.

Property policies can include pet coverage

Beginning January 1, 2026, homeowners and related property policies can include incidental pet insurance for accidents and illnesses. Pet insurance reimburses veterinary advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment for accidents, illnesses, or diseases. Florida’s pet insurance rules cover policies issued to Florida residents or sold, solicited, negotiated, offered, or delivered in Florida. The rules apply to insurers and program administrators; other applicable insurance laws remain in force unless they conflict with these rules. The Florida Insurance Commission can adopt rules to administer the law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kaylee Tuck

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 4/3/2025

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2025-11

    4/22/2025

  2. Approved by Governor

    4/18/2025

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    4/11/2025

  4. Ordered enrolled

    4/9/2025House

  5. In Messages

    4/9/2025House

  6. Immediately certified -SJ 392

    4/9/2025Senate

  7. Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 387

    4/9/2025Senate

  8. Read 3rd time -SJ 387

    4/9/2025Senate

  9. Read 2nd time -SJ 387

    4/9/2025Senate

  10. Substituted for SB 1226 -SJ 387

    4/9/2025Senate

  11. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  12. Withdrawn from Fiscal Policy -SJ 387

    4/9/2025Senate

  13. Received

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Fiscal Policy

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. In Messages

    4/3/2025Senate

  16. Passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0

    4/3/2025House

  17. Read 3rd time

    4/3/2025House

  18. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    4/3/2025House

  19. Placed on 3rd reading

    4/3/2025House

  20. Read 2nd time

    4/3/2025House

  21. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/3/2025)

    3/27/2025House

  22. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    3/18/2025House

  23. Bill released to House Calendar

    3/18/2025House

  24. Reported out of Commerce Committee

    3/18/2025House

  25. Favorable by Commerce Committee

    3/17/2025House

Bill Text

  • er

    1/1/2026

    PDF

  • Filed

    2/17/2025

    PDF

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