MontanaHB 7869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Adopt pet insurance model act

Sponsored By: Greg Overstreet (Republican)

Signed by Governor

InsuranceRevenue, StateRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Clearer pet insurance disclosures and refunds

Before you buy, insurers must show key exclusions, waiting periods, deductibles, coinsurance, limits, and pricing drivers. Policies must explain how claim payments are figured, including any fee schedules or usual-and-customary limits. A bold notice on page one must explain your 15‑day free look. You can return the policy within 15 days for a full premium refund if no claim was filed, and the refund must be sent within 30 days to the payer. If a vet exam is required, the insurer must disclose the exam details and that records could trigger a preexisting-condition exclusion.

Stronger renewal and preexisting protections

A condition is preexisting only if a vet advised or gave treatment, or signs were present before start or during a wait. If your policy already covered a condition, the insurer cannot call it preexisting at renewal. The insurer must prove any preexisting-condition exclusion before denying a claim. Insurers cannot add new waiting periods at renewal or require a vet exam to renew.

Shorter waiting periods; exam waiver

Insurers can use waiting periods only for some illnesses or non-accident orthopedic issues, and only up to 30 days. No waiting period is allowed for accident-related care. You can waive an allowed waiting period by completing a specified vet exam. You usually pay for the exam unless the policy says otherwise, and exam rules cannot unfairly block the waiver.

Training and oversight for pet insurance sellers

Producers must be licensed and complete required training before selling pet insurance. The training is at least two hours and covers preexisting conditions, waiting periods, wellness versus insurance, hereditary and chronic issues, and rating and renewals. Producers must retrain every 24 months, and similar out-of-state training counts. Insurers must verify training and keep records for the state.

Wellness plans kept separate from insurance

Wellness programs are separate from insurance unless the benefits are inside the policy, in which case they are insurance. Insurers and sellers cannot market wellness as pet insurance or sell wellness during a pet insurance sale. If they sell a wellness program, you cannot be forced to buy it, its costs and terms must be separate, it cannot duplicate coverage, and ads must be clear with a bold notice that it is not insurance. You also cannot be denied or favored for pet insurance based on joining a separate wellness program.

How Montana enforces pet insurance rules

These rules apply to policies for Montana residents and to policies sold or delivered in Montana. Pet‑insurance rules override general insurance rules if they conflict. Policies must use and show the law’s definitions when they use those defined terms. Pet insurance is defined as property insurance for pet accidents and illnesses. The Commissioner can issue rules to enforce these sections, and the state can use existing penalties for violations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Greg Overstreet
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Gregg Hunter
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 251 • No: 47

Senate vote • 3/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 20

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 1/16/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 1/15/2025