Rhode IslandH55692025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE -- PET INSURANCE ACT .

Sponsored By: Joseph J. Solomon, Jr. (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Stronger protections when pet insurance renews

Beginning January 1, 2026, pet insurers must properly disclose preexisting-condition exclusions and prove they apply to a claim. Preexisting conditions include those involving medical advice, treatment, or related signs or symptoms before coverage starts or during a waiting period. A condition covered by your policy cannot become preexisting when you renew. Insurers also cannot require a veterinary exam as a condition of renewal.

Pet coverage waits face new limits

Beginning January 1, 2026, illness and non-accident orthopedic waiting periods cannot exceed 30 days. Accident waiting periods are banned, and waiting periods cannot apply at renewal. Accident coverage generally starts at 12:01 a.m. on the second calendar day after purchase. Exceptions cover individual underwriting, premium-payment arrangements, employer or organization benefit-plan dates, and policies without illness or orthopedic waits. Insurers must allow waiting periods to be waived after a medical exam. You pay for that exam unless the policy covers it, and insurers may require a licensed veterinarian. Policies without illness or orthopedic waits can have a clearly disclosed start date up to 15 calendar days after purchase. Insurers cannot charge or earn premiums before coverage starts under that option or other delays chosen by the insurer.

Clearer pet policies and refund rights

Beginning January 1, 2026, pet insurers must explain coverage and costs before purchase and keep those disclosures with the policy. Disclosures cover excluded conditions, waiting periods, deductibles, coinsurance, annual or lifetime limits, claim-payment methods, reimbursement limits, and exam requirements. Insurers must explain whether claim history, pet age, or location can change premiums or coverage. They must identify any difference between the marketed brand and the company providing coverage, and give customer-service and broker-contact information. Disclosures must appear prominently online and in policy documents, with a separate 12-point summary at issuance or delivery. You can return a policy, certificate, or rider within 15 days after receipt for a full premium refund, provided no claim was filed. The insurer must refund the premium within 30 days after receiving the returned document and prominently print the return-right notice.

Pet wellness plans stay separate

Beginning January 1, 2026, insurers and insurance sellers cannot market wellness programs as insurance or during pet insurance sales. Buying or joining a separate wellness program cannot be required to qualify for pet insurance. Programs sold separately by insurers or insurance sellers must have separate prices and terms and cannot duplicate insurance coverage. Ads cannot mislead and must include a bold, 12-point notice that the program is not insurance, plus insurer or seller contact information. Wellness and other noninsurance benefits included in an insurance policy must follow insurance rules. Separate programs that make specified risk-based payments, promise benefits tied to risk events, or act as financial guarantees also face insurance rules.

Rhode Island sets pet insurance standards

Beginning January 1, 2026, the law covers pet insurance issued to Rhode Island residents or sold, offered, or delivered in the state. It also covers policies marketed, negotiated, or issued for delivery there. Insurers using terms defined by the law must use those definitions in policies and post them online. Pet insurance sellers must be properly licensed and trained before selling, seeking customers for, or negotiating coverage. Insurers must ensure training covers exclusions, waiting periods, wellness programs, specified conditions, pricing, coverage approval, renewals, and policy administration. Substantially similar training from another state counts. Existing insurance law still applies unless it conflicts with this chapter, and violations face Rhode Island insurance-law penalties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Joseph J. Solomon, Jr.
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 64 • No: 1

House vote • 4/8/2025

PET INSURANCE ACT PASSAGE