WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

A 1203

Authorizes the Dormitory Authority to provide public financing options to build new police facilities in certain areas

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kim

Establishes a comprehensive Pet Insurance Act in New Jersey to standardize definitions, require clear disclosures, protect against preexisting-condition denials, and regulate welln

REFERRED TO CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES AND COMMISSIONS
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 1203

Summary — Assembly Bill A1203 (Pet Insurance Act)

Status: Introduced Jan 9, 2024; Passed Assembly (72-0) May 13, 2024; Referred to Senate Commerce (received May 16, 2024); Reported out of Senate Commerce with 1st reprint Mar 24, 2025. Companion: S2034. Sponsor: Assemblyman Ron Kim.

Purpose / Intent

Establishes the "Pet Insurance Act," creating a comprehensive statutory framework for the sale and regulation of pet insurance in New Jersey aimed at improving consumer protections, disclosure, and marketplace clarity.

Key provisions

  • Definitions: Provides uniform statutory definitions for terms such as “pet,” “pet insurance,” “preexisting condition,” “waiting period,” “wellness program,” “orthopedic,” etc.

    • “Preexisting condition” is defined as a condition for which, prior to policy effective date or during a waiting period, (1) a veterinarian provided medical advice, (2) the pet received treatment, or (3) verifiable signs/symptoms existed. A condition covered on a policy cannot be reclassified as preexisting on renewal.

  • Disclosure requirements: Pet insurers must disclose in the policy and via a clear link on their main website:

    • Whether the policy excludes coverage for preexisting conditions, hereditary disorders, congenital anomalies, or chronic conditions;
    • General notice of other exclusions;
    • Any waiting/affiliation periods, deductibles, coinsurance, annual or lifetime limits;
    • Whether coverage or premiums may change due to claims history, pet age, or geographic moves;
    • If the underwriting company differs from the marketed brand.
    • A summary of the formula or basis used to determine claim payments must be provided.

  • Free-look period: Insureds (if no claim filed) have a 30 business day right to examine and return the policy, with a full premium refund; a prescribed “free look” notice must appear on the first page.

  • Limits on denials for preexisting conditions: The bill constrains how insurers may deny claims on preexisting condition grounds and requires the insurer to prove the preexisting condition limitation applies.

  • Wellness programs: Requires clear differentiation between wellness/subscription programs and insurance. Programs that indemnify or cover fortuitous events are considered insurance and subject to the insurance code.

  • Producer licensing and training: As amended, an insurance producer may be licensed to sell pet insurance only if they hold an active life, health, personal lines, or property & casualty line of authority. The bill also imposes training requirements so producers can appropriately present pet insurance products.

Who is affected

  • Pet owners/insureds: stronger notice rights, clearer terms, 30-business-day free look, and protections around preexisting condition denials and renewals.
  • Insurers/program administrators: new disclosure, website posting, documentation, and claims-burden requirements; potential compliance costs.
  • Insurance producers/agents: licensing and training prerequisites.
  • Veterinarians: relevant to the preexisting condition standard (their treatment/advice can create preexisting findings).

Scope and limits

  • Applies to pet insurance policies issued to New Jersey residents and policies sold, solicited, or delivered in the State.
  • The bill does not mandate coverage of particular conditions nor prohibit insurers from using exclusions; it standardizes definitions and consumer disclosure and limits certain uses of preexisting-condition denials.

Procedural notes

  • Committee amendment clarified permitted producer license lines (life, health, personal lines, P&C).
  • Legislative progress: passed Assembly unanimously (72-0); active in Senate committees as of March 2025.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.