Florida Enacts New Regulatory Framework for Pet Insurance and Wellness Programs

Florida has enacted House Bill 655, effective January 1, introducing new regulations for pet insurance and pet wellness programs. The bill classifies pet insurance as property insurance, permitting homeowners' policies to include pet medical care coverage and clarifies that such coverage is not regulated under health or life insurance statutes.

Additionally, the legislation addresses transparency by requiring clear disclosures of coverage exclusions, claims payment criteria, and mandates a 30-day policy return period for dissatisfied pet owners. The bill also restricts pet insurance agents from marketing wellness programs as insurance or mandating wellness programs as a condition for purchasing insurance, promoting fair marketing practices in the growing pet insurance sector.