Bill > HB1078

This bill amends existing Washington state law regarding pet insurance to provide additional consumer protections. The bill establishes new rules for how pet insurers can manage policy coverage, including restrictions on canceling or refusing to renew policies. Specifically, insurers cannot cancel a policy based on a pet's age or the development of health conditions during the policy period, such as chronic conditions, orthopedic issues, congenital anomalies, or hereditary disorders. The bill maintains existing provisions allowing insurers to exclude coverage for preexisting conditions with appropriate consumer disclosure. It also allows insurers to impose up to 30-day waiting periods for illnesses or orthopedic conditions, with the option to waive these waiting periods if the pet passes a medical examination. Additionally, the bill requires that if an insurance company transfers its pet insurance business between affiliated companies, current policyholders must be offered a new policy without waiting periods, veterinary examinations, or cancellation based on the pet's health conditions. The legislation aims to provide more stable and transparent pet insurance coverage for consumers by limiting insurers' ability to arbitrarily deny or cancel policies.

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https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1078&Year=2025&Initiative=false