Today's Law As Amended


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AB-2411 Pet insurance.(2009-2010)



As Amends the Law Today


SECTION 1.

 Section 120 of the Insurance Code is amended to read:

120.
 Miscellaneous insurance includes insurance against loss from damage done, directly or indirectly by lightning, windstorm, tornado, earthquake  or earthquake;  insurance under an open policy indemnifying the producer of any motion picture, television, theatrical, sport, or similar production, event, or exhibition against loss by reason of the interruption, postponement, or cancellation of such production, event, or exhibition due to death, accidental injury, or sickness preventing performers, directors, or other principals from commencing or continuing their respective performance or duties; pet insurance, as defined in Section 12880;  and any insurance not included in any of the foregoing classes, and which is a proper subject of insurance.

SEC. 2.

 Part 9 (commencing with Section 12880) is added to Division 2 of the Insurance Code, to read:

PART 9. PET INSURANCE

12880.
 For purposes of this part, the following definitions shall apply:
(a) “Pet insurance” means an individual or group insurance policy that provides coverage for veterinary expenses.
(b) “Veterinarian” means an individual who holds a valid license to practice veterinary medicine from the Veterinary Medical Board pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 4800) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code or other appropriate licensing entity in the jurisdiction in which he or she practices.
(c) “Veterinary expenses” means the costs associated with any medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment provided by a veterinarian, including, but not limited to, the cost of drugs prescribed by a veterinarian.
(d) “Hereditary disorder” means an abnormality that is genetically transmitted from parent to offspring and may cause illness or disease.
12880.1.
 A policy of pet insurance that is marketed, issued, amended, renewed, or delivered to a resident of this state on or after July 1, 2011, regardless of the situs of the contract or master group policyholder, shall be subject to this part.
12880.2.
 (a) In connection with the sale of a new, amended, or renewed policy of pet insurance on or after July 1, 2011, a pet insurer shall reasonably disclose all of the following to the consumer:
(1) If the policy excludes coverage due to any of the following:
(A) A preexisting condition.
(B) A hereditary disorder.
(C) A congenital anomaly or disorder.
(2) Any policy provision that limits coverage through a waiting or affiliation period, a deductible, coinsurance, or an annual or lifetime policy limit.
(3) Whether the insurer reduces coverage or increases premiums based on claims experience in any preceding policy period.
(b) If a pet insurer uses any of the terms set forth in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) in a policy of pet insurance, the insurer shall include a definition of the term in the policy and shall make that definition available via a link on the main page of the insurer’s Internet Web site.
(c) A pet insurer that determines claim payments under a pet insurance policy on any basis shall clearly disclose that basis in the policy and through a link on the main page of the insurer’s Internet Web site.
(d) A pet insurer that uses a benefit schedule to determine claim payments under a pet insurance policy shall do both of the following:
(1) Include the applicable benefit schedule in the policy.
(2) Disclose all benefit schedules used by the insurer under its pet insurance policies through a link on the main page of the insurer’s Internet Web site.
(e) A pet insurer that determines claim payments under a pet insurance policy based on usual and customary fees, or any other reimbursement limitation based on prevailing veterinary service provider charges, shall do both of the following:
(1) Include a usual and customary fee limitation provision in the policy that clearly describes the insurer’s basis for determining usual and customary fees and how that basis is applied in calculating claim payments.
(2) Disclose the insurer’s basis for determining usual and customary charges under the policy via a link on the main page of the insurer’s Internet Web site.
(f) The disclosures required by this section shall be in addition to any other disclosures required by other applicable law.
12880.3.
 Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department shall publish on its Internet Web site a list of the insurers that offer, issue, or underwrite pet insurance in the state. With respect to each insurer listed, the department shall publish on its Internet Web site the names of the pet insurance products that the insurer offers, issues, or underwrites in the state, including any name marketed to consumers, the name of the insurer’s general agent or general agents with authority to offer, issue, or underwrite pet insurance in the state, if any, and a link to the insurer’s company profile maintained by the department.