12880.8
Effective Jan 1, 2025Added by Stats. 2024, Ch. 612, Sec. 4. (SB 1217) Effective January 1, 2025.
- (a) A pet insurer or producer shall not market a wellness program as pet insurance. Marketing materials for pet insurance shall be separate from marketing materials for wellness programs.
(b) If a wellness program is sold by a pet insurer or producer, all of the following shall apply:
- (1) The seller shall clearly and conspicuously disclose during the sales process that the wellness program is not a regulated insurance product and that a pet owner may purchase pet insurance without having to purchase a wellness program.
- (2) The purchase or renewal of the wellness program shall not be a requirement to the purchase or renewal of pet insurance.
- (3) The costs of the wellness program shall be separate and identifiable from a pet insurance policy sold by the pet insurer or producer.
- (4) A payment transaction for pet insurance shall be separate from a payment transaction for a wellness program.
- (5) The terms and conditions for a wellness program shall be separate from the terms and conditions of a pet insurance policy sold by the pet insurer or producer.
- (6) Documents and correspondence provided to a consumer regarding a wellness program shall clearly identify the entity providing the wellness program.
- (7) The products or coverages available through the wellness program shall not duplicate products or coverages available through the pet insurance policy.
- (8) The advertising of the wellness program shall not be misleading or false and shall comply with this section.
- (c) Coverages included in the pet insurance policy contract described as “wellness” benefits are insurance.
(d)
- (1) A wellness program sold by an insurer shall be deemed to be insurance.
(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a wellness program sold by an insurer shall not be deemed to be insurance if all of the following are true:
- (A) The wellness program services are provided by an entity other than an insurer.
- (B) The wellness program is marketed under the name of the entity providing wellness program services.
- (C) The wellness program does not constitute insurance pursuant to subdivision (e).
- (e) If a wellness program undertakes to indemnify a person against loss, damage, or liability arising from a contingent or unknown event, it is transacting insurance and is subject to this code.