Pet Insurance Bill Vetoed in California

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger rejects bill that would have required greater disclosure.

Posted: September 28, 2010, 2 a.m. EDT

Dog in white pillars California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday rejected a bill that would have required greater disclosure from pet insurers.

Existing law already allows the Department of Insurance to regulate pet insurance if there is a demonstrated need, Schwarzenegger said in his veto message.

“As such, this bill is not necessary,” he said.

Assembly Bill 2411, introduced by Assemblyman Dave Jones in February, aimed to help consumers make informed choices about pet insurance by improving disclosures of the benefits and limitations included in insurance policies issued for veterinary services.

Specifically, the bill would have required that insurers post coverage limits, benefit schedules, preexisting conditions and other limitations of pet insurance policies on the insurer’s website. The bill also would have allowed consumers to easily track complaints on the Department of Insurance’s website, according to Jones.