Pet Insurance in California
In the number 1 market nationwide for insured pets, California regulates Pet insurance California pet parents buy under state law.
- State statute Cal. Ins. Code sections 12880 through 12880.8 In force since January 1, 2015
- Regulatory agency: California Department of Insurance.
- For complaints, File a complaint.
- Waiting, illness: Both illness and orthopedic waiting periods have a 30-day cap.
- Waiting, accident: Accidents cannot have a waiting period.
- Renewal no wait: At renewal, insurers cannot put another waiting period on a policy.
- Free look: At least 30 days must be allowed for a policy return.
Sources listed: NAIC Insurance Department Directory, California Department of Insurance complaint filing, NAIC Pet Insurance Model Act (#633) state chart, California Insurance Code, Division 2, Part 9 (Pet Insurance), official text, Connecticut OLR Report 2026-R-0159: Pet Insurance Regulation.
The state Insurance Code's Part 9 consumer rules took effect on January 1, 2015. Effective on January 1, 2025, the latest amendments (SB 1217) revised the California Insurance Code. Every company that sells policies to residents falls under the oversight of the California Department of Insurance.
Nationwide, major carriers offer policies, but plan types come with different coverage terms and prices. For dogs across the US, basic accident-only plans cost an average of $16 monthly ($190 yearly), based on NAPHIA data on NerdWallet. Nationally, the same accident-only coverage for cats averages $9 monthly ($112 yearly).
California pet insurance laws
Within Part 9 of the Insurance Code, the state rules span sections 12880 through 12880.8. The NAIC lists this state as adopting the model law for sections 12880.0 through 12880.6 (2020/2025). All policies sold to residents must meet the consumer protections set by pet insurance law in this state:
- Waiting periods: The waiting period is the time between buying a policy and the point when coverage starts. The cap for both illness and orthopedic waiting periods is 30 days.
- Accidents and renewals: The law bars any waiting period for accidents, and an insurer cannot add one again at renewal.
- Free-look period: During a free look, you may cancel a new policy and return it. You must have at least 30 days to return it.
- Under state law, pre-existing conditions have 1 definition: vet advice, treatment, or signs before coverage begins or while a waiting period applies.
- Proof for exclusions: When an insurer refuses a claim as pre-existing, it must show that the exclusion applies.
- Required disclosures: Exclusions involving pre-existing, hereditary, congenital, and chronic conditions must be disclosed by insurers.
- Wellness plans: Marketing routine wellness plans as pet insurance is prohibited.
Insurers offering pet insurance in California
Coverage availability across all 50 states is published by Trupanion, Fetch, Embrace, ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, Spot, and Nationwide. Trupanion points out that its products and discounts might not be available to all people in every state. For Chewy CarePlus, a state restriction applies: its Trupanion plans aren't offered in California, Alaska, Hawaii, or Vermont.
Nationwide, annual accident and illness premiums average $836 for dogs ($70 monthly) and $435 for cats ($36 monthly). The NAPHIA figures reported by AAHA give national averages instead of state prices, although this state has 18.3% of US insured pets. The price quoted for pet insurance for dogs in California or for cats changes with your pet's age and breed, its species, and ZIP code.
How many California pets have insurance?
Industry reports show each state's national market share instead of providing an exact insured pet count. Here, residents account for 20.2% of gross written pet insurance premium in the US. That places the state among the top 10 in the NAPHIA State of the Industry highlights. Pet parents across North America insure 7.6 million pets, based on NAPHIA market adoption data. Dogs have coverage at 5.99%, cats at 2.29%, and 4.27% of all US pets are covered nationwide.
How can you file a pet insurance complaint in California?
The California Department of Insurance consumer portal takes disputes about claim denials, waiting periods, and policy returns. The California Department of Insurance checks consumer complaints to confirm that companies follow state insurance statutes. When you send your request online, have your insurer letters, policy documents, and vet records ready.
Request plan prices for your pet
Your request goes to an insurance agency. We do not sell insurance, quote it, or bind it.