Delaware pet insurance law

Delaware regulates pet insurance under Del. Code Ann. tit. 18, §§ 8801-8809 (Chapter 88), enacted by HB 156 (2023), effective 31 August 2023.

Key provisions

Longest waiting period allowed, illness	30 days
Longest waiting period allowed, accident	No waiting period allowed
Longest waiting period allowed, orthopedic	30 days
Free-look period	30 days
Pre-existing condition rule	Model-Act definition: a condition for which, before the policy effective date or during any waiting period, a veterinarian provided medical advice, the pet received previous treatment, or, based on verifiable sources, the pet had signs or symptoms directly related to the claimed condition A condition covered under the policy is not preexisting at renewal Insurer bears burden of proving the exclusion applies.
Wellness programs	Yes: wellness programs may not be marketed as pet insurance or required for purchase Separate cost and terms May not duplicate policy coverage 12-pt bold 'not insurance' disclosure 'wellness' benefits inside a policy are insurance.
Required disclosures	Exclusions for preexisting/hereditary/congenital/chronic conditions plus 'other exclusions may apply' statement Waiting periods, deductibles, coinsurance, annual/lifetime limits Whether claims history, pet age or location change coverage or premiums Underwriter name if different from brand Claim payment basis, benefit schedules and usual-and-customary fee basis (with website link) Separate 'Insurer Disclosure of Important Policy Provisions' document (12-pt type, posted online) Regulator and insurer/producer contact info.
Agent licensing and training	Yes: producers must be licensed and complete training before selling (preexisting conditions/waiting periods, insurance vs. wellness programs, hereditary/congenital/chronic conditions, rating/underwriting/renewal) Substantially similar out-of-state training accepted.

Not legal advice. This is a summary of the statute as enacted. Read the policy and the law itself, or ask the state insurance department, before relying on it.

Sources

Checked 29 October 2026.