Representatives of the pet-insurance industry and veterinary practitioners testified in favor of H.1186, an act to create a clearer regulatory framework for pet health insurance in Massachusetts.

John Fielding of the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAFIA) told the committee the measure provides consumer protections, clarifies permissible sales practices, defines common pet-insurance terms for consistency, and ensures that state unfair trade practices law applies appropriately. He said the bill is based on NAIC model-language and that 16 states have enacted similar statutes.

Harrison Stinson of the MSPCA's Angel Animal Medical Center described consumer instances where policy terms differ widely between carriers, resulting in denied claims or limits the buyer might not expect. "Important policy definitions such as preexisting conditions vary from policy to policy and brand to brand, making it difficult for consumers to understand and compare policies," he said.

Why it matters: Witnesses argued that standardizing definitions and disclosures would help pet owners make informed choices and reduce claim disputes.

Process: Supporters asked the committee to report H.1186 favorably; no committee vote is recorded in the transcript.

Ending: Advocates said adoption would provide consistent consumer protections as the market for pet insurance grows.