Governor Jenniffer González Colón signed into law a measure, authored by Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz, that for the first time creates a regulatory framework for offering and selling pet insurance in Puerto Rico. The law adds a new Chapter 48 to the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, incorporating provisions from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Pet Insurance Model Act.
It sets minimum, uniform consumer disclosures, defines applicable terms, establishes basic policy requirements, and creates marketing standards, while empowering the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OCS) to certify insurers and oversee the market. According to the bill’s analysis, about 48% of Puerto Rico households—roughly 643,000—had pets in 2023, with average monthly pet food spending around $92 per household.
The governor said the law gives families access to reliable, transparent insurance options for veterinary care while boosting market competition and consumer protection. Separately, González Colón also signed a law amending the 2000 Puerto Rico Mental Health Law (Law 408-2000) to align its provisions with the current Penal Code.