Definitions; use of defined terms in policies.
Del. Code tit. 18, § 8803
in effect(a) As used in this chapter:
(1) “Chronic condition” means a condition that can be treated or managed, but not cured.
(2) “Congenital anomaly or disorder” means a condition that is present from birth, whether inherited or caused by the environment, which may cause or contribute to illness or disease.
(3) “Hereditary disorder” means an abnormality that is genetically transmitted from parent to offspring and may cause illness or disease.
(4) “Orthopedic” refers to a condition affecting the bone, skeletal muscle, cartilage, tendon, ligament, or joint. “Orthopedic” includes elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc degeneration, patellar luxation, or ruptured cranial cruciate ligament. “Orthopedic” does not include a cancer or a metabolic, hemopoietic, or autoimmune disease.
(5) “Pet insurance” means a property insurance policy that provides coverage for accidents or illnesses, or both, of a pet.
(6) “Preexisting condition” means a condition for which any of the following are true prior to the effective date of a pet insurance policy or during a waiting period:
a. A veterinarian provided medical advice.
b. The pet received previous treatment.
c. Based on information from verifiable sources, the pet had signs or symptoms directly related to the condition for which a claim is being made.
(7) “Renewal” means to issue and deliver at the end of an insurance policy period a policy which supersedes a policy previously issued and delivered by the same pet insurer or affiliated pet insurer and which provides types and limits of coverage substantially similar to those contained in the policy being superseded.
(8) “Veterinarian” means an individual who holds a valid license to practice veterinary medicine from the appropriate licensing entity in the jurisdiction in which the individual practices.
(9) “Veterinary expenses” means the costs associated with medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment that a veterinarian provides, including the cost of a drug a veterinarian prescribes.
(10) “Waiting period” means the period of time specified in a pet insurance policy that is required to transpire before some or all of the coverage in the policy can begin.
(11) “Wellness program” means a subscription or reimbursement-based program that is separate from an insurance policy that provides goods and services to promote the general health, safety, or wellbeing of a pet.
(b) If a pet insurer uses a term under this chapter in a policy of pet insurance, the pet insurer shall use the term’s definition under this chapter and include the term’s definition in the policy. The pet insurer shall make the definition available through a clear and conspicuous link on the main page of the pet insurer or pet insurer’s program administrator’s website.
(c) Nothing in this chapter prohibits or limits the type of exclusion a pet insurer may use in the pet insurers’ policy or requires a pet insurer to have a limitation or exclusion under this chapter.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title18/c088/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026