Insurance

We recommend that all horses are insured. There are a huge number of different companies and policies available to you and whilst we can give some guidance, only registered brokers or agents can give specific advice to you. The main types of cover include veterinary fees, death and permanent loss of use.

Veterinary fees cover

This cover will pay for non-routine vet bills after payment of an excess amount. The excess varies between policies. They only pay for conditions or diseases that occur after the policy was taken out. They will pay out for any one condition/illness up to the policy limit which varies. There is generally a specified period for which they will continue to pay (often 12 months).  Things to consider when comparing policies: size of excess, policy limit, policy period, restrictions of specific diagnostics, payment for alternative/complementary treatments (eg physio, hydrotheraphy etc).

All risks of Mortality cover (ARM)/Death

This covers the loss of a horse that has died or that has to be put down on humane grounds only. BEVA guidelines for what is considered humane grounds:

“That the insured horse sustains an injury or manifests an illness or disease that is so severe as to warrant immediate destruction to relieve incurable and excessive pain and that no other options of treatment are available to that horse at that time. Where a horse is exhibiting signs of severe and unremitting pain that can no longer be managed so that no other options are available for treatment, then it is the veterinary surgeon's responsibility to destroy the horse immediately.”

In all other cases i.e. if the horse can be given effective pain relief the insurance company must be contacted first to give agreement or to advise a second opinion must be sought. A post mortem will often be required. 

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Loss of use insurance

This covers the horse if an illness or injury results in the permanent inability of the horse to be able to do its job/purpose for which is it insured. The illness or injury must have occurred after the policy was taken out and must be claimed for within the time scale specified by the policy. Loss of use will not cover a horse for behavioural issues, lack of ability, temporary incapacity or loss of value.