Equine insurance
This practice recommends all horse owners consider insuring themselves and their horses against the unexpected. There are many types of policy cover available and these will vary from company to company, as will the premiums.
To help you consider the variety of options available, it is important to take time to talk to several companies – ask each about the cover they can offer you and ask them to send a quote. Unfortunately it is necessary to study the small print closely – companies with lower premiums will place more exclusions and may prove very frustrating to deal with when making a claim. Ask friends and other horse owners about their experience of insurance companies.
The main types of cover available are:
Third Party insurance
If you consider no other insurance cover, you should treat third party liability as essential. Horses are large and sometimes potentially dangerous animals. We all know that horses can kick out, whether at a person or passing car. However, did you know that you could be taken to court and face having to pay damages running into thousands of pounds if you are found legally liable? In any situation where a third party is injured (or worse), or their property is damaged, they can look for financial compensation. Taking out insurance to protect yourself against this risk is not expensive and it should not be considered an optional benefit.
All risks mortality
These policies can vary but essentially the horse is only covered if it is found dead or if it requires immediate destruction on humane grounds. There are relatively few conditions that fall into this category e.g. a fracture of a major long bone such as the humerus or femur, Be aware that it is a limited form of insurance.
Veterinary fee cover
This cover reimburses the owner for non-routine veterinary treatment of their horse following an accident or illness. Quality veterinary medicine is expensive and if you do not have means to pay an unexpected bill of up to several thousand pounds for an emergency surgery or lameness investigation, you may be faced with the unpalatable decision of whether or not to have your horse destroyed. Current figures suggest that you should insure your horse or pony for up to £5,000 per incident to cover all forms of major treatment available. Inadequate cover may prevent your horse from receiving life-saving surgery.
Loss of use cover
This cover provides reimbursement of your horse develops a permanent disability that prevents it from carrying out the activity for which it is insured. Within this category there are different levels of cover and it is important to clarify which level of compensation you require before taking out the policy.
Personal accident and dental cover
Most insurance companies will offer these benefits to protect anyone riding or handling your horse, not just you, the owner. Cover is usually for permanent disability or death.
Benefits, in addition to those listed above, will suit some owners more than others and these can be chosen to suit your needs. They include options such as saddle and tack cover; permanent loss of use; cover for your trailer or horse-drawn vehicle.
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