Horse Insurance

What is horse insurance?

Horse insurance is designed to protect horse owners against the sometimes considerable unplanned costs that can arise as part of horse ownership. Horse insurance cannot assist with routine costs such as feed, livery, shoeing and vaccination but it can provide support when the unexpected happens. Unfortunately it is almost inevitable that your horse will be involved in incidents that lead to unexpected costs; no-one can predict the level of these costs or when they might occur and it is these that horse insurance is designed to protect against.

Horse insurance is an elective product, meaning it is not a legal requirement for owners to have horse insurance in place. However arranging adequate cover for you and your horse represents responsible ownership and ensures the interests of your horse and the general public are protected.

What does horse insurance cover?

Most horse insurance policies offer a range of benefits and these may either be packaged together or offer the ability to select just those that you feel are most important.

However, for leisure horses (as opposed to bloodstock) most horse insurance providers require you to take out basic cover against loss of the insured horse, whether by death or euthanasia, theft or straying. With this basic cover in place there is often a range of additional options available.

The priority for most horse owners is to insure against unexpected veterinary fees. There are many horse insurance policies on the market, each offering slightly different levels of cover, but all recognise that veterinary treatment costs can be high and that owners wish to protect themselves against these.

Of equally high importance is third party liability. In our increasingly litigious society this essential benefit protects a horse owner against legal and compensation costs that might arise if they are held responsible for damage to property or injury to a member of the public.

Other horse insurance benefits include permanent loss of use, which pays out a lump sum in the event that an injury or illness permanently stops the horse being used for its insured activity, and disposal, a slightly off-putting term, but designed to offer a contribution towards costs such as removal, burial or cremation following death or euthanasia.

In addition, there are benefits associated with the rider. Although horse insurance is primarily for the horse, personal accident cover can usually be included for anyone riding or handling the horse.

Lastly, there are add-ons such as cover for saddlery and tack in case of theft or damage, and similar cover for trailers and horse-drawn vehicles such as traps and gigs.

For a horse insurance quotation from Petplan Equine click here.

What age restrictions are placed on horse insurance policies?

Age restrictions vary depending on the horse insurance cover required. Most policies are available for foals from just a few weeks old, Petplan Equine offers cover from 30 days of age. The significant limitation comes as horses get older. Horse insurance is designed to protect against unexpected costs and it is widely recognised that older horses are more prone to illness, for example degenerative joint conditions; eye problems and digestive disorders. Therefore, all providers place a maximum age limit on veterinary fee cover for illness. Petplan Equine is one of the few providers who offer illness cover up to 25 years of age (provided the horse is insured before its 20th birthday). Most will continue to cover against costs associated with injury for any age of horse.

What activities will be covered under my horse insurance?

One of the joys of horse ownership and riding is the wide range of activities that you can enjoy. Ranging from hacking to hunting there's something for everyone. Horse insurance policies take account of these activities as some pose a greater risk of injury to the horse than others. It is important to make sure that all activities that you do with your horse are listed to be certain that you are covered should you need to make a claim.

How do I buy horse insurance?

For a quote or to buy horse insurance from Petplan Equine simply click here. Alternatively call us on 0800 980 3905.

Can I insure all my horses on the same policy?

With Petplan Equine you can insure any number of horses under one policy and we offer discounts for customers insuring 2 or more horses with us. To obtain a quote for more than one horse please call our team of equine specialists on 0800 980 3905.