Horse insurance

What is Horse Insurance?

Horse Insurance, also known as Equine Insurance, covers the owner financially in the event they have to pay for medical costs due to illness, surgery, or death of the horse. As a horse is considered not only a pet but also an asset, most policies cover equestrian, stud, sport horses, and horses used for recreation. Medical costs for horses can be high due to the specialised veterinarians needed to treat them, and therefore affecting upfront costs.

How Horse Insurance Premiums and Cover Work

The monthly premiums are calculated based on the horse's purchase price. If, however, the horse’s value has increased since purchase, for example, if it has a show record, gained earnings through winning races, has a particular breeding income and training expenses, a higher insured value can be justified. Basic policies start off as a mortality policy that covers the expenses related to the death of a horse. Once this basic policy has been acquired, owners can start to customise it to suit their and their horse’s needs. The additional cover can include medical care due to injury, lameness, colic, loss of breeding ability due to illness or injury, and loss of use if the horse is a racehorse. In the latter two cases, the owner will be paid out to the value of their horse.

Certain insurance providers may determine the monthly premium and the value of the horse based on differing factors. Thus, it is always advisable to compare a range of insurance brands to ensure that you are taking out a policy that best suits your needs, and that you understand all the details in the policy.

If you have recently acquired a horse, Equine Insurance is valuable to safeguard you against the high medical costs related to its upkeep.