What does horse insurance cover?
Horse insurance policies vary depending on the insurer/provider, but most comprehensive plans generally include the following benefits for your horse as standard:
- Death or Slaughter – Cover (up to the sum insured or market value - whichever is less) if your animal dies due to an accident, illness, or disease
- Theft or Straying – Cover (up to the sum insured or market value - whichever is less) if your horse is stolen or stays, and is not found within 28 days.
- In addition to these, most providers offer a number of optional benefits that horse owners can add to their policy for greater protection. These can include cover for:
- Personal injury
- Third party damages and costs (public liability)
- Veterinary fees
- Loss of use – i.e. your horse has an accident or illness that prevents it from performing its usual functions.
- Stable damage
- Emergency dental treatment
- Hire charges of a replacement horse
- Insurance for death, theft and legal liability is vital for most horse owners.
Who provides horse insurance?
There are a number of independent horse/equine insurance specialists and large insurance firms that provide all types of insurance for equestrians in the UK. These include:
Things to remember when buying horse insurance
Vet's certificate – To be eligible for cover, insurance companies may ask to see a vetting certificate, depending on the sum insured value of the horse and the level of cover you choose. A certificate from your vet may also be required during the claims process.
Shop around – When it comes to taking out insurance, it pays to shop around. Online price comparison services are a good best place to start as they allow you to compare the top deals on the market to find one the best suits your needs and budget – saving you both time and money.