Owning a horse is a wonderful experience for any horse lover, but it is a costly endeavor. You need to pay close attention to your emotional and financial commitments.
Are you prepared to pay high veterinary bills if your horse gets sick or injured? What are your options if your horse injures its rider?
Thankfully, equestrian insurance can help alleviate these concerns. Because there is so much that goes into horse insurance, we’re going to show you everything you need to know before you blow your hard-earned cash.
What does horse insurance cover?
Just like with any other pet insurance policy, there are many options for your horse. Below you will find the most common types of horse insurance options.
professional medical
Human primary medical insurance is similar to equine health insurance. Coverage varies from business to business, just like our own health insurance, so it’s critical to examine possible plans carefully to determine what they cover and what they don’t.
Veterinary treatment is often part of the coverage in the event of an accident, sickness or disease. Health conditions can also be diagnosed and treated, and certain aftercare can be paid for.
Preventative treatment is usually not covered by major medical insurance, but it does cover unforeseen veterinary expenses. Pet insurance companies rarely cover pre-existing conditions, elective surgery, or alternative treatments like reflexology. Dental treatment is usually not covered by insurance.
Annual coverage limits for most policies range from $5,000 to $15,000. If the cost of your horse’s treatment exceeds your coverage limit, you will be responsible for the difference. The insurance works on a reimbursement basis, where you pay the veterinarian first and then submit the bill to the insurance company. The insurance company checks the bill and issues you a reimbursement to repay the cost according to the conditions of your policy.
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death insurance
Horse death insurance is similar to life insurance. It pays you if your horse dies as a result of a covered illness, accident or injury. Some insurance companies offer death coverage as a basis for other forms of coverage.
This means you buy a life insurance policy and then add other coverages to it, such as critical medical coverage. However, this technique varies from company to company. The company offers complete and limited death coverage.
If you have a full mortality policy, the full value of your horse will be paid. Limited mortality plans cover only a portion of your horse’s value. Death insurance costs more as your horse gets older.
care, guardianship, control
If you work with other people’s horses, you may need care, guardianship and control insurance. This type of insurance is an excellent investment if you ride, train or breed horses. Under these schemes, they often include damage to other people’s horses.
You can purchase these policies alone or in conjunction with other liability coverage. They provide horse by horse and year by year reports. For example, a policy may provide $12,000 in coverage per horse per year.
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out of use
Owners who use their horses for income-generating activities such as breeding are subject to the loss-of-use rules. These plans often include substantial underwriting, a screening process that insurance companies conduct before issuing policies.
Insurance companies often require veterinary examinations, x-rays and documentation of the horse and its medical records. The insurance will compensate you for the income you would have received had you kept the horse.
Loss of use coverage is usually included in major medical and death insurance policies. There is no separate loss of use insurance.
surgical
We all know how expensive surgery can be with or without insurance. Some horses may not be eligible for extensive medical treatment. Or, your money may prevent you from purchasing important medical equipment.
If this is the case, you may want to consider purchasing surgery-only insurance. As the name suggests, these plans cover lifesaving procedures for your horse. This coverage also has a maximum limit of $10,000 per year.
Colic surgery plans are also available that only cover this procedure, which can be costly. One thing to keep in mind is that this insurance usually does not cover room and board while in the clinic, only medical expenses.
responsibility
Liability insurance will pay if your horse destroys someone else’s property or injures someone. Your homeowners insurance policy may protect your steed, but you should double check with your insurer. If not, you should consider purchasing liability insurance.
Even the most careful homeowner is not immune to accidents. If you own and operate a horse-related business, you will need greater liability coverage. A dedicated insurance professional can help you determine the appropriate level of protection.
Find Horse Insurance Rates
Just like any other type of insurance you buy, there are a variety of factors that determine the cost. Here are some of the main things related to horse insurance.
- Forms of Coverage: When it comes to horse insurance, you have a variety of options. You can choose to limit the mortality rate only through surgery, which is the cheapest option. You can also choose a plan that offers more comprehensive coverage. The more protection you have, the more expensive it is.
- Deductible: Most horse insurance policies include a deductible. This is the amount you must pay before the plan starts covering you. Your premiums will be cheaper if you choose a higher deductible.
- Policy Limits: Medicare usually has annual coverage limits. Higher premiums are associated with higher coverage limits.
- Your horse’s value: Insurance companies use the value of your horse to determine the cost of death plans. Figuring out how much something is worth is not always easy. If you just bought it, your horse’s value will be equal to the purchase price. If you use your horse for income-generating activities, the value of your horse may go up. You have to convince the insurance company of the horse’s worth. A horse’s age also has an effect on its value. Older horses may be worth less.
The easiest way to find out how much insurance your horse will cost is to get quotes from several companies. Keep in mind that each business offers different coverage, so comparing plans can be difficult.
best pet insurance for horses
Because horse insurance coverage varies widely, it’s crucial to compare the various plans. Based on our research, these are the top horse pet insurance alternatives.
Best Overall: Blue Bridle Equine Insurance
For over 40 years, Blue Bridle has specialized in horse insurance. This was critical to the development of equine surgery and health insurance. Blue Bridle is approved to work in 42 of the 50 states. It caters to a wide range of equestrian enthusiasts. Surgical and colic coverage is available, as well as medical assistance, injury and sickness, and loss of use coverage. It also offers insurance modifications to protect your horse when it leaves the US or Canada.
Best of Breed: Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency
Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency offers a variety of horse insurance options. It provides vital medical and surgical coverage for a wide range of horses and its claims department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Broadstone’s website is also full of information to help you make an informed decision to purchase the correct insurance for you and your horse. Broadstone also welcomes inquiries related to coverage, please contact them if you have any questions.
Best Value: ASPCA
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is a well-known organization in the field of animal welfare, including horses. Equine ASPCA animal health insurance is a cost-effective solution for unforeseen care needs.
There are two options: one for colics and accidents and one for colics, accidents and illnesses. Like most pet health insurance plans, these policies do not cover pre-existing conditions. You can add a preventive medicine benefit to either plan.
Best for Equine Specialty Medical: Kay Cassell Equine Insurance
Kay Cassell Equine Insurance is a family owned business. All of its packages, including major medical services, offer customized assistance. Its primary medical insurance covers emergency veterinary treatment for your horse and offers policies up to $15,000.
Additionally, there are surgery-only and colic-only options. If you’re not sure which plan is right for you, Kay Cassell staff is ready to discuss alternative coverage.
Choosing a Horse Insurance Provider
Choosing a horse insurance company is a big decision. You need to understand that if you ever have a problem, your insurance company will be there for you. Ask a friend or relative about an insurance company they have experience with.
Check any insurance companies you are considering for review. Pay close attention to how the company communicates with you when you contact them for a quote. Are they replying to you quickly? Will they work with you on your policy options? Choose a business that has your best interests at heart.
Afterwards, check your offer again. Request a sample policy so you can learn more. Ask about their claims process and how long it takes to review a claim.
I am broadly interested in how human activities influence the ability of wildlife to persist in the modified environments that we create.
Specifically, my research investigates how the configuration and composition of landscapes influence the movement and population dynamics of forest birds. Both natural and human-derived fragmenting of habitat can influence where birds settle, how they access the resources they need to survive and reproduce, and these factors in turn affect population demographics. Most recently, I have been studying the ability of individuals to move through and utilize forested areas which have been modified through timber harvest as they seek out resources for the breeding and postfledging phases. As well I am working in collaboration with Parks Canada scientists to examine in the influence of high density moose populations on forest bird communities in Gros Morne National Park. Many of my projects are conducted in collaboration or consultation with representatives of industry and government agencies, seeking to improve the management and sustainability of natural resource extraction.
