🛡️ Vet’s 2025 Guide to Horse Insurance

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

1. Why Horse Insurance Matters

Horses are powerful, expensive, and vulnerable to injury, illness or legal mishaps. Insurance helps cover the cost of colic surgery, laminitis treatment, theft, and even lawsuits—offering protection and peace of mind when it’s needed most.

2. Core Policy Types

2.1 Mortality Insurance

Covers death from accident, illness, disease, and sometimes theft. Premiums average around 2.5–4% of the horse’s insured value annually—for a $10K horse, that’s ≈$290–$400/year :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

2.2 Major Medical & Surgical Insurance

Often added to mortality coverage, this helps pay vet bills and surgeries. A $5K annual limit might cost ~$200, rising with coverage limits; a $10K mortality plus $10K medical policy might be ≈$825/year :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

2.3 Loss of Use Insurance

Provides compensation if a horse becomes permanently unable to perform its intended role. Requires veterinary evidence and policy specifics vary—some insurers may reclaim the horse upon payout :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

2.4 Liability Insurance

Covers legal and medical costs if your horse injures someone or damages property—especially important for boarding, breeders, or trainers :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. Public liability alone can cost ~$250/year for $500K coverage :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

2.5 Additional Coverages

• Named-perils mortality: covers only specified risks, often older horses :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Accident/sickness for stallions: covers infertility due to illness—requires semen proof :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Care, Custody & Control: protects those boarding or training horses that aren’t their own :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

3. How Much Horse Insurance Costs

Annual premiums depend on value, age, use, location, and policy types:

• Mortality: ≈2.5–4% of insured value (e.g., $290–$400 on $10K horse) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Medical/surgical: $200–$500 depending on limit and deductible; combined package ~ $825 /yr :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Liability: ~$250 annually for $500K coverage; varies ﹤$400/yr for amateurs :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Total: $400–12,000/year, depending on horse and policy scope :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

4. Common Exclusions & Policy Limits

• No coverage for preexisting conditions; illness exclusions may apply.
• Preventive care like vaccines or routine dental typically excluded.
• Alternative therapies (e.g., chiropractic) vary by insurer :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Age limits: many policies stop at 20–25 years unless you choose veteran coverage :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Some surgical coverage requires co-pay, deductible (~$300–500), and might be reimbursement-based :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.

5. How to Choose the Right Policy

1. List your needs: mortality vs medical vs liability vs loss-of-use.
2. Get quotes from specialist agents (e.g., equine-focused providers :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}).
3. Compare:
   • Coverage limits and exclusions
   • Deductibles, co-pays, reimbursement models
   • Age restrictions and conditions
   • Required documentation (vet exams, semen tests)
4. Consider total annual cost vs your risk tolerance and emergency fund availability.
5. Review the claims process: speed, transparency, and insurer reliability.
6. Update value and coverage annually—rising performance may justify higher limits.

6. Making a Claim & Smooth Payments

• Notify insurer immediately after an event.
• Keep detailed vet reports and diagnostic records.
• Submit claims quickly with complete documentation.
• Some policies allow installment payments; read the terms :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Microchipping may be required for theft coverage :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

7. Alternatives to Insurance

If premiums are too steep, consider:

• Veterinary discount plans: e.g., Pet Assure offers ~25% discount—but no payouts :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Medical credit cards: like CareCredit—deferred payment for vet charges :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.
• Emergency savings fund: self-insure for routine or small medical needs.

8. Integrating Ask A Vet Support 🩺

Through Ask A Vet, horse owners gain:

• Advice on valuing your horse accurately for insurance.
• Help interpreting policy fine print and exclusions.
• Guidance during veterinary emergencies to optimize claims.
• Support tracking health events, vaccinations and claims readiness.

Download the Ask A Vet app today to build a smart insurance strategy, protect your horse, and secure peace of mind into 2025 and beyond! ❤️

9. Final Takeaways

• Horse insurance is a vital safety net—covering everything from colic surgery to liability.
• Know policy types, costs, exclusions, and how they align with your risks.
• Use tools and professional help to make choices you can trust.
• Informed, smart coverage helps you focus on what matters—your horse’s health and partnership.