Horse Insurance Explained: What every Horse Owner needs to know

While owning a horse is a rewarding experience, it also comes with significant risks. Whether you’re a competitive rider, breeder, or simply enjoy leisurely hacks, horse insurance can provide essential financial protection in the event that something goes wrong.

This guide breaks down the types of coverage available, what’s typically included or excluded, and common claims horse owners make.

What is horse insurance?

Horse insurance is a specialised policy designed to cover the health, safety, and value of your horse. Policies can be tailored to suit different needs, from high-performance sport horses to beloved companions.

What does horse insurance cover?

Horse insurance coverage varies by provider; however standard policies often include a combination of:

• Veterinary fees for illness or injury - This is typically the most used part of an horse insurance policy. This could include the veterinary costs for:
  • Emergency surgery - including surgeries such as colic surgery
  • Diagnostic procedures – including X-rays and ultrasounds
  • Transportation – including getting a horse to a hospital
• Death - Financially covers the death of a horse due to illness, injury, or accident, including emergency euthanasia.
• Theft and straying - If your horse is stolen or strays, this will cover for cost of advertising your horse as missing. If your horse isn’t returned within 28 days, it will also cover the financial compensation.
• Loss of use - Provides compensation if your horse becomes permanently unable to perform its insured function, for example show jumping or dressage.
• Transit - Covers your horse while being transported, either domestically or internationally.
• Personal accident - Covers you and any others who you give permission to ride your horse against personal accidents that take place when riding.
• Horse public liability insurance - Protects you if your horse causes injury to a third party or damages property. This can include legal fees and any compensation awarded to the injured party. We can also extend this to include any damage caused by your horsebox or trailer too.
• Tack and equipment - Protection for your saddlery, tack and equipment against damage, loss and theft.

Common exclusions in horse insurance

Understanding what’s not covered in your policy is just as important. Exclusions tend to vary from insurer to insurer; however some typical exclusions include:

• Pre-existing medical conditions - Unfortunately, cover will not be included for any pre-existing medical conditions that your horse has suffered from prior to the policy being started. For example, if your horse had suffered from a stroke in the past, if they had another stroke, they would not be covered.
• Horses over a certain age - If your horse is up to 16 years old, we can insure it on full cover. Any horses older than 19 years will be eligible for veteran horse cover. Any horses between the age of 16 and 19, will be able to choose between full horse cover or veteran horse cover.
• Lack of routine care - If your horse hasn’t been vaccinated or wormed, cover may be refused.
• Inception period - Most policies will be unable to offer cover for illness or death during the first 14 days of your policy.

What is the most common horse insurance claim?

According to SEIB insurance brokers, the most common horse insurance claim is gastric ulcers, which are responsible for 63% of all colic and digestive disorder claims and 11% of all horse insurance claims[1].

Other frequent horse insurance claims include veterinary fees, accidental death and third-party liability. Having the right cover in place ensure that when the unexpected happens, your horse, and you are protected.

[1] New research reveals Gastric ulcers as top cause of horse insurance claims - SEIB Insurance Brokers

How to choose the right policy for your horse

As previously mentioned, horse insurance can vary from insurer to insurer making it difficult to narrow down policies to find the best one for you. However, there are a few things that you should consider when selecting a policy:

• Your horse’s age, breed, and use.
• The value of your horse (market and sentimental).
• What exclusions are in place.
• Your budget and risk tolerance.
• How much you will have to pay as excess.
• The insurer’s reputation and claim process.

Tips for filing a horse insurance claim

If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where you have to make a claim on your insurance policy, there are a few things we recommend doing to help the process go as smoothly as possible:

1. Notify your insurer as soon as an incident occurs
2. Take photos or videos (if relevant)
3. Keep detailed veterinary records and invoices
4. Follow your vet’s treatment plan
5. Maintain regular communication with your insurer throughout the treatment and claims process

Why you should pick Towergate horse insurance

Horse insurance isn’t just a safety net, it’s a smart investment in your horse’s wellbeing and your peace of mind.

When you speak to our team of horse enthusiasts, you can be sure you’re speaking to someone who understands your needs. Our experienced team of brokers can help by offering tailored advice and exclusive access to multiple insurers ensuring the best coverage for your horse.

From the animals themselves to the horseboxes and trailers, we can offer tailored horse insurance to meet your needs. With our range of horse insurance policies, you can receive comprehensive, convenient protection all in one place. Visit our horse insurance webpage today here at Equine Insurance | Horse Insurance Quotes | Towergate.

Consistent with our policy when giving comment and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems we recommend that professional advice be sought.

Horse insurance from Towergate

Towergate offers equine insurance that can be tailored to suit you and your horse. Read more about our horse insurance and what we can cover.

Get a horse insurance quote

You can get an horse insurance quote online, or call us on 0344 346 0228.

About the author

Adam Summersby is a respected leader with 11 years’ varied experience in niche personal and commercial lines insurance, including caravan, site operators and excess reimbursement, with proficiency in leadership, sales and account management.