Horse Insurance
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Compare Horse Insurance for the UK
Do I need horse insurance?
Owning a horse involves big responsibilities and can bring many unexpected risks and costs. Getting the right horse insurance will help protect your finances if your horse becomes sick, gets hurt, damages property or injures people.
It’s not just about covering vet bills; it’s about peace of mind. With proper insurance, you can enjoy time with your horse without worrying about unexpected costs.
How does horse insurance work?
What is covered by horse insurance?
Most policies offer a range of coverage options. These typically include:
- Vet fees: This helps with the cost of treating new accidents, illnesses, and diseases
- Mortality cover: This provides compensation if your horse dies or needs to be put down due to an accident, sickness, or disease.
- Public liability: This covers you if your horse injures someone or damages property.
- Personal accident: This offers financial protection if you're injured while riding.
- Loss of use: This compensates you if your horse can no longer be used for its intended purpose.
What is not covered by horse insurance?
Like all insurance policies, what is covered will differ from policy to policy. So it’s always important to check the terms and conditions carefully.
Generally speaking, most policies won’t cover:
- Pre-existing conditions: Any health issues your horse had before you took out the policy
- Preventative treatments: Things like vaccinations, dental check-ups, and worming
- Routine care: Grooming, regular check-ups and maintenance aren't usually included
How much is horse insurance?
The cost of horse insurance
The yearly cost of horse insurance changes a lot, based on several things. These include your horse's value, the types of coverage you choose and your horse's age. For example, insuring a horse that's 16 or older costs more than insuring a younger horse for the same coverage.
Factors affecting horse insurance cost
- Horse's age and breed
- Horse's value and intended use
- Level of cover chosen
- Your location and stable conditions
Tips for finding cheap horse insurance quotes
- Compare multiple providers
- Choose a higher excess where possible
- Opt for annual payments instead of monthly
- Consider a multi-horse policy if you own several horses
Other horse and equine insurance
Horse Insurance FAQs
Can you insure a horse without a vetting?
The need for a vetting to get horse insurance depends on the insurance company and the type of coverage you want. Some insurers might ask for a two or five-stage vetting, and in some cases, they might request X-rays. If your insurer does require a vetting, they might also specify how recent the vetting needs to be. Always check your policy details to see if you need a vetting and if so, how current it must be.
Do horses need insurance on the road?
You are not legally required to have third-party liability insurance if you intend to ride in public, but it is strongly recommended that you do. This protects you if your horse causes an accident or damage to property or people. Because of recent changes in UK law, liability claim costs have gone up in the past few years. This means public liability cover has become more essential. If you don't have public liability insurance, your assets and reputation as a rider could be in danger if you're found responsible for an incident involving your horse.
Does horse insurance cover vet bills?
Yes, many horse insurance policies cover vet bills. However, it’s also important to check the small print as coverage typically excludes pre-existing conditions. The extent of coverage, such as whether it includes accidents, illnesses, or both, varies between policies. Additionally, the amount you can claim per incident or annually also differs.