Choosing the Best Insurance for your Horse



Its estimated that in the UK the horse population is almost one million. Due to the greater value of horse compared to dogs, cat or other common pets and the fact that vet fees are greater too has made the UK horse insurance market is very competitive. Most horse owners will have some form of horse medical cover as a way to cover the high horse treatment fees.

Companies that offer Insurance for Horses

PetPlan is one such company that offers Equine Insurance in the UK, horses are often referred to as the elite animals of the world and a thoroughbred is one of the most finely tuned animals in the world, but all horses can be susceptible to injury and strains. There are many factors to consider with regards to equine insurance which include:

Equine Insurance policy options

* Cheap Horse Insurance - The cheapest equine insurance policies will give you the basic of protection for your horse, with a fixed limit on both the length and cost of any treatment. Due to this any long term illness will mean the owner will have to pay the bill and as a result will not be able to take out any new horse insurance to cover existing ailments. With the high cost of the horses and the treatments involved horse owners tend to look to the more higher value insurance for their horses.

* Mid Range Horse Insurance - This is the next step up from the cheaper horse insurance, the basic differences are the longer length and cost of treatment their not much other differences. Again, long term illness would be uncovered after the initial timescale has been exceeded and it would be near impossible to obtain insurance for that treatment elsewhere.

* Lifetime Equine Insurance - When you consider the cost of buying and owning a horse, most people feel safer with lifetime horse health insurance. This takes away much of the pressure with regard to vet fees and while there is a maximum funding amount per year, this will begin again when the policy is renewed, even for existing ailments. Lifetime also mean the full term with no small print excluding horses after a certain age.

Equine Vet Costs

No new horse owner should be without Equine insurance as the costs involved compared to other animals. Horses cost a substantial amount to house and feed and their regular vet costs can be substantial to say the least. As with all pet insurance cover it is essential that you compare horse insurance quotes. Online horse insurance quotes are available ready though the interest and you can find most of the prominent horse insurers online.

Equine Quarantine Costs

While the overall cost to quarantine a horse can be large, it will depend on if the horse travels overseas or may come into contact with a condition which requires the isolation. Horse quarantine fees can be substantial to say the least and many people not in a position to cover them at short notice. This is where the best equine insurance policies will come into play and offer much needed assistance.

Lost Horse / Horse Theft

Horse theft and the number of lost horses are very substantial and while many are returned unharmed and fairly quickly it can be hard work find and retrieving them. Many of the better equine insurance policies will offer assistance towards the cost of advertising for the return of a lost horse as well as a reward for their safe return. Therefore it is essential that you check out what horse cover you have with your policy.

Horse Treatment Costs

Equine insurance UK is a substantial market which has shown signs of further growth over the last few years with his comes the increase in costs and horse insurance premiums which has attracted many of the larger issuance companies. There is an obvious need for specialist accommodation and veterinary equipment when dealing with horses, something which is reflected in both the maximum payouts and horse health plan premiums.

Horse Accident Cover

Horses are finely tuned animals which are susceptible to strains as well as serious injury. Even the cost of a small strain can prove to be expensive when taking into account vet call out, transport, medicine and time, something which has attracted many to the ever competitive horse insurance UK market. While the increased cost of care is reflected in the premium levels, this is a market where a comparison of horse insurance cover on offer can yield rewards.

Lost Equine Passport

The Equine passport market is one of the largest in the country and as more and more horses travel overseas it is essential to keep a check of their movements and ensure that the correct procedures are adhered to. Equine passports can be very expensive to replace although many equine insurance policies will have provisions to ensure that replacements are sought as quickly as possible, with the costs covered by the horse insurance companies.