Hot Topics

Which animals can be covered?
You can cover dogs, cats and horses with the pet insurance policies offered through this website.
How does Third Party Liability work?
Third party liability is only usually included in your pet insurance policy if you have a dog, although some policies will cover cats too. It means that if your pet causes damage to a third party, whether it involves property, another person or another pet, the pet insurance will cover the costs.
What is the difference between Market Value, Sum Insured and Purchase Price?
Understanding this terminology will make it easier for you when insuring your horse and also when making a claim:
Is my horse too old or too young to insure?
All companies differ with regard to the age of horses and ponies they will insure – so the only way to find out is to speak to each one individually.
What if my horse dies under anaesthesia?
Your horse dying under anaesthesia is not a general inclusion in a basic horse insurance policy.

Do I need to get the insurance company's agreement before my horse is destroyed?

There are some very strict guidelines that all vets have been issued by their governing body, the British Equine Veterinary Association and a statement issued by BEVA in July 1996, with regard to the destruction of horses.

This offers vets definitive guidance on when immediate destruction is needed and when an insurance company should be notified prior to destruction.

The guidelines state:

"That the insured horse sustains an injury or manifests an illness or disease that is so severe as to warrant immediate destruction to relieve incurable and excessive pain and that no other options of treatment are available to that horse at that time.

"If immediate destruction cannot be justified then the attending veterinary surgeon should provide effective first aid treatment before:

  • requesting that the insurance company be contacted or, failing that
  • arranging for a second opinion from another veterinary surgeon"

In short, if the vet feels that on humane grounds the horse should be destroyed immediately, they are justified in performing immediate destruction. If, however, effective first aid treatment can be given, the insurer should be notified first that destruction might be necessary.