Horse Insurance FAQ's

What Are The Benefits Of Horse Insurance?

By taking out a veterinary insurance policy you are removing an element of the financial burden of costs incurred during the treatment of your horse. You, the owner, will pay the excess and the insurance company will pay the remainder of the bill up to the limit of the policy. The ‘limit’ varies between policies but it is important you know what it is.

Some policies also cover alternative treatments such as physiotherapy and remedial farriery.

Which Insurance Company Should I Choose?

There are lots of different insurance companies in the market place, offering a wide range of policies. We would recommend you get a number of quotes from different companies. As with lots of things to a certain extent you get what you pay for. If a quote looks too good to be true, it might be. Always read the small print when comparing quotes to check you are comparing like with like.

It is also sensible to speak to family and friends who have made claims to enquire what different companies are like to deal with, do they settle claims quickly etc. Unfortunately as vets we are not able/ allowed to recommend specific companies.

What Type Of Insurance Policy Do I Need?

Broadly speaking there are 3 main types of policy:

  • Third Party Liability: This offers protection if your horse is involved in an incident and you  are found legally responsible for an accident, injury or death to a third party or their property.
  • Veterinary Fee Cover: If your horse becomes sick or injured the insurance company pays the veterinary costs up to the limit of the policy, with you the owner paying the excess. A policy providing £5000 of veterinary cover is sensible. It is important you check what the excess payment is and what veterinary limit your insurance policy provides. Some policies have a high excess and low veterinary limit!
  • Permanent Loss of Use: This policy pays a proportion of the insured value of the horse in the event of the horse sustaining an injury or illness that permanently prevents the horse participating in its insured activity.

A Guide To Making An Insurance Claim

Many owners are confused by the insurance process and this guide is aimed at making the whole process easier to understand. The following steps should be helpful, but don’t forget we’re here to guide you through the process and help to make it as stress free as possible aided by our lovely Emily in the office who is just a phone call away:

Contact your insurance company to obtain a claim form and provide information regarding the claim. Once you know you need to make an insurance claim contact your insurance company as soon as possible. They will send you an insurance form and ask you questions about the claim recording your answers. Questions they might ask are a brief description of the problem and the start dates of the claim. You are not the vet so are not expected to provide a diagnosis for the problem a simple description such as lame left fore is sufficient. If in doubt as to what to say speak to the vet looking after your case. The start date of the claim is the date you first became aware of the condition, not the date the vet first visited the horse. This is important as most equine policies currently run for 12 months and the ‘clock starts ticking’ when you first noted the problem not when vets first attended.

Complete your claim form in full, sign it and send your completed section with the veterinary section to the practice for the attending vet to complete. NFU now use a paperless system and will take all the client information from you over the phone and email the veterinary section direct to the practice. Other companies will either post you an insurance form or you can download one form their website. You will be copied into any correspondence the practice has with your insurance company.

Pay your insurance excess to the practice. The amount depends on the policy you have. You can pay by telephone using a credit card or why not visit our website and pay online by Worldpay using ‘excess’ as your cart number.

Additional information. Insurance companies will sometimes ask for additional information such as vaccination records and history from previous vets. To allow the claim to proceed quickly it is important any information requested by the insurance company is provided in a timely manner.

Being familiar with the terms and conditions of your policy is sensible to ensure you do not jeopardise your claim.

IMPORTANT: Whilst we make every effort to support your insurance claim, any costs incurred in the treatment of your horse are your financial responsibility regardless of any decisions made by the insurers.

Top Tips:

  1. You will have a waiting period from taking out your policy of approximately 14 days. During this time only claims for physical injuries caused by an accident will be considered.
  2. Loss of animal claims. In the sad event of the death of your horse it is likely the insurance company will require a post mortem examination. The cost of this is not usually covered under the insurance policy but the post mortem is required for the insurance company to process the claim.
  3. Some insurance companies require authorisation before referral/ surgery. In the event of an emergency if is useful to keep your insurance policy number and any relevant contact details stored on your mobile phone.
  4. Downloaded claim forms will not have your policy number of broker reference number entered automatically so please remember to enter the appropriate information.
  5. Send us a copy of your policy document, this allows us to see insurance limit and any exclusion applied to your policy.
Ambulatory
We always come to you! We have hospital-grade veterinary and diagnostic tools which are entirely mobile, which means you have the convenience of keeping your horse right where they are.
Independent
We are proud to be a local, family-run practice, and if your horse needs specialist treatment, we are free to refer them to the top experts in the country for their specific needs, not where a corporate dictates.
Experience
Over 20 years as a practice we have built an outstanding reputation for trustworthy care, treatment and professionalism - and our team of vets have devoted their careers exclusively to equine medicine.
Emergencies
We offer an out-of-hours service for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year so you always have our support and your peace of mind.

Our Services

Castrations

Castrations

Routine castration of colts can be performed at your home stables, ideally during the spring or autumn.
Dental Care

Dental Care

We provide expert routine dental care and examinations - as the condition of your horse’s mouth plays such an important role in their overall health and welfare.
Emergencies

Emergencies

We know that emergencies can happen any time of the day or night - and we offer the assurance that you always have the veterinary support you need standing by. We offer our own in-house emergency cover, meaning you will always see one of our vets in your time of need.
Equipment and Diagnostics

Equipment and Diagnostics

We are proud to be a fully ambulatory practice and welcome the fact that modern mobile technology allows us to effectively deliver treatment and diagnoses at the convenience of your stable.
Euthanasia and Equine Bereavement

Euthanasia and Equine Bereavement

We are privileged in veterinary medicine to have the ability to end suffering, and have a responsibility to work with you to do so in a way that is painless and minimises stress for all involved.
Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy

Gastroscopy continues to be the only reliable method for the diagnosis of gastric ulcers in horses. At Agnew, we offer this service using our mobile equipment at your home stables to avoid any additional stress caused by transporting your horse or pony.
Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine

We examine horses for a wide range of medical problems including weight loss, diarrhoea, respiratory disease, urinary disorders and skin disease right at your stables.
Laboratory Services

Laboratory Services

We have close links with a number of outstanding veterinary clinical laboratories in Newmarket and around the country - and we are able to choose the most appropriate and experienced lab depending on what we are testing for.
Lameness Investigations

Lameness Investigations

Our vets have a great reputation for their lameness investigations at the convenience of your own stables. Stuart is one of only 21 vets in the country who is an Advanced Practitioner in Equine Orthopaedics.
Pre-Purchase Exams (Vettings)

Pre-Purchase Exams (Vettings)

Vettings are very important and are one of the most consequential things you’ll ask your vet to do – because purchasing a horse is a big decision! On that basis, Robin, Arnie & Stuart carry out the majority of our vettings as we feel experience is key to delivering the best outcome for you and the horse.
Reproductive Services

Reproductive Services

We offer a variety of reproductive services for your mare including artificial insemination, ultrasound scanning and pregnancy diagnosis, twin pregnancy management, foal management and vaccinations to prevent abortion.
Routine Health Care

Routine Health Care

At Agnew Equine, we believe that keeping your horse happy and healthy starts with Routine Preventative Care; vaccinations, regular dentistry, parasite control are fundamental to the well-being of your horse and doing all you can to ensure they live long and healthy lives.
Surgery/Referral

Surgery/Referral

As an independent practice, our vets at Agnew Equine are able to review each case and, where necessary, recommend referral to the most appropriate hospital in the circumstances to help with the specialised care of your horse or pony.
“My best advice is register with Agnew Equine - they are the best!” Louisa Kelly
“Love these vets - wouldn’t go anywhere else! Fantastic.” Paulina Nicholls
“A great team of vets! Calm, caring, experts with a professional manner” Kelly Pope
“Best vets anyone could have. Fantastic in all ways.” Angela Frost
“By far the most attentive and polite practice I’ve come across”
Agnew EquineHot Lane Farm, Hot LaneBiddulph MoorStoke-on-TrentStaffordshireST8 7HP01782 510502find us
Map
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
8.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday
Closed
Sundays
Closed
In An Emergency

We offer an out-of-hours service for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Simply call the practice on 01782 510502 to access our support.

Notices
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions
Website sponsored by

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Logo

Find Us On Facebook