Horse insurance gripe

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Lucy_Ally

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My insurance with a very well-known and respected insurance company is due for renewal this week. I phoned them to find out that they are putting it up by 7% this year, despite the fact I have not claimed, Spring has not gone up in value or is doing anymore activities, she is not old enough to be in the 'veteran' horse category. I am so cross, they couldn't give me a reason why my policy has gone up so much and were unwilling to negotiate on the amount (without taking out parts of my policy which I do not want as it is tailored to my exact needs).

So, any tips on good companies (not sure on the TCs about naming and shaming insurance companies, but put this way, my ex-insurer is known to be expensive and begins with P!), I have had a quote with AmTrust Equine which is very competitive and has everything that my other insurer had (including £5000 vets fees with a fixed excess - which I really want). I am not interested in E&L for various reasons!

Any advice appreciated, thanks.
 
Try KBIS; they're always helpful and are horsey people so know what you're talking about which is always a bonus I find! I've been with them for years and have claimed on death for two which they settled immediately without a fuss. Although I don't have vet cover, Spotted Cat did on Twiggy and they paid her claims without any trouble so she recommends them too!
 
have u tried NFU ive been with them for years, numbers of horses and claims, never had ne probs with em(touching wood) my policy is also built 2 suit my/horses needs!!
 
Myself and quite a few people I know went through a broker called Julie Andrews Horse Insurance Services and are ultimately insured with SEIB....brilliant service, much cheaper than NFU who I had been with previously for many years....
Have a good reputation too...
 
Insurance blooming pain in the arse!!! I have recently moved one of my horses from Petplan to AM Trust. They seemed very good on the phone & where very very helpful also a lot cheeper for the same cover.

Fingers crossed there ok. A few people did recommend AM Trust off here.
 
The reason why everybodys insurance goes up without even claiming, is because of the claims made by other people, just like car insurance.
 
[ QUOTE ]
The reason why everybodys insurance goes up without even claiming, is because of the claims made by other people, just like car insurance.

[/ QUOTE ]

But with my car insurance I get a no-claims bonus which means my insurance has actually reduced every year. I also find it hard to believe that my ex-insurer (one of the biggest) cannot out-compete a smaller, less-well known company. My thoughts are that they are greedy - they are so well known that they do not care about keeping existing customers and keep bumping up the prices to them (in the hope they will just stay and keep paying) whilst offering new customers introductory deals and free gifts.
mad.gif
 
some one i know,their horse had a lump,(he`s better now)
anyway, they had nearly a year of scans n xrays,trip to hospital to have it removed,week at hospital,follow up xrays,all transport costs both ways and sedation for other pony left at home on its own for the week,all on the insurance.

it just seemsd very expensive and drawn out,and mine will go up to pay for it.
wish i could get a no-claims policy.
 
Ditto re. KBIS> My vet sent in claim form and the money was sent 2 days later. Only thing was they dont insure me for complementary therapies - and this was the response re. remedial shoeing - I wouldn't cal that complementary - fairly crucial I would say!
 
Unfortunately no claims bonus doesn't exist in horse insurance. As has been said premiums rise to cover the various claims made not just by yourself but other claimants.

Additionally vets seem to all have bought scanners & want to use them as often as possible & these scans cost a fortune. Many insurance companies want to be contacted prior to a scanner being used for authorisation. This is due to them being used excessively by some vets, when normal examinations would surfice. Some claiments have not spoken to the company & got prior approval to have a scanner used & the insurtance has refused to pay for that aspect of the treatment.

You need to read the small print on your policies & also read any additional letters that are forwarded to you by the insurance companies. Basically be aware of what you are covered for & more so what you are not.
 
I might be opening a can of worms here but I think that its as much a vet's fault that premiums are so HIGH. With more elaborate equipment and drug charges going through the roof, I think that when they know its an insurance claim, they push the boat out with endless investigations and the most expensive drugs. Also more inexperienced owners panic and call the vet out for very minor problems that these days can easily go over your excess. Willing to be challenged on this!!!
 
I'm with Shearwater now - vets said that they have always been a good company to work with - good quote too (Horse and Rider paid out full monies etc - just a tad slow - but looking back that was probably the RVCs fault - never!).
 
im with NFU - I only pay £30 a month and that covers the horse and me as well. As someone said, it covers extra livery for hospitalisation, it will cover you up to 50% of a MRI scan if they agree it and they also do a bonus thing each year, where they reduce the cost of the insurance slightl the longer you have been with them until it reaches a specific limit. You can also tailormake your cover with them as well. I changed from Petplan to NFU. Works out much cheaper and im covered for what i want to be covered for rather than what is on a standard policy
 
I'm afraid I agree with Cavalo about vets and insurance.

That lovely phrase - "Is it insured?" If you say yes, then it is "goody" the insurance company can pay.

Of course we all want the best outcome, but I sometimes shudder when I hear of people being charged so much and then when the insurance runs out (and the horse is still lame) the vet says PTS.

I am with the NFU and they do operate a sort of no-claims bonus, but it is because it is a mutual society. They have always been very good when I have had to claim.
 
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