Horse insurance, who do you use??

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showjump

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As the title really, we use Petplan, but just done an online quote, for new horse and it seems high. So will do some shopping around.

Any companies to steer clear of??
 
Petplan are not the cheapest, but I have always found them really good at paying claims - they don't quibble too much at all. I have stayed with them on this basis.
 
NFU - even though they have insured my trailer for £42,000
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Don't use E+L or whatever they are called - usually advertised in H+H - both my mum and I have had seperate problems ranging from claims - to high premiums -to refusing to pay out!
 
I use S.E.I.B. never made a claim in my life so no knowledge of what they are like. Friends are with E&L and had to claim, still fighting with them now. They have changed insurance companies now. Try asking your vet as they are usually the ones that end up with the money for vet bills!!
 
stay away from Petplan

inhumane, inconsiderate and downright cruel when you have a death claim.

goto NFU

helpful, considerate, quick payout and understanding real people
 
We were wsith E+L but had problems and people kept telling us to change so now with NFU who are really good and good price to!
 
Mine are with petplan, and my bro's pony was with kbis (who were very good)
Before i changed lottie to petplan she was with equine direct and they were nothing but trouble.
 
I am with NFU purely for their reputation. They are slightly more expensive than some others but their claims history speaks for itself as far as I am concerned
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NFU - and thank god - because when I bought the car and needed and car policy they were by far the cheapest and would only insure me as I had a policy with them already.

Was with E & L - changed because they just kept upping the premium - extra unasked for benefits I was told.
 
I use British Equestrian Insurance Brokers in Tonbridge (now been taken over by bigger company who I can't remember!) but they've been very very good although expensive.
 
I use Petplan - Have had to make some hefty vet's fees claims (running into thousands) and they have always paid up very promptly with no hastle. I am very happy with Petplan.
 
PetPlan. Have always been good with vets' fees - 4 incidents with 3 different horses that were all into 4 figures. However, they are being v slow over paying my death claim, which is v upsetting as I just want to put it all behind me & it upsets me every time I ring them.

My vets send a letter with all bills saying that if you're insured with E&L, you've got to pay up front.
 
Youngster is with E and L as I found them ok when my dogs were insured with them and once when I had to claim I didn't have to pay for treatment beforehand. Dogs that was and it wasn't much and was with different vets than my horses as my own vets don't treat horses, sadly
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The upping of the price of the premiums is a tad annoying though as they used to keep doing that when the dogs were insured with them. Extra benefits and then the platinum club which you can opt out of.
I have a few questions though, if they were that bad why would well known and equally respected horse magazines allow them to advertise in them in the first place, whether ads or leaflets?
I know the press do rely somewhat on revenue gained by advertising and selling advertising space but surely a well regarded magazine would not want a company with a bad reputation sprawled across its pages or even to be associated with the said magazine in the first place. Just a thought?
Also E and L appear to advertise more than any other equine insurers in the written press.
Now is that because they are a good insurance company and have thousands of clients? Or can they afford the advertising costs better than their rivals because they are poor at paying out on claims and thus have more of their client's money to play with?

My older lad is with Petplan purely because they offered the best insurance at the cheapest premium I could find due to his age ( then 15).
Would have insured youngster with them as well but they were just too expensive. I got a quote from NFU for the older lad but not for the youngster and it could not match what Petplan could offer for less money.
I don't know if I would switch youngster now to be honest as I'm unsure if I want the hassle.
I have heard a few horror stories about companies not wanting to pay out if a horse is pts unless prior permission is gained from them etc. But as far as I am concerned small print I have read has said that if the insurer could not be contacted ( ie out of normal office hours) then if a vet deemed it to be in the animal's best interest at the time ( ie significant pain and suffering) then that would be ok.
I don't know if that is correct? If I am wrong please correct me? If that was not the case and insurers act in this way then why do they cover for death since you cannot guarantee that if your horse is likely to suffer a life threatening injury, or illness it's most likely to need the attention of a vet during normal working hours.
Cazx
 
Thankyou all, I will give both petplan and NFU a call. I think i will stay with petplan as both other horses are with them, and two dogs. Il try and get discount for being a good customer!!
 
My own opinion now... I think E n L probabley spend so much on advertising because......... ( Do you think people use them through word of mouth? or Reccommendation... ? I use to be with them but never made a claim. I saw the advert, they were cheap and I could pay monthly, also I could work out what I could afford to pay using there price plan. Very good advertising... ) ........ It pays to advertise!!!
 
E&L have an out of hours phone number - If you don't use that to get their agreement then they won't pay

It's up to us as the insured to read the small print on our policies - they provide the small print and will work to it to wriggle out of paying

Insurance companies are not there to 'help' us - they are there to make money for their shareholders - that is why NFU is best - it is a 'mutual' with no shareholders and so not as much pressure to make shedloads of profit to pay dividends.
 
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