horse insurance

[ROMANY 1959]

After many years of not owning a horse, I am about to buy my 11 year old son his first, and would like any advice about what insurance I need. Horse is being bought from the school he has gone to for last 4 years, and will be keep on the yard on a working livery. He will be doing pony club stuff, hacking and lessons in the arena by the school staff. Horse will also be used to teach him polo cross. advice and handy hints welcome

 

[Louby]

Many people now arent insuring due to the increase in costs but if like me you couldnt afford a whopping vets bill then its money well spent. I had 2 claims in 18 mths, each exceeding the max £5k vets fees, so I think its worth every penny.
Im with NFU and they are great, my horse is insured for death, 3rd party liability (a must), vets fees, tack, Loss Of Use and lots of little extras which come included. Petplan are supposed to be very good too. There is an insurer not to go with, not sure if Im allowed to bad mouth them on here but they usually advertise via a leaflet which comes inside magazines and are often a bit cheaper than the rest.
Im not sure if him being a working livery may change the insurance slightly???. Give a couple a ring, they are very helpful.

 

[angie1]

I would agree NFU or Petplan & not E&L or any of their other companies- they hide behind many other names. Look carefully at what cover you actually need. Loss of use is VERY expensive. We found tack cover would be invalid in most situations we could imagine but our household insurer agreed to cover two v expensive saddes as named items on our ordinary house contents policy - even if we are away at en event & they get pinched off the trailer ramp!!! (Not quite sure they understand the risk!)
Third party essential- but is your son in pony club as this gives that cover?
Make sure you tell company what they will be doing- polo cross may require a higher risk group than hacking for example & if you don't tell them they can legitimately refuse to pay.
£5,000 is minimum worth having for vets fees - check if that is for everything in a year or "per condition". You can easily have a cough/ scoping etc & then an argument with a fence, joint flush etc
Don't try to "save" money by not having a vetting - PLEASE! Have one & be sure you are going into this with your eyes wide open.
Good luck & ENJOY!!