Insurance - alternatives to NFU

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CBAnglo

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I have had it with NFU. One of my horses went in for investigation on a leg, and some other problems were found in other areas - they are refusing to split the claim even though they are nothing to do with each other!

So, I am moving my other horses from them NOW.

Can people suggest alternatives? I want a reputable firm who is actually going to be fair.

Thanks in advance.
 
I have been very impressed with KBIS :) Great customer service - when I originally switched to them they put an exclusion on the policy which I thought was a bit unfair, sent them a nice email and they removed it for me because they agreed with me - that's not bad for an insurance company :D
 
I'm with AM Trust Equine now.

Was previously with NFU but was unhappy with their exclusion of colic from my cover based on a very, very minor bout of spasmodic colic that my horse had 3 years ago. Even with a letter from my vet stating that they had been no further issues they wouldn't remove it.

I phoned about and found AMTrust to be very reasonably priced and they were happy to include colic in my cover with a note from my vet.

Not had to use them yet but considering I was in the middle of making a claim with NFU at the time they made the whole process very easy and have been very good to deal with then ever I've spoke to them.
 
Thanks everyone.

I will have a look at KBIS and AmTrust (not heard of that one).

Have been with NFU for yrs and they were very good with previous claims so I stayed even though my premiums have risen by several £100 in the past year.

One of my policies is coming up for renewal in 2 weeks so this is perfect timing! Anyone else think it wrong for NFU to charge a £550 premium to insure a retired horse at grass for £500?
 
CBAnglo said:
Thanks everyone.

I will have a look at KBIS and AmTrust (not heard of that one).

Have been with NFU for yrs and they were very good with previous claims so I stayed even though my premiums have risen by several £100 in the past year.

One of my policies is coming up for renewal in 2 weeks so this is perfect timing! Anyone else think it wrong for NFU to charge a £550 premium to insure a retired horse at grass for £500?
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If there are vet fees included in the policy, then that's where the money adds up - an older horse is much more of a 'risk' in insurance terms.

Re splitting your claim - what's your excess per condition? You might find that if they split it you end up paying more in the long run...

I'm with KBIS - haven't had occasion to make a claim but they're always very helpful on the phone.
 
I'm in the process of doing the same, but only because the premiums seem to have shot up and the woman in the local office that I've always used told me to either take their quote or leave it - I don't like being talked to like I'm an idiot! I've ended up moving using Julie andrews insurance. I spoke to her herself and it cost me no extra than going direct and i did lots of quotes first! Have talked thru requirements and at least can use her as a broker to moan at if it doesn't work out- youngster now insured with scOttish equestrian (amtrust), 5 more to move, horsebox, tractor, land rover and home insurance will follow too. Shame as they have always paid out!
 
AMH said:
If there are vet fees included in the policy, then that's where the money adds up - an older horse is much more of a 'risk' in insurance terms.

Re splitting your claim - what's your excess per condition? You might find that if they split it you end up paying more in the long run...

I'm with KBIS - haven't had occasion to make a claim but they're always very helpful on the phone.
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Vet's fees are included (the only point of insurance IMO) but the horse in question is 10 and was retired for arthritis 4 yrs ago. He isnt even worth £500, but that is the minimum value they will insure him for.

And no - each condition requires surgery so I needed the full £5k for each. Both conditions (and associated limbs) will be excluded from now on, so there is very little of the horse left to insure.
 
I have my two insured with Lycetts. Very professional, easy to deal with and can recommend.

I thought they just took top end horses but were very happy to insure my two neds even though I did splutter when they said they did not need a vetting on a horse under 10K.
 
CBAnglo said:
Vet's fees are included (the only point of insurance IMO) but the horse in question is 10 and was retired for arthritis 4 yrs ago. He isnt even worth £500, but that is the minimum value they will insure him for.

And no - each condition requires surgery so I needed the full £5k for each. Both conditions (and associated limbs) will be excluded from now on, so there is very little of the horse left to insure.
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Sorry, I saw 'retired' and made an assumption about the horse's age :o
 
I have just insured Rufty with Pet plan via Julie Andrews and I am paying about £280 including vets fees £5000 (illness and injury) I thought that this was quite reasonable. Iput his value as £500
 
CH - thanks, I will see if they will give me a quote.

AMH - yes, everyone expects him to be about 30 but he is only a baby really (he is a sweet thing and I had another to ride so I didn't mind retiring a youngster).

RM - thanks, that's another vote for julie andrews so definitely going to check her out.

Lots of phone calls on monday. Does anyone else feel that sometimes their day job just gets in the way of sorting out the horses?
 
Another one with KBIS, I moved to them after NFU hiked my premium :)

I was very impressed with them over the phone when I joined, and since George was diagnosed with COPD in Jan they have been brilliant. They've not quibbled about anything and have paid every bill direct to the vet by return of post :) Despite the claim currently standing at £3K my premium only went up by £10 a year at renewal and they only excluded him for lower respiratory problems not his entire resp system.
 
CBAnglo said:
Thanks everyone.

I will have a look at KBIS and AmTrust (not heard of that one).

Have been with NFU for yrs and they were very good with previous claims so I stayed even though my premiums have risen by several £100 in the past year.

One of my policies is coming up for renewal in 2 weeks so this is perfect timing! Anyone else think it wrong for NFU to charge a £550 premium to insure a retired horse at grass for £500?
Click to expand...

No I don't think it's wrong one wound needing some careful veterinary management will quickly cost well over £1000 it's not the value of the horse that's driving the premium but the cost of the vet.
 
I recommend Petplan. I've had no problems with them at all - and they have paid out several thousand pounds for my mare. When she was admitted to hospital for lameness investigation they actually wanted the claim splitting into front limb and hind limb lameness. And I had a retired horse aged 21 insured with them until we lost him and my policy with them was £28 per month.
 
Both of mine are with Petplan - and M as you know (in all his tragicness) has come down with everything left right and centre and they've always paid out no questions asked.
 
Thanks everyone. Looks like there are lots of alternatives - I stayed with NFU because I wanted a reliable insurer, but their refusal to split the claim for 2 very different and non-related issues means they have lost my 3 which is £1.6k a year which is nothing to them but I refuse to give them any more money.

And yes, I aware that a cut could cost £1k but considering haven't claimed in 4 yrs and my premium just went up another £150 on one policy I think it is definitely time to move!

FA - new boy has arrived I will pm u with update and also update on R.
 
Just as a quick update, NFU have now agreed to split the claim so my boy can now have both surgeries. I have to admit, I didnt realise how stressed I was about the whole thing until I got their email today confirming that he would be covered and I cried.

I have ended up sticking with NFU for all of my three, as although they may not be the cheapest (though there wasnt really much in it TBH) they definitely are reliable and in my opinion, there is no point paying out for a cheaper insurer and then not being able to claim.

So so relieved.
 
CBAnglo said:
Thanks everyone.

I will have a look at KBIS and AmTrust (not heard of that one).

Have been with NFU for yrs and they were very good with previous claims so I stayed even though my premiums have risen by several £100 in the past year.

One of my policies is coming up for renewal in 2 weeks so this is perfect timing! Anyone else think it wrong for NFU to charge a £550 premium to insure a retired horse at grass for £500?
Click to expand...

No I done think the premium is wrong just represents the risk of the vets fees part of the policy (assuming you have vets fees insurance if not its barking. )
NFU are losing money on their horse insurance and really don't want the business.
 
CBAnglo said:
Just as a quick update, NFU have now agreed to split the claim so my boy can now have both surgeries. I have to admit, I didnt realise how stressed I was about the whole thing until I got their email today confirming that he would be covered and I cried.

I have ended up sticking with NFU for all of my three, as although they may not be the cheapest (though there wasnt really much in it TBH) they definitely are reliable and in my opinion, there is no point paying out for a cheaper insurer and then not being able to claim.

So so relieved.
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Glad it's all worked out. Bad enough having a poorly horse without insurance stress as well.
 
Thank you again Goldenstar.

In this case though, I have renewed the policy with NFU. There were cheaper alternatives (with the same level of vet cover) but I wanted a reliable insurer.

I dont think I realised how stressed I was about it until I got the email this evening.
 
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CBAnglo said:
Thank you again Goldenstar - you made that same point on the previous page.

In this case though, I have renewed the policy with NFU. There were cheaper alternatives (with the same level of vet cover) but I wanted a reliable insurer.
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Must be the dementia I put the dirty mugs in the fridge last week .
 
Ah, you caught me before I could edit! Wasnt sure if you realised this was an old thread and you had posted before!
 
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