Insurance - Exclusions

[Nicnac]

Insured horse with a new company 14 months ago as old insurance became ridiculously expensive. Declared any treatment/conditions in past 5 years as requested and as expected had a couple of exclusions. (I don't need people replying that they don't insure but use CC/put money aside please as it's irrelevant to my question.)

Put a claim in last month and they requested full vet history - not an issue. Have owned horse 10 years and current vet did the vetting. Got a letter adding new exclusions as following full history there were a couple of incidents (a splint and one case of thrush) well over 5 years ago - in 2016 so over 6 years ago.

These new exclusions have been added since inception of insurance policy in 2021, not since last renewal. I questioned this and have received a response of "conditions that are noted in history are excluded from next renewal date". Surely that's next renewal date i.e. from 2023 or is just a badly worded response?

Why the hell don't they just ask for full vet history when you take out the insurance?!?!

 

[criso]

My experience is that I have been asked for full vet history at time of taking out insurance and then again at each renewal to include incidents in the last 12 months.

I have noticed more/sillier exclusions appearing. One wanted to exclude any lameness on a foreleg after an overreach about 5 years previously. I managed to get a vet to write a letter for that and got it removed.

For me the difference is whether they exclude that specific thing, I also have a splint noted, or try to exclude any lameness on a leg because of an injury that is not of a type to cause long term issues.

 

[Fieldlife]

Insured horse with a new company 14 months ago as old insurance became ridiculously expensive. Declared any treatment/conditions in past 5 years as requested and as expected had a couple of exclusions. (I don't need people replying that they don't insure but use CC/put money aside please as it's irrelevant to my question.)

Put a claim in last month and they requested full vet history - not an issue. Have owned horse 10 years and current vet did the vetting. Got a letter adding new exclusions as following full history there were a couple of incidents (a splint and one case of thrush) well over 5 years ago - in 2016 so over 6 years ago.

These new exclusions have been added since inception of insurance policy in 2021, not since last renewal. I questioned this and have received a response of "conditions that are noted in history are excluded from next renewal date". Surely that's next renewal date i.e. from 2023 or is just a badly worded response?

Why the hell don't they just ask for full vet history when you take out the insurance?!?!

Because they cover themselves with the overall rider / disclaimer when you take out insurance with new company no pre-existing conditions will be covered.

If you make a claim, they request your full vet history and exclude anything they consider a future increase in risk.

I guess they cover the majority by getting to declare any issues up front. And cost wise it is only worth having and equine underwriter review for other exclusions at the point you are making the claim.

Many insurers will lift exclusions if vet will testify have caused no issues in last 12 months, and are not likely to cause future issues. Or limit to just the relevant splint bone rather than whole leg etc. on vet request.

 

[lottiepony]

With a bit of input from your vet (and a little luck) you may be able to get them removed again, as criso said it can be done.

My horse ended up with so many exclusions it was really pointless insuring for vet fees! Spoke to an extremely helpful person from SEIB who totally understood why I was no longer willing to pay £90+ a month to not really be covered for anything. She ran through a few options and now my horse is actually on a veteran policy - he's only 8! However does give me a bit of vet fee cover for accidental external injuries, public liability, tack and a bit of personal insurance too. I will never be able to put him back on a normal policy now but for less then £30 / month I feel we've got a bit there to help if certain situations arise - which no doubt they will knowing him lol!

 

[SEL]

I got strangles down as an exclusion for a horse that was tested as part of a yard outbreak and was negative. I disputed it and was told that the people who run through the vet history aren't always familiar with the conditions so they escalated it - exclusion removed.

Have they actually put an exclusion for thrush?

 

[criso]

I disputed it and was told that the people who run through the vet history aren't always familiar with the conditions

I've felt sometimes looking at exclusions that it's been looked at by someone without any equine let alone veterinary experience.

 

[Barton Bounty]

KBIS i bet it is! They are a nightmare!! I called to ask them what was included and was ulcers included and they then sent me a letter by the Tuesday excluding ulcers, I wasnt even going down that route!
i changed to E & L and have had one bowt of colic that resulted in vet hospital £2500 and they still have not excluded colic for future!

 

[Nicnac]

Thanks for responses all. Not it's not KBIS and yes they have excluded Thrush. It's just such a fag to get vet to write about silly exclusions for rather benign events that happened years ago. Would understand if they exclude a splint on same leg but 'splints' is just so annoying.

I don't really have an issue with the exclusions but am bit peeved that they only request 5 year's history as @criso says it makes more sense to request full vet history.

That's really interesting @lottiepony - I think Veteran may be the way forward as he'll be almost 16 at next renewal (or back in my case as I was with SEIB previously for years and years).

Hohum - stuck with them for the time being.