Insurance for 4 ponies?

[Migavie]

I have somehow ended up with 3 ponies that I own and a 3 year old here on loan. All are hardy native breeds. I’ve been insured with NFU but am gulping at the cost and wondering if I should stop insuring them . I have BHS Gold membership. Another option is Agria who certainly don’t pay out as much but are much cheaper and cover for life. I just wonder what other people do?

 

[pinkfluffy]

I've got Agria and the renewal price made me wince but its a really good policy and covers a lot so I think I'm (unwillingly) sticking with it. I haven't claimed from them but the cover for life is reassuring. The 'loss of use' clause doubles the monthly price (for me) but I'm thinking its worth it...hopefully won't need it. Don't have my pony in his 20s insured because I couldn't find one who would.
I hate insurance shopping.

 

[Bobthecob15]

Have you lots of savings?

I must say I’m super impressed with NFU, put a claim in on Friday and they approved it today and paid the vet directly! They are expensive but can’t fault their speed!

 

[SEL]

I've just got external injuries cover for 2 of mine - Harry Hall

 

[paddy555]

why do you want insurance? (other than PL)

would you go for say colic surgery
if one went lame would you want extensive exams or are you a turn out in the field and let them come right

if one dies or has to be PTS do you want money or would you just be happy to accept the loss

are you into every vet test going or a more moderate"wait and see" approach

if one became unrideable would it matter?

I have too many to insure, am a wait and see type of person and self insure by paying the money into a savings account to cover vet fees. Alternatively have a credit card with a large balance.

is it a condition of your loan that you insure?

 

[dorsetladette]

I have 3 ponies all on Harry Hall external injury. I've upped my cover to £3000 per claim and added tack insurance and it's still very reasonable. You can add colic surgery to this too if you wanted (and disposal I believe)

I have a credit card with a balance enough for me to make decisions on my horses welfare based on what's (IMHO) best for them rather than the financial impact on me.

As Paddy555 says, it really depends on what you are willing to put your horses through. And what approach you take to intervention. I'm a wait and see kind of person.

 

[Patterdale]

why do you want insurance? (other than PL)

would you go for say colic surgery
if one went lame would you want extensive exams or are you a turn out in the field and let them come right

if one dies or has to be PTS do you want money or would you just be happy to accept the loss

are you into every vet test going or a more moderate"wait and see" approach

if one became unrideable would it matter?

I have too many to insure, am a wait and see type of person and self insure by paying the money into a savings account to cover vet fees. Alternatively have a credit card with a large balance.

is it a condition of your loan that you insure?

This is very much my thinking too.

 

[Polos Mum]

I have 4 with public liability only. The cost to insure for meaningful vets fees would be astronomical, sadly I still find vets more conservative in their recommendations (rest and see) than when they are insured. I had a lameness work up recently for one, the vets said if insured they'd expect to spend £2k, but paying directly they could get 95% sure of what's going on for £800 - which is what they spent.
There are a few things they didn't rule out - but likely as not, they found what we needed to know for less than half the cost.

Some great thinking above about how you would feel in different situations - that is well worth thinking through.


To add, I do insure them for reasonable vets fees in the first year. Over many years (and watching many many friends with horses) the nasty things tend to happen in the first year - other than unlucky accidents. So if they come through year one sound and in good shape - you've got a more than average chance that carries on.
When I do this I usually have a high excess - above £500 helps the premium quite a bit.

 

[Migavie]

Thanks for all replies. This has highlighted some really good factors. I will have a serious think about it all. I would definitely be quids in if I had never insured our equines but a bit superstitious about cancelling it!!

 

[planete]

I have PL and accidental injury cover through World Horse Welfare. £160.00 a year. Insuring a large number of animals is not really that logical financially as you would be really unlucky if the huge total amount paid in premiums over the years was not greater than the vet bills you might have incurred. Put the equivalent money in a savings account and if you do not need it it will still be yours.

PS. I am also a wait and see kind of person if the situation is not an emergency.

 

[throwawayaccount]

if you can't readily have the funds available for an emergency (injury, illness etc) then insurance is an absolute necessity. my pony is still insured even though things like her ligaments, etc can't be claimed on, because if she was poorly etc i'd need the safety net of insurance

if you do have funds spare or can put X amount to a savings account monthly, then at the minimum i'd recommend they're insured for public liability.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I have 2 horses & they are seniors. I do not insure the eldest, he's 25/26 years & the other is 21. I gave up insurance on the eldest because I was paying & he was given very little I could claim on do I let it go. About 3 months ago he got colic & we had decided that if he got colic we would put him down. However the type of colic he got was his intestines etc had moved in his body & he needed them moved back, there was never going to be any removal of parts of his gut. He had a 3 hour operation & we went to see him the following day & he looked great, he walked over to us and had fuss. Now, three months or so on we are getting him moving, exercising him and he's almost ready to be ridden. The scar is healed & he's absolutely wonderful. What has it cost, we operation was £6,500 & with the various visits etc around a total of £7500. I still have him & he's in great condition & came through it all well, probably the best £7500 I've ever spent. I also have a pair of cats, they arrived on my doorstep about 12 years or so ago. I did nothing for the first 3 days but they remained so I decided to adopt them & they are still with me. I actually insure them with Pet Plan and that costs just over £78 per month & I have never claimed in the last 12 years. I may review this as it's quite a price to pay each month.