Is insurance worth it

[honetpot]

The last time I insured a horse, it was our first one that I bought for my daughter it was a youngster and wanted to ensure it didn't have a death wish. As you are supposed to disclose any illness or injury I claimed for a hoof abcess, they then excluded the whole leg although they only paid out £90, so I haven't insured anything since. I buy, trying not to buy any more, robust types, even the TB with very flat feet lived out and only had one abcess. The ones I have had PTS insurance or not if due to illness or injury I would have done the same.
At one point I think I had twelve, these were all family horse/pony types, and insuring all of them would have cost a huge chunk and I am was, not so hot now, on having them MOT'd every year and I always call the vet and spend the £50 call out rather than let the problem get bigger. I am just the same with the cows, the cow vet is very good at anwering my questions.
I think you have to think what risk are you insuring for, if its just the vets fees, I like control.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Why would you think you had to spend a couple of hours on phone to the insurance company instead of dealing with your horse? I have never had to do that.If horse needs treatment, it needs treatment regardless of who is paying what. I get vet as normal, they treat horse as normal, I submit claim forms, insurance pays bills. I know what I am covered for and what I’m not covered for and have never had an issue. I have also never had an insurance company butt in anywhere regarding treatment.

Because one Sunday night, a friend, the YO and I, spent two hours trying to find a contact number for the out of hours service and to get a representative on the phone. Unsuccessfully. The vet wanted to take the horse to a specialist hospital immediately. Prompt treatment was critical to the outcome and would cost several thousand pounds.
My friend was incredibly distressed, but instead of being able to focus on what the vet was saying and being able to comfort her horse, she was tied up with searching for numbers on Google.
Unable to notify the insurance company or get assurance that the cost a would be covered, she decided to have the horse PTS to relieve its suffering. She could not risk being unable to pay the bills for treatment when she thought she would never have to worry about that.

 

[teddypops]

Because one Sunday night, a friend, the YO and I, spent two hours trying to find a contact number for the out of hours service and to get a representative on the phone. Unsuccessfully. The vet wanted to take the horse to a specialist hospital immediately. Prompt treatment was critical to the outcome and would cost several thousand pounds.
My friend was incredibly distressed, but instead of being able to focus on what the vet was saying and being able to comfort her horse, she was tied up with searching for numbers on Google.
Unable to notify the insurance company or get assurance that the cost a would be covered, she decided to have the horse PTS to relieve its suffering. She could not risk being unable to pay the bills for treatment when she thought she would never have to worry about that.

Why would she have thought the insurance wouldn’t cover it? I would always get the treatment the horse needed at the time and I’m not wealthy at all. I wouldn’t even think to contact the insurance in an emergency and I’ve had several of those.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Why would she have thought the insurance wouldn’t cover it? I would always get the treatment the horse needed at the time and I’m not wealthy at all. I wouldn’t even think to contact the insurance in an emergency and I’ve had several of those.

The horse needed transporting to a specialist hospital. She didn't know if the insurance company would cover travel or livery fees at the hospital. Neither did she know if the insurance company would be prepared to pay for the preferred, but very expensive treatment option.
The vet and YO ( with 30 years experience on a 60 horse yard), didn't know either.
At such a distressing time, being able to get confirmation from the 24 hour help line, would have resulted in a different outcome.
Not everyone is prepared for the possibility of a large bill when they thought they had peace of mind through insurance.
Would you commit to paying thousands of pounds in the midst of a crisis if the insurer refused your claim ?

 

[teddypops]

The horse needed transporting to a specialist hospital. She didn't know if the insurance company would cover travel or livery fees at the hospital. Neither did she know if the insurance company would be prepared to pay for the preferred, but very expensive treatment option.
The vet and YO ( with 30 years experience on a 60 horse yard), didn't know either.
At such a distressing time, being able to get confirmation from the 24 hour help line, would have resulted in a different outcome.
Not everyone is prepared for the possibility of a large bill when they thought they had peace of mind through insurance.
Would you commit to paying thousands of pounds in the midst of a crisis if the insurer refused your claim ?

It’s in your policy if they pay for transportation and livery fees. Depends on the horse really, but if the treatment was needed and the horse didn’t have exclusions for condition/ accident whatever then yes I would think the insurance would pay as that’s what it’s for. I also wouldn’t expect anyone else to know what was in my insurance policy so it would be usual for a vet/ yard owner to not know. I use an equine vet for everything, so my ponies go to the hospital if they need anything doing.

 

[Polos Mum]

T, would have resulted in a different outcome.

But if she didn't have any insurance the PTS outcome would have been the same, so not having their phone number didn't really make any difference. If the vet thought it was risky / unlikely to be covered then the decision made was the same one as not having insurance.

I think I'd feel pretty bad PTS because I couldn't find a phone number. It may well have been the best thing for the horse in the long run if it was unusual / complex treatment - hopefully your friend remembers it that way, not a google failure.

Most vets will let you do payment plans over several months for unexpected large bills or credit cards. Although none of us should get into debt over a pet, at midnight standing in front of them and the vet giving us some hope, an awful lot of us would.

 

[Lady Jane]

Always until now. My list of exclusions for renewal tomorrow - clearly I have had a lot of claims & problems but that's another story. I will say the insurance company have paid promptly every time:

Excluding all losses arising directly or indirectly from the soft tissue structures of both hindlimbs including and below the hock other than accidental, external injuries involving an open wound only. Excluding all losses arising directly or indirectly from the back including the sacroiliac and withers other than accidental, external injuries involving an open wound only. Excluding all losses arising directly or indirectly from both front feet including associated structures other than accidental, external injuries involving an open wound only. Excluding all losses arising directly or indirectly from both front fetlocks including associated structures other than accidental, external injuries involving an open wound only. Excluding all losses arising directly or indirectly from both hind pasterns including associated structures other than accidental, external injuries involving an open wound only.

 

[Carlosmum]

I am thinking of cancelling mine now. Pony is 13 and has spent this last 12 months on a laminitis claim. I have already decided I would not put him through colic surgery ( been there done that, lost the pony anyway). If he was injured and would return to full health that would be ok we would find the money. If he had to be retired or on no work for ages, I think I would PTS. The EMS/laminitis means turnout is now limited and whilst he would be happy doing nothing, his health would suffer.

 

[silv]

Sadly it has been well worth it for me. I have lost two very expensive horses in two years. One collapsed with a mesenteric aneurysim (had autopsy) and two weeks ago my beloved mare to colic. Prior to this earlier in the year I had a $1500 vet bill for lameness paid for too. Ironically she had become sound the week before she had the colic. I really hope its never necessary to claim again.

 

[milliepops]

It’s in your policy if they pay for transportation and livery fees. Depends on the horse really, but if the treatment was needed and the horse didn’t have exclusions for condition/ accident whatever then yes I would think the insurance would pay as that’s what it’s for. I also wouldn’t expect anyone else to know what was in my insurance policy so it would be usual for a vet/ yard owner to not know. I use an equine vet for everything, so my ponies go to the hospital if they need anything doing.

this is the way I look at it. I use a specialist horse vet with a full hospital and I know whats covered/what's not. I have always just gone with what the vet has suggested in the moment and told the insurance co when they are open later on. IME they won't give a definite "yes" beforehand anyway (when I've phoned to enquire about non-emergency treatments) but I havent' ever had a claim refused (and sadly have had many over the years )

 

[teddypops]

this is the way I look at it. I use a specialist horse vet with a full hospital and I know whats covered/what's not. I have always just gone with what the vet has suggested in the moment and told the insurance co when they are open later on. IME they won't give a definite "yes" beforehand anyway (when I've phoned to enquire about non-emergency treatments) but I havent' ever had a claim refused (and sadly have had many over the years )

Same here regarding claims.

 

[doodle]

They have always said to me they won’t give a definite yes to payment until after a claim form has been filled by the vet. It is also clear in your policy what is and isn’t covered, transport etc so you should know that before an emergency. If you don’t have an exclusion, which again you will know beforehand, then there is no reason they Will not pay. So no need to spend 2 hrs trying to contact before treatment as even if you did I doubt they would say yes we will pay. Unless of course if vet is saying horse needs to be pts immediately. In which case for horses welfare you pts THEN worry about if insurance will pay.

 

[charterline]

Insurance won’t give a yes or a no over the phone so you’d have to send claim forms over.

The only time I’ve got an initial “yes” we will pay for this was part of an ongoing claim, and a check to see if a bone scan would be covered.

 

[canteron]

I don't insure but put £150 aside every month (£50 per horse) for vet emergencies. This year, my horse had an injury which cost £3,000 so I was glad of my 'rainy day fund'.

I could however find the money relatively easily if it needed more extensive care, if I couldn't then I think I would insure for peace of mind.

 

[Jules111]

For me insurance gives me options, if a serious illness/injury occurs I like that I can make the decision for the horse without considering the cost, it also offers options for rehab, physio etc. I insure for the maximum vets bills possible, £6k per claim gives a lot of flexibility for treatment options.

I've had many claims (for a number of different horses) over the last 5 years, probably topping £15k in total so I've more than had my money's worth.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Why would you think you had to spend a couple of hours on phone to the insurance company instead of dealing with your horse? I have never had to do that.If horse needs treatment, it needs treatment regardless of who is paying what. I get vet as normal, they treat horse as normal, I submit claim forms, insurance pays bills. I know what I am covered for and what I’m not covered for and have never had an issue. I have also never had an insurance company butt in anywhere regarding treatment.

Another same here. I’ve definitely had my insurance worth over the years so I do think it’s worth it for a horse you want to ride and keep rideable. I’ve not lost money being insured. My younger horse is insured but now my oldie isn’t. Emergencies I can cover by credit card.

 

[alex_gomee]

Hi!

This is definitely a tricky question... I'd say insurance does not worth it... until something happens! Paying an insurance is all about uncertainty, which we cannot control... However, as a previous horse owner of two, I'd definitely recommend to have an insurance, just for a peace of mind matter. With an insurance, you can go to your vet without worrying the cost, which is way better for your beloved horses. However, you should look for a good pet insurance provider. What I do for all my insurance policies (pet, car, etc.) is to compare quotes with an online pet insurance comparator, such as HelloSafe or Quote Zone (I let you link in case you want to have a look). That the only way to a good overview of the different providers, I pick the good one.

Good luck with your decision

 

[canteron]

I have over the years religiously put £50 per horse aside - and when it gets to £1000 buy premium bonds (so it’s tucked away). This year one had a bad field accident which quickly swallowed £3000 or so, so fingers crossed we have another vet free patch,
I guess it’s kind of worked for us but t
it does depend whether you do have other funds you can call in in an emergency?

 

[Ranyhyn]

Noo, I have BHS gold membership and a healthy grip on what I'll pay and what I wont against the value of my horse(s)

 

[Pickelina]

I have BHS gold membership and then got harry hall vets/injury cover to supplement that as we moved him to a new field with an established herd and they were a bit mean to him to start with (and I had my finger broken in the crossfire!). NFU wouldn't insure us, I don't think we were rural enough?! But he's 20 and I have savings to cover anything else if needed so I'm self-insuring for illness.

 

[Adoni123]

Definitely - I couldn't cope with the uncertainty.

I have a friend whose 2 horses in 6 months had bills over £10k... You just never know!

 

[doodle]

Good timing for this being brought up again. I got Robins bet bill today. They have just paid £1500 for his hocks in November. I expect that will go up. December they paid for ulcers. Once he is re scoped next week it will be £2500. That is if they are healed and don’t need more treatment, I don’t think they have healed. And now his lungs. I have absolutely no idea but about guessing that least £2000. So that’s £6000 in 3 months with no guarantee that that is the end of it.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

I have actually just gone from insured to having Harry Hall's PL & vet cover (which only covers 50% of the horsepital fees but does cover vet fees dealt with at home, it's also is only £18.75 per quarter) and has £1500 vets bills cover. I got this for external injuries really but would claim for other things, more of a case of 'if they pay out, great and if they don't then so be it.'

The things which are likely to go wrong with Jacob are the things which are excluded, and I have a very definite limit in my mind re: what I would pay out for, and what I would turn away for a year for etc.. I do put money away every month to cover vets bills though.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

I don't think you ever really know if insurance is worth it. I've got a 22 year old horse who was insured from the age of 6 when I bought him until 22yrs. I got a copy of his medical history from our vets & apart from a minor lame issue when he was 8yrs the only thing on his record were annual injections/boosters. I paid a fortune in insurance for no veterinary problems. Another of my horses I don't insure now because he's got so many exclusions on him it's not worth it. I cannot understand that because a horse has had treatment for something, it is now totally cleared up but the insurance people cannot wait to slap on another exclusion.

I know someone that has had 3 horses over the last few years & everyone has needed expensive veterinary care.

It's a lottery, you have your horses vetted & they can still have problems. There's no real answer unless you win the lottery & then who cares about insurance?

 

[GreyMane]

Has anyone had an insurance claim paid by BHS Gold ?
It's described as an "insurance of last resort" so I wondered what difference that makes.

 

[NLPM]

I only have one insured now, and at £78 a month I am debating cancelling at next renewal and taking out BHS membership for the same price for the year to cover public liability. That Harry Hall one mentioned by AShetlandBitMeOnce sounds interesting though, I'll look into that too.

She's been insured since 2012, always for over £65 a month, and I've claimed once, for a bill that only ended up at £500.
I claimed for colic surgery many years ago when I was 18/19 and that was thousands, but that horse was insured for 20 years so again I paid out far more than I ever needed. At the time, I needed the insurance to be able to access that large amount of money quickly, but now I'm in a better job with a higher credit card limit it's less of a concern. Insurance is such a lottery as mentioned above - it's easy for me to see the tens of thousands I've spent on insurance as 'wasted' but that's because I've been lucky with my horses' health (and it is just down to luck, sometimes!). I can see how it could so easily spiral the other way.

 

[NLPM]

Has anyone had an insurance claim paid by BHS Gold ?
It's described as an "insurance of last resort" so I wondered what difference that makes.

I think it's basically that if you have any other insurance that would cover the same claim, that insurance policy is that one that pays out.

Sorry - misread that as you asking what it was! I assume it could affect willingness to pay out if they believe it to be covered elsewhere, but hopefully someone who has had a claim paid by them will be able to give a more definitive answer.

 

[shamrock2021]

It really depends on what your actually insurance for. I only have my horse insured for death and public libraries and personal . I don’t insure for vet bills because it not worth the costs. Plus i wouldn’t put my horse though sugary.

 

[doodle]

It really depends on what your actually insurance for. I only have my horse insured for death and public libraries and personal . I don’t insure for vet bills because it not worth the costs. Plus i wouldn’t put my horse though sugary.

none of the 3 things I have just claimed for have been for surgery. All 3 are not life threatening (spavin, ulcers, lung infection) but no question that the horse has needed treated.

 

[Louby]

My insurance has emailed me today saying theyve paid almost £1000 for the start of her ulcer treatment. Its scary how expensive the drugs are to treat ulcers and I am thankful I am insured as I expect this to be a very expensive ailment! I had a claim almost 2 years ago for a field injury which resulted in 2 ligament strains and various wounds, that maxed out my insurance limit. The bad thing is all tendons and ligaments are now excluded, although they said they will assess that after 12 months in full work, I imagine she will now be excluded for colic and other gastro type ailments. She had a suspected abscess 2 weeks ago, she was hobbling, I didnt claim but it turned out to be a bruised hoof, so no doubt that will have an impact if I need to claim for that leg.
Ive always said I wouldnt send for colic surgery but even a bout of colic can cost hundreds, so I will see what exclusions I have next year and it may have to be a rainy day fund. Ive always insured and for me its just the reassurance that if something happens then I dont have to worry.