nfu refused to insure pony!

LovesCobs

LovesCobs

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i've just had my renewal from Stoneways (who I have never had a problem with but I know NFU insure £5k per condition on the vets fees, stoneways its £5k in total)
So I called NFU to get a quote from them, it's for 1 horse and 2 ponies.
after I told them of 1 pony's exclusions (lami 2 years ago just after she was purchased) suspensory ligament injury 1 year ago and skin allergy (bit like sweet itch), they have come back to me and said they will not insure her! at all!! am I mad, with exclusions I wouldnt be able to claim for those 3 things. they must see her as high risk:(
 
Did they give a reason why?

Would've thought they would just exlcude those conditions.

Didn't rumour have it a while ago that NFU were trying to get out of equine? Take your money elsewhere!
 
Elbie said:
Did they give a reason why?

Would've thought they would just exlcude those conditions.

Didn't rumour have it a while ago that NFU were trying to get out of equine? Take your money elsewhere!
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NFU lose money on horse insurance and are basically really only interested in it if you have lots of insurance with them, I had this conversation with them at our last review in July all our insurance is with them except horses , it's cheaper to carry the risk myself.I have third party that's it.
 
I have never been able to get NFU to quote for mine at all, even when I had two and said I'd move my trailer to them too. They just told me they would only be interested in insuring car, house, farm, trailer, tractors etc as a package, then they'd include horses too.
 
If she's got exclusions for lami (probably also exclude other feet conditions), suspensories (again they may well exlude other tendon type stuff) and all skin conditions what exactly is it you're insuring him for?
A nasty cut in the field would need a vet visit, stitch up, anti biotics and bute - maybe £300/400 (probably a years premiums after excess paid?)
Would you put him through colic surgery? that's one of the few big things left he's still covered for?
 
Lovescobs said:
i've just had my renewal from Stoneways (who I have never had a problem with but I know NFU insure £5k per condition on the vets fees, stoneways its £5k in total)
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I don't understand this... 5K total? What does that include? Mine is 5K for vets fees per condition plus his value for death, theft or straying, plus tack (my liability is £10m through the BHS).
 
Polos Mum said:
If she's got exclusions for lami (probably also exclude other feet conditions), suspensories (again they may well exlude other tendon type stuff) and all skin conditions what exactly is it you're insuring him for?
A nasty cut in the field would need a vet visit, stitch up, anti biotics and bute - maybe £300/400 (probably a years premiums after excess paid?)
Would you put him through colic surgery? that's one of the few big things left he's still covered for?
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This is a good point. When my older horse got to age 17 he had an exclusion for shivers and arthritic conditions (had ringbone and spavins so not surprising!) so I took the decision that I would only insure for accidents/ external visible injury up to 1K. If he'd had a soft tissue injury that required box rest I would have retired him straight to the field. Didn't think it fair to put a big, stiff horse through extended box rest to have only a chance of soundness afterwards so I figured if it didn't come right with a few months in the field, it never would. Also would never have put him through colic surgery, didn't think that was fair on him at that age either.

An awful lot of stuff can come right with just a few months in the field...
 
the only reason they gave was because of her past history (which I dont understand as she has exclusions for those)
they're happy to insure the other 2 who have had no claims in the past!
they NFU person on the phone wasnt very happy about it, but it was out of his hands. they do seem to be changing, they wouldnt insure the ATV mule as I am not a farmer:confused:
but my friend used them, her claim for 2 conditions (on the same leg and within a month of eachother) came to £8k! at 1st they said it was the same condition and paid £5k, then after a vets letter paid the rest. so I was considering tehm, they are also coming up a bit less for the 2 horses they will insure.
I've looked at a few others, petplan wanted £90 a month for my gypsie cob:eek: thants without loss of use which I dont ever ask for
one of the others wanted a vetting which I dont want to pay for (he was vetted at purchase 3 years ago and I obviously have records for him since then so dont see why I should need to) that was one of the other main insurers KEIB or something :o:D
 
chestnut cob said:
I have never been able to get NFU to quote for mine at all, even when I had two and said I'd move my trailer to them too. They just told me they would only be interested in insuring car, house, farm, trailer, tractors etc as a package, then they'd include horses too.
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thats really bad!:mad:
I know quite a few people who use them just for a horse!
 
chestnut cob said:
I don't understand this... 5K total? What does that include? Mine is 5K for vets fees per condition plus his value for death, theft or straying, plus tack (my liability is £10m through the BHS).
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sorry I mean the vets bills section of the cover, I had 2 claims in one year, they insured up to £5k for the year for vet fees. where as other insurers cover £5k per condition you are claiming for (so my 2 claims would be covered seperatley, if the bill came to £10k I would get it paid out)
I'm waffling - is that as clear as mud?
 
Polos Mum said:
If she's got exclusions for lami (probably also exclude other feet conditions), suspensories (again they may well exlude other tendon type stuff) and all skin conditions what exactly is it you're insuring him for?
A nasty cut in the field would need a vet visit, stitch up, anti biotics and bute - maybe £300/400 (probably a years premiums after excess paid?)
Would you put him through colic surgery? that's one of the few big things left he's still covered for?
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I know what you mean and I am questioning it, I have said for the past year that I would not put her through any box rest for lami or anything else, she went mental on it last time, it was horrible to see. I she doesnt settle and bucks constantly in her stable and her behaviour is really bad, I think I'm doing her some serious mental damage even with 'walks' in the day (which were never walks!) she's only little as well!
If she cannot live out in summer (which she has done now for 2 summers with no lami) then I would have her pts. if she has colic that needed surgery I wouldnt do it either. so i guess im covering for any injury in the field. I looked after a horse that needed a joint flush (2 operations in the end) that was expensive but would not have needed much box rest. I suppose I need to decide what I would and wouldnt do.
The ligament injury was a year ago and she is still 1/10th lame and would go very lame if ridden. she's happy in the field, runs around etc and is the boss. maybe taking away the insurance would harden me up enough to make decissions if I had to? she would make a great brood mare if I wanted a foal but I dont and I'm not letting anyone else have her due to her allergies and lami. even insuring fro death, its likely a claim wouldnt be paid unless it was for something non related and then I'd have to prove vet treatment wouldnt have worked (ie not putting her through colic surgery)
I'm going on and on, put please do advise :)
 
NFU insured The Tank for years.

When I was looking for car insurance on my new 4X4, they refused to consider me because of my area :eek: (which is the same as the horse :mad:).

Then when they said they wouldn't insure horses trimmed by trimmers.

I won't be dictated to by an insurance co.

So I voted with my feet too :rolleyes:.
 
Ive never had any issues with them at all but then ive been with them for years and never claimed i have my horse and trailer on the same policy. I did take out the insurance with the local branch though rather than the main company and whenever i have any queries re my policy i have to contact my local office.
 
Goldenstar said:
No its not they should be able to chose who they insure just like owners choose who they insure with.
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if they agree to insure someone for one horse and then refuse someone else in the same situation then I do think thats wrong. if they have a policy it should be an overall policy. they are agreeing to insure my other 2 horses (and I'm not using them for anything else)
 
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