Pro's/Con's of claiming LOU ..

She was 4
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She is 5 now ... she turned 5 whilst she was at the equine hospital.

She has no affiliated record because she wasn't mature enough as a 4yo to do anything but she was ready to start her 'career' the end of this year . She was shown (and shock horror got some ok results even with that confo
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A vet has seen her , and given us a clue to what a 'valuer' would value her at and I am happy at that figure. In all honestly this makes me very reluctant to persue LOU as I don't want to argue her value all day long with anyone .

Yes she is worthless but ah well
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I think she is worth what we payed for her (which I won't say as i'd rather not get shouted at for wasting alot of money on her
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Thanks for all your help re; finding reciepts etc .. sure there are loads around here from her !
 
I would claim the Loss of Use and put that money away for future vets fees. Something you have to think about is if something goes wrong with her when she is a pet how much you will want to put her through in future. You could always get your vet to try and argue the value with them.
 
I'd say that was pretty fair - as a younger horse, the expectation is that they will at least remain the same value, if not increase. With older horses it is harder to prove value, as one 15 year old may be capable of going around Badders, another may have all kinds of inherited problems and struggle to reach happy hacker prices. If you have a receipt, had her vetted, insurance company accepted the value (with whatever proof they required provided - didn't insure with NFU so not 100% on their rules) etc, then I think you should have a relatively straight forward case. Good luck. Sorry about your ponio.
 
This is the thing the first time she has a problem that requires alot of time in recovery/surgery.. only in a few situations would she be put through it . I'm not going to keep her alive at all cost however awful that sounds but so long as she is happy she is here
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I don't know the whole ins and outs of what problem you horse has so probably going to give rubbish help !

Its a long time since I insured a mare but when I did there was a specific percentage in the policy in respect of claiming loss of use on mares (think it was 60% of value insured with NFU but it was a long time ago)

Have found with other matters that the first offer so to speak can go up - so i would challenge.

As I said don't know ins and outs but the main reason for a percentage of value with mares was because of breeding potential. Have you discussed this in depth with your vet to see whether this is a viable option.

If it could be you could find an excellent stallion for half of the money offered (save the other half for foaling expenses etc) and if you moved quick could have her covered this year and be out showing your foal next year.

i'm sure you will have considered this and that there must be a health reason why you are not pursuing this route - but if it is a possibility you would still have part of her so to speak to compete in the future.

One final suggestion - what about buying a foal/yearling that would be less expense, keep you riding up where you can helping others out but at least you would be competing and have the fun of having brought your horse on from a babe

Good luck to you I know how you feel - sitting on the sidelines isn't much fun
 
IME, insurance companies ask for an independent valuation by vet/farrier/trainer who knows the horse. The valuation is of the horse as it was/would be without the injury/condition. That is the figure they will negotiate on (you may find there is a bit of % leeway) BUT they are not interested in either the sum insured or the owner's opinion of the horse's worth. I should use up your available vet's fees and then discuss LOU just before the renewal date with your insurance company. Your vet is the best person to advise you, as vets are used to dealing with insurance companies as part of their professional duties.
 
Breeding isn't an option as she has too many thing wrong with her and she is an unproven 5yo
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I wouldn't buy a foal/yearling as I keep the horses at livery and am at the point I am considering moving away for UNI etc so not an ideal situation for a baby
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Thanks for the suggestion though , I have gone over and over breeding from her but the answer always comes back no!
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I claimed LOU for Honey when she was 6 years old. She is/was insured with Petplan. I'll give her history and why we did LOU.

Honey starting falling over in the trailer and then went lame behind after a jumping competition. We called the vet out who eliminated wobblers. But an examination showed she was lame on both front feet. X rays were taken, which didnt show much and she was put on Bute. This made no difference. Vets sent her to Newmarket where she nerve blocked, x rayed and went under scientography (sp). They diagnosed her with mild navicular syndrome in both front feet and DJD in her right hand. She was injected with steriods which made her no sounder. We tried egg bars, bute, navilox and cortaflex. The result a lamer horse. The vets and my parents then discussed LOU.

We discussed LOU as there was no way we could afford to buy another horse and prognosis for being a competition horse was no existant. A report was written by the vet to petplan. In the end we got the LOU and she is now branded with the L and we recieved 100% of her insured value (£2500).


But...

We took all her shoes off and turned her away. She later came sound and 6 years on she has not had a days lameness. She has since been affliated to British dressage with 13 points, is back jumping 95cm at competitions and 105cm at home. I am going to take her xc this summer.
I regret not having the LOU done now as I believe there is nothing wrong with her. BUT at the time it felt like the right thing to do
 
Please remember there is/will be a timescale in which you can claim for LOU, you cannot leave it 2 pr so years down the line cos your time to claim for LOU will have .

The best thing for you to do in my opinion is talk to your insurers ask them what their positions would be.

You could not have the horse PTS and claim for LOA unless the horse needed immediate destruction and your horse does not. As far as the insurance will see it the problem is manageable to a degree so doesn't warrant euthanasia, that is what LOU is for and that is why LOU is expensive cover because it covers for these exact scenarios. If you have it claim for it!!!! Otherwise what's the point.

Even if by some miracle your horse became and sound in 'x' years time it doesn't matter. St the present time your horse is a classic LOU case. YOU took out the cover YOU have paid the premium. Pointless doing that if you're not going to use the cover when you need it.

This is coming from a horse insurance underwriter as well!!!
 
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This is the exact situation that makes LOU not a very viable option .. it is more than likely that in 5 years she will be utterly useless and require pain relief everyday .. then she would end up being PTS and we would technically get her full insured amount .


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Not true unfortunately. I was in a very similar position with my previous horse and had him PTS in the end but had no payout from insurers. The pay out on "loss of animal" is only possible if something happens that requiress that the horse is PTS immediately ie. there and then eg- broken leg, hit by car that sort of thing. PTS on humane grounds in insurance company speak does not mean the same is it would to you or I. Freeing the horse from long term pain and suffering is not a valid claim.

In a way, that fact made the decision to PTS a whole lot easier- it took away the feeling of guilt that I would somehow profit from his death.

So i guess what I'm saying is use up your vet bills cover for the years period given (assuming thats how ling you can claim) then try for LOU.

I have only just read your story. I really feel for you and you have my deepest sympathies- it hits home hard for me having lost a horse too young as I mentioned above and now being the owner of a 5 yr old coloured. The thought of history repeating itself terrifies me.
 
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