Should I ensure for loss of use?

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bex1984

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Pony is currently ensured for 60% LOU but on a high excess policy. I want to change to a normal (£120 ish) excess policy, but this is going to almost double my monthly premiums...eek...but taking the LOU insurance off would save me money.

So, activities pony is insured for are hacking and schooling. Presumably it would take a pretty severe injury/illness to lead to a loss of use claim for hacking?

If you use your horse for hacking and charging round a school only, do you insure for loss of use? Is it worth it?

Thanks!
 
My general allround/ RC horse wasn't insured for LOU but I really wish I had, she tore a tendon probably out hacking and will never jump again, looking iffy whether she'll even be ridden again. So I could have claimed LOU and been able to afford another horse, but now I'm stuck with a broken horse as I can't afford to buy another one within the next five or so years. Definately worth it if you can afford it I'd say. But then paying insurance is all a gamble really, if you do pay it then it will be sod's law you never use it but if you don't it will be sod's law that you really need it!
 
I think it is very difficult to successfuly claim for LOU. If you have only got the pony insured for hacking and schooling the only thing that is going to stop it doing that in all honesty is a bullet.

I've never insured for LOU but then thats my personal risk.

Maybe if you spoke to the insurance company and find out under what circumstances they would pay out and decide from there - I would ask for it in writing
 
I doubt insurance companies would pay out for LOU on a hacking horse.
They question everything and try to find a way round paying out. We had one that broke a bone in its hock, could never showjump again. He wasn't insured for hunting so the insurance company tried to say he broke is hock out hunting, even though we had witnesses that said that he broke it crashing through a showjump.
It took us a year of arguing before we got any money and in the end it wasn't worth it.
 
I would insure of loss of use, a fiends mare did both her back tendons when she slipped in the stable and is no longer rideable.
 
I think it depends on the value of the horse. If it cost over £5000 then yes I think it is worth it. Even if you got 50% it would go a long way towards a new one. If the horse is valued a £1000 then I dont think the premiums are worth it. Youd be better off putting the money into a savings account instead!The age of the horse is also important. If it is over 13 then the LOU payment can go down (I only found this out when I had a potential claim!!!). Also if its a mare and can be used for breeding they may only pay 50%. The thing is the companies dont explain LOU clearly. I think LOU claims are difficult to prove. Ive got loss of use insurance on my horse. Essentially she is now not fit for the purpose I bought her for but I cant claim LOU as she is ok for low level dressage and hacking. I wont be insuring for LOU anymore!!! But if I bought a new horse I would consider it if it was an expensive horse.

In your case you would have to have horse completely lame to claim and then surely it would be kinder to pts. I wouldnt bother with LOU if I was you!
 
I have mine insured for LOU but do not have to specify activities as with NFU. I do it because I coulld not afford to buy another horse if mine could not be ridden and was basically kept as a pet. I would want to get him a friend that I could ride also.
 
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