HomeWhether you are looking to protect your financial investment, or to make sure your equine partner receives the best care in the event he becomes ill or injured, horse insurance is one of the most cost effective ways to achieve both.
For answers to frequently asked questions, visit the FAQ PAGE
To get an emailed quote to determine the cost of horse insurance coverages, go to the QUOTE PAGE.
For more tips and information on horse insurance as well as health and safety tips, visit out BLOG.
Equine Mortality Insurance
The equine Full or General Mortality policy (the term used varies depending on the insurance company) is basically a horse life insurance policy. It provides coverage in the event the insured horse dies during the policy period due to a covered accident, injury, illness or disease. It also includes limited coverage for theft that occurs during the policy period. The typical horse mortality insurance policy will usually cover the horse while it is in the continental United States and Canada. Horse mortality insurance policies can typically extend to other countries as well, with prior notice and underwriting approval, and additional premium paid.
This type of equine life insurance coverage is generally available for healthy horses between the ages of 24 hours to 20 years.
The companies that we work with usually also include a free Emergency Colic Surgery endorsement as part of the horse mortality policy, for horses without a colic history. The limit is sometimes based on a percentage of the horse's insured value, with a maximum of $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the insurance company. While this would only cover a portion of the costs associated with colic surgery, it is a valuable benefit. Please Note: if your horse has a history of colic or other gastro-intestinal issues, either medical or surgical, this coverage may not apply.
Another type of mortality coverage that is available as an alternative to Full or General Mortality is often referred to an Extended Named Perils or Limited Perils or Limited Mortality coverage. This type of horse life insurance policy covers only if the horse dies as a result of a limited number of specifically named causes that are spelled out in the policy, such as fire, lighting, or flood. If your horse is still valuable, but ineligible for Full Mortality, you may want to consider this coverage.
Insured Value
In most cases you can insure your horse for its purchase price or less, if the horse is a recent purchase. If you have owned the horse for some time and believe he has increased in value, you may have the option to insure for more than the purchase price. To do this, you would need to submit a Substantiation of Value form (which can be found on the Forms and Applications page), which would help you list competition and/or breeding records, and/or professional training fees paid. If the horse is a homebred with no performance or breeding record of its own, generally the company will initially agree to an insured value of three times the sire's stud fee. We will be happy to work with you in gathering the necessary information and submitting it to underwriting for their review.
It is a very good idea to keep your horse's bill of sale, proof of payment (such as the cancelled check, receipt, or documentation of a wire transfer), and performance and/or breeding records on file in the event you file a mortality claim, as these will likely be requested by the insurance company during the claims process.
Justification of Value: /media/ValueForm2013(1).pdf
Premium
The premium for an equine mortality insurance policy is based on the horse's age, breed, sex, use/level and value. To get an emailed quote, go to the QUOTE PAGE. Or please call our office at 888-687-8555 and we will be happy to provide you with a horse insurance quote over the phone.
Claims
If your horse becomes ill, is injured, suffers an accident or lameness, needs non-routine veterinary care, requires surgery for any reason (even something that is not covered and/or that is routine, such as castration), dies, or is stolen, you must notify the insurance company immediately. There will be a toll free number on your policy, and someone with the claims department will be available to help you any time, day or night. Failure to promptly report any of these situations to the insurance company could jeopardize your access to coverage under the policy. In addition, if you are considering euthanizing your horse, before you do so it is vital that you contact the insurance company's claims office so that the adjuster can discuss with you and your veterinarian the coverage parameters for this type of situation -- otherwise you could jeopardize your coverage. Also, if your horse unexpectedly dies, it is vital that you contact the insurance company's claims department immediately, and that you do not bury or otherwise dispose of the body, as a necropsy will probably be required, per the Mortality policy's terms.
More information on contacting the claims department, Click here.
Major Medical,
Veterinary Services or Medical Assistance
These are the most popular coverages that customers add to their Full or General Horse Mortality insurance policies. They are a type of health insurance designed to help reimburse you for covered veterinary costs (medical and/or surgical) in the event your horse suffers a covered accident, injury, lameness, illness or disease during the policy period. Typically a portion of the diagnostic and treatment expenses are covered, in addition to a portion of aftercare expenses, depending on the health issue the horse is experiencing, and the insurance company offering the coverage.
Coverage is typically available for horses from the ages of 30 days to 20 years, depending on the insurance company.
Coverage limits (the maximum the insurance company will pay out during the 12-month policy period) of $5,000, $7,500, $10,000, and $15,000 are available. Premiums start at $200 and increase accordingly. Some restrictions to available limits may apply, depending on the horse's insured value, use, or age. For example, many companies will not offer Major Medical, Veterinary Services or Medical Assistance (each company uses different terms for these similar coverages) limits higher than the horse's insured value, and there are also age restrictions. That said, we work with some companies that will consider offering these sorts of medical/surgical coverages regardless of the horse's insured value on the Mortality policy. With one company that we work with, even for a horse that you insure for a value of $1,000 on the Mortality policy (such as a horse that you adopted, that was gifted to you, or is an off-the-track Thoroughbred), you could still have anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000 limits of Medical/Surgical coverage (providing the horse otherwise meets the underwriting criteria).
Also, most companies will now offer Major Medical, Veterinary Services and Medical Assistance coverages through the ages of 18-20, especially if the horse has been continually insured and otherwise meets underwriting guidelines.
Keep in mind that these coverages are endorsements that are added to the Full or General Horse Mortality insurance policy. They are not available as standalone coverages.
Deductibles range from $250-$675, depending on the company and coverage limit, and apply on a per claim basis during the policy period.
Surgical Only
Generally speaking, this coverage will help reimburse you for covered veterinary surgical costs in the event your horse suffers a covered illness, injury, accident, or disease that requires life-saving surgery under general anesthesia. Depending on the company, it may also pay a percentage of the medical costs related to the surgery, up to the coverage limit.
Policy limits are available at $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000, depending on the horse's insured value and the insurance company. Premiums begin at $150.
Coverage is usually available for horses from the ages of 31 days to 20 years, depending on the insurance company. This coverage is usually added to a Full or General Horse Mortality policies for horses that are not eligible for Major Medical, Veterinary Services or Medical Assistance coverage.
Stallion AS&D
This coverage will reimburse you for a percentage of your proven breeding stallion's insured value in the event he can no longer settle mares in foal due to a covered accident, sickness, or disease that occurs during the policy period. A veterinary exam as well as breeding history will be required. Coverage is not available for unproven stallions.
Coverage is usually available for horses between 3-14 years of age, depending on the insurance company.
All information on this website is for basic informational purposes only, and does not constitute advice or any guarantee of coverage from Broadstone Equine Insurance Agency, a division of Marshall & Sterling Insurance. Contact our office directly at 888-687-8555 or info@BroadstoneEquine.com to speak with an agent for complete and current information regarding all equine insurance and related coverages.