Horse insurance, specifically horse mortality insurance that includes a major medical or surgical endorsement, can help protect you financially in case your horse is sick, injured, or dies. Unlike pet insurance for dogs and cats, horse insurance works more like term life insurance and health insurance for people.  It can cover significant expenses like surgery and hospitalization, depending upon how the policy is written.  Horse Insurance policies can provide peace of mind by covering unexpected medical costs that could otherwise devastate your finances.

When insuring your horse, there are a few main types of horse insurance to consider.

Major Medical/Surgical

This type of health insurance for horses helps cover costs if your horse needs surgery or emergency medical treatment due to illness, injury, or accident. It can help pay for colic surgery, bone fractures, lacerations, infections, etc. Significant medical policies often have a deductible and various coverage limits.

Mortality

Mortality coverage is a term life insurance policy that generally pays if your horse dies from illness, injury, or accident.  Exclusions may apply for pre-existing conditions. It provides a payout up to the insured value of your horse so you can recoup the horse’s value. Putting coverage in force may require a veterinary exam, though not always.  Should a horse die, Mortality policies usually require a post-mortem exam.

Loss of Use

Loss of use horse insurance can provide coverage in case your horse becomes permanently incapacitated, can no longer work, or is ridden according to its stated usage. Payouts help compensate for the horse’s reduced value. Vets often must confirm the horse’s inability to fulfill its intended use.

Theft

Equine-proven theft coverage protects against loss due to theft.   It is usually a covered exposure under a limited perils or horse mortality policy.  This section of a mortality policy can cover the horse’s insured value should the horse be stolen. Depending upon policy wording and company requirements,  there can be requirements for proper fencing, alarms, and IDs.   The theft must be proven; therefore, a police report is required, and the police should be called before even the insurance company is notified of possible theft of your horse.

Having the correct type of horse insurance is crucial to protect your equine investment against common risks. Work with an experienced agent to ensure you get the coverage that fits your horse’s needs and value.