Understanding the Basics of Horse Health Insurance
Every horse owner should be aware of basic equine health insurance coverage. Then, they can make informed choices about what type and amount of coverage suits their specific needs.
Mortality and veterinary insurance are among the most common equine insurance policies. But like human life insurance, every procedure is not the same and varies from company to company.
Basics
There are many options available to protect your horse. These include full mortality coverage, primary medical/surgical coverage, and catastrophic accident/illness insurance.
Total mortality is a basic policy, but it covers the death of your horse from any cause. It includes injuries, illnesses, disease, and poison.
It also can cover the cost of transportation to a veterinarian, the removal of the body, and other costs associated with your horse’s death. Rates are based on your horse’s age, use, and value.
Major medical/surgical is a more comprehensive policy covering veterinary diagnostics, medical treatment, and surgery. Deductibles are reasonable, and benefits are generous. Surgical coverage can help to pay for lifesaving surgeries that are unaffordable.
Coverage options
Regarding health insurance for horses, you have various options to select from. Some of them include major medical, which provides for veterinary costs like diagnostic tests and surgery and a percentage of your medicine and visits to the vet.
It is an excellent option to have in place if you have an expensive equine procedure, such as colic surgery or a lameness repair. These policies have reasonable deductibles, and benefits are generous.
A significant benefit is that this policy will cover the cost of diagnostic testing and treatment if the condition is not pre-existing. Conditions like colic and lameness are common problems, but they can also be costly to diagnose and treat.
Adding this type of insurance to your mortality policy is typically a flat fee based on the coverage limit (usually $5,000 to $10,000) and a deductible generally of $150 to $250 per year. It’s crucial to compare rates and coverage options carefully before deciding which plan is best for you.
Exclusions
As any horse owner knows, it is a sad and devastating thought when your beloved equine companion dies. Mortality insurance can help cover the costs of replacing your beloved horse in the event of its death.
It also helps ensure you won’t have to make the difficult decision of euthanasia.
Full mortality coverage is a comprehensive policy that covers the horse’s life against death due to many causes, including fire, lightning, theft, trailer accidents, and more.
Adding medical/surgical insurance is an optional endorsement that can be added to the mortality policy, providing coverage for the veterinary fees required to treat lameness, injury, or illness. Costs vary by the provider based on the coverage limit, deductible, and policy details.
The best policies will include pre-policy proof of health and time limits on treatment for each specific injury or illness. Companies will re-adjust their exclusions each year, so if your horse has a health condition that recurs in the following year, the company might exclude it.
Co-pays
Several options are available to ensure your horse is covered for emergency veterinary services. First, you can get a mortality policy that pays out once your horse dies due to an accident or illness.
Second, you can purchase a significant medical or surgical policy covering some veterinary expenses up to a specific annual limit. This coverage can be a good option for most horses because it can provide peace of mind.
However, some things could be improved in this type of coverage. Most insurers won’t cover pre-existing conditions or veterinary problems you failed to disclose on the application.