There are many benefits of purchasing a central medical/surgical horse insurance policy. While there is no “one size fits all” contracts, most policies offer a range of coverage limits, typically from $5,000 to $15,000, and the ability to stack policies. For example, some companies will only cover the cost of a claim if the horse is worth more than the policy amount. Other companies may provide up to the total value of the policy.

Surgical

Surgical health insurance for horses is available in two types. Primary medical and surgical health insurance cover joint surgery and procedures. Direct medical insurance pays for emergency care, including surgery. Surgical health insurance does not cover elective courses or pre-existing conditions. Primary medical insurance pays for accident-related veterinary treatment, including surgical procedures and diagnostic tests. However, major medical does not cover routine preventative care, therapies for chronic conditions, or elective surgery.

Full Mortality coverage includes a $10,000 limit on colic surgery and a $250 deductible. In addition to surgery, the policy covers diagnosis and aftercare treatment. It may also cover equine veterinary services, including emergency colic surgery. Most major medical insurance plans for horses include a mortality limit of $15,000, which is the minimum limit for a policy. In addition, some guidelines are limited to the United States, while others may only cover specific countries.

Limited colic

To reduce your costs of equine health insurance, you might consider obtaining a Mortality policy. Mortality policies provide coverage for emergency colic surgery and a free equine veterinarian referral. Depending on the insured value of your horse, this endorsement can range from $2,500 to $5,000. On the other hand, Full Mortality coverage is comprehensive and contains a variety of exclusions. Standard exclusions include pre-existing conditions, failure to use a licensed veterinarian, late reporting a loss, noncompliance with company requirements, war, destruction of the horse by government order, and nuclear radiation.

Whole mortality policies offer additional coverage of $5,000 for colic surgery. However, there is a deductible for this additional coverage. Therefore, the lowest cost option is limited mortality with surgery. More robust plans cover all aspects of a horse’s medical care, including arthritis joint injections and navicular disease. Ensuring a horse’s life is a good idea whether you want to save money or have peace of mind.

Full loss

While a mortality policy covers the veterinary expenses for the death of a horse, a full mortality policy protects the policyholder against an even longer list of causes. In addition, a full mortality policy includes protection against sickness and accidents in the form of named perils. Choosing the right insurance plan for your horse is critical, as it can mean the difference between a smooth recovery and being in financial ruin. A loss-of-use or permanent disability endorsement is an endorsement that covers the value of your horse if the injury results in it being unable to perform the specified use. However, these plans are expensive, and the premium is often higher than the cost of primary medical coverage. However, if you own multiple horses, you might want to choose a full loss policy for each. The difference between mortality and full loss insurance depends on what you are looking for in your coverage.

Stallion infertility plan

Stallions may be eligible for health insurance for horses and a stallion infertility plan. Stallions must be “proven” inbreeding mares to qualify for the insurance. “Proven” is not related to the offspring’s success in the racetrack, show ring, or sale ring. Instead, a horse’s “provenance” is the number of mares that a stallion has impregnated during use.

A stallion’s fertility insurance premium is based on the stallion’s valuation. This valuation is usually the syndication value or multiple of the stud fee. However, the cost may differ if the stallion is valued at a low valuation. Most stallions qualify for a five to seven percent fertility premium, though factors may vary the exact amount. For example, a $10 million stallion may be insured for five percent of its value, $550,000 for the first year.

Liability coverage

You may not realize it, but horse health insurance plans can cover the costs of medical procedures and liability. While the basic mortality coverage will cover vet bills, primary medical coverage will pay for veterinary services and expenses. The range can protect anything from a common illness to an accident. The only caveat is that the policy will not cover dental work, alternative therapies, or congenital disabilities. Many companies have their restrictions for major medical plans, though.

When buying horse health insurance, you need to decide what liability coverage you need. You can purchase basic coverage for accidents and illnesses or buy an insurance policy with a higher limit. Complete coverage for the veterinary costs may also be necessary, and it can cover the loss of a horse. Be sure to research the range before purchasing it. You don’t want to be stuck paying for medical bills you didn’t cause.