[Daisys Mum]

Looking to insure our new boy, he is a 4 yr old Sec D who won't do a lot this year but would like to show him in hand so will be travelling and going out in public. Who does everyone use and recommend?

[shygirl]

if you are just wanting 3rd party, remember riding/pony clubs offer that as part of their membership.

[Daisys Mum]

if you are just wanting 3rd party, remember riding/pony clubs offer that as part of their membership.

Will want him insured for vets fees etc, everything really just not loss of use! Have used NFU before but they got very expensive ended up paying nearly £50 a month for a 15 year old hack.

[Rosemary]

You might want to consider self insuring. I have public liability through WHW but don't insure the ponies any more. The first time I tried to claim, (for immunotherapy for sweetitch) after paying in for years,  they wouldn't pay (because he'd had it more than a year - I had been paying for stuff myself rather than "bother" the insurance).

I've told my vet if they get grass sickness or bad colic, not to even suggest a trip to the Dick vet. Saw a number of horses go when we were in a big livery yard and none came back, but the owners still got bills for £4-5000. It's a racket, IMHO.

Sorry, not very helpful. We were insured with Petplan Equine and I was paying nearly £40 a month then for a pony doing some hacking.

[sabrina]

Gold membership with the British Horse Society gives you public liability. Insurance is often an expensive waste of time. When it comes to paying out you often find you have a fight on your hands. I have a bank account just for vet fees.

[Sbom]

Mine is with NFU, I  needed to make a claim after the first month and they paid out for 12 months of treatment (dental) with no hassle at all.

[ZaktheLad]

I use KBIS and have done for years.

[Rosemary]

I use KBIS and have done for years.

Ever claimed?

[ZaktheLad]

For my previous horse I did and they were very good - quick and efficient with the claim.   That's the main reason I used them again with my current horse as the claim was hassle free.  Touch wood, I haven't had to claim with my current chap.   I do have a quick look around for quotes when my renewal with KBIS is due and I find them highly competitive to other similar cover on the market. 

[ellied]

I don't do individual insurance just third party, and I found it more efficient to pay £50 a month into an ISA to build up a rainy day fund for vet bills than pay that per month for 10 years and then not get paid out because the pony was over 16 by then..   Plus having more than one pony, if I paid that per pony over the same time period, and got one major claim paid out for vet bills I'd still be out of pocket, and only insuring some would all but guarantee the sick one would be one of the others   This way I insure equivalent of one and cover any that need it. 

I also wouldn't send one off to the Dick for an operation unless I was absolutely convinced it would have a good chance of surviving plus had the capacity to cope with the risk of increased trauma by loading and travelling it in that state.  I'm not sure a colicking or GS suffering animal benefits from the journey and unfamiliar surroundings let alone the treatment and all that goes with it.  I may be hard hearted nowadays but I've done both and tend to call it a day at home rather than add to or prolong the suffering on a maybe.

Anyway, that wasn't your question, but an ISA or Premium Bond might be as good as most insurance policies when it comes to vet bills and loss of use payouts, worth a thought.

[Hevxxx99]

I use Animal Friends for my youngster. I did a price comparison and they came out best.

[lord flynn]

I ised to insure, not so much anymore as Petplan refused to pay out on a death claim-even though it was a welfare issue in mine and my vets opinion. so now for one I have an ISA and the others are on restricted issuance with third party through the BHS with top up on CCs should the prognosis be good (excluding colic etc).


however, of you want to Amtrust Equine have a good rep and a very realistic pony plan insurance if your Section D is under 15h.

[Herdygirl]

Whats a Dick vet?

[mowhaugh]

Whats a Dick vet?

Short for The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies - basically the veterinary service provided by Edinburgh University.  Was established by William Dick in 1800s and provides all the usual veterinary services plus lots of specialist stuff.  They have an excellent reputation.

[ellied]

PS those of you that get third party through BHS Gold, as I did for many years, it is far cheaper to join WHW or BDS and you don't have to drive to be a BDS member.  BHS is more than double unless you have other reasons for being a BHS member than the insurance it might be worth looking around.  I think NPS used to have it too for members, can't remember who else.