What do I need to insure my horse? 

What do I need to insure my horse? 

Horse Insurance can be a daunting concept, especially when you are not sure what is required! We asked our friends at HQ Insurance what information do they ask for in order to insure your horse. Read on to find out more! 

When taking out a new insurance policy for a horse at HQ Insurance, the following information  is required: 

• Name and breeding of the horse  

• Age (Year of birth)  

• Use  

• Location 

• Sum insured plus percentage interest (if not 100%) 

Based on the above information, insurers can provide an estimated total insurance premium for mortality, along with optional extensions upon request.  

HQ Insurance offers Agreed Value clause which means the insurer will pay out the sum insured, based on what is agreed on the policy schedule. This also allows owners the opportunity to insure the horse for the value they wish, subject to being agreed by the insurer. To ensure you cover your horse for the right amount, there are a few key indicators to determine the value of the horse, including purchase price, training & competition level, competition results and breeding. The team at HQ Insurance can assist with valuing your horse for insurance purposes. 

Vet certificates/Health Documents for mortality cover: 

At HQ Insurance, a vet certificate is required for horses valued over $30,000. Lesser values insured only require a signed proposal form with a declaration of health (which can be completed by the owner). Veterinary certificate requirements are subject to conditions outlined in an individual policy schedule. If your horse is aged under 14 years, you are eligible for renewal without the need of health documents or vet certificates until the horse reaches the age of 14. Vet certificates are required each year at renewal from the age of 14 years and over. 

What is required for optional extras cover? 

Life Saving Surgery Cover: a satisfactory veterinary certificate used for mortality purposes is required. At the time of policy inception, the same vet certificate that is used for mortality will be eligible to be used for these extensions. This applies at HQ. 

Stallion Disability Cover: is an option that not all equine insurers offer, but for those who do, a veterinary certificate with specific reference to the external genitalia is required. Insurers will also require information on the service history of the stallion. At HQ Insurance, we require a current veterinary certificate with reference to external genitalia.  

Loss of Use Cover: requires more in-depth veterinary analysis of the horse and each insurer is different depending on what type of loss of use cover they offer. At HQ Insurance, we require 2-stage vetting examination and a current vet certificate for all restricted loss of use policies and 5-stage vetting examination and X-Rays on all 4 limbs for comprehensive loss of use.  

For Prospective Foal Cover: offered at HQ Insurance, a confirmation scan between 42-45 days after last service date to confirm the mare is in foal without twins is required alongside a 3 year blemish record and vaccinations record of the mare.  

This blog has ben provided by the Team at HQ Insurance hqinsurance.com.au