Advice and Tips on Horse Insurance 2012

Although there are no laws in the UK to state that you must insure your horse, it is increasingly common amongst horse owners. When you keep a horse there are many things that can go wrong, either within daily life or when competing. Accidents, illnesses and injuries can happen at any stage in a horse's life and so by having insurance you are protected against the financial implications of this.
Not all horse insurance policies are the same and it is important that you read and determine accurately what is covered by a policy before taking it out. The type of policy you need may depends on the age of your horse, what disciplines you compete in, previous health issues etc. Your horse will need to be insured for all specific activities that you will do. If the horse is injured in an activity that you are not covered for, you will not be able to make a claim; a particular one to make note of is hunting which is rarely covered in low level policies.
A basic policy which everyone should consider is third party insurance. This ensures that you are covered against damage caused to other people or their property by your horse. If you are a member of certain organisations you may automatically be provided with this cover, alternatively this can also be arranged through dedicated horse insurers.
You should always consider insuring your horse against vets bills which can be incredibly expensive should your horse have an illness, accident or get injured. Certain problems such as colic that need to be operated on will cost thousands and if the horse is not insured it may be the case that you would not have any way of paying for this in which case you may have to make a very difficult decision.

Another addition to a policy is the cover for loss of use. If your horse suffers an injury that renders him or her unable to carry on its competitive career or be used for the purpose it was intended then you can claim for loss of use. This will give you a payout which is intended to replicate the value that your horse will have decreased by. Often this is not the full amount that they are insured for and you have to be well prepared to negotiate the figure.
Covering tack including saddles, bridles and rugs is important to consider. You should check the wording of your policy as many insurers will not cover tack that is in a shared tack room, or you must have a specific type of lock on the door which many livery yards do not have.
The type of policy you take out should be specifically tailored to your individual needs and circumstances. Ensure that you read through your policy thoroughly so that you do not have any surprises, it is important that you know what you are covered for before you need to claim.

About this Author

For further information on the welfare of your horse including poisoning, equine healing or any other health issues that have been raised, visit Anything Equine who are experts in the equestrian field.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Erin_C_Brankowski

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6807255