Insuring Your Driving Horse or Pony - It's Affordable and Makes Sense

Just think of all you have invested in your driving horse or pony. The training, care, travel to shows, are just a part of what you are spending above and beyond the purchase price. I know because I live it. As the owner of four FEI Competiton Driving ponies, and an equine insurance agent for over 30 years, I know the many things that can happen during life with our equines.

Life can turn on a dime. A trailer accident, barn fire, virus or colic, can end a dream and set you back financially. I have had these calls. At least I knew I could provide some comfort for my clients and friends with the coverage and protection Markel provides. 

While equine mortality insurance can’t diminish the grief of losing a horse, it can help to soften the economic impact. We offer several flexible coverage options because we know that horses (and their owners) are unique. 

We Make it Easy

Our equine mortality coverages are more reasonable than most people think, and your basic mortality coverage with Markel includes up to $5,000 (depending on your state) of emergency colic surgery. 

All-risk mortality and theft is a comprehensive policy that reimburses the horse owner for the death, theft, and humane destruction of a covered horse. Our policies are agreed value with full mortality and theft, with the option of specified perils coverage as well.

• You can download the application at this Link  - It's straightforward. You can fill it our on line, save and e-mail it to Tracey.Scharf@Markel.com - my longtime associate and underwriter. 
• New! We now have an On-Line Application you can find on my dedicated page at Markel.
  Mary Phelps - Markel Specialty

Are You a Trainer - Do You Board Horses?

If you have horses in your care, custody, and control on your property, you are better served and your liability is better protected if you require horses in your care to be insured. Keep that information handy should there be an emergency. An important requirement for all mortality policies is as follows;  If a veterinarian is called for an issue other than routine care, it is part of the terms of your policy to report any issues with the company your equine is insured with.

I have had several calls over the years of people having not been made aware of this by their agent, only to find out their coverage no longer applied. 

Coverage highlights:

• 24 hours/7 days a week claims service

• No vet certificate required for horses valued under $50,000 and with no pre-existing health conditions. *In the US or Canada.  **Horses overseas are required to have a vet exam - regardless of the value.

• Medical/Surgical and surgical only plans

• Emergency colic surgery expense ($2,500 limit) added at no additional charge with additional buy up options

• Private horse owner liability coverage can be added for an additional charge

• 90-day extension clause

• Guaranteed renewal coverage added at no additional charge

• Optional coverages for an additional premium to include:

• Transit - Overseas

• Prospective foal – certain restrictions apply

• Stallion infertility

• Limited permanent disability  

All of the following endorsements are optional and can be added to your equine mortality insurance policy provided you meet the necessary requirements and pay the additional premium.

Certain exclusions apply

Major Medical & Surgical

Major medical & surgical is available when purchasing a mortality policy.  This coverage reimburses the veterinarian's fees for surgery, major illness and disease.  We will pay reasonable and customary charges necessitated by accident, injury or illness for your insured horse.  We offer several options and limits to choose from. This coverage is provided for clients as a means to help with the costly expenses of medical surgical treatments due to accident, sickness or injury.

SURGICAL ONLY

Should your insured horse require surgery, this equine health insurance endorsement will cover the costs.  We will pay reasonable and customary charges for surgical treatment necessitated by accident, injury or illness.  We offer surgical limits up to $10,000, with a very low deductible. 

LIMITED LOSS OF USE or LIMITED PERMANENT DISABILITY

If your horse becomes totally and permanently incapable of fulfilling the functions for which it is used, as stated on your equine mortality insurance policy, as a result of a sudden, accidental and external injury, which occurs during the policy term but its condition does not necessitate destruction for humane reasons, you may suffer a financial loss.  Specific details available upon request. 

TRIP TRANSIT

Coverage for importing or exporting your horse internationally by air.  Specific details available upon request.

SPECIFIED PERILS COVERAGE

  Also known as "Named Perils" or "Restricted Perils" covers a horse for death, theft or humane destruction caused by specified perils listed in the policy, including but not limited to fire, lightning, earthquakes, electrocution, drowning, transit risks and attack by wild animals. It is important to note a specified perils policy does not cover your horse for death due to illness or disease.  Horses from 91 days through 25 years old.
  

Mortality Insurance Forms: