INSURANCE is the product people pay for that they will hopefully never have to use. Yet with costs on the rise – feed, livery bills, fuel and so on – it’s tempting to cut corners on insurance, or cancel it altogether. But while doing this may lift the pressure on your monthly bills in the short term, it could be more damaging for you and your horse in the long run.
We take a closer look at what levers you can pull to make horse insurance work harder for you, while still getting the cover you need to keep your horse protected.
UNDER OR OVER
WHETHER it’s done by accident or on purpose, a lot of owners underinsure.
“People might step up a level in competition and forget to review what they actually insured the horse for when they originally set up their insurance, or they’ll forget their horse’s value changes over time,” explains Lawrence Gill, executive director of KBIS.
The problem is that if you’ve underinsured, this could affect your position in the event of a claim.
You can of course end up going the other way and have cover that you don’t need. Alice Holborow, equine partnership manager at Agria, explains that some owners overinsure their youngsters.
“Owners of young horses often tend to insure their horses for what they hope to be doing with them, rather than what they are currently doing, which may take the horse into a higher activity category,” she says. “But you can increase your activity group at any time – don’t feel you have to cover novice eventing if you’re not doing it yet.”
This story is from the March 28, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 28, 2024 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits
'Monaco deserved this victory
Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix
'It had to end sometime'
The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports
'You couldn't want for more
The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"
The greatest gift of all
Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options
Winter him well
A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season
Neat feet
Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead
In bygone days
Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life