Comparing Horse (and Pet) Insurance Plans

You can buy all kinds of insurance online. I just found out you can also buy pet insurance online, at least if you live and keep your horse (or pet) in the UK and related islands. You can get coverage for other animals, too, including dogs, cats, hamsters (!) and exotic pets.

I've done a lot of work over the years for health insurance companies that cover humans. I had no idea about the varieties of insurance you can get for your pets. You can get coverage for the things you'd expect, such as replacement cost and medical coverage. I didn't know you can get coverage to board your pet if you're sick and can't take care of it. Or that you can get coverage for advertising expenses if your pet or pet horse wanders off.  (We had it happen years ago when Paul never could remember to latch the gate and the one-eyed Shetland pony was always alert for such events. He never went far but it was always scary.)

You can get coverage to reimburse you for your vacation costs if you have to cut your holiday short to come home because your pet was sick! I've had that happen, but didn't have insurance. My horse colicked and we were in Florida. Ouch! Vet bills and hotel bills! And if and when the worst happens, you can even get coverage for cremation or other end-of-life expenses.

And for horse owners, they even have special insurance for aged horses. And for riders without horses.

I don't live in the U.K. and I don't know that I would opt for these coverages, but it's fascinating to know that they exist and that you can go to one web site (link above) to compare multiple insurance plans and insurance companies, find out what you need to know about pet insurance in general and get online quotes. I really do feel like Rip Van Winkle.

This same site also has a page where you can shop and compare credit cards. Seems like a good way to get informed and get a good deal at the same time. And it's not pushy. Just straightforward information with the option to call a real person.

Comments

[Transylvanianhorseman]

An interesting post, thank you. Coincidentally I've just been obtaining quotes to insure my two horses in Britain. It makes sense to insure, given the size of vet's bills these days. One can also add a horsebox or trailer, tack, etc to a policy, and it can even be combined with household and motor insurance. My best quote came from South Essex Insurance Brokers, incidentally. Membership of the British Horse Society includes 3rd party liability insurance (important in litigious Britain) and gives discounts with some insurance brokers.