At Equitait Veterinary Practice we understand that the process of making a claim for veterinary fees on your horse insurance policy can be confusing. In the first instance you need to let your insurance company know as soon as possible if you plan to make a claim. They can then initiate the claim process and send you claim forms to fill out and sign, after which you need to forward them on to us so we can complete the vet section and submit everything to the insurance company. There will be an excess amount that you will have to pay yourself, details of which you will find in your policy. If the condition/injury and diagnostics/treatment meet the terms of your policy your insurance company should cover the cost of the vet fees, minus the excess amount. Every policy will have a limit for vet fees cover and a time limit of a year from the onset of the condition in which to claim.
After the initial claim has been submitted any additional treatment may require a continuation claim form that you will need to request from your insurance company.
Routine veterinary treatment such as vaccinations and teeth rasping are unlikely to be covered by insurance companies.
Claims for a separate condition are usually subject to a separate excess.
Euthanasia
For euthanasia cases the insurance company will rarely pay for the euthanasia costs. Should a horse be euthanased or found dead the insurance company may expect a post mortem to be performed at the owner’s expense to prove a claim prior to settling. For euthanasia cases under an all risks mortality insurance policy the horse would need to meet the requirements given in the BEVA guidelines for the destruction of horses. A horse that can be kept in a field, albeit on medication, but cannot be ridden is not generally a case for humane destruction from an insurance perspective.
If an insurance claim is unsuccessful for any reason you will be personally liable to pay the veterinary fees yourself.
Please click on this link for the BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) FAQ’s on insurance:
