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Guidance notes on horse insurance

Please note that these are guidance notes only. You should always refer to your policy wording for full details of your cover.

Classes of use

Class A
Most general activities will fall under this base class of use including: Breeding, combined training, dressage (up to and including elementary level), driving (private), eventing (BE intro), gymkhanas, hacking, heavy horses, horses at grass, jump cross, le trec, long distance (up to 25 miles), non-affiliated hunter trials, novice cross country, riding and pony club, retired horses, schooling, showing, showjumping, UK chasers, western pleasure, young stock.

Class B
Higher risk activities are considered to be: Affiliated hunter trials, dressage (medium level and above), driving (competition), eventing (BE pre-novice and novice level), hunting, long distance (over 25 miles).

Class C
The highest risk activities are: Eventing (BE intermediate and advanced level), horseball, polo, polocrosse, team chasing.

Veterinary certificates

In some cases we will require an up to date (within 30 days) veterinary certificate or clinical history for the horse you want to insure. This requirement is generally linked to the value of the horse and the cover you select. For example, placing 'loss of use' onto a policy will often mean we will ask for a veterinary certificate. The other frequent circumstance in which we ask for one, will be if the horse has been owned by you without insurance for more than 30 days. We do reserve the right to ask for a veterinary certificate for any proposed insurance risk where we feel the need for specific proof of the horse's medical state. There are three examples of what we may ask for:

• Clinical print out of the horse's veterinary record.
  This can be requested from the horse's regular veterinary practice, they will in most cases simply be able to print this off from their own records relating to the horse.
• 2 Stage Veterinary Certificate
  This is a general check on the horse's eyes, heart, wind and limbs to provide an overall veterinary view on the horse's health and soundness. It is advised that this be the minimum veterinary check you have carried out before the purchase of a new horse or pony.
• 5 Stage Veterinary Certificate
  This is a more comprehensive evaluation of the horse's health and soundness. In addition to the basic checks carried out within the 2 Stage, the horse is also examined after exercise and flexion tests on all four limbs are carried out.
  Note: We may sometime request X-rays of the front feet and hocks in addition to the 5 Stage check.

Exclusions

All insurance companies place exclusions on risks that in their opinion, pose an increased claim possibility factor. This means that in some cases a history of illness or a previous injury, may result in an exclusion. An example might be if a horse has suffered a recent bout of colic, colic will usually be excluded for 12 months. If the horse suffers no further episodes of colic we will consider removal of the exclusions. Of course, not all exclusions are open to revision, this depends entirely on the injury or illness sustained. We are always happy to discuss exclusions with our customers in an open and fair way.

Previous injury and illness – disclosure

It is of vital importance that you disclose all incidents of injury and illness that the proposed horse has suffered. It's tempting to omit some of these instances from your proposal details, especially when the incident concerned has been of a minor nature. However, non-disclosure of facts can affect the entire validity of your insurance. In taking on any risk, an insurance company must be given all the facts by which to fairly assess that risk.

Equine passports

All horses and ponies require a DEFRA approved passport. If you own a horse or pony that does not have a passport, you are advised to apply for one immediately by contacting one of the many passport issuing offices around the country – you can obtain a list by going to the DEFRA website at: www.defra.gov.uk

Proof of purchase, receipts and valuations

In the case of theft claims, we will usually ask you to supply some proof of purchase or a valuation. Tack claims are best supported by receipts or valuations for the main items. If you no longer have the receipt for your saddle or trailer it's advisable to acquire a valuation from a retailer, then it can be kept in your files just in case you ever have need to make a claim.

Market value/sum insured

The amount you choose to insure your horse for should be a realistic value based on the type, age, height, and ability level of the horse. The purchase price of a new horse should be the sum-insured. Under-insurance is not encouraged or recommended. Over-insurance will simply mean that your premium is higher and you will still only be paid out the market value of the horse should a loss claim be made. If you are in any doubt as to the monetary value you should place on your horse for insurance purposes, seek advice from a equestrian professional such as a trainer or perhaps your own vet. It is perfectly acceptable to increase or decrease the insured value of your horse as he or she ages, or develops through achievement.

Excess Amounts

An claim excess is applied to certain types of claim. AmTrust Equine have excesses as follows:

Cover/Claim type	Excess
Third party liability (property damage)	£250
Personal accident & dental	None
Saddlery & tack	£120
Loss of use	None
Trailers & horse drawn vehicles	£150

Vets fee cover provides a number of flexible options to help you reduce your premium:

• £120 fixed
• £120 or 17% of claim, whichever greater
• £250 or 17% of claim, whichever greater
• £500 or 17% of claim, whichever greater

Excess amounts are the amount of the claim that you are responsible to pay yourself, before you receive insurance indemnity from us.