Who do you insure your event horse with ?

[Moody Mare]

I want to get several quotes this go 'round. Anyone have any recommendations for carriers?

[Janet]

Great American

[mjrtango93]

Always loved the service I get through Hallmark which is underwritten by National Equine Adjusting/Diamond State Insurance. I have had a large major med claim for a horse with a broken neck (which they covered even though it turns out the horse had broken his neck over 10 years earlier), the were fabulous on a mortality claim I had 3 years ago, and paid for stem cell on another maj med claim just this past year. Always super helpful/friendly on the phone and are quick to pay.

[Auburn]

I use Broadstone. They were great last year with Tessie's multiple stays at the Vet Hospitals. Of course, this year anything related to pneumonia or colic has been excluded.

[jreventer]

I use Broadstone and have been very happy with them. They are very quick to reimburse you for any claims.

[JWB]

I've switched over to Hallmark from Equisure. They've got slightly better rates for eventers and differentiate between novice & training horses and upper level horses.

They also include $3000 of colic surgery coverage on all of their mortality policies (unless the horse is insured for less than 3k)

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Broadstone...can't remember who the underwritter is but Broadstone helped pick the policy that fit my needs. Great service.

[sisu27]

I've switched over to Hallmark from Equisure. They've got slightly better rates for eventers and differentiate between novice & training horses and upper level horses.

They also include $3000 of colic surgery coverage on all of their mortality policies (unless the horse is insured for less than 3k)

Should I happy that here in Canada my insurer doesn't ask what my horse does for a living?

I have never been asked what my horses do or at what level. Interesting. Does it become more expensive as your horse moves up? I guess that relates to the horses value increasing? Which is such an arbitrary thing....how does that work?

[deltawave]

Dietrich & Co.--been with them for 10+ years, very satisfied.

Does it become more expensive as your horse moves up? I guess that relates to the horses value increasing? Which is such an arbitrary thing....how does that work?

It is much more expensive to insure them as they move up the levels (I believe Preliminary and up is a large increase in premium) and as they get older. Beyond a certain age (18 or thereabouts) insurance also increases sharply in cost. It is partially value-based (although you don't have to insure a horse for its actual value, you can always choose to insure for less) and partially based on perceived risk based on age, the horse's job, and prior claims.

[mjrtango93]

Should I happy that here in Canada my insurer doesn't ask what my horse does for a living?

I have never been asked what my horses do or at what level. Interesting. Does it become more expensive as your horse moves up? I guess that relates to the horses value increasing? Which is such an arbitrary thing....how does that work?

As your horse moves up, in theory they have a higher rate of being injured and/or killed, hence you pay more for that. You can have the same horse going novice or intermediate for say $25K but you will pay a higher mortality % on the intermediate.

[tbeventer]

I'm another for Broadstone! Haven't needed to use them yet... knock on wood... but they have been super easy to deal with and have never heard of an issue with them. When I wanted to "up" my Int. horse's value, it wasn't a big deal at all... same with having a horse leased out--no issues.

[jn4jenny]

For a horse that's $7500 and under, I like a Great American policy through Blue Bridle. It's one of the few policies that will let you carry $7500 of major medical on a horse valued at $7500 or less.

For a horse $7500 or up, I like Broadstone. Like Blue Bridle, Broadstone works with several underwriters and will give you the most competitive rate.

[Friday1]

I have one horse on Hallmark and one on Broadstone. I prefer Hallmark if you are looking for major medical/surgical. The horse on Broadstone is only mortality.

Hallmark has been fabulous with my horse's soft tissue injury. Covered ESWT no questions asked and said they will cover stem cell or PRP.

My only suggestion is make sure you ask a lot of questions about what the exclusions will be in the major medical. I found that they vary pretty considerably. Some companies for example, won't cover ultra sound as a diagnostic. So ask what the specific list of exclusions will be.

In my opinion, I would hate to pay for medical/surgery coverage only to not be able to get the diagnostics I want covered.

Another question to ask...what is the policy about a claim that carries over after your policy ends from one year to the next. Insurance companies seem to vary on this one too.

[Cody]

I'm with Broadstone with the horse that I lease. One reason is because that's where his insurance was already and they knew him. Second reason is Amy Daum is great to work with! Thank goodness I haven't had to use it for any reason.

Cody

[asterix]

I use EMO and my current underwriter is Great American. I've had mortality, prolonged soft tissue rehabs, and the occasional "pasture oops."
THey have been great to work with and very reasonable and prompt all around.
EMO is based in Warrenton and they are all very horsey so it's quite easy to talk to them.

[GotSpots]

Another vote for Hallmark. I've had them cover our horses for more than ten years, and can say that it has been a consistently fabulous experience. From babies to Advanced horses, they've been thoughtful, reasonable about exclusions, and had very good customer service. Claims were paid very promptly when submitted (by the company for which they've been the agent - I think it's been both Diamond State and others), and the process has been pretty painless.

[scubed]

Broadstone, underwritten by Hartford. I've had major claims on the prior two horses that were handled easily and quickly and I like doing business with a USEA sponsor.

[joharavhf]

I have only used Hallmark but have found them very easy to deal with. My pony was diagnosed with inflammatory airway disease and has been undergoing treatment for that since January. No questions asked...I get my reimbursement checks within 3 weeks of submitting them - just enough time to not accrue interest on the credit card I charged it on, haha!

[Catalina]

Both of my guys are with Broadstone, but they have different underwriters (that I can't remember offhand).

[eventrider]

I use Broadstone and I couldn't be happier. I had two claims this year and they were awesome. I used EMO previously and had the worst experience of my life, which involved me trying to make the decision to put my horse to sleep and having the agent yell at me on the phone and the underwriter manage to wiggle out of paying the claim. It was simply the most terrible experience ever and I will NEVER use or recommend them again. But Broadstone has been a pleasure to deal with and very supportive, as well as quick to pay out both claims (injured hock and EPM on two different horses). Can't say enough good things about Broadstone

[yellowbritches]

We have used and had our clients use Broadstone and have, generally, been VERY happy with the results. They have been great and covered all sorts of things without any fuss.

We've only had one issue, and that was more with the underwriter than Broadstone. One of clients' horses has had multiple soundness issues. When his insurance was due to be renewed we figured we'd pretty much were out of them covering his legs anymore, which was fine, but they wouldn't even offer for colic. We've kinda sorta shopped around, but his owner isn't terribly concerned. Otherwise, they've been great.

[TXnGA]

I called Broadstone last month to insure my horse who is 18 for mortality and perhaps major medical. He has a clean bill of health from the vet, the blood screenings to back it up. He is competing at preliminary. The said No.

But a few weeks ago, there was another lady passing out cards at a horse trial that said the rates/ limits had changed- is this true? Can older horses now be insured?

I'm not worried about the horse croaking- but I am worried if he, GOD FORBID, colics or dies.... makes me sad thinking about it. :(

[LittleMissCan'tBeWrong]

I love love love Broadstone they have been great between my mares constant need to try to colic and scare us all and she banged up her knee pretty badly this year too and they were amazing through all of it!