All about vet fees

A large vet bill is the stuff of nightmares. Let insurance take the strain — here’s how

Why vet fees cover is the number one reason owners take out insurance.

VETERINARY FEES COVER is the number one reason owners take out insurance, because if something goes wrong with a horse, it doesn’t take much to rack up a big bill. Of course, not everyone is in a position to be able to fund unexpected vet costs, which is why they trust their insurance provider to do it for them. Knowing you’re insured allows you to enjoy your horse to the full, safe in the knowledge that cover for vet fees is there should you need it.

What’s covered?

“Horse owners often see vet fees as the most important part of insurance, as cover for the cost of diagnosis and treatment is a priority,” says Petplan Equine. “It’s worth checking the exact cover you get under your policy. Some policies with other insurers will have additional limits within the Veterinary Fees benefits for things such as diagnostic investigation, and may even exclude cover for some conditions.”

Most policies will cover non-routine veterinary fees to a set amount. This amount will differ from provider to provider so check. You can’t claim for routine treatments such as vaccinations, annual boosters or worming, but treatments that complement veterinary intervention, such as physiotherapy, remedial shoeing and acupuncture (provided they’re recommended by your vet as part of the claim), may be covered. Check the policy as this can depend on what level of cover you have.

Alternative therapies, such as herbal treatments, are unlikely to be claimable. Some policies include hospitalisation fees and transport to and from the vets too.

Any pre-existing conditions your horse may have will not be covered and it’s vital to inform your provider about these when taking out insurance. Don’t delay this.

Limits of vet fees cover

There are two options here, so ask which your potential insurance company offers. Option one provides cover for treatment up to the full veterinary fee limit you choose, with no additional hidden limits for each condition, so you can claim for as many different incidents as you need to. This is the ideal situation for most horse owners.

The second option (which is generally less popular with owners) is when the fee limit is per 12 months, not per incident. With this cover, if the limit for vet fees is £5,000, that’s the maximum that can be paid out over the whole year, so if your horse’s vet bills exceed this amount, you may find that you have to fund some of the vet fees yourself.

Catastrophe cover – the new kid on the block

“This budget policy, which is not offered by every provider, is an alternative to traditional horse insurance and is limited to certain vets’ fees only,” explains KBIS. “It covers your horse for accidental, external injury (a cut on his leg, for instance), plus three life-saving procedures. These are joint or tendon sheath f lushing as a result of sepsis, colic surgery and surgery for pastern and pedal bone fractures.” Usually only the surgery costs will be covered, and not hospitalisation or diagnostic fees.

KBIS also offers mortality cover, third party liability and personal accident cover. While catastrophe cover is more limited overall, the vet fees limit is higher than with standard insurance and the premiums are more affordable, making it a popular option. Age ranges apply.

Veterans & vet fees

Shop around when insuring an older horse as not all policies are equal when it comes to veterinary fees. Some providers offer near enough full cover until your horse reaches a certain age; others offer external accident cover only.

“Most insurance companies start veteran cover when horses reach the age of 16 or 17, which effectively means they are only insured for external injury after that,” says Petplan Equine. “The good news is that some providers, including Petplan Equine, insure horses for illness and injury up to the age of 25.”

KBIS also insures horses for illness and injury up to and including 25 years of age. See page 12 for more information on insuring older horses and ponies.

With most policies, you have ncident 12 months from the i happening to the claim limit of ending, or up t o the the vet fee cover — whichever ers comes first. KBIS off 15 months from the incident happening to the claim ending Hospitalisation fees are often covered under your policy

Wounds are covered under catastrophe cover — a limited, but affordable type of insurance Oldies can be insured, but the level of cover varies, so do your homework