Classes of use
When you’re sorting out your policy, you’ll be asked what activities your horse is used for. This is because the disciplines and level of activity determine the rates charged. Higherlevel activities increase the risk of injury to your horse and therefore pose a greater risk to underwriters as more claims are paid out for horses participating in higher-risk activities.
This is referred to as a class of use list. The list breaks down the activities you may do with your horse, and this will affect the premium you pay.
“It’s important that your horse is covered in the correct class of use for the activities you’re doing with him,” says Petplan Equine. “If you don’t do this, it can affect you if you make a claim.”
Each insurance company will have slightly different classes, but they’ll all start with a first class that would be purely for horses at grass, breeding and retired horses. The second class would be for horses used for hacking and local shows. The next class would add some higher-risk use, and so on.
Having these classes helps to keep down the cost of premiums if you only use your horse for low-risk activities. The higher the level of competition, the higher the risk of injury to your horse, so the higher the premium. “At KBIS, our lowest class of use covers you for hacking, if your horse is at grass, or is retired, and offers you a lower premium as he is considered lower risk,” says KBIS. “This cover can include mortality, vets’ fees, public liability and personal accident. If you are doing more than just hacking, you can select a higher class of use to reflect the activities you are doing.”
Petplan Equine allows you to select your level of cover according to the activities you and your horse take part in from six different activity groups. These categories are based on the varying levels of risk involved in riding, training and competing your horse.
“If you enjoy hacking and don’t school your horse, you would need to select Group 2, which also covers you for Western Riding and Rides up to 25 miles,” explains Petplan Equine. “Groups 3 to 6 would cover you for hacking in addition to the higher levels of activity outlined for each group.”
It’s important to remember that if you start competing at a higher level during your policy term, you must notify your insurance company to ensure that you have the correct level of cover for your horse.
Policies offered by some providers, including Petplan Equine, also offer you the opportunity to “try before you buy” — to upgrade by one group, free of charge, for one day, up to three times per year. If you’re in any doubt about classes, check with your insurance company — it’s better to be safe than sorry.