How Do You Insure a Horse?
Trot. Pace. Canter. Gallop. The majestic movements of the horse are steeped in our global, national, and statewide history. Texas horse owners appreciate this and put hundreds (if not thousands) of hours of training and care into their equine companions.
It’s a substantial investment and an enormous responsibility — and luckily, it’s a duty that can be significantly bolstered by proper insurance coverage.
“Although equine insurance seems like just another bill, it can save you thousands of dollars — or even the life of your faithful companion,” says Amy Benedict, a Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent from Lubbock. “With insurance, a life-saving surgery may be an option, but without the help of insurance, you may have to make more of a monetary decision.”
Here’s what you need to know to insure a horse and get the coverage and care you need.
1. Know Your Coverage
While most equine insurance usually covers all or portions of major surgeries, vet bills, or even mortality, Benedict says horse owners should look at anything and everything.
“There can always be exclusions,” Benedict says. “It’s best to know about them before there is an emergency.”
In addition to horse insurance, you might need to consider coverage for your house and insurance that protects you from saddle and tack theft, barn and fence destruction, and animal collision. Texas Farm Bureau Insurance has an all-inclusive farm and ranch policy to cover owners from such liabilities.
2. Know Your Insurance Company
Choose an insurance provider you trust. “Equine insurance does not have to break the bank,” Benedict says. “But you need know what you are getting, and, as always, you get what you pay for.”
You’ll want to go with a name and face you can rely on. You’re entrusting something so important to your insurance provider, and they should be able to meet all your expectations. You’ll also want to make sure they have the all-inclusive coverage you need.
3. Know Your Horse
“You will need to know some history about your horse, like breeding or prior injuries,” Benedict says, “and possibly a statement of health from your veterinarian.”
4. Know Your Discipline
“How you use your horse affects the price and the coverage,” Benedict says. “Be honest on how and what you use your horse for, because the coverage and exclusions can be different.”
5. Did We Mention — Know Your Coverage?
“Educate yourself as to what your policy covers,” Benedict says. “Or, make sure to ask your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent, who can always review your coverage with you.”
Call your Texas Farm Bureau Insurance Agent today to talk through how to insure your horse and other important options for caring for the health of your friend.
“Our horses give us their all every time we ask,” Benedict says. “In a hard-decision situation, this one should be pretty easy.”
Coverage and discounts are subject to qualifications and policy terms and may vary by situation. © 2019 Texas Farm Bureau Insurance
