There are many types of equine insurance policies available, and it is important that you understand what your individual policy provides, as cover can vary significantly between insurance providers.

When arranging insurance, we strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the specific terms of your policy, including what is covered, any exclusions that apply, and the level of excess payable.

Types of Equine Insurance Cover

Common types of equine insurance include:

• Veterinary fee cover

• All risks mortality (death)

• Permanent loss of use

Insurance policies differ widely between providers, and not all treatments, investigations, or costs may be covered. It is your responsibility to ensure that the policy you choose is appropriate for your horse and intended use.

Making an Insurance Claim

In the event of an emergency or first-opinion case, you should contact your insurance company as early as possible to notify them that you intend to open a claim.

For routine referrals, you must inform your insurance company prior to your appointment and provide details of the condition and proposed investigation or treatment. Failure to notify your insurer in advance may affect the validity of your claim.

Administration Fees

Most insurance companies require us to complete a claim form, signed by the attending veterinary surgeon, and supported by a veterinary report and invoice.

We charge a reasonable administration fee for:

• Completing insurance claim forms

• Preparing veterinary reports required by insurers

Please contact your local Rowley Mile Equine practice branch for current administration fees.

Payments and Financial Responsibility

Where a claim has been agreed in principle by your insurance company, and where no advance payment has been made by you, we may request that approved claim payments are made directly to the practice.

You must ensure that:

• Insurance claim forms are fully and correctly completed

• You instruct your insurance company to make payment directly to the practice branch in question

Please note that some aspects of your horse’s care may not be covered by insurance, including (but not limited to):

• Policy excess

• Hospitalisation or livery charges

• Costs exceeding the insured limit

• Fees rejected by the insurer

These costs must be paid directly by you.

Regardless of whether your horse is insured, the full account remains your responsibility until paid in full. Any payments received from a third party (including an insurance company) will be credited to your account where intended to meet all or part of your financial obligation.

Important Information for Insured Horses

• It is your responsibility to maintain contact with your insurance company throughout the course of treatment

• You should keep track of how much has been claimed and what funds remain available

• If your horse is insured and is to undergo a general anaesthetic, you must inform your insurance company in advance, as failure to do so may invalidate or compromise your cover — even if you do not intend to submit a claim for veterinary fees