Stake your claim

When making an insurance claim for veterinary fees, the process need not be tricky to navigate at a time of high stress, as Georgia Guerin discovers

- Georgia Guerin

IF your horse becomes ill or is badly injured it can be incredibly stressful. Many equestrians – almost seven in 10 in Britain – have recognised the value and peace of mind that comes with having some form of insurance, and this has increased by 19% in the past decade, with 72% opting for full cover. If you’re so far lucky enough to be unfamiliar with the claims process, worrying about how to make a claim or how it will affect your policy in the future can be an added stress you don’t need.

“You should notify your insurers of a problem as soon as possible,” says Shearwater’s equine manager Kirsty Law, adding that this is important whether you’re intending to make a claim or not.

The level and extent of your cover varies between companies and policies. When you purchased your insurance, you would have agreed your excess amount for veterinary fees, which is the contribution you pay towards the cost of diagnosis – and any consequent treatment – when making a claim.

If the cost is above your excess then you should consider submitting a claim. Harriet Walker, claim teams manager at KBIS, explains that there are a few things that could affect your decision.

“First, speak to your insurer and check any no claims discount you might have that would be affected. It’s also worth considering that at renewal your policy will be subject to a claim load, which will be dependent on the total amount that you end up claiming.”

This means that in the case of a minor injury where treatment costs are only slightly above your excess it might not make financial sense to claim.