Frequently Asked Questions

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" background="145ef2d3.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="29522460.jpg" border=0 width="546" height="70" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="145ef2d3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="about_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Us"><U>About Us</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="contact_us.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us "><U>Contact Us  </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="horse_insurance.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Insurance For Your Horse"><U>Insurance For Your Horse</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="farm_insurance.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Farm Property Insurance "><U>Farm & Property Insurance  </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="liability_insurance.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" Liability Insurance"><U> Liability Insurance</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="riding_clubs.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Riding Clubs Associations"><U>Riding Clubs & Associations</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="show_liability.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Horse Show Liability"><U>Horse Show Liability</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="get_a_quote.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Get A Quote"><U>Get A  Quote</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="forms.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Forms"><U>Forms</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="claims.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Claims"><U>Claims</U></A></div> <div> <B>Frequently Asked Questions</B></div> <div> <A HREF="links.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U>Links</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" background="145ef2d3.jpg"> <div> <I>   </I></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="211e34b0.jpg" border=0 width="483" height="75" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>ASK AN EXPERT</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>QUESTIONS & ANSWERS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> We welcome any questions you might have and will update this section to include responses to your questions and other frequently asked questions.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - At what age can my horse be insured?</U></B></div> <div> A foal can be insured at 24 hours after birth with a satisfactory report confirming it is in good health completed by a licensed veterinarian.  Bloodwork including IgG test results are required on newborn foals.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Is it more costly to insure a young foal?</U></B></div> <div> Yes, the rate required for foals from 24 hours after birth to 30 days of age is higher than the normal rate.  If you are willing to wait until your foal is 31 days old to insure it, the rate reduces approximately 1%.  The reason is simple, the risk is greater for young horses whose immune system is sometimes less likely to ward off and recover from illness.  The higher rate on foals allows the insurance company to offer a lower rate during most of your horse's life.  If you insure your young foal for the cost of the breeding (usually 2 to 3 times the stud fee paid to produce the foal is acceptable by the insurance company), then your insurance cost during the first year will not be that great and you will be covered for the expenses you incurred to produce the foal.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Will the rate charged to insure my foal reduce once it is weaned?</U></B></div> <div> The rate required on your foal at the time it is insured is the rate required by the insurance company for the full annual policy year.  The rate will however reduce at your annual renewal to the rate applicable for a yearling.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Will my horse ever be too old to insure?</U></B></div> <div> Most breeds are insurable at the normal rates through age 14.  Older horses in good health can be insurable, but the annual cost of the insurance will increase each year as they get older.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Will my senior horses ever be too old for mortality insurance?</U></B></div> <div> Yes, some companies will only provide the mortality insurance on senior horses through age 17.  Others will insure for mortality through age 20, but will often require a reduction in the amount of insurance.  However, they will consider the production capabilities of your senior mare or stallion.  Is your mare still conceiving and producing marketable foals?  Is your stallion still fertile and successfully getting mares in foal?</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Is there any type of insurance available for my senior horses?</U></B></div> <div> Yes, insurance can be provided for named perils such as death resulting from fire, lightning and during transportation.  This is an inexpensive coverage usually at a rate of 1.25% and will provide some insurance protection for you, but will not pay for death resulting from natural cause or injury or illness.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - What do you recommend I do about insurance on my senior horses?</U></B></div> <div> We suggest you think ahead.  If you have a senior broodmare who has been one of your top producers, perhaps you should retain one of her fillies to replace her in your broodmare band.  Obviously this is not a full replacement of the mare, but neither is the insurance proceeds.  Your younger mare will be less costly to insure.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Why should I purchase surgical or major medical coverage on my horse?</U></B></div> <div> Since the mortality insurance policy requires that you do whatever possible to maintain the health of your horse, you could possibly be faced with unexpected expenses if your horse requires expensive medical treatment or even surgery as a result of an injury or illness.  The surgical and major medical endorsements help cover these costs.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - If my insurance policy includes the emergency colic surgery coverage and my horse only requires medical treatment for colic, will I be covered?</U></B></div> <div> The emergency colic surgery endorsement provides coverage only if surgery is required for colic.  If your horse only requires medical treatment for colic at a veterinary clinic or hospital and is successfully treated without surgery, then you would need to also have the major medical endorsement as it provides coverage for medical expenses with or without surgery being required.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - What do I need to do to get immediate insurance coverage on my horse</U></B><B>?</B></div> <div> It's simple!  You can download the appropriate forms from our website and fax or mail to us.  An application is required on each horse to be insured.  A satisfactory report completed by your veterinarian is required for horses valued at greater than $25,000 and under 90 days of age or over 17 years old and any horse used for racing or requiring loss of use coverage.  A health statement completed and signed by you confirming the good health and health history of your horses is all that is required for horses valued at $25,000 or less and at least 90 days old.  If your horse has had prior medical problems, a vet exam may be required to provide full details of the prior incidents and confirmation of full recovery.  If all information is order, coverage can be bound immediately.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - How can I justify the value for insurance on my horse?</U></B></div> <div> If this is a recent purchase, the purchase price will be the amount of coverage accepted by the insurance company for your insurance policy.  A copy of your purchase or sales contract should be provided.  If your purchase occurred in the past, we will need to know if your horse has been in training, shown or raced or if a stallion or mare, if it has been breeding and producing foals.  If the amount of insurance requested is more than your purchase price, we will require justification for this increase by way of training expenses, show or race record, produce record (average sale price of foals sold) or an appraisal by a certified equine appraiser or trainer familiar with your horse. We have forms available on our website to assist you in providing us with the information necessary to justify the value of your horse for the insurance policy.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Is there an extension period on my annual policy?</U></B></div> <div> Some policies provide a guarantee extension of the Mortality coverage only.  But the extension applies to only incidents reported to the company during the normal annual policy term.  In other words if you report a claim to us during your policy term, coverage will continue for that incident only under the extension period provided in your policy.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Is there an extension period on the major medical or surgical coverage?</U></B></div> <div> The only extension applying on the major medical or surgical coverage would be if you have reported a medical or surgical claim to us.  Your coverage will continue for a period of 30 days following the normal expiration of your policy and will pay for covered charges incurred up to 30 days following the end of your policy term. </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Does my policy have a grace period after the policy expiration date?</U></B></div> <div> No, all policies require an annual renewal with a renewal application and health statement received in our office prior to the policy expiration date.  You will receive a renewal notice from us 30 to 45 days prior to your policy expiration which should give you ample time to submit the information required to renew your insurance without a lapse in coverage.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Is there a specific time limit for reporting a claim under my policy?</U></B></div> <div> Most definitely.  Immediate notice is required to the insurance company adjuster or our office.  The policy specifically requires submission of the required claim documents within 60 days of the occurrence.  Claims can be denied if this condition of the policy is not met.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - How am I paid for major medical claims?</U></B></div> <div> Simply advise us of the medical treatment, submit all of the bills related to the treatment and after receipt of a report from the attending veterinarian, the insurance company will reimburse you for all covered charges less the major medical deductible.  The claim check will be issued to you so you will need to pay your veterinarian or hospital direct.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Q - If my horse has been treated for colic, can it be insured?</B></div> <div> If your horse has been <U>only</U> medically treated for an episode of colic, it usually can be fully insured provided the colic occurred over 12 months ago and has not reoccurred.  Otherwise, the insurance company may accept coverage with an exclusion for colic and review the circumstances when your policy is up for renewal.  If your horse maintains good health with no further colic problems, after one year full coverage is usually available.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - If my horse has required colic surgery, can it be insured?</U></B></div> <div> All medical history including colic surgery is considered at the time you apply for insurance.  Any colic surgery is critical, but of course there are different types such as surgery for an impaction or a twisted intestine.  Usually full mortality coverage will be offered if your horse has fully recovered and had no further colic problems for a period of 12 months following surgery.  However, a horse whose surgery was for a resection of the intestines will <U>always</U> require an exclusion for death resulting from colic or intestinal disorders.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - I plan to geld my young colt.  This is elective surgery.  Am I required to notify the insurance company?</U></B></div> <div> Yes, the insurance policy specifically requires prior notification of any surgery whether elective or not.  If you do not make us aware of the planned procedure, a claim can be denied if death results from the surgery or other complications develop.  </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - What is not covered under the major medical endorsement?</U></B></div> <div> This endorsement to your mortality policy provides coverage for medical treatment resulting from an injury or illness.  It does not pay for cost to maintain a healthy horse such as normal vaccinations, worming, etc.  It also does not pay for veterinary transportation or call charges, but does pay for the examination fee.  It also does not cover elective surgeries or procedures such as castration or cosmetic surgery.  Chiropractic, massage or acupuncture treatment is also not covered.  Coverage also does not extend to birth defects or congenital conditions such as umbilical hernia or contracted tendons.  Joint injections which are considered maintenance treatment is also not covered by the major medical endorsement.  This endorsement is designed to cover medical treatment specifically associated with an illness or injury sustained during the policy term.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Are all horses eligible for the major medical coverage?</U></B></div> <div> No, certain age requirements apply.  Your horse must be at least six months old and not over 15 years old to qualify for the full major medical or surgical coverage.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - What is the difference between the major medical endorsement and the surgical endorsement?</U></B></div> <div> Basically, the surgical endorsement provides coverage only if surgery is required in association with the illness or injury.  The surgical endorsement does pay for certain other costs associated with the surgery such as a period of aftercare following the surgery.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - As a horse owner, why do I need a special liability policy?</U></B></div> <div> If you do not own a farm, your homeowners insurance policy will usually only provide personal liability protection.  The additional risk from your ownership of a horse may not be covered under this policy.  The horse owners liability policy provides liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by your horse not only at the farm where it is boarded, but at horse shows or race tracks.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - If I am providing riding instructions on my farm, what additional insurance coverage should I consider?</U></B></div> <div> If you have a farm owners policy, make sure that commercial equine liability coverage is included.  If you only have a homeowners policy, it usually will not provide liability protection for your horse business.  Should one of your students sustain an injury, you could be held legally liable.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q- Please explain some incidents why I should consider an Equine Liability Policy?</U></B></div> <div> A very gentle horse could spook during a riding lesson and its rider could fall off.  Someone visiting your farm gets kicked by a horse during a clinic.  You are leading your horse at a horse show and it breaks away from the lead and runs through a crowd or perhaps even a parking area causing damage to several vehicles.  Even though this does not appear to be negligence on your part, a lawsuit could still develop for the injuries and property damage sustained.  The equine liability policy would pay the defense costs as well as any judgment against you.   </div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - I operate a boarding facility, what liability insurance should I consider?</U></B></div> <div> In addition to the Commercial Equine Liability insurance, you should also consider including the Care, Custody or Control Liability insurance.  A boarded horse in your care gets through a fence where a board is missing that you were planning to repair the next day.  The horse is struck by a vehicle on the road in front of your farm.  The vet is called to attend to the injured horse who has a severe leg injury requiring surgery.  The surgery is successful, but unfortunately the horse's career as a show jumper is over.  The owner of the injured horse could take legal action against you not only for the medical costs, but also for the reduction in the value of their horse since his show career has ended as a result of the injuries.  The Care, Custody or Control Liability policy will pay up to the policy limit for the death or injury to non-owned horses in your care.  Your Commercial Equine Liability Policy would pay for the damages to the vehicle as well as injuries sustained by the occupants of the vehicle.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - I have a two-horse trailer and will often times haul a friend's horse to a horse show.  What happens if I am involved in an accident?</U></B></div> <div> If the accident is determined to be your fault according to the policy traffic report, you could also be responsible for the death or injury to your friend's horse.  Even if your friend has mortality and major medical insurance on the horse, the insurance company does under the conditions of any policy, have the right to subrogate against you for what they have paid to your friend under her policy.  The Care, Custody or Control Liability provides coverage during transportation of non-owned horses even if you are just taking your friend's horse to the vet for an illness or a routine exam.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Why should I consider replacing my Homeowner's policy with a Farm/Ranch Owner's policy?</U></B></div> <div> A farm/ranch owner's policy is specifically designed to include the insurance on not only your residence, but all other farm buildings or tenant's dwelling on your property.   Your barn will be insured at its replacement cost.  Each building will be insured for its actual use.  This policy can also provide insurance on your farm equipment, such as expensive tractors, as well as your household personal property.  Both your personal and equine liability is included providing liability protection for all of your horse related activities.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Will a Farm/Ranch Owner's policy be more expensive than my Homeowner's policy?</U></B></div> <div> The rates required on your residence will usually be about the same as your regular homeowner's policy, but overall this comprehensive policy will be more expensive.  Keep in mind that a Farm/Ranch Owner's policy is designed to include your stable, arena, and barns at their replacement cost and further both your personal and equine liability protection including care, custody and control liability for any non-owned or boarded horses.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Q - Is there a payment plan available to spread the cost of the annual premium?</U></B></div> <div> Yes, in most cases.  The insurance companies we represent for policyholders in the United States have payment programs with NO interest.  There is a small service fee for installment billing. Payment programs help to make the cost of insurance more affordable for you.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.insurehorses.com/Questions & Ans.pdf" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.insurehorses.com/Questions & "><U><IMG SRC="251fc350.jpg" border=0 width="252" height="53" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>Do you have specific questions not answered here? </B></div> <div> <B>We would like to hear from you and answer your inquiries.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="16f46270.gif" border=0 width="70" height="39" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>