ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: [endurance] insurance

Re: [endurance] insurance

RUN4BEAR@aol.com
Thu, 14 Dec 1995 13:11:13 -0500

I have several horses insured. Insurance companies don't seem to realize
what we are doing..maybe that's for the better, maybe not. But I have not
had a claim, hence no problems. The rate in generally dependant upon the
breed more so than the use. I pay 3+% now. The are usually minimum premiums
of $100 to $150. If your preium based on the rate (say 3% is less than the
minumum, you can usually get other coverages such as medical to get your
money's worth. It is definately worht shopping around, AND, check the
company out (as well as the underwriter) with the Better Business Bureau.
You see many ads for equine insurance...mostly the bigger companies, but
some smaller. Just because they are big or small does not make them good or
bad.

Bear one thing in mind...if you paid $1000 for a horse and you buy coverage
for $5000 and the horses dies. You will not get $5000. In other words, you
must substantiate the horses value. I have my stallion insured for $20,000.
I bred and raised him so I paid esentially nothing for him, but he is 14
years old, has over 2000 miles, his Supreme Legion of Honor and won the IAHA
National Championship Endurance ride in 1990 (beating Debi Gordon and CBS
Redman) and produces superior athletes (with resting heartrates of 36 or
below (his is 24) and a naturally balanced animal. My insurance company has
accepted his value because of his record. So, if he dies I get $20,000 less
the cost of autopsy, etc.

Now, I have heard of some horror stories regarding mortality insurance. I
had a friend who's mare got very ill and nobody was able to diagnose it. The
mare got so bad she wanted to put it down, but the insurance company would no
pay if she did. She spent thousands of dollars trying to get a diagnosis and
treatment before she was finally allowed to put the mare down. That is
horrible to most of us who do not want to see their horses suffer. So,
question insurance companies about policy and get it in writing before you
buy.

Good luck!!!

Teddy Lancaster