Question

[Brandi*]

I just called to get a quote from Agri-risk Insurance and was told that since I didn't pay x-amount for Melody that she was not eligible for major medical and surgical coverage. Is this the norm? They would only offer me Mortality. How can I get around this? Just because I didn't pay thousands for her doesn't mean that I don't care if she colics and dies. Who made up this rule anyways? Geeze

 

[Brandi*]

Ok I got a quote from Horse Insurance Specialists. Has anyone used them before? They quoted me $250. $50 for mortality, and $200 for major medical which she said would also cover surgery. All together it would allow $5000 per year with a $250 deductible.

I also got a quote from Equisport. They quoted me $450. $200 for mortality and $250 for major medical/surgical which would cover up to $7,500 with a $250 deductible.

Help?

 

[Jill]

You may be able to take a statement from someone(s) saying they think Melody is worth ___________. I've used AgriRisk before, but not currently (but was pleased w/ their coverage / service). I've been able to increase coverage amount on my stallions based on show records, and on a filly based on show record and just "knowing" what I have on my hands (way more than I really paid for her). I use GenCorp currently.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I use equipsport. I find them pretty good.

ONe thing to remember is that most colic surgeries depending on your area can start at 7500+ and that doesnt always include all the aftercare. Just something you might want to check into before you lock yourself into a amount to make sure you are getting enough and not more then you need

 

[Brandi*]

There is a large possibility that they will put an exclusion for colic coverage for my first term because Melody just went through that bout of sickness. I called the vet today to see what he had put in her chart and he said mild colic due to ulcers or sand. That was the whole reason I wanted to get her covered. I guess other things can happen as well and it will be nice to have her covered just in case.

 

[Jill]

Brandi --

The colic surgery is also the main reason I cover the ones I do. When I had Khaki covered and she needed surgery, then of course, upon renewal, the company would have had an exclusion for any future colic surgeries. SO, I did not renew her coverage.

The surgery for her, which included two operations one one day, one the next, in 2003, was jut under $5,000. I've heard other people say it was around $3,000. It just must vary A LOT geographically.

Jill

 

[Mnmini]

Brandi,

I've used Agri-Risk in the past as well. Carried mortality, and major medical. It was a joke. I know you're getting it for colic, I was just getting it "just because." The gelding I was showing at the time ended up with a strained suspensory. I dutifully called before the first vet appointment. After the $250 deductible, Agri-Risk ended up paying a whopping $35 on the policy. And still, even with that tiny payout, would exclude ANY lameness in the same leg upon renewal. I dropped them, and major medical, and went back to Wilkins Livestock Insurers. They have a minimum insured amount, I believe $6,000, but include 2,000 of colic surgery rider with the mortality policy. If you didn't pay that for her, you would complete their form with purchase price, then add training, and show record to justify the value. I do know of folks that have had substantial claims with them that have been quite happy.

 

[Jill]

Just in defense of Agri-Risk, who covered and paid for my filly's colic surgery in 2003 -- they were easy to work with and paid quickly. I think that most major medical will exclude _______ upon renewal if it was an issue previously. I remember insuring a horse who had a cold and he was excluded from any thing related to respiration. It can be frustrating, I know, but it's been worth and is worth the peace of mind it gives me to cover some of mine.

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Brandi --

The surgery for her, which included two operations one one day, one the next, in 2003, was jut under $5,000. I've heard other people say it was around $3,000. It just must vary A LOT geographically.

Jill

Yes it does which is always a bit crazy I am surprised it is so reasonable there in VA jill since you live in a affluent area that seems to up the price but also how long ago was it?

Here they wont even enter then sugery room for less then 7000

I know in CA but that was over 5 years ago it was 5000 then so I am sure it is way higher. I have tried even just so I knew the amount neighboring states and even in UT it was cheaper 6000 to get them in the room still pricey

 

[Jill]

Lisa --

It was in 2003, when Khaki was 11mos old. AND, remember, they had to open her up twice so really TWO surgeries. The hospital she was at has a reputation among my friends as being "expensive". It was in Charlottesville, VA... I know my regular vet told me if she had a horse in Khaki's situation, that was where she'd want her to go. It was SOOOO long before I really thought Khaki would be around long term. I mean years. But, she's fat, sassy and I hope pregnant today

ONE thing to be leary of is the mortality policies with a colic rider for "free". The fine print on the policy like that which I read allowed a percentage of the insured value to be available for colic surgery. Now I don't remember if it was 50% or 75%? But if you have insured a $2500 or whatever horse, it may not actually help with "much" of the bill for colic surgery.

Jill

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Thanks jill I am sure it is a bit more now. A friend of mine told me that surgery was like 3000 in her area I was so excited sure it is a 5 hour drive but that makes it alot more reasonable so I called them to make sure of the cost (so I wouldnt have to do it in a emergency) and they told me they start now at 6000 but then my friend and I realized she had hers done a couple of years ago and they had gone up.

It does help to have some of that info on different surgical centers before you need it may of course change a bit but at least you have ideas and have it written down so that in a emergency you know what you have available to you.

 

[JourneysEnd]

Check out Gen Corp ( I think that's correct ) They're one of the AMHA sponsors.

Their policy includes emergency surgical, not just colic.

I've also used Newton Baker and was happy with them.

 

[ClickMini]

In my experience, GenCorp did not provide the best coverage or price.

I use Connaway & Associates, they have always done right by me whether for my big horses or minis.

http://www.connaway-associates.com

I also have Preventicare coverage on all of my minis and the eligible big horses (some are too old).

http://www.equinepreventicare.com

I do have mortality and major medical/surgical on all of the show horses. I have the most coverage that I can get. We live near a big regional referral hospital, and they are very good, but expensive. I feel fortunate to have them near us.

I have horses that are insured at levels from $4000 to $10,000, they all have major medical at $7500 limit. If I have a colic surgery, the preventicare will also provide up to $5000. I think we are very well covered here.

 

[Brandi*]

So if they are going to exclude for colic, is it still worth covering her? I would think it would be right. There are many other things that can happen but colic is the most common right?

 

[ClickMini]

I would find out how long the exclusion would last before deciding.

Yes, there are quite a few other things that can go wrong beside colic. I will say that if this is a breeding animal, I would consider the insurance to be quite valuable. I had my Ally insured when she had the dystocia and subsequent health crash. The insurance co. paid for all of the bills attributed to Ally herself. A significant amount.

 

[Mnmini]

Lisa --

It was in 2003, when Khaki was 11mos old. AND, remember, they had to open her up twice so really TWO surgeries. The hospital she was at has a reputation among my friends as being "expensive". It was in Charlottesville, VA... I know my regular vet told me if she had a horse in Khaki's situation, that was where she'd want her to go. It was SOOOO long before I really thought Khaki would be around long term. I mean years. But, she's fat, sassy and I hope pregnant today

ONE thing to be leary of is the mortality policies with a colic rider for "free". The fine print on the policy like that which I read allowed a percentage of the insured value to be available for colic surgery. Now I don't remember if it was 50% or 75%? But if you have insured a $2500 or whatever horse, it may not actually help with "much" of the bill for colic surgery.

Jill

That is the case with nearly all "free" colic riders. However, with my policy at Wilkins, it is 50% of the insured amount. Their minimum insured amount is $6,000 for equine mortality, so $3,000 in colic surgery coverage. I know Agri-Risk's underwriter is typical for the industry regarding their renewal policy and the exclusion. Had the exclusion been for further incidents regarding the strained suspensory injury for the duration of the next renewal, fine. However, to exclude coverage for anything that happened to that leg in perpetuity?

Hind sight is 20/20. Had I known the source of the lameness going in, I could have predicted that a few farm calls, and x-rays later we'd be good to go, I NEVER would have used my policy in the first place. And, knowing THAT, it makes the outlay of $$ for a policy that really isn't cost effect EXCEPT for catastrophic injuries/surgeries a waste of money. Perhaps many owners aren't in a position to do so, but for me, it is much more cost effective to self insure, at least as far as major medical goes.

 

[Jill]

I do think I agree with you as to it being more cost effective to self insure USUALLY. I have spent more in insurance premiums over th years than the combination of vet bills on my uninsured horses and the amount the insurance paid for the colic surgery. I'm almost superstitious about it, which I know is not logical.

For the peace of mind, I'm insuring my two stallions for the major medical and fairly "significant" (in mini terms) mortality amounts, and also a young show filly. Almost feel like if it crosses my mind that I should insure the horse, I'm tempting fate not to. With the three I insure, it's worth the peace of mind knowing I won't have a whopper vet bill, and that if God forbid anything happened and one of them died, I could find a "replacement" I'd like almost as much w/o any out of pocket.

 

[Mnmini]

I do think I agree with you as to it being more cost effective to self insure USUALLY. I have spent more in insurance premiums over th years than the combination of vet bills on my uninsured horses and the amount the insurance paid for the colic surgery. I'm almost superstitious about it, which I know is not logical.

For the peace of mind, I'm insuring my two stallions for the major medical and fairly "significant" (in mini terms) mortality amounts, and also a young show filly. Almost feel like if it crosses my mind that I should insure the horse, I'm tempting fate not to. With the three I insure, it's worth the peace of mind knowing I won't have a whopper vet bill, and that if God forbid anything happened and one of them died, I could find a "replacement" I'd like almost as much w/o any out of pocket.

I hear you on the part about superstition. Carried insurance for years on one of my show horses. Let it lapse, don't know why. Broke his leg in such a way there was nothing that could be done...so, have faithfully carried insurance since that time on my most expensive stock. I don't kid myself, I would still have a significant amount of out-of-pocket expense in addition to the insurance proceeds to actually replace someone that I lost, but know that I would be very unlikely to go out and buy a finished show horse...probably just another very nice prospect.

 

[esty]

Strogid daily wormer used to offer colic surgery at no cost if you were on thier wormer and followed thier program with the vet, it would be cheaper than your insurance if they still have that program.