Shopping around for a policy for my 4 year old hunter going into training. Any recommendations on insurance providers? Has anyone had experience with Equine Insurance Specialists?
I use Markel. I recently made a claim (my first time doing so) on a horse with a suspensory injury. They sent me the required paperwork, I filled it out, and a check was in the mail. I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the process was and I found the claim specialist I worked with very helpful. Just my personal experience.
I haven’t had to file a claim but I was extremely pleased with Equisport. I had to get a last minute policy to cover a horse on trial. They were extremely helpful, very quick, and don’t charge for trial coverage.
I’ve had Markel and currently have Hallmark - heard good things about them both, never had a claim w/ Markel but switched to Hallmark because I got a slightly better price and more coverage. Unfortunately have had claims processed w/ Hallmark and they have been wonderful. I don’t think you could go wrong with either
Call Julie at Nicholson Insurance Agency. She’ll give you quotes from multiple companies and work with you to find the best coverage for you at the best price. (859) 224-7080.
I have been very happy with Hallmark insurance as well. Quoted me better prices for more coverage than competitors. Customer service is extremely helpful and kind. However, I have never (knock on wood) had to submit a claim. I have Mortality & MM.
If you get at least a $5,000 valuation for Mortality, there is an additional $3,000 colic surgery coverage included (even w/o MM). If you get MM in addition, you still get to keep the $3,000 colic surgery coverage (EX: choose MM $10,000 policy, and your horse has a colic surgery… you actually have $13,000 in coverage and the $3,000 from the mortality policy is used first.)
A well known trainer recommended Hallmark to me and he was very happy with them as well.
Senszuri - that’s one of the reasons I switched to Hallmark - and thankfully I had good coverage when I needed it last year, now crossing my fingers never to need it again.
Thank you for the great info. I will take all into consideration. I really appreciate it.
All of my horses are with LEGIS.
The best customer care and extremely knowledgable agents. They found the best policy type, and are always there when I have questions. I understand so much more about the pluses and minuses of what is offered in order for me to make the best decision for me and my situation in order to make sure my horses have the best possible coverage.
Sadly I have had to use them for large and small claims, and they took amazing care of my horses in every case.
I can not recommend them highly enough.
All of my horses are with LEGIS.
The best customer care and extremely knowledgable agents. They found the best policy type, and are always there when I have questions. I understand so much more about the pluses and minuses of what is offered in order for me to make the best decision for me and my situation in order to make sure my horses have the best possible coverage.
Sadly I have had to use them for large and small claims, and they took amazing care of my horses in every case.
They are all riders and horseman and truly understand the insurance business.
I can not recommend them highly enough.
Anyone have a phone number for Hallmark? My horses’ mortality and MM policies come due in a week, and I want to get at least one more quote. I’m currently with Great American, which has increased its minimum mortality value to $15,000 in order to purchase major medical.
Here’s Hallmark’s web page. They also pay 100% of some of the diagnostics that others no longer do. I have made many claims and they have always been compassionate and professional. If you have access to The Horse Journal, they did a comparison of various underwriters and so on about a year ago.
Hallmark also insures past 15 years which is nice. I will say one of the reasons why I went w/ Markell and then Hallmark was based on information I got from COTH as well as the company websites -this kind of information sharing is wonderful
I recently got a policy with Great American (mortality only); the premium was a bit higher than what it would have been with American Equine Insurance Group (through Hallmark), but it provided $500 more emergency colic coverage than AEIG. Had I been looking at major medical coverage as well, I would have gone with through Hallmark.
Great American through Dietrich has been very good for us. Unfortunately we had to use the MM and mortality on the same horse. We were allowed to try stem cell treatment and a few other advanced treatments. They treated us more than fairly on a horse insured for @ $20,000.
I am in the process of getting like quotes from all the above suggestions. Will let you know how it stacks up even though price/coverage is only one consideration. Your experience with the unfortunate event of having to use a policy speaks volumes. Again thanks for the input.
Please give Jennifer Oliver a call. She will re-quote and out-quote most insurances. I’ve been so pleased to have had many of my equine friends talk to her and WOW, were they pleased. Even if you think you have a good rate with your current insurance, PLEASE at least email or call Jennifer. You are going to be surprised. 
jennifer@centralvains.com
540-222-0460
I have also had Markel many years ago (no problems with them). However, as others have mentioned, Hallmark gave me a better rate with more coverage so I am now with them. I haven’t had to make any claims yet (thank goodness), but so far so good, no issues with them!
[QUOTE=AdultAmmieMommie;7303880]
I have also had Markel many years ago (no problems with them). However, as others have mentioned, Hallmark gave me a better rate with more coverage so I am now with them. I haven’t had to make any claims yet (thank goodness), but so far so good, no issues with them![/QUOTE]
Remember too that your rate /quote is also based on discipline so if you have a 10 y/o $20k horse doing showing hunters is going to be less than a 10 y/o $20K horse eventing at Prelim and somewhere in the middle would be the 10 y/o $20 jumper.
I’ve had 3 claims w/ hallmark including back to back colic surgeries with no problems whatsoever in submitting my claim and thank goodness for that $3K extra. My m/m was $7500 so w/ the 2 colic surgeries my coverage ended up being $10,500 which pretty much covered everything but farm call and incidentals.
I received such a nice private message yesterday from someone that DID call Jennifer Oliver (at my suggestion) and how pleased they were with her quote and easy process.
Seriously, if you currently insure a horse or pony OR you are considering doing so, try her. She’s so affordable and nice to work with. Great advice and practical options. jennifer@centralvains.com
540-222-0460
