Eventers recommendations for Equine Insurance Providers

[RizenPhoenix09]

I picked the Eventing forum for this question because I wanted to talk to people who may have had claims and since Eventing is the category my horse will be insured under.

It’s been a few years since I carried insurance on a horse so I am out of the loop. Of course Broadstone, Markel & Hallmark are on my list, are there any others I should check into?

Does anyone have a company/agent they are very happy with? I’d love to have a personal recommendation for the company I go with. Gives me confidence in the company.

Thanks in advance for your help COTHers!

[Auburn]

I have both of my horses insured with Broadstone.

When my older mare had pneumonia and spent 12 days at Rood and Riddle, they paid $7,500 of it. When the same mare had a suspensory issue, they paid on that, too. The underwriter for both issues was RJ Ketch in Lexington, KY. They have been wonderful, with whom to work.

Of course, issues with lungs and that suspensory were disallowed for the following year.

[Lusoluv]

My insurance agent is Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Co. in NY. The insurance underwriter is RJ Ketch like Auburn has. Fortunately, no claims made so far. Sara Cunningham has been my agent for my 3 previous horses. I recommend!

[barnmaven]

RizenPhoenix09…you were reading my mind.

[kcmel]

I use Broadstone, XL is the underwriter. The benefits aren’t as good as they use to be (just like people insurance). You have to cover more of the costs of diagnostics, unless you pay extra. But they have always been good about covering things and easy to work with.

[RizenPhoenix09]

“RizenPhoenix09…you were reading my mind.” - barnmaven

barnmaven,

It’s a little sideline gig I have to help pay the horse bills. Hahahahaha

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I’m wondering if there any agencies I should stay away from when it comes time to insure? The prices seem to be all over the board with these companies. Quoting all the same coverages on the same horse for the same value I have rates from $300 annually to nearly $700!

[ndirish07]

I have Great American and its underwritten by Marshall & Sterling. I cannot speak highly enough about both companies and my agent. I had a full value medical claim that turned into a mortality claim…Great American only wrote off $300 which was a clear exclusion on the policy. Prompt Payment. No questions asked. I felt like they truly cared more about my horse every time I’d call. The underwriters and my agent are amazing because during this claim my policy renewed. I hadn’t even received a bill yet (was probably 10 days in to the new policy) and my horse was euthanized. They went to the mat and helped so I didn’t have to pay the full price of the renewal insurance, which was just amazing customer service.

[jen-s]

I use Ryan Gotshall through equineinsurancecenter.com. It’s local to me, but they rep for a number of insurers. He’s been outstanding to deal with–patient, thorough, and professional. My policy is through AEIG. I haven’t had to file a claim yet, so I can’t speak to that process.

[Samantha37]

RJ Ketch is not an underwriter - they are an independent adjustment firm in Kentucky

I have Markel (and full disclosure I work for the company as well but have had insurance with them since prior to my employment) and have been quite happy. I have had 1 claim pay policy limits (suspensory surgery) for that year, one for GI ulcers, another for a hoof abscess that required a bunch of vet care, one for back soreness, and a current one for a reinjury of the suspensory (exclusion was removed 5 years post op). They have all been paid promptly and the amount I have been owed was not questioned.

Like another poster said - the coverages have gotten tighter but as far as I’m concerned, anything I get back is better than nothing!

[Auburn]

Samantha37, Oops. Thanks for the correction.

They are still wonderful, with whom to work!

[egrubbs]

[QUOTE=Lusoluv;8973454]
My insurance agent is Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Co. in NY. The insurance underwriter is RJ Ketch like Auburn has. Fortunately, no claims made so far. Sara Cunningham has been my agent for my 3 previous horses. I recommend![/QUOTE]

Sara is mine too! I’ve been with her and her dad, Tom since 2008. They are wonderful and will get you the best combination and the most bang for your buck. My policy is underwritten by the same and they pay out fast and follow up care was covered for a repeat scope at 100% coverage. I only paid out of pocket my deductible. Great American was used for my other horse and my current on I now the beginning, but they paid less and were also about 45 days on the mortality payment. Call and talk with her or Maureen…they will figure out what is best! I’ve had many a conversation with Sara after hours with care, policy and what ifs!

[egrubbs]

[QUOTE=Lusoluv;8973454]
My insurance agent is Cunningham & Cunningham Livestock Co. in NY. The insurance underwriter is RJ Ketch like Auburn has. Fortunately, no claims made so far. Sara Cunningham has been my agent for my 3 previous horses. I recommend![/QUOTE]

Sara is mine too! I’ve been with her and her dad, Tom since 2008. They are wonderful and will get you the best combination and the most bang for your buck. My policy is by the same and they pay out fast and follow up care was covered for a repeat scope at 100% coverage and farm calls for the colic. I only paid out of pocket my deductible. Great American was used for my other horse and my current on I now the beginning, but they paid less and were also about 45 days on the mortality payment. Call and talk with her or Maureen…they will figure out what is best! I’ve had many a conversation with Sara after hours with care, policy and what ifs!

[gottagrey]

I have had Hallmark and Markel and have been happy with both. I never had any claims with Markel but several years ago switched to Hallmark as they offered slightly better coverage for the same or a little less premium. I’ve had a couple of surgical claims with Hallmark which were paid out smoothly and in a very timely manner, which I greatly appreciated as they were within a couple of months of each other. At that time Hallmark included a $3000 colic rider and I had opted for $7500 M/M coverage. Horse is now 17 and still covered through Hallmark though he’s excluded for colic at this point.

I previously had a policy with Great American and won’t insure again with them if I can help it. When I switched from Great American to Markel - Great American sent me to collections even though I hadn’t submitted any renewal paperwork!