Our database includes details of every horse insurance policy that is available to buy online. The sector dictates what the market average levels of cover are and we use this collated information to create an unbiased ranking table.
The majority of policies are awarded 3 stars (being the industry standard). Policies that sit above the industry average are awarded 4 and 5 stars and those that fall below are awarded 2 & 1 stars.
It is important to remember that the star rating only takes into account the policy itself and not levels of service, customer satisfaction, settlement of claims etc.
This is why we also carry out an in depth review of each company. By combining the star rating and our review, you can get a good idea of what you can expect from the policy and the Insurer themselves.
Please note the information and analysis that we provide should not be construed as advice, but only as a means of assisting with your search to find a policy that best suits your needs.
Our database calculates the industry average for each section of cover in a pet insurance policy. Our algorithm attaches a value to each section and calculates an overall score. The more comprehensive the cover the higher the rating.
(Where a policy has an option to include a certain section of cover, we have assumed that it is included for rating purposes). In keeping with our goal of transparency, our star ratings requirements are as follows:
FIVE STARS
Policies must cover all core sections and offer the option of cover on all secondary sections.
Vets fees - Policies must provide a minimum maximum benefit of £4,000 per condition.
Loss of Use - Policies must offer the option to include loss of use of at least 80% of the market value of the horse.
Complementary treatments - The industry average for complementary treatments such as physiotherapy is £1,000. Five star policies must offer at least this amount of cover.
Third Party Liability – The industry average for Third Party Liability cover is £1.5 million. Five star policies must offer at least this amount of cover.
Disposal - If you have to put your horse to sleep, disposal of the body can be expensive. A five star policy must offer at least £200 of cover.
Dental Treatment Five star policies should either include dental cover as standard or offer it as an option.
Loss of your horse - Industry average policies will cover the market value of your horse up to £10,000 in the event they die due to an injury, illness or from theft or straying. Five star policies will offer insurance up to at least this level of cover.
Five-star policies may provide additional service and cover benefits over and above standard policies.
Premiums are competitive in relation to the cover provided.
Five-Star policies have clear and consumer friendly, wording and explanations of cover.
Policies may offer higher excess in exchange for lower premiums, but the average excess charged is £180 and a five star policy must offer and option that is lower than the £180 market average.
Protecting yourself as rider is important and five star policies will either offer Personal Accident cover as standard or offer it as an option with a minimum of £15,000 cover.
Horse Tack can be very expensive with some saddles costing thousands of pounds. Five star policies offer the option to insure your horses tack.
FOUR STARS
Policies must cover all core sections and offer the option of cover on all secondary sections.
Vets fees - Policies must provide a minimum maximum benefit of £3,500 per condition.
Four-star policies may have a maximum of one core section of cover lower than the market average and or the excess may be above the market average.
Four-star policies may provide additional cover benefits.
Premiums are competitive in relation to the cover provided.
Four-star policies have clear and consumer friendly wording and explanations of cover.
THREE STARS
Three Star Policies may not offer all sections of cover (For example all veteran horse policies are ranked 3 stars because they do not offer loss of use or death from illness).
Three star policies cover veterinary fees that may be lower than the market average and provide either
A maximum limit per condition restricted to 12 months or, An overall maximum benefit per year limited to 12 months.
Three star policies may offer some core and secondary sections of cover that are lower than the market average.
Three star policies may not have all the features and benefits of a four or five star policy.
The standard excess may be higher than the market average.
TWO STARS
Two star policies generally provide cover that is below the market average and/or have core and secondary sections of cover missing from their policies.
Two star policies may have sections of cover missing.
Premiums tend to be much lower than the market average due to the low levels of cover provided.
The Standard Excess can be higher than the market average.
Policy wordings may not be as consumer friendly as other Insurers and contain more terms and conditions.
ONE STAR
There are currently no one star rated horse insurance policies
