Horse Insurance Test Winner Stiftung Warentest: How to Find the Best Protection
12 Sept 2025
4
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Are you looking for the top-rated horse insurance according to Stiftung Warentest and want to make an informed decision? Although there isn't a current overall test winner, we'll show you how to find the best coverage for your horse using the official evaluation criteria. This way, you can protect yourself from cost risks exceeding 10,000 euros.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Liability for horse owners under § 833 of the German Civil Code is unlimited, which is why liability insurance with a minimum coverage amount of 10 million euros is essential.
Equine surgical insurance is crucial because emergency operations, such as for colic, can incur costs exceeding €10,000.
When choosing a tariff, ensure reimbursement according to the Veterinary Fee Schedule (GOT) is included – at least the double rate should be covered to avoid high additional payments.
Equine Liability Insurance: Legal Protection Against Financial Ruin
Liability for horse owners is clearly regulated in the German Civil Code (§ 833 BGB) and requires you as the owner to have unlimited liability for damages. This means you are liable with your entire personal assets, even if you are not at fault. A horse running onto the road can cause a traffic accident resulting in personal injury worth six figures. Therefore, a robust horse liability insurance is the most important insurance of all. An earlier test by Stiftung Warentest already showed that good policies don't have to be expensive, although the price differences are enormous - some policies cost four times as much as others.
Ensure a coverage amount of at least ten million euros for personal and property damage. Top tariffs, which adhere to consumer protection criteria, also include important additional benefits. These include rental property damage to the horse box or transporter up to 100,000 euros. Equally crucial is the protection for external and guest riders, so your riding partnership is also covered. These details determine the actual protection in the event of an emergency and pave the way for a worry-free time with your animal.
Surgery insurance: An investment that saves lives
Veterinary emergencies are the greatest financial uncertainty for horse owners. A colic surgery can quickly incur costs between 7,500 and 15,000 Euros. An equine surgical insurance covers exactly these high four to five-figure bills for surgical procedures. It is one of the most sensible additions to liability insurance, ensuring the best possible medical care in emergencies without financial compromises. The fee schedule for veterinarians (GOT) permits clinics to charge up to four times the standard fee depending on the effort involved.
A good tariff should reimburse at least the double GOT rate to avoid additional payments. Pay attention to the details in the fine print when choosing a policy. Here are some points that distinguish a good policy:
Free choice of veterinary clinic and veterinarian.
Coverage of costs for hospitalisation for at least ten days after surgery.
Inclusion of diagnostics like MRI or CT before the procedure.
Short waiting periods of a maximum of three months for illnesses and a few days for accidents.
These criteria ensure that you are not only insured in an emergency but also receive the necessary services.
Horse Health Insurance: Comprehensive Health Protection
While surgical insurance is intended for emergencies, the equine health insurance also covers everyday veterinary costs. The annual routine costs for vaccinations, worming treatments, and minor treatments can quickly add up to between 400 and 1,000 Euros. A full health insurance policy covers these costs and already includes surgical protection. It is the most comprehensive, but also the most expensive form of coverage. Finanztest previously highlighted in a comparison that policies without an annual limit for cost reimbursement are particularly valuable.
Some modern policies offer annual health budgets of up to 1,000 Euros for preventive measures. This can include dental treatments, vaccinations, or even alternative therapies like osteopathy. The difference between surgical and health insurance lies in the details of the scope of benefits. Therefore, carefully assess which level of protection suits your horse and your budget. The right choice depends on individual risk tolerance and financial capabilities.
Your personal comparison winner: What you need to pay attention to
To find the best horse insurance for your needs, a systematic approach is essential. A direct liability insurance comparison for horses or the analysis of health insurances requires a look at several key figures. The criteria used by Stiftung Warentest also help you to assess the quality of a policy. The price alone is not an indicator of good performance – often, the cheapest offers come with pitfalls.
Use the following checklist to compare tariffs objectively:
Benefit limits: Is there an annual cap on reimbursement? For health insurance, this should be at least 20,000 Euros or unlimited.
GOT rate: Up to what rate of the fee schedule are veterinary bills reimbursed? The minimum should be the double rate, while the triple rate is ideal.
Deductible: What is your share per claim? A fixed deductible of, for example, 250 Euros is often better than a percentage participation of twenty percent.
Waiting periods: How long after the contract is signed does it take for full cover to be in effect? Three months are usual, while it's often only a few days for colics.
Exclusions: Are certain pre-existing conditions, breeds, or age groups excluded from cover?
Carefully checking these points protects you from unpleasant surprises and ensures the best care for your horse.
Expert tip: How to optimise your insurance coverage
Our expert tip: Combine insurance policies with one provider to benefit from discounts of up to fifteen percent. Many insurers offer package solutions consisting of liability and surgical protection, which are not only cheaper but also simplify administration. Specifically ask for such combination tariffs. Additionally, precisely document your horse's health condition at the time of contract signing to avoid future discussions about pre-existing conditions. A current acquisition examination can be invaluable in this regard. Ultimately, the best insurance is the one that suits your horse's individual needs and your financial situation. A well-informed decision is the key to long-lasting and fair insurance coverage.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Stiftung Warentest discusses the topic of horse health insurance and argues that only a surgical policy offers comprehensive protection.
Stiftung Warentest addresses the topic of horse liability insurance, highlighting that good coverage is available at a low cost.
Verbraucherzentrale provides information on liability insurance for pets.
Statista offers a survey in Germany on personal horse ownership.
Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) provides figures and facts about horses.
Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE) presents an article on a research project related to horse husbandry.
Statistisches Bundesamt (Destatis) provides information on animals and animal production in agriculture.
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) provides data on livestock numbers in agriculture.
FAQ
What is the difference between equine surgical insurance and equine health insurance?
The horse surgery insurance exclusively covers the costs for surgical procedures under anesthesia, as well as the associated diagnostics and aftercare. The horse health insurance is a comprehensive package that also reimburses outpatient treatments, medications, and preventive measures such as vaccinations.
What does GOT clause mean in equine insurance?
GOT stands for "Gebührenordnung für Tierärzte", which means "Schedule of Fees for Veterinarians". It determines the costs for veterinary services. Veterinarians can charge the simple, double, triple, or even quadruple rate depending on the difficulty and circumstances. A good insurance policy should reimburse at least the double rate.
Are riding share agreements covered in horse liability insurance?
Yes, in most modern and comprehensive horse liability insurance plans, both riding shares (external riders) and temporary guest riders are covered. This is an important criterion when selecting a plan and should be explicitly checked in the insurance terms and conditions.
Is there an age limit for taking out horse insurance?
Yes, many insurers have admission restrictions. Often, horses can only be newly admitted to health or surgical insurance up to the age of 15 or 16 years. There is usually no age limit for equine liability insurance.
What are typical exclusions in horse insurance?
Typical exclusions include congenital malformations, conditions known at the time of contract signing or chronic illnesses, as well as purely cosmetic procedures. Damage incurred during horse racing or commercial use is also often not covered.
What should the deductible be?
The amount of the deductible affects the monthly premium. A moderate deductible of 250 to 500 euros per claim can significantly reduce the premium. Percentage deductibles (e.g., 20 percent) are riskier, as for very expensive operations, your share also becomes very high.
