Switching horse insurance: What to look out for

Are you considering changing your horse insurance? Making the right decision can optimise your costs and improve the cover for your horse. Find out here how to avoid the most common mistakes and make the switch smoothly.

Use notice periods strategically

The correct timing is crucial when you want to change your horse insurance. The standard notice period is usually three months to the end of the policy year. If your contract runs until 31 December, your cancellation must reach the insurer by 30 September at the latest. If you miss this deadline, the contract is automatically extended by another year.

There is also a special right to cancel, which gives you greater flexibility. You can exercise this right within four weeks of receiving the notification. Such a right arises in two main cases:

• Premium increase: If the insurer increases the premium without adjusting the benefits, you can terminate the contract early. An increase in premium of just five per cent can already trigger a right to cancel.
• Claim: After the insurer has settled or rejected a claim, either party may cancel the contract. The deadline for this is usually one month after the claim has been concluded.

These provisions enable you to respond more quickly to market changes and avoid having to wait a whole year.

Compare service details instead of just prices

A cheaper premium is tempting, but the devil is in the detail of the insurance conditions. A colic operation can quickly exceed costs of 7,000 euros. A tariff that only covers the standard rate of the German Scale of Fees for Veterinarians (GOT) may reimburse less than half of that. You should therefore look for cover up to four times the GOT rate, especially for emergency treatment.

Savings of 100 euros a year are irrelevant if, in an emergency, a coverage gap of 5,000 euros arises. Before you change your horse surgery insurance, check the following points:

• Benefit limits: Is there an annual limit or a limit per operation? Tariffs without limits offer the greatest security.
• Waiting periods: For colic, the waiting period should be a maximum of seven days. For joint operations (OCD), it can be up to twelve months.
• Diagnostics and aftercare: Are expensive imaging procedures such as MRI or CT before the operation, and aftercare for at least seven days, covered?
• Free choice of clinic: Make sure that, in an emergency, you are not limited to just three partner clinics.

A thorough comparison of horse liability insurance or health insurance protects you from nasty surprises.

The secure switching process in four steps

Continuous insurance coverage is the top priority when making a change. Never cancel your old policy before you have a written and binding confirmation from the new provider. A horse that is injured during the uninsured period of just one day can incur costs of several thousand euros. Proceed systematically.

Our expert tip: Always carry out the switching process in this order to eliminate any risk. This will ensure a seamless transition.

• Obtain quotes: Compare at least three different tariffs based on the benefits, not just the price.
• Apply for the new policy: Complete the application for your preferred tariff in full and truthfully, especially the health questions.
• Wait for confirmation of acceptance: Wait for the written policy or a binding declaration of acceptance from the new insurer. This can take up to 14 days.
• Cancel the old policy: Only now should you cancel your previous policy by registered post in good time, so that you have proof.

Observing this order is crucial for the financial security and protection of your horse.

Health check as a critical factor

When changing a horse health insurance policy or surgical insurance, the health assessment is a key issue. The new insurer will ask detailed questions about pre-existing conditions, past treatments and accidents. Absolute honesty is essential here. Failing to disclose an old tendon injury or chronic bronchitis may be regarded as a breach of the pre-contractual duty of disclosure (§ 19 VVG).

The consequence: the insurer can withdraw from the contract or refuse to pay out in the event of a claim. Even if the undisclosed illness has nothing to do with the current reason for surgery, the entire cover may be jeopardised. Treatment that took place three years ago can still be relevant.

Document your horse's health history carefully. If necessary, enclose veterinary reports with the application to ensure transparency. A horse with known but well-managed pre-existing conditions is often easier to insure than one with unclear details in its medical history.

Understanding waiting periods and benefit exclusions

A new contract means new waiting periods. These serve to protect the insurer against pre-existing but as yet undiagnosed problems. Typically, waiting periods of three months apply for illnesses and up to one year for specific procedures such as joint surgery for OCD. Accidents are often covered with no waiting period.

Check carefully whether the new plan excludes certain treatments or breeds. Some low-cost plans, for example, only cover regenerative therapies or dental surgery up to a limit of €1,000. The cost of horse insurance directly reflects the scope of cover. Comprehensive protection is rarely available for less than €40 a month.