Protection for Your Hobby Livestock
Secure your chickens, goats, sheep, alpacas, and other hobby livestock optimally. Discover the tailored hobby livestock insurance from nextsure – digital, simple, comprehensive.
Comprehensive protection for various animal species
Coverage in case of illness and accident
Optional liability component
Your hobby livestock: More than just animals – a part of your life
Individual protection for every animal
Protection against high veterinary costs
Peace of mind for pets and owners
Simple Online Process
What is a hobby livestock insurance and what does it cover?
A hobby livestock insurance is a special policy that protects owners of non-commercially kept livestock such as chickens, goats, sheep, alpacas, or miniature pigs from the financial consequences of illnesses, accidents, or loss of their animals. Unlike agricultural livestock insurance, which is tailored to commercial enterprises, this coverage is aimed at private individuals for whom their animals are a hobby. The coverage can include veterinary costs for treatments and surgeries, costs in the event of the animal's death due to an accident or illness, and sometimes even theft. Some policies also offer integrated liability insurance for damages your hobby livestock may cause to third parties. The specific services vary depending on the provider and chosen policy, so a careful comparison of the terms of hobby livestock insurance is essential.
Comprehensive Protection
Our services for your hobby livestock
Veterinary costs
Assumption of treatment and surgical costs.
Death
Compensation in case of loss due to accident/illness.
Theft protection
Protection against the theft of your animals.
Liability Insurance
Protection against damage caused by your animals.
Chicken Special
Tailored protection for your poultry.
Goats & Sheep
Secure protection for small ruminants.
Alpacas & Llamas
Special rates for New World camelids.
Mini pigs
Insurance for your clever trunked animals.
Digital-Service
Easy management and quick claim reporting online.
Individually customizable, digitally lockable.
Safeguard your animal friends
Calculate your rate now!
Why insurance for hobby livestock is indispensable
Keeping hobby livestock enriches the lives of many people, but it also carries financial risks. Unexpected illnesses or accidents can quickly lead to high veterinary costs, which can heavily strain your budget without suitable insurance. A specialised hobby livestock insurance covers these costs and allows you to provide your animal with the best possible medical care, without having to worry about affordability. In addition, the loss of a beloved animal can be emotionally stressful; insurance can at least alleviate financial worries, for example, with compensation in the event of the animal's death. Damages your animals may unintentionally cause—like if a sheep gets loose and ravages a neighbour's garden—can also be expensive. An included or supplementary liability component protects you against third-party claims here. Thus, hobby livestock insurance not only offers financial protection but also a piece of security and peace of mind in your daily life with your animal companions.
Which animal species are covered by the hobby livestock insurance?
The hobby livestock insurance is designed with flexibility and covers a wide range of animal species typically kept by individuals as a hobby. These often include poultry such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. Smaller ruminants like goats and sheep, which often serve as landscape caretakers or sociable companions, can also be insured. Alpacas and llamas are increasingly popular in hobby keeping, and specific insurance cover is available for them too. Mini pigs, kept as intelligent and affectionate pets, also fall within the scope of many policies. Some providers even offer insurance for non-commercially kept rabbits (particularly larger breeds or breeding groups in the hobby area) or even beehives. It is important to note that classic pets such as dogs and cats or sport horses are usually covered by separate pet health or pet liability insurance. Always check the exact insurance conditions to see which species are included in detail and whether there are any quantity limits or specific requirements for insuring your hobby livestock.
Detailed scope of services: What is really covered?
The scope of coverage for a hobby livestock insurance can vary depending on the policy and provider, but typically includes several core areas. A key component is the coverage of veterinary costs. This includes costs for outpatient and inpatient treatments due to illness or accident, necessary surgeries, including ancillary costs such as diagnostics (e.g., X-rays, laboratory tests), medications, and bandaging materials. Many policies also provide compensation in the event of the animal's death due to illness, accident, or emergency slaughter, often based on the current market value or an agreed value. Theft or robbery of the animals can also be a covered risk. Another important aspect is the animal owner liability insurance, which is either included or can be chosen as an additional component. This covers personal injury, property damage, and financial losses that your hobby livestock may cause to third parties. Pay attention to details such as deductibles, maximum compensation limits per claim or per year, and exclusions to find the optimal protection for your needs.
Keeping an Eye on Costs: How is the Premium Calculated?
The cost of hobby livestock insurance depends on various factors that reflect the individual risk. The type and number of animals to be insured are crucial to the premium amount. Naturally, insuring a single chicken is cheaper than covering a small herd of alpacas. The age and health condition of the animals at the time of contract conclusion can also be significant; some insurers apply surcharges for older animals or exclude pre-existing conditions. The chosen scope of coverage is another decisive cost factor: Basic coverage is less expensive than a premium tariff with comprehensive services and high coverage amounts. Agreeing on a deductible per claim can also reduce the premium - the higher the deductible, the lower the contribution. Specific risks, such as including theft insurance or a high liability coverage amount, affect the price. It's advisable to compare different offers and pay attention to a balanced relationship between cost and benefit to find suitable and affordable hobby livestock insurance for your animals.
Specialized
Expert in Hobby Livestock
Digital
Complete online easily
Fair
Transparent tariffs
Important to know: Exclusions and special conditions
As with any insurance, the hobby livestock insurance also has certain exclusions and conditions that you should be aware of. Generally, damages caused by intent or gross negligence of the animal owner are excluded from coverage. Diseases that were known before the contract was concluded or occur within a waiting period are often not covered. The commercial use of the animals, such as the sale of products (eggs, wool on a larger scale) or commercial breeding, typically results in the loss of insurance coverage, as specific agricultural policies are required for this. Damages due to animal diseases or government-ordered culling are often also excluded or regulated separately. Some insurers exclude certain breeds or species of animals or set age limits for entering insurance. It's also important to observe obligations, such as proper keeping and care of the animals, as well as promptly reporting a claim. Carefully read the insurance terms and conditions (AVB) of your hobby livestock insurance to avoid misunderstandings and to know exactly when and to what extent you enjoy coverage.
In the event of damage: How to act correctly and receive your benefits
If a claim arises involving your hobby farm animals, quick and correct action is important to ensure smooth processing by your insurer. First, provide necessary care for the animal – in the event of illness or accident, promptly consult a veterinarian. Document the incident as accurately as possible: take photos of injuries or damages and carefully keep all relevant evidence such as veterinary bills, expert reports, or, in cases of theft, a police report. Report the damage to your hobby farm animal insurance immediately – usually within a few days. Many insurers, like nextsure, offer digital reporting methods via their website or customer portals, which speeds up the process. Complete the claim form accurately and truthfully and submit all requested documents. Consult with the insurance before taking expensive measures (e.g., costly surgeries that are not urgently necessary for survival) to clarify coverage. Transparent communication and complete documentation significantly contribute to a swift processing of your request.
Your benefits with nextsure's hobby livestock insurance
The hobby livestock insurance from nextsure offers you, as a digitally savvy animal owner, numerous advantages. Benefit from our specialization in niche insurance, which allows us to provide you with tailored and needs-based solutions for your beloved animals. Our fully digitalized conclusion process makes it easy for you to find and finalize the right protection quickly and easily online—completely without paperwork. Thanks to our SEO-optimized content, you will find all relevant information presented clearly and understandably. In the event of a claim, our digital service is available for swift and efficient handling. We understand that your hobby livestock are more than just animals; they are an important part of your life. That's why we emphasize transparent conditions and reliable protection, so you can fully focus on the joy your animals bring. Trust in nextsure, your partner for digital and expert insurance protection.
Are my animals also insured in the stable?
It is important to differentiate hobby livestock insurance from other animal insurances to choose the appropriate coverage. The best known is the pet health insurance for dogs and cats, covering surgical and medical costs for these classic pets. For horses, there are special horse surgery or horse health insurances. Liability insurance for pet owners is also relevant, particularly the dog owner's liability insurance (mandatory in many federal states) and the horse owner's liability insurance, which cover damages these animals may cause to third parties. Hobby livestock insurance fills the gap for animals like chickens, goats, sheep, or alpacas, which are neither classic pets in terms of usual policies nor agricultural livestock in a commercial context. While a private animal liability insurance often only includes dogs and horses, a liability component in the hobby livestock insurance can be specifically applicable for damages caused by this group of animals. On the other hand, agricultural businesses require business liability and special livestock disease or loss of income insurances. Carefully assess which animals you keep and which risks you want to insure to find the right insurance combination for your needs at nextsure.
