Reliable protection during horse operations

Why equine surgery insurance is indispensable

Colic surgeries can easily cost EUR 5,000–10,000 – financial protection is essential.

Free choice of veterinarian and clinic worldwide for the best possible care.

Three tariff variants (Basic, Top, Premium) for individual protection.

Horses up to and including 19 years of age can be insured – older horses also benefit.^[1]

Scope of services: What does the equine surgery insurance cover?

Horse surgery insurance via vitaProtect covers the costs of veterinary necessary surgical procedures under general anaesthetic, sedation, local anaesthetic or standing sedation. This covers not only classic operations, but also wound care by suturing or stapling, tooth extractions (including wolf teeth) and root canal treatments. Reimbursed up to twice the rate of the German fee scale for veterinarians (GOT). In addition, diagnostic preliminary examinations are covered u2013 from clinical examinations, endoscopy and biopsy to imaging procedures such as X-rays, CT and MRI. With PremiumOP cover, emergency care in the veterinary emergency services is even reimbursed at up to 4 times the GOT rate, including the emergency service fee. Whether an acute emergency, planned surgery or a complicated procedure: you retain free choice of your vet or veterinary clinic u2013 worldwide. nextsure supports you as a digital insurance portal with a transparent tariff overview and fast online processing.^[1]

Three tariffs at a glance: BasisOP, TopOP and PremiumOP

Horse surgery insurance via vitaProtect offers three clearly graduated tariff variants, so that you can choose exactly the protection that suits your horse and your budget. BasisOP protection is suitable as solid basic cover with reimbursement of up to EUR 2,500 per operation, 7 days of aftercare and up to EUR 1,000 for imaging procedures per insurance case. TopOP protection dispenses with a limit on surgery costs, extends aftercare to 10 days and reimburses imaging procedures without limit. In addition, joint chip surgeries (OC, OCD) are insured up to EUR 1,500 per operation. PremiumOP protection offers the most comprehensive cover: no limit on surgery costs, 14 days of aftercare, unlimited imaging and OC/OCD care, emergency reimbursement up to 4 times the GOT rate including emergency service fee, as well as up to 5 physiotherapy sessions of 60 minutes each beyond the aftercare period. In all tariffs, you can choose a deductible of 250, 500 or 1,000 EUR in order to customise your monthly premium. This is how you find the optimum protection via nextsure – digitally and clearly structured.

Waiting periods and start of insurance cover: What you should know

When taking out equine surgery insurance, certain waiting periods apply that you should be aware of to avoid any surprises in an emergency. The general waiting period is 3 months from the start of the insurance policy – during this time, there is no entitlement to benefits for surgery due to illness. For abdominal cavity surgery in the event of colic, a significantly shorter waiting period of just 5 days applies, as colic is one of the most common and dangerous emergencies in horses. For joint surgery in cases of OC, OCD, chips, or Birkeland fractures, there is a special waiting period of 12 months, and for medically necessary castrations due to gynaecological, andrological, or oncological diseases, it is 6 months. Particularly important: In the event of an accident, the waiting period is waived completely, meaning your horse is protected against accident-related surgery from day one. If there was a similar insurance policy in place beforehand without interruption, the general waiting period is also waived and the period of prior insurance is credited towards special waiting periods. nextsure explains all regulations to you in a transparent and easy-to-understand way.

Exclusions: Which operations are not insured?

As with any insurance policy, horse surgical insurance has defined exclusions that you should be aware of before signing the contract. Pre-existing conditions, accidents or developmental defects that you were already aware of when submitting the application are not covered. Routine and precautionary examinations, cosmetic dental treatments, dental care and prostheses, as well as operations aimed at achieving a breed standard, are also excluded. There is generally no insurance cover for castration or sterilisation – unless the procedure is medically necessary due to gynaecological, andrological or oncological diseases. Other exclusions include operations for cryptorchidism, hoof abscesses (except hoof cancer), gold acupuncture, and damage caused by war, natural disasters or epidemics. Transport costs, dietary food, expert reports or the vet's travel and attendance allowance are also not covered. Surgical costs in connection with a Caesarean section are reimbursed once per animal. nextsure helps you to fully understand the conditions so that you know exactly what your cover applies to.

Post-treatment and additional services: More than just the surgery

A crucial factor in choosing the right horse surgery insurance is the scope of the covered post-operative care. Depending on the tariff, 7, 10 or 14 calendar days of post-operative care after the operation are covered. During this period, wound treatments, follow-up examinations and alternative healing methods such as acupuncture, homeopathy, physiotherapy, laser therapy, magnetic field therapy and neural therapy are reimbursed – provided they correspond to current veterinary standards and are billed according to the GOT. Inpatient accommodation costs are insured up to €15 (Basis), €30 (Top) or unlimited (Premium) per day, depending on the tariff. Regenerative therapies such as IRAP, PRP or stem cell treatments are subsidised with €500 (Basis) or €1,000 (Top and Premium) per insurance claim. PremiumOP cover also offers up to 5 physiotherapy sessions of 60 minutes each beyond the post-operative care period. Even if the contract ends before the post-operative care is completed, coverage for ongoing follow-up treatments remains in place.

Excess and costs: Customise your contribution

The contribution structure of the horse surgical insurance offers you maximum flexibility to align protection and budget. In all three tariffs – BasisOP, TopOP and PremiumOP – you can choose a deductible per insurance claim: EUR 250, 500 or 1,000. A higher deductible noticeably lowers your monthly contribution, while a lower deductible ensures lower out-of-pocket costs in the event of a claim. Contributions are calculated monthly and can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. Important to know: contributions are reviewed and adjusted if necessary at least once per calendar year – also taking into account changes to the scale of fees for veterinarians. In the event of a contribution increase, you are entitled to a special right of termination. nextsure offers you a transparent comparison of the tariff options so that you can find the most economically sensible solution for your horse – quickly, digitally and comprehensibly.

Direct billing and insurance claims: It's that simple

In an emergency, it is not just the insurance cover that counts, but also uncomplicated processing. Horse surgery insurance offers the option of direct billing with the vet or equine clinic: upon your instruction, the reimbursable costs are paid directly to the treating facility, meaning you do not have to pay upfront. To process the claim, simply submit the veterinary invoice containing details of the owner, the horse's identification (chip or life number), the diagnosis and the billed GOT (German fee schedule for vets) items. Additional documents may be requested for diagnostics such as X-rays or ultrasounds. If multiple surgeries are necessary due to the same illness or accident, they are treated as a single insured event – so you only pay the deductible once. nextsure relies on digital processes: online claim registration, fast assessment, and transparent communication regarding the status of your case.

Special features: Innovation clause, right of cancellation and overseas cover

Horse surgery insurance offers several outstanding special features that set it apart from other products on the market. Thanks to the innovation clause, you automatically benefit from future improvements to conditions - without any additional premium and without changing your contract. All three plans grant you a daily right of termination after the expiry of the original contract period, offering you maximum flexibility. In the PremiumOP cover, there is an additional security feature: if the horse was a maximum of 7 years old when the contract began, the insurer waives its ordinary right of termination from the 7th year of insurance - and also after an insured event. This means long-term contract security for you and your horse. In the event of temporary stays abroad, all plans provide worldwide insurance cover for up to 12 months, so that your horse is also protected during competitions, breeding stays or travel abroad. Via nextsure, you receive all details presented in a clear and structured format.

Which surgeries are covered by horse surgical insurance?

At nextsure, we understand the close bond between horse owners and their four-legged friends. As a digital insurance portal focusing on niche products, we offer you equine surgical insurance that impresses with its transparency, fair pricing and a fully digitised process. Whether it is rider Sophia, who wants the best possible protection for her sports horse, or family father Markus, who wants to protect his daughter's therapy partner – nextsure offers the right tariff for every need. The policy is taken out completely online, claims are reported digitally, and communication is always on an equal footing. Our experts are on hand to advise you if you have any questions about choosing a tariff, waiting periods or power details. Compare the three tariff options BasisOP, TopOP and PremiumOP now, choose the appropriate excess, and protect your horse against high surgical costs with just a few clicks. nextsure – because every horse deserves the best protection.