Oct 05, 2021

The Truth about Loss of Use Coverage

Equine medical insurance can be difficult to understand, especially due to the differences between equine insurance and other insurances you may be used to. Loss of use coverage, for example, can be a useful extension of other equine medical insurances such as mortality and major medical insurance. While no horse owner wants to think of a scenario where their horse suffers a career-ending injury, accident, or illness, loss of use coverage can help provide financial assistance with vet bills and any other expenses should something happen.

“Loss of use” for horses is considered on a case-by-case basis. For some horses, it may be specific to a competition level or discipline. For others, it could be a loss of fertility. Horse owners have several options when it comes to loss of use insurance. For example, an owner can insure their horse for “full loss of use,” which is designed to reimburse the horse owner for a predetermined percentage of their horses' value should the horse become permanently and completely unable to fulfill its intended use. For full loss of use coverage, a complete veterinary evaluation of the horse is generally required. Another option is the accidental loss of use coverage covering exclusively external accidental injuries such as a trailer accident resulting in injury to your horse.

Most equine insurance is adjusted within a certain extent to fit the horse it is covering; however, many factors may change the type of coverage that is obtainable for your horse, such as their discipline, age, and medical history. Due to the nature of loss of use coverage focusing on unexpected injury or illness, older horses may not be eligible for coverage. Additionally, a horse with a medical history of something like colic episodes may not be eligible for coverage that includes colic. The horse's value may also the impact of coverage available depending on the carrier company. The easiest way to value a horse is from a purchase, but it is possible to change the valuation of your horse over time with proof of successful training and showing.

Should you need to file for loss of use with your horse, you must file your claim as soon as possible. After filing for loss of use, a veterinarian will need to assess your horse to complete your claim and verify for your insurance company that your horse will, in fact, be permanently unable to complete its intended use. Then, the insurance company will reimburse you for the agreed-upon amount or percentage of your horses’ value. Should your horse regain some ability to fulfill another use or even their prior intended use, later on, they are not barred from doing so. However, it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian regarding what is safe for your horse to participate in.

The range of options and decisions to consider when thinking about equine insurance can be overwhelming. Still, every horse owner needs to understand and be aware of their full list of options, especially when purchasing a new horse. The decision to insure your horse for loss of use has the potential to be a valuable tool in the face of an unexpected accident involving your horse.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

2025 K3DE Rider Talk: What Are They Saying About Cross-Country?

Riders in both the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S and the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L are sharing similar sentiments about this year's cross-country courses: course designer Derek di Grazia didn't play around this year. Here is what some of the riders across both divisions had to say about the tracks they will aim to conquer on Saturday.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

Off the Record Breaks Records in Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S at Defender Kentucky

Off The Record decided not to let Michael Jung be the only record-breaking entry at the Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event this week and delivered a career-best score in the Cosequin Lexington CCI4*-S on Friday morning. He and Will Coleman delivered a test that received a score of 21.8, not only marking a personal best for the horse but also securing their position at the top of the leaderboard going into cross-country tomorrow.

Apr 25, 2025 Competitions

Soaked, but Not Shaken: Boyd Martin Flies the Flag for the U.S. at Defender Kentucky in Second

Boyd Martin and the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Commando 3 were the last pair to go in the Defender Kentucky CCI5*-L field on Friday afternoon and were warmly greeted to the bluegrass with an impressive downpour that outshined anything the other horse and rider pairs had to combat throughout the day. But that didn’t stop this pair from putting their best foot forward and impressing the judges enough to earn them a score of 26.0, just 0.2 points ahead of second-place pair Tom McEwen (GBR) and Brookfield Quality.

Apr 25, 2025 Association News

Beware of Phishing Attempts and Other Types of Fraud

Please always remain vigilant when it comes to sending any personal communications via email or text. Every year we receive reports of members and leaders of our sport receiving phishing attempts both online and by phone. These are often communications disguised as being sent from USEA staff or other leaders. As the years go on, the phishing attempts appear to be more directed and tailored.

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