Comparing Horse Insurance in 2026

What types of insurance are available?

There are four common policy types for horses in the Netherlands. Third-party liability insurance (general or a dedicated horse liability policy) covers damage your horse causes to others. A mortality or life insurance policy pays out upon death or emergency slaughter, usually based on the appraised value. Surgical insurance covers the costs of surgical procedures, which can quickly amount to €3,000 to €8,000. Finally, there is comprehensive illness and treatment insurance, which also covers diagnostics, medication, and rehabilitation. Many owners combine a mortality policy with surgical cover — for most sport horses, this is the most cost-efficient choice.

What determines the premium amount?

• Age of the horse: premiums rise sharply above 15 years; some insurers exclude horses over 18 entirely
• Intended use: a competition horse pays 20–40% more in premium than a leisure or livery horse
• Insured value: mortality insurance typically requires an appraisal report as proof; a sport KWPN worth €15,000 can easily cost €600–€900 per year
• Excess: an excess of €250 instead of €100 can reduce the annual premium by 15–25%
• Breed and discipline: thoroughbreds and showjumping/dressage horses are considered a higher-risk category

The five biggest pitfalls in policies

• Exclusions for 'pre-existing conditions': a horse with a prior lameness history may be partially excluded — check this when taking out cover
• Waiting periods: some policies apply a 14 to 30-day waiting period for illness cover after the start date
• Per-treatment vs. per-year limits: a limit of €5,000 per year may seem generous, but a single colic surgery can use that up entirely
• No cover during transport or competitions unless explicitly included
• Automatic reduction in insured value: mortality policies sometimes reduce the payout annually without a corresponding drop in premium

How to compare providers fairly

Put at least three quotes side by side and use the same baseline: equal insured value, equal excess, and the same intended use. Pay attention not only to the annual premium, but also to the reimbursement percentage (some insurers cover 80%, others 100% after excess), the maximum annual payout, and the exclusions in the fine print. Well-known providers in 2026 include Dela Pet Insurance, Turien & Co, LOVF, and ZLM. Comparison websites such as Independer offer a useful starting point, but calling or emailing for a tailored quote is worthwhile for higher-value horses.

• Compare on the same parameters: insured value, excess, intended use
• Check the reimbursement percentage after excess (80% vs. 100% makes a significant difference)
• Explicitly ask about exclusions for your horse based on its veterinary history
• Check whether outpatient treatments (injections, ultrasounds, dental care) are also covered
• Read the section on 'chronic conditions' carefully — arthritis or gastric ulcers can easily fall under this

EquiSight helps you go into the conversation prepared

When requesting a quote or taking out a policy, an insurer will often want to know your horse's veterinary history. In EquiSight's horse dossier, you can record treatments, X-rays, and diagnoses in chronological order, so you have that information readily available. EquiCoach can also help you create an overview of annual health costs, allowing you to better assess which level of cover is worthwhile for your situation. This way, you enter an insurance application fully prepared, with no surprises afterwards.

When is insurance less worthwhile?

For horses with a low economic value (under €2,500), mortality insurance is rarely cost-effective — the premium is then disproportionate to the payout. For leisure horses without competition ambitions, basic third-party liability cover combined with surgical insurance with a high excess is often the smartest choice. Horses over 20 years of age are rejected by many insurers or only covered for liability. In such cases, it may be wise to build up an emergency fund: set aside €75–€100 per month as a form of self-insurance for veterinary costs.