Common Causes of Horse Insurance Claims Are Revealed

SEIB Insurance Brokers’ have carried out a detailed analysis of horse insurance claims data to uncover the most common causes of claims by horse owners over the past five years, here are the details;

The research reveals that gastric ulcers are the most common causes of horse insurance claims – responsible for 11% of all horse insurance claims and just under two-thirds of colic and digestive disorder related claims (63%)

As well as being a common issue, and one that causes a great deal of discomfort for horses, gastric ulcers are also a potentially costly problem.  Our analysis shows that ulcers are also the second-most expensive type of horse insurance claims, with almost half of claims (42%) costing over £3,000. And, unfortunately, with gastric ulcers having the potential to become a recurring issue, the ongoing costs can quickly mount up.

The second most common cause of horse insurance claims are injuries – such as visible wounds and fractures – that occur in the stable or field.  This includes injuries caused by kicks, falls and violent means. This is followed in third place by injuries, such as wounds and fractures, caused when the horse is being ridden.

The most expensive Horse Insurance claims

SEIB’s research reveals that the most expensive average claim is caused by degenerative disease or development disorder of a horse’s forelimbs (i.e. front legs). Average costs for claims like this are over £3,000 with 17% of incidents exceeding £5,000 in vet costs – a huge potential financial burden for horse owners.

As well as being the most frequent type of claim, gastric ulcers also have the second most expensive average claim cost at £2,802, with 11% of incidents exceeding £5,000 in vet costs.

The third most expensive type of claim, with an average claim cost of just under £1,500 was visible wounds or fractures that occur in the stable or field. However, around 20% of these claims cost over £3,000.

SEIB’s Equestrian Claims Manager, Donna Leavens, said: “Many horse owners don’t anticipate the high costs associated with treating common issues like degenerative diseases or gastric ulcers until they’re faced with a significant vet bill. This research highlights the potential costs of some of the most common issues. We hope it helps horse owners make informed decisions about their insurance needs and encourages preventive measures to ensure their horses’ well-being.”

 Full details of the research can be found here: https://www.seib.co.uk/2025/03/11/new-research-reveals-gastric-ulcers-as-top-cause-of-horse-insurance-claims/