Why Get Horse Insurance in New Zealand?
High Veterinary Costs
Horse veterinary care is expensive. Colic surgery alone costs $5,000-$15,000, and lameness workups run $2,000-$5,000.
- • Colic surgery: $5,000-$15,000
- • Fracture treatment: $5,000-$20,000+
- • Lameness workup: $2,000-$8,000
Protect Your Investment
Horses represent significant financial investment. Mortality and loss of use coverage protects your investment.
- • Mortality protection
- • Loss of use coverage
- • Theft protection
Peace of Mind
Make medical decisions based on what's best for your horse, not cost. Public liability protects you from legal claims.
- • Public liability included
- • Choose best treatment
- • 24/7 emergency support
Types of Horse Insurance Coverage
Veterinary Fees Only
Illness, accidents, surgery, hospitalisation
Vet Fees + Mortality
All vet fees plus death coverage
Comprehensive
Vet fees, mortality, loss of use, liability
Premium/Elite
Full coverage including international, show fees
Compare Horse Insurance Providers in NZ
Southern Cross Pet Insurance
- Colic surgery covered
- Lameness treatment
- Emergency care
- Alternative therapies
Petplan Equine
- Full mortality cover
- Loss of use (50-75%)
- Colic surgery
- International travel
AA Pet Insurance
- Vet fee coverage
- Emergency surgery
- Saddlery cover
- Third-party liability
Pet-n-Sur Equine
- Basic vet coverage
- Emergency care
- Grazing liability
- Mortality option
Common Horse Health Conditions & Costs
Colic Surgery
4-10% of horses annuallyLameness/Joint Issues
Very commonFractures
OccasionalEye Injuries/Ulcers
CommonRespiratory Illness
CommonWounds/Lacerations
Very commonHorse Insurance Tips
Before You Buy
- Get your horse examined before insuring to document their condition
- Understand waiting periods for different conditions (typically 14-30 days)
- Check if colic surgery has a sub-limit separate from the annual limit
Coverage Considerations
- Competition horses need coverage during events and travel
- Consider loss of use cover for horses with specific purposes
- Public liability is essential - most policies include $1-5 million
Get Horse Insurance Quotes Today
Compare quotes from NZ's equine insurance providers and protect your horse.
Compare Horse Insurance NowLast updated: February 2026 | All prices in NZD
Horse Insurance FAQs
How much does horse insurance cost in NZ?
Horse insurance in New Zealand costs $50-$200 per month depending on your horse's age, breed, use (recreational vs competition), value, and coverage level. Basic vet-only cover starts at $50/month, while comprehensive policies with mortality and loss of use cost $100-$200/month.
What does horse insurance cover?
Horse insurance typically covers veterinary fees (illness, accident, surgery), colic surgery, lameness treatment, diagnostic imaging, hospitalisation, mortality/death, theft, loss of use, public liability, and saddlery/tack. Coverage varies by policy type.
Is horse insurance worth it in NZ?
Yes, horse insurance is worth it in NZ. Horses are expensive to treat - colic surgery costs $5,000-$15,000, lameness workup $2,000-$5,000, and fracture treatment $5,000-$20,000. A single major incident can exceed a horse's value.
Does horse insurance cover colic surgery?
Yes, most comprehensive horse insurance policies cover colic surgery, which costs $5,000-$15,000 in NZ. Colic is the leading cause of death in horses, so this coverage is essential. Some basic policies have sub-limits for colic surgery.
What is loss of use insurance for horses?
Loss of use insurance pays a percentage (usually 50-75%) of your horse's insured value if they become permanently unable to perform their intended use due to illness or injury. This is important for competition, breeding, or high-value horses.
Are pre-existing conditions covered for horses?
No, pre-existing conditions are not covered by horse insurance. This includes any lameness, illness, or injury that existed before the policy started. Horses may require a vet examination before coverage begins.