Major Medical & Surgical Insurance

This cover pays veterinary fees for unexpected illness or injury, including emergency surgery, hospitalisation, diagnostic imaging, blood work, medications, anaesthesia, and specialist referrals. Each incident is covered up to your chosen limit (typically NZ$10,000–NZ$30,000). Covered costs include veterinary surgeon fees, anaesthesia, diagnostic imaging (ultrasound, radiography, CT/MRI), blood work and laboratory tests, surgical fees and materials, hospitalisation and intensive care, medications and injections, rehabilitation and physiotherapy, and specialist referral fees. Routine preventive care (vaccinations, worming), dental work, farrier services, and elective procedures are not covered.

Yes, colic is a key part of major medical cover. There is no waiting period for colic surgery or emergency colic treatment. Emergency surgical colic at an equine hospital typically costs NZ$8,000–NZ$20,000, so this cover is valuable protection for any horse owner. Medical colic (non-surgical) is also covered if it requires hospitalization or extended treatment. Both types of colic treatment—medical management and surgical intervention—are included from day one of the policy.

Most veterinary practices in New Zealand will invoice us directly once we've authorised the claim. You may need to pay a small excess (typically NZ$100–NZ$250 per incident). For non-routine treatment, we recommend contacting us before proceeding so we can confirm cover and authorise the claim with your vet. Direct invoicing is faster and more convenient than paying upfront and claiming reimbursement. We can often authorise claims by phone within minutes.

No, pre-existing conditions (lameness, respiratory disease, digestive issues, joint problems the horse had before the policy started) are typically excluded. We may offer cover for pre-existing conditions at a higher premium or with specific exclusions. Be transparent during quotation about any known health issues, including previous lameness, respiratory disease, or veterinary treatment. If you're honest about history, we can often structure cover appropriately.

Your chosen limit (e.g. NZ$20,000) applies to each separate incident or accident. If your horse has colic surgery costing NZ$12,000, that's one incident. If later the same year the horse has a separate injury requiring NZ$8,000 of treatment, that's a second incident with its own NZ$20,000 limit. Once the limit is reached for an incident, we don't pay further treatment costs for that same incident, but subsequent incidents renew the limit.

Yes, in fact we strongly recommend it. Many horse owners choose both mortality and major medical cover for comprehensive protection. Mortality covers death, while major medical covers emergency treatment and recovery. Together, they ensure your horse gets the best care possible. The cost of combining both covers is very reasonable—often NZ$1,000–NZ$2,000 annually for both, depending on horse value and age.

Emergency vet care at after-hours clinics or weekend hospitals is covered under major medical insurance. Many NZ horses need emergency treatment outside normal vet hours—after-hours clinics in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are regularly used. These services cost more than daytime vet care, but it's all covered within your incident limit. We work with all major emergency veterinary clinics throughout New Zealand.

Yes, each claim has an excess (also called deductible) that you pay. Standard excess is NZ$100–NZ$250 per incident depending on your chosen level. Higher excess options (NZ$500) are available if you want to reduce the premium. The excess is the amount you contribute; we pay the remainder up to your cover limit. This shares the risk and helps keep premiums affordable.