Budget options for horse insurance in 2026 as costs continue to rise
For many horse owners, 2026 is shaping up to be another year of careful budgeting. Feed prices remain high, livery costs continue to rise and wider cost-of-living pressures continue to have an impact. Veterinary fees have also increased in recent years, as equine treatments and diagnostics have become more advanced.
Given these financial challenges, some horse owners are now looking for more budget-friendly horse insurance options. While it can be tempting to try to drastically reduce your cover, it’s important to consider the most frequent – and often costly– types of incidents that can happen to your horse and how having the right insurance in place can help protect you from unexpected costs.
The most common horse insurance claims
Research carried out by horse insurance specialists SEIB Insurance Brokers shows that accidental external injuries are now the second biggest cause of horse insurance claims, with the average claim costing more than £1,300 per incident.
From wounds sustained in the field, to stable injuries and kicks from other horses, these types of injuries can happen in even the most well-managed environments.
As Steph Ellis, equestrian business manager at SEIB Insurance Brokers, explains, the cost of these common injuries can quickly mount up: “There is a perception that external wounds are one of the more straightforward situations to deal with when you need to call the vet, as there is often less diagnosis needed. We all know how easy it is for a horse to sustain an accidental wound. However, just because there is a visible cause, it doesn’t mean they’re always the cheapest to treat.”
Budget horse insurance options
If you’re looking to reduce insurance costs but protect yourself against the costs of these common injuries, an accidental external injuries only policy could be a suitable option.
“SEIB’s Core Horse Insurance has been designed for horse owners on a budget,“ explains Steph. “It includes key covers like public liability insurance and personal accident cover as well as covering veterinary fees for accidental external injuries (wounds) up to £1,500 in any one claim per policy year. This gives you peace of mind should the worst happen but allows us to keep the cost low – from just £10 per month*. As no veterinary certificates are required, your horse can be insured online in just a few minutes.”
The policy also offers a range of additional flexible options including:
- Optional emergency colic surgery cover up to £5,000 per incident for horses aged under 15
- Tack cover can be increased from £1,000 to £5,000 per horse
- Vet fees can also be increased to £1,500 for any one claim and £3,000 per policy per year
Claims are simple too – simply submit a claims form and SEIB’s team will review and let you know if any further information is needed. Once approved, reimbursement will be arranged promptly to you or directly to your vet.
If you’re looking for affordable insurance that offers practical protection for your horse find out more and get an instant quote at www.seib.co.uk/horse-insurance.
* Terms and conditions apply. The price displayed is the starting from price and includes insurance premium tax (IPT)
SEIB Core Horse Insurance is an accidental external injury only (wounds) policy. Please check policy cover suits your requirements before purchasing and review the policy wording and insurance product information documentation (IPID).
SEIB Insurance Brokers is a trading name of SEIB Insurance Brokers Limited who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number: 479477. VAT registration number: 477 7248 00.