Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th January 2017
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

BEVA issues insurance advice to horse owners
Horse owners are being urged to read their policy carefully and make sure they understand exactly what they are covered for.
Owners urged to check their policy every time its renewed

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) are advising horse owners to keep their insurance details close to hand in case their animal requires emergency veterinary treatment.

The organisation believes this will help owners make informed decisions and will enable vets to quickly check the extent of cover - even in the middle of the night.

To help owners prepare for an emergency situation, BEVA and insurance firm KBIS have put together the following tips:

    •    Read your policy very carefully and make sure you understand exactly what you are covered for and the steps you must follow to ensure any claim is valid.

    •    Keep an up-to-date copy of your horse’s insurance certificate with your horse’s passport and keep these readily available in a safe place in your yard.

    •    Check your insurance policy every time it is renewed and note your excess, vets fee incident limit and exclusions.

    •    Discuss the proposed veterinary procedure and projected costs with your vet in line with your maximum cover limit and any contribution you are prepared to make if your incident limit is exceeded.

    •    Discuss with your vet whether referral to an equine hospital might be necessary before any of the more expensive diagnostic tests have been carried out. This may avoid duplication of the tests and help your insurance cover go further.

    •    Contact your insurance company as promptly as possible to make them aware of your potential claim. In some cases, your vet may do this for you.

    •    Your Insurance Company must be informed before euthanasia is carried out unless emergency euthanasia is required. Failure to do so may invalidate a claim for mortality.

“It is essential to check your insurance policy every time it is renewed and keep your insurer informed of any change in your horse’s health, or activities,” advises Guy Prest, managing director of KBIS British Equestrian Insurance.

He urges owners to pay particular attention to the excess payable in the event of a claim, the vet's fee incident limit and any exclusions on their policy due to pre-existing illness, injury or disease.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.