Your 17-year-old Schoolmaster is still jumping 2’6″. He is the barn favorite. You want to insure him for colic surgery because you’d do anything to save him. But your renewal notice arrives, and it says “Major Medical Dropped due to Age.”
Key Takeaways
- The Age Cliff: Most insurers drop Major Medical coverage when a horse turns 15 or 17. They switch them to “Surgical Only” or “Accident Only.”
- Mortality Cost: Mortality rates rise with age (from 3% to 5%+).
- Senior Plans: Some carriers (like ASPCA/Hartford or Broadstone) offer specific “Senior” plans that cover colic surgery up to age 20.
- Agreed Value limits: Seniors are often capped at lower values (e.g., $25,000 max) regardless of how much they are loved.
The “Why” (The Trap): Health Decline
Older horses have more issues. Colic, Cushings, Arthritis. Insurers can’t make money insuring full medical on 18-year-olds.
The Trap: You don’t notice the change on the renewal. You think you have $10k medical. He colics. You find out you only have $3k Surgical.
The Investigation: Who loves old horses?
I shopped for a 17-year-old Warmblood.
Great American
- Limit: Usually stops full medical at 15.
- Option: Switches to “Emergency Colic Surgery” endorsement (cheaper, specific).
ASPCA / The Hartford
- Limit: Known for insuring older horses. Can often get medical/surgical up to 18 or 20, but with lower annual limits ($5,000 or $7,500).
Broadstone
- Option: “Protector” policy. Covers Medical/Surgical for older horses but excludes pre-existing conditions aggressively.
Comparison Table: Senior Coverage
| Age | Mortality Rate | Major Medical? | Surgical Only? |
| 1-14 | ~3% | Yes ( 10kâ10kâ 15k) | Yes |
| 15-17 | ~4-5% | Limited | Yes |
| 18-20 | ~6%+ | No (Usually) | Colic Only |
| 21+ | N/A | No | No (Accident Only) |
[IMAGE: Photo of an older horse with a grey muzzle grazing]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Read the Renewal: Look for “Endorsement Deleted.”
- Switch to “Surgical”: If you can’t get Medical, at least keep “Surgical” to cover the big colic bill.
- Self-Insure the Small Stuff: Stop paying premiums for minor vet bills. Put that money in a savings account for the senior.
- Justify Value: Insurers often want to lower the value of older horses. Send show results (“He’s still winning!”) to keep the Agreed Value up.
FAQ
Can I insure him for “Accident Only”?
Yes. This is cheap ($200/year). It covers death by fire, lightning, or trailer crash, but not illness.