You have a 2-year-old colt. You schedule the vet to geld him. It’s a routine surgery. Three hours later, you see intestines hanging out (eventration). He rushes back to surgery. He dies. You file a claim. The insurer says, “We exclude castration unless you paid for the extension.”
Key Takeaways
- Elective Surgery Exclusion: Standard Mortality policies cover death from accident/illness. They often exclude death resulting from elective surgery (like castration) unless specific procedures are followed.
- The “Gelding” Endorsement: You often need to notify the insurer before the surgery. Some require an additional premium (e.g., $50) to cover the castration risk.
- 30-Day Rule: If he dies within 30 days of the surgery from a complication, it falls under this clause.
- Vet Negligence: If the vet messed up, the insurer might pay you and then sue the vet (subrogation).
The “Why” (The Trap): Voluntary Risk
You chose to cut the horse. That is a voluntary increase in risk.
The Clause:
“This policy does not cover death directly or indirectly resulting from any surgical operation unless the operation was necessitated by Accident, Injury, Sickness, or Disease.”
Castration is not necessitated by sickness. It is a choice. Therefore, it is excluded unless you have the “Surgical Extension.”
The Investigation: Notifying the Carrier
I checked the Markel and Great American requirements.
- Requirement: “Notify us prior to castration.”
- Action: You call or email. They note the file. As long as a licensed vet performs it, they usually extend coverage without extra cost (on premium policies).
- The Trap: If you don’t call, and he dies, they can technically deny it.
Comparison Table: Gelding Coverage
| Scenario | Notified Insurer? | Coverage Status |
| Routine Castration (No issues) | Yes | Covered |
| Eventration/Death (Notified) | Yes | Covered |
| Eventration/Death (Silent) | No | Denied (Elective Surgery Exclusion) |
| Cryptorchid (Medical necessity) | N/A | Covered (Medical necessity) |
[IMAGE: Graphic warning: “Notify Insurer Before Surgery”]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Call the Agent: 1 week before the appointment. “I am gelding Joey on Tuesday.”
- Check the Endorsement: Ask, “Is castration included in my mortality policy, or do I need to pay extra?”
- Post-Op Care: Follow vet instructions perfectly. If you turn him out too early and he eviscerates, they could argue “Owner Negligence.”
- Major Medical: Ensure your Medical covers the complications. The castration itself ($300) is never covered, but the $5,000 repair surgery should be.
FAQ
Does insurance pay for the castration itself?
No. That is routine maintenance. They pay for the life-saving surgery if it goes wrong.