Posted: 2nd April 2026 | Back to news feed
Owning a horse comes with many responsibilities, and ensuring their health and wellbeing is a top priority. While prevention is always the goal, accidents and illness are sometimes unavoidable. Having effective insurance cover provides peace of mind and ensures your horse can access the best possible treatment when needed.
SEIB’s Equestrian Business Manager explains: “Here at SEIB we understand the financial cost and challenges of owning horses. We always want to do the very best for them, so we’ve used our claims data to highlight where claims are most frequently made and the likely associated costs. This also helps us continue to develop effective horse insurance policies that meet our customers’ and their horse’s needs.”
Analysis of SEIB’s top 10 claim causes in 2025*:
External Accidents and Trauma
The most common claim cause was external accidents or trauma, including kicks, cuts, wounds, fractures and other incidents in the stable or field. The average claim for these was £1,385.49. When accidents occurred while riding, the average claim rose to £2,357.24, making it the fourth most common cause.
Gastric Ulcers and Digestive Disorders – Surgical Colic the Costliest
SEIB’s 2025 data represents a change from analysis carried out between 2020 to 2024 when gastric ulcers were identified as the most common claim.
In 2025, gastric ulcers were the second most common cause of a horse insurance claim with the average claim cost coming in at £3,664.97.
Medical colic was the third most claimed for ailment in 2025, with an average claim cost of £2,897.24.
Surgical Colic was the sixth most common claim in 202 alongside the most expensive claim, seeing an average of £4,407 per claim. Colic surgery also resulted in the single most expensive claim for veterinary fees for SEIB customers in 2025 which was £5,912.84.
Lameness
Hindlimb lameness from sporting injuries, strains or desmitis was the fifth most common claim, averaging £2,498.96. Forelimb lameness ranked eighth but was more costly, averaging £4,114.88. Joint tenth place included multi-site lameness (both fore and hind limbs) averaging £3,157.35, and other unspecified lameness at £3,491.36.
Degenerative Disease
Degenerative and developmental disorders affecting both hindlimbs ranked seventh, with an average claim cost of £2,262.02.
Respiratory Disease or Illness
Respiratory conditions such as COPD, RAO and allergic diseases were the ninth most common claim, with an average cost of £3,609.34.
Updated Guidelines
Following updated BEVA guidelines on euthanasia of insured horses, SEIB supports measures that prioritise welfare. The average death settlement claim in 2025 was £6,137.14, this is dependent on the horse’s insured value.
About SEIB
With over 60 years’ experience in equestrian insurance, SEIB offers flexible policies tailored to individual needs and budgets.
01708 850 000
*SEIB claims data: 01/01/2025–31/12/2025
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