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Horse surgery insurance in Germany: covering the equine clinic bill

Colic on a Sunday, a kick in the paddock, a tendon injury: with horses, these end up at the equine clinic quickly. In Germany even the bare colic operation costs at least around 1,350 euros at the single rate of the official vet fee scale, before anaesthesia, clinic stay and aftercare. Surgery insurance covers exactly these bills; horse health insurance also pays treatment without an operation.

The question almost everyone asks first

Does my horse need surgery insurance?

For most owners in Germany, yes, if a clinic bill in the mid four figures would drain your savings. Colic and injuries can hit any horse, from a leisure pony to a competition horse. Full health insurance costs several times as much and mainly pays off for valuable sport horses. If you have a large cushion, carrying the risk yourself is a legitimate choice.

Why equine surgery costs so much in Germany

German vets, including equine clinics, bill under the GOT, the official fee scale that was raised substantially in November 2022. On top of the operation come anaesthesia, imaging, medication and stabling at the clinic. After colic surgery a horse usually stays five to seven days for monitoring, charged at a daily rate.

Many colics happen at night or at weekends. Emergency service then applies: the vet charges at least twice the base rate plus an emergency fee. A policy that reimburses only up to twice the rate and has no emergency rule leaves a gap exactly when the bill is highest.

Colic cover, surgery cover or health insurance

Colic policies are the leanest option: they pay only for surgery after acute colic, often with limited aftercare. Surgery policies pay for any medically necessary operation, so also after accidents and for tendons, joints or tumours, including diagnostics and the clinic stay.

Horse health insurance also pays treatment without surgery, such as medical colic treatment, lameness work ups and medication, and costs several times as much. Dogs and cats have their own page, with different policies and risks.

What to check before you sign

Insure early, because findings known before the start date are almost always excluded, including anything noted in the pre purchase vetting. Many insurers set a maximum entry age, and premiums rise as the horse gets older.

Compare the annual limit, the fee scale rate reimbursed, how long aftercare is paid and the excess. If you compete, check that shows and training are included. Many policies exclude active racehorses and polo ponies altogether.

What is covered

  • Operations under general anaesthesia, sedation or local anaesthetic
  • Colic surgery, including emergency service up to the rate stated in the policy
  • Diagnostics before surgery such as X ray, ultrasound or endoscopy
  • Clinic stay and stabling during aftercare
  • Medication and dressings related to the operation
  • Medically necessary dental treatment under anaesthesia, depending on the policy
  • Medical colic treatment and outpatient care, under health insurance

What is not covered

  • Conditions and findings known before the policy started
  • Operations during the waiting period
  • Castration without medical reason and cosmetic procedures
  • Active racehorses, trotters and polo ponies, under many policies
  • Shoeing, feed, supplements and grooming
  • The value of the horse if it dies or is put down; that is horse mortality insurance

Who needs it

  • Owners who could not pay a clinic bill of several thousand euros from savings
  • Owners of young, healthy horses who can still be insured without exclusions
  • Riders who compete, where tendons and joints take more strain
  • Buyers who want cover straight after a clean pre purchase vetting

Who does not need it

  • Owners with enough savings to pay for colic surgery and aftercare themselves
  • Owners of very old horses with many prior findings, where little cover would remain

Wheel of misfortune

Spin the wheel of bad luck

Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.

See all six cases
  1. Sunday colic, emergency surgery, several thousand €, with clinic often 6,000 to 10,000 €. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. Colic cover pays for the operation, but often only up to twice the rate and with short aftercare. Strong policies pay the emergency rate and a week in the clinic.
  2. Kicked in the field, fracture, several thousand €. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Colic only cover pays nothing for accident surgery. Surgery cover pays the operation, diagnostics and aftercare.
  3. Colic treated with fluids only, a few hundred to over a thousand €. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. Without an operation, surgery cover usually pays nothing. Some policies have a medical colic module; health insurance pays it.
  4. Tendon injury in a show horse, diagnostics and treatment often four figures. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. If it is operated on, surgery cover pays as long as competition use is included. Long conservative treatment is paid only by health insurance.
  5. Tooth extraction under anaesthesia, a few hundred to over a thousand €. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Some surgery policies explicitly include medically necessary dental work under anaesthesia; basic ones do not.
  6. Chip seen at vetting is removed, several thousand €. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. Anything visible in the pre purchase vetting counts as a known finding. No policy pays for it, so share the report before you sign.

What it costs

Premiums depend on the horse's age and use, the annual limit and the scope of cover. Colic only policies are the cheapest; full health insurance costs several times as much as surgery cover.

What drives the premium

  • Age of the horse at the start and over time
  • Use: leisure, competition, breeding
  • Colic cover, surgery cover or health insurance
  • Annual limit and fee scale rate reimbursed
  • Excess per claim or per year

There is no recent independent comparison of horse surgery policies in Germany we could quote as a benchmark; the last Stiftung Warentest review dates from 2016. Your premium is fixed only in the quote.

The policy levels on the market

01

Colic cover

Surgery after acute colic only, aftercare often limited. A low cost entry, but no cover for accidents or other operations.

02

Surgery cover

All medically necessary operations with diagnostics, clinic and aftercare. Strong policies pay up to four times the rate in emergencies and have a high annual limit.

03

Horse health insurance

Also pays treatment without surgery, such as medical colic, lameness or respiratory disease. For valuable sport horses and owners who want every vet bill covered.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Annual limit about 15,000 € a year 50,000 € or unlimited Two operations in one year, or colic with complications, exceed low limits.
Fee scale rate up to twice the GOT rate up to four times, including emergency service Colic often strikes at night or at weekends, when clinics charge more.
Aftercare a few days after surgery at least seven clinic days, better several weeks After colic surgery a horse usually stays five to seven days.
Pre surgery diagnostics covered only from the operation imaging before surgery included X ray, ultrasound and endoscopy are a large share of the bill.
Waiting period three to six months for illness accidents from day one, colic after a few days During the waiting period you pay without cover.
Excess percentage of each bill none or a fixed annual amount Twenty percent of a large clinic bill is a lot of money.
Competition leisure use only shows and training included Sport horses injure tendons and joints more often.

Insurers on the German market

In Germany, horse surgery and health insurance is offered by specialist animal insurers and several large property insurers. Policies differ mainly in annual limit, aftercare and emergency rate.

InsurerBackground
Uelzenermutual insurer specialising in animal and horse insurance, colic, surgery and health policies
Allianzsurgery and full health cover for horses, agents and brokers
Barmeniatiered colic and surgery policies for horses
R+Vinsurer of the cooperative banks, horse surgery cover
Die Bayerischehorse surgery and colic surgery policies
Provinzialpublic sector insurer with animal insurance for horses

Compare the wordings of all tariffs 17 tariffs from 7 providers, as of 24 October 2026

From the BaFin register

155

155 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.

(Hagel-, Frost- und sonstige Sachschäden)

Show all 155 names from the register
  • ACM Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Autoversicherung AG
  • ADAC Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Zuhause Versicherung AG
  • ADLER Versicherung AG
  • Allianz Direct Versicherungs-AG
  • Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
  • Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Alte Leipziger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Ambra Versicherung AG
  • AMMERLÄNDER VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
  • andsafe Aktiengesellschaft
  • ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Astra Versicherung AG
  • AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
  • Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
  • Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • BavariaDirekt Versicherung AG
  • Bayerische Hausbesitzer-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
  • Bayerische Landesbrandversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
  • BD24 Berlin Direkt Versicherung AG
  • Bergische Brandversicherung Allgemeine Feuerversicherung V.a.G.
  • BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • CG Car-Garantie Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • CONSTANTIA Versicherungen a.G.
  • Continentale Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Cosmos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DA Deutsche Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DARAG Deutschland AG
  • Debeka Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft Sitz Koblenz am Rhein
  • Delvag Versicherungs-AG
  • DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • DEVK Deutsche Eisenbahn Versicherung Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a.G. Betriebliche…
  • DFV Deutsche Familienversicherung AG
  • Dialog Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Die Haftpflichtkasse VVaG
  • DOCURA VVaG
  • Dolleruper Freie Brandgilde
  • Domestic & General Insurance Europe AG
  • ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
  • ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • EXTREMUS Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Feuer- und Einbruchschadenkasse der BBBank in Karlsruhe, Versicherungsverein auf…
  • Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG
  • Gebäudeversicherungsgilde für Föhr,Amrum und Halligen
  • Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
  • GGG Kraftfahrzeug-Reparaturkosten-Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG
  • Great Lakes Insurance SE
  • GRUNDEIGENTÜMER-VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • GVO Gegenseitigkeit Versicherung Oldenburg VVaG
  • GVV Direktversicherung AG
  • GVV-Kommunalversicherung, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Hagelgilde Versicherungsverein a.G., gegründet 1811
  • Hamburger Beamten-Feuer-und Einbruchskasse
  • Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Hamburger Lehrer-Feuerkasse
  • HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
  • Harsewinkeler Versicherung VaG
  • HDI Global SE
  • HDI Global Specialty SE
  • HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • HDI Versicherung AG
  • Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG Direktion für Deutschland
  • Helvetia Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg
  • HUK-COBURG-Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HUK24 AG
  • Häger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Hübener Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • IDEAL Versicherung AG
  • INTER Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Interlloyd Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • InterRisk Versicherungs-AG Vienna Insurance Group.
  • ISSELHORSTER Versicherung V.a.G.
  • Itzehoer Versicherung/Brandgilde von 1691 Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Janitos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-ALLGEMEINE Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
  • LBN Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
  • Lehrer-Feuerversicherungsverein a.G. für Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
  • Lifestyle Protection AG
  • Lippische Landesbrandversicherung AG
  • Lucura Versicherungs AG
  • LVM Landwirtschaftlicher Versicherungsverein Münster a.G.
  • Mannheimer Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Markel Insurance SE
  • Mecklenburgische Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Mercedes-Benz Versicherung AG
  • MVK Versicherung VVaG
  • MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • NEH Neue Hildener Versicherung AG
  • Neodigital Versicherung AG
  • Neuendorfer Brand-Bau-Gilde
  • Newline Europe Versicherung AG
  • nexible Versicherung AG
  • Nordhemmer Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • NV-Versicherungen VVaG
  • NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Ostangler Brandgilde, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
  • OSTBEVERNER Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
  • Pallas Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ProTect Versicherung AG
  • Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
  • Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • PVAG Polizeiversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Real Garant Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
  • Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Schleswiger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • SCHNEVERDINGER Versicherungsverein a.G.
  • SHB Allgemeine Versicherung VVaG
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Unfallversicherung a. G.
  • Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Stuttgarter Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SV SparkassenVersicherung Gebäudeversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • TRIAS Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Uelzener Allgemeine Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
  • Union Reiseversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • uniVersa Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Vereinigte Hagelversicherung VVaG
  • Vereinigte Tierversicherung, Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
  • Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Volkswagen Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • VPV Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • WERTGARANTIE SE
  • WGV-Versicherung AG
  • WWK Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Württembergische Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Würzburger Versicherungs-AG
  • Zurich Insurance Europe AG
  • Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt

Source: BaFin company database, 18 September 2026; EU insurers without a German office excluded.

Legal basis and sources

Products and add-ons

Colic surgery insurance

Surgery after acute colic only. The most common emergency, but not the only one.

Horse surgery insurance

All necessary operations with diagnostics and aftercare. The usual choice for leisure and sport horses.

Horse health insurance

Operations plus treatment without surgery, sometimes with preventive care modules.

Horse mortality insurance

Pays the horse's value if it dies or must be put down. It complements surgery cover rather than replacing it.

Myth or truth

True or false?

Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.

Colic insurance pays for every colic treatment.

This is false.

False: colic cover usually pays only for surgery. Many colics are treated without an operation, and that bill stays with the owner unless there is a health module.

Equine clinics in Germany bill under the same fee scale as small animal vets.

This is true.

True: the German fee scale for vets applies to all species. That is why the reimbursed GOT rate is the key figure in a horse policy too.

A horse with a known condition cannot be insured at all.

This is false.

False: many insurers still accept the horse and exclude only the known finding. A few policies also take horses with prior conditions.

Accidents are often covered from the first day.

This is true.

True: many insurers waive the waiting period for accidents, and colic often has only a few days. Other illnesses usually need several months.

Surgery insurance pays out if the horse has to be put down.

This is false.

False: it does not replace the horse's value; that is what horse mortality insurance is for. Whether surgery cover pays the cost of euthanasia depends on the policy.

Common mistakes

  • Waiting after the pre purchase vetting and then insuring with a known finding
  • Choosing colic cover and assuming accidents are included
  • Not checking how many clinic days of aftercare are paid
  • Accepting a low annual limit to save a few euros
  • Not declaring competition use when the policy covers leisure horses only

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

What is the difference between colic cover and surgery cover?

Colic cover pays only for surgery after acute colic.

Surgery cover pays for any medically necessary operation,

including after accidents and for tendon, joint or tumour surgery.

Does surgery insurance pay for colic treated without an operation?

Usually not, because no operation means no claim.

Medical colic treatment with fluids and drugs is paid by horse health insurance or by an add on

module some insurers offer.

How long is the waiting period?

It depends on the policy.

Colic often has only a few days, other illnesses three to six months,

some specific operations up to a year.

Many insurers cover accidents from day one.

Does the pre purchase vetting matter?

Yes.

Anything found there counts as known and is usually excluded.

Tell us what the report says and we look for a policy that can work with it.

Up to what age can I insure my horse?

Many insurers have a maximum entry age, a few have none.

Premiums rise with age, under some policies every year from a certain birthday.

Are competition horses covered?

Leisure and competition horses usually are; many policies exclude active racehorses,

trotters and polo ponies.

Declare the horse's use correctly or you risk your cover.

What about horse liability insurance?

That is a separate policy.

Liability pays for damage your horse causes to others,

surgery insurance pays for treating your own horse.

Most owners need both.

Can I choose the clinic?

Free choice of vet and clinic is standard for horse policies in Germany.

You submit the bill; some insurers settle directly with the clinic.

Why use a broker?

Because horse policies differ widely on annual limit, aftercare,

emergency rate and competition clauses.

We compare them on your behalf, and the insurer pays our commission.

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request quotes for Horse surgery insurance

We obtain quotes and come back with a comparison, free of charge.

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1Who is it for?
2Which insurance?

Choose as many as you like. For each one, the details an insurer needs for a quote appear below.

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3Details

Horse surgery and horse health insurance in Germany

For example Hanoverian, Haflinger, pony, warmblood

For example stabling, turnout, previous colic, budget

4Your current policy
5How can we reach you?

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