Towergate AIUA equine insurance is the go-to specialist coverage for horse owners across the UK, offering tailored protection for everything from vet fees and equine mortality to public liability and saddlery.
Whether you own a leisure hacker, a competition show jumper, a veteran horse aged 16 or over, or a breeding mare, this 2026 guide covers how to get a quote, exactly what is covered, how the claims process works, and how AIUA compares against leading rivals like Petplan Equine, SEIB, and NFU.
Read on for a complete breakdown of every benefit, exclusion, pricing factor, and practical tip you need to protect your horse this year.
Towergate is one of the UK’s largest specialist insurance brokers, with decades of expertise across agricultural, rural, and equestrian insurance markets.
AIUA, which stands for Agricultural Insurance Underwriting Agency, is a trading name of Geo Underwriting Services Ltd and is part of the Ardonagh Group of companies.
All AIUA horse insurance policies are underwritten by AXA Insurance Plc, one of the world’s most financially secure insurers with an A-rated financial strength rating. This underwriting arrangement means horse owners benefit from the specialist knowledge of AIUA combined with the claims-paying certainty of AXA.
AIUA has more than 20 years of experience operating in the agricultural and equine insurance market, originally working closely with the farming and livestock sector before expanding into dedicated equestrian cover for a wide range of horse types and disciplines.
Towergate AIUA equine insurance is a specialist horse insurance product designed to protect UK horse owners against the financial consequences of illness, injury, death, theft, and third-party liability arising from their horse.
Unlike generic pet insurers that add horses as an afterthought, AIUA is a specialist agricultural underwriter. Their equine policies reflect a deep understanding of the risks that are unique to horse ownership, from the cost of emergency colic surgery to the liability exposure of a horse that escapes onto a public road.
AIUA horse insurance is sold exclusively through authorised insurance brokers, including Towergate, which means you always get the benefit of expert broker guidance rather than a purely automated online experience.
The 2026 policy year has brought a number of important updates that affect thousands of horse owners renewing or taking out new policies this year.
Vet fee limits have been adjusted upward to reflect the ongoing wave of veterinary cost inflation sweeping the UK equine industry. The standard vet fee option now includes a £5,000 per incident tier, providing far stronger protection against complex surgical procedures and prolonged specialist treatment courses that can easily exceed previous coverage limits.
AIUA policies continue to be underwritten by AXA Insurance despite the wider Everywhen rebrand affecting the Towergate retail insurance brand. Horse owners can therefore remain confident that their claims will be settled by an A-rated insurer regardless of any branding changes at broker level.
The digital claims process has been significantly upgraded in 2026. Horse owners can now submit veterinary documentation through a secure online portal, upload injury photographs directly from a mobile device, and track their claim status in real time. This replaces the slower paper-based process that previously caused settlement delays of several weeks.
Premium adjustments for 2026 reflect an 8 to 12 percent average increase across most policy types. This mirrors the trend seen across all equine insurers and reflects the 15 percent year-on-year increase in specialist veterinary procedure costs reported by the British Veterinary Association.
Equine mortality insurance is the foundation of every AIUA policy and covers the financial loss suffered if your horse dies from accidental injury, illness, or disease, or has to be humanely destroyed in accordance with British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) guidelines.
AIUA will pay the market value of the horse or the sum insured shown in your policy schedule, whichever is the lower amount. This means it is essential to insure your horse for its accurate current market value at inception and to update this figure at each annual renewal.
The cost of disposal and euthanasia is also covered, which is a significant practical benefit given the expense involved in the humane destruction and removal of a horse.
If your horse is stolen or strays and is not recovered within 60 days, AIUA will pay the market value or sum insured, whichever is lower.
AIUA also pays up to £200 toward the cost of advertising a missing horse, including any reward offered, which is a helpful practical benefit rarely highlighted by competitors.
For veteran horse policies specifically, the recovery window is extended and the terms are designed to reflect the realities of insuring older horses who are more likely to stray due to health or behavioural changes.
Vet fees insurance is an optional but critically important add-on that covers the cost of veterinary treatment for accidental injury, illness, or disease, up to the selected limit per incident.
| Vet Fee Option | Per Incident Limit | Maximum Per Policy Year | Excess Per Claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Option | £3,000 | £6,000 | £210 |
| Enhanced Option | £5,000 | £10,000 | £500 |
| Alternative treatment | Up to £1,500 | Included in above | Included |
| Veteran / Accidental Injury Only | £1,500 per incident | £3,000 | £125 |
The enhanced £5,000 per incident option is strongly recommended for any horse whose owner would struggle to fund specialist surgery or referral fees out of pocket. Colic surgery alone routinely costs between £3,500 and £7,000 at a specialist equine hospital in 2026.
Up to £1,500 of the vet fee allowance can be used for alternative treatments such as physiotherapy, acupuncture, or specialist farriery, provided these treatments are recommended in writing by a qualified veterinary surgeon.
Public liability cover is included as standard with all Towergate AIUA equine insurance policies and protects the horse owner against legal costs and compensation claims arising if their horse injures a member of the public or causes property damage.
| Public Liability Level | Cover Limit |
|---|---|
| Standard minimum | £1,000,000 |
| Standard AIUA offering | £2,000,000 |
| Extended available | £3,000,000 to £5,000,000 |
Given that a horse involved in a road traffic accident can generate personal injury claims worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, public liability cover at £2 million or higher is not optional for responsible horse owners.
Personal accident cover protects the policyholder, and anyone they have given permission to ride their horse, against financial losses arising from bodily injury sustained while riding, handling, or leading the horse.
AIUA offers personal accident cover of up to £20,000 for death or total disablement. This also includes £1,000 for dental treatment with a £100 policy excess.
This cover is particularly valuable for horse owners who ride without comprehensive personal medical or income protection insurance, as a serious fall can result in weeks or months of lost earnings.
Permanent loss of use cover pays out if your horse sustains an injury, illness, or disease that permanently prevents it from fulfilling the activities for which it was insured.
AIUA pays 100 percent of the sum insured if the horse is totally incapacitated and unable to perform any ridden or working function at all.
Where a horse can still be used for lighter activities such as hacking or breeding despite being unable to perform its primary purpose, AIUA will pay 60 percent of the sum insured to reflect the partial loss of utility.
Saddlery and tack cover is an optional addition that protects your saddles, bridles, rugs, boots, and other equipment against accidental loss, theft, or damage.
| Tack Cover Option | Maximum Payout | Excess Per Claim |
|---|---|---|
| Basic option | £1,000 | £100 |
| Enhanced option | £2,000 | £150 |
| Tack cover (Towergate retail) | Up to £5,000 per horse | Policy dependent |
Theft of tack is only covered when it is stolen from a totally enclosed building secured by a five-lever mortice deadlock with securely locked windows. This is a condition to be aware of when storing tack at a livery yard where security levels may vary.
AIUA includes cover of up to £300 for the loss of pre-paid competition entry fees if those entries are forfeited due to the death of the insured horse or the hospitalisation of the intended rider.
Stable loss cover of up to £500 is also included to cover the cost of emergency alternative stabling if your own yard becomes temporarily unavailable due to an incident involving the insured horse.
These are niche but genuinely useful benefits that reflect AIUA’s deep understanding of the practical financial impacts of horse ownership that generic pet insurers often overlook entirely.
Standard AIUA policies through Towergate cover all horses and ponies used for general leisure riding, hacking, and low-level riding club activities without any additional premium loading.
This is the most common category of insured horse in the UK and the full range of coverage options is available, including vet fees, public liability, mortality, and all optional add-ons.
Horses up to 19 years of age can be insured on full cover under a standard policy, with veteran-specific products available from age 16 onward.
Competition horses including show jumpers, eventers, dressage horses, and working hunter horses require disclosure of their competition disciplines and levels when obtaining a quote.
Higher-level competition horses, particularly those competing at affiliated regional or national level, may attract a premium loading that reflects the increased risk of injury associated with demanding athletic disciplines.
Towergate specialist brokers have extensive experience in pricing competition horse policies accurately and can advise on whether standard or specialist cover best suits a particular horse’s activity profile.
Veteran horse insurance from AIUA is a fixed-benefit package specifically designed for horses and ponies aged 16 years and over, recognising that older horses present different risk profiles to younger animals.
The veteran policy includes death by accidental external injury only causing either a bone fracture or a visible external wound, theft or straying, public liability up to £2 million, and veterinary fees for accidental external injury only.
Horses aged 19 and above can no longer be insured on full mortality cover but remain insurable under veteran terms, which is an important distinction for owners of elderly horses who might otherwise assume their horse has aged out of all insurance coverage.
Breeding mares and stallions require a breeding stock policy that extends coverage to pregnancy-related illness, complications during foaling, and post-foaling veterinary emergencies.
These specialist policies typically exclude routine fertility treatments, pre-planned reproductive procedures, and elective interventions but cover emergency veterinary treatment for life-threatening complications during pregnancy and foaling.
Owners of breeding stock should always discuss their specific requirements in detail with a Towergate specialist broker to ensure that the policy scheduled accurately reflects the breeding activities being undertaken.
AIUA horse insurance is available exclusively through authorised insurance brokers. Towergate is the primary retail distribution channel for AIUA equine products and has specialist equine teams across the UK.
You can contact Towergate directly by telephone or use the broker locator tool on the Towergate website to find your nearest office that handles equine insurance. Other authorised brokers include Lycetts, Equesure, and various regional agricultural insurance specialists who all access the AIUA product range.
Ensure that any broker you approach confirms explicitly that they are authorised to write AIUA equine policies, as some brokers operate across all AIUA agricultural lines while others focus specifically on equine and livestock insurance.
Before contacting a broker for a quote, assemble the following information to ensure the quotation process is as accurate and swift as possible.
| Information Required | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Horse’s name and breed | Policy identification |
| Age in years | Premium and cover type |
| Current market value | Sum insured level |
| Activities and disciplines | Risk classification and loading |
| Vaccination and worming record | Policy condition compliance |
| Pre-existing health conditions | Full disclosure requirement |
| Location and stable type | Risk assessment |
| Desired vet fee limit | Cover selection |
| Previous claims history | Underwriting assessment |
Providing inaccurate or incomplete information at quotation stage is the most common reason for claim disputes or policy voidance after a loss event. Always disclose everything, even details you think might not matter.
A Towergate specialist broker will present you with quote options reflecting different vet fee limits, excess levels, and optional add-on combinations. This is the point at which to consider your priorities carefully.
If veterinary costs are your primary concern, select the enhanced £5,000 per incident vet fee option. If public liability is your main exposure, ensure your limit is set at £2 million or higher.
The broker can also discuss multi-horse discounts of 5 to 10 percent if you are insuring two or more horses simultaneously. Grouping horses under a single policy with a shared renewal date reduces administrative complexity significantly.
Before committing to any equine insurance policy, read the policy wording carefully. Pay particular attention to the exclusions section, the definition of pre-existing conditions, and the specific conditions that must be met for tack theft claims.
The current AIUA Equine Policy Wording applicable from July 2020 with April 2021 amendments is available from Towergate underwriting offices or via the Geo Underwriting website. Request this document before you finalise your policy.
Towergate equine insurance premiums can be paid annually in a single payment or spread across 10 equal monthly Direct Debit instalments through Premium Credit Limited (PCL), subject to acceptance.
Spreading payments adds a modest financing cost but makes equine insurance more accessible for owners managing tight monthly cash flows. This option is available across standard horse, multi-horse, veteran horse, and pony insurance policies.
Understanding exclusions is just as important as understanding what is covered. The following are the standard exclusions that apply to AIUA equine insurance policies.
| Exclusion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions | Any illness, injury, or condition present before policy inception |
| 14-day illness exclusion | No cover for illness or disease in the first 14 days after inception |
| Slaughter without consent | Destruction without AIUA prior written consent not covered |
| Economic expediency destruction | Not covered if horse is destroyed for financial reasons rather than welfare |
| Behavioural condition destruction | Destruction due to undiagnosed behavioural problems only covered up to £1,000 diagnostic costs |
| Melanomas in grey horses | Death from melanomas in grey horses aged 12 and over excluded |
| Routine dental treatment | Only dental treatment by a qualified equine dental technician covered for injury |
| Routine farrier costs | Deduction of £65 for full shoe set or £35 for a pair applied to all farriery claims |
| Tack theft from insecure buildings | Theft only covered from buildings with five-lever mortice deadlock and locked windows |
| Pregnancy by routine fertility treatment | Breeding stock policies exclude elective and routine reproductive procedures |
The grey horse melanoma exclusion is particularly important for owners of grey horses aged 12 and over. Death from melanomas, cancerous tumours, or growths is explicitly excluded from standard mortality cover for this demographic, reflecting the very high prevalence of this condition in grey horses at this age.
| Feature | Towergate AIUA | Petplan Equine | SEIB | NFU Mutual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Underwriter | AXA Insurance | Allianz Insurance | SEIB own | Various |
| Max vet fee per incident | £5,000 | £5,000 | £5,000 (plus colic specialist) | Policy dependent |
| Max vet fee per year | £10,000 | Up to £5,000 | Up to £10,000 | Policy dependent |
| Complementary treatment | Up to £1,500 | Up to max vet limit | Policy dependent | Policy dependent |
| Age limit (full cover) | Up to 19 years | Up to 20 years (vet fees to 25) | Up to 20 years | Varies |
| Veteran cover | From age 16 | From age 20 | From age 20 | Varies |
| Multi-horse discount | 5–10% | Not standard | Not standard | Not standard |
| Monthly payment option | Yes (10 months) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Distribution model | Broker only | Direct or broker | Direct or broker | Agent only |
| Public liability standard limit | £2 million | Up to £5 million | Up to £5 million | Policy dependent |
| Digital claims portal | Yes (2026 upgrade) | Yes | Yes | Partial |
AIUA pricing sits in the mid-range of the market, typically within 5 to 10 percent of Petplan Equine and SEIB in either direction depending on individual risk factors. The broker-based distribution model adds a small additional cost compared to direct online providers but includes the significant value of personalised specialist advice.
Petplan Equine has the advantage of covering vet fees for illness up to the age of 25 provided a policy is taken out before the horse turns 20, which is a meaningful differentiator for owners of horses approaching late career.
SEIB offers specialist colic-only insurance policies and higher maximum colic surgery payouts than AIUA as standard, making it a stronger choice for owners whose primary concern is that specific risk.
NFU Mutual is consistently rated as the highest-quality claims payer by UK horse owners in forum discussions and surveys, though it is also among the most expensive options and is only available through NFU agents.
Report any potential claim to AIUA as soon as possible after the incident. Do not delay, as late notification can give AIUA grounds to question the validity of a claim.
Call the AIUA claims team on 01423 795 100 during normal office hours. For emergency claims outside normal hours, contact the nominated loss adjusters on 0330 123 0288.
At the scene of any incident involving a third party, take the names and addresses of all parties involved and any witnesses, take photographs where possible, and make no admissions of liability to any party.
If your horse has suffered an injury or illness, obtain a veterinary certificate at the earliest opportunity. This forms the primary evidence base for your vet fees or mortality claim.
Provide the certificate to AIUA as part of the completed equine claim form. The claim form is available from your Towergate broker, from the Geo Underwriting website, and from authorised distributors including Equesure.
Do not arrange any surgical procedure costing more than £500 without first obtaining AIUA’s written consent where possible. Emergency procedures are an exception but notify AIUA as soon as practically possible after the event.
Complete the AIUA equine claim form accurately and thoroughly. Incomplete forms are the most common cause of delayed settlements.
Return the completed form alongside all requested supporting documentation including veterinary certificates, invoices, purchase receipts for tack items, and photographs of any visible injuries.
Track your claim through the new 2026 digital portal where available, or contact the claims team directly if you need a progress update beyond the standard communication timeline.
Choosing a higher excess level is the most direct way to reduce your annual premium. Opting for a £500 excess rather than the standard £210 on vet fees will produce a meaningful premium reduction for owners who have a financial buffer to absorb smaller claims.
Insuring multiple horses together on a single policy with a shared renewal date qualifies for a 5 to 10 percent multi-horse discount that can produce significant aggregate savings when insuring two or more horses.
Insuring your horse while it is young and before any significant health history develops is a long-term premium strategy, as once a condition has been recorded, it will be excluded from all future policies regardless of which insurer you move to.
Maintaining vaccination records, worming records, and dental care documentation demonstrates responsible horse ownership and prevents claims being disputed on the grounds that policy health maintenance conditions were not met.
Towergate Insurance has been rebranding its retail equine operations under the name Everywhen, reflecting a wider restructuring of the Ardonagh Group’s specialist insurance brands.
The Everywhen brand now operates the equine, livery yard, horsebox, and equestrian property insurance lines previously marketed under the Towergate name for consumers.
The underlying AIUA product and AXA underwriting arrangement remain unchanged. Existing policyholders do not need to take any action. New customers seeking AIUA equine insurance may encounter the Everywhen brand name online and through brokers, though Towergate Underwriting continues to operate the wholesale and broker-facing distribution of AIUA products.
Towergate AIUA equine insurance is the strongest fit for horse owners who value specialist broker expertise and a transparent policy structure backed by an A-rated underwriter.
It is particularly suitable for owners of competition horses, veteran horses, breeding mares, and multiple horse owners who benefit from the multi-horse discount and tailored policy options that AIUA offers through its broker network.
Owners who prefer a fully self-service online experience, or who own a horse valued under £2,000 where the minimum vet fee thresholds create proportionality issues, may find direct-to-consumer providers like Petplan Equine or SEIB a more convenient fit.
It covers equine mortality (death by accident, illness, or disease), theft and straying, public liability, and optional vet fees, personal accident, permanent loss of use, saddlery and tack, loss of entry fees, and stable loss cover.
Contact an authorised AIUA broker such as Towergate or Everywhen by phone or online, provide your horse’s age, breed, value, activities, and health history, and the broker will return a tailored quotation based on your selected cover options.
Yes, all AIUA horse insurance policies are underwritten by AXA Insurance Plc, one of the world’s largest and most financially secure insurers with a consistent A-rated financial strength rating.
The highest standard vet fee option is £5,000 per incident with a maximum of £10,000 per policy year, including up to £1,500 for alternative treatment recommended by a vet, with a £500 excess per claim.
No, pre-existing conditions are completely excluded from all AIUA equine insurance policies. Any illness, injury, or condition present or recorded before the policy inception date will not be covered under any circumstances.
AIUA will not cover any illness or disease that first presents during the first 14 days after a new policy begins. This is a standard exclusion across all UK equine insurers and is designed to prevent immediately pre-planned claims.
Yes, AIUA offers a dedicated Equi-Veteran Cover product for horses aged 16 and over, providing death by accidental external injury, theft or straying, public liability up to £2 million, and vet fees for accidental injury only.
Call the claims team on 01423 795 100 during business hours, or 0330 123 0288 for emergencies outside hours. Obtain a veterinary certificate, complete the AIUA claim form, and submit all documentation through your broker or the 2026 digital claims portal.
Yes, colic surgery falls within the vet fees insurance section provided the horse has no pre-existing colic history, the policy has been in force beyond the 14-day illness exclusion period, and prior consent has been obtained where practically possible.
Everywhen is the rebranded consumer-facing version of Towergate’s equine insurance operations following an Ardonagh Group restructuring. The underlying AIUA product and AXA underwriting arrangement are unchanged, and existing policyholders are unaffected by the rebrand.
Towergate AIUA equine insurance remains one of the most comprehensive and well-regarded specialist horse insurance products available to UK horse owners in 2026.
Backed by AXA Insurance, distributed through expert specialist brokers including Towergate and Everywhen, and updated this year with enhanced vet fee limits, a superior digital claims process, and improved policy clarity around pre-existing conditions, AIUA delivers reliable protection across the full spectrum of equine risk.
Whether you are seeking a quote for a young competition horse, a veteran pony, a breeding mare, or a string of leisure horses, the broker-based model ensures you receive genuinely personalised advice that no automated online comparison tool can replicate.
For the most accurate and competitive Towergate AIUA equine insurance quote in 2026, contact an authorised specialist broker, prepare your horse’s full health and activity history, and review the policy wording carefully before you commit.