Towergate Insurance Equine is one of the most trusted specialist horse insurance providers in the UK, offering tailored cover for everything from vet fees and equine mortality to public liability and saddlery protection.
In 2026, the brand has undergone a significant update through its AIUA underwriting arm, bringing higher vet fee limits, a streamlined digital claims portal, and improved policy clarity across all horse types.
Whether you own a leisure hack, a veteran pony, a competition showjumper, or a breeding mare, this complete guide breaks down every policy, feature, cost factor, and exclusion you need to know before you buy or renew this year.
Towergate Insurance is one of the UK’s largest specialist insurance brokers. Its equine division is a dedicated arm that covers horses, ponies, horseboxes, trailers, livery yards, and equestrian properties.
The equine products sold through Towergate are underwritten by AIUA, which stands for Agricultural Insurance Underwriting Agency. AIUA is a trading name of Geo Underwriting Services Ltd and is part of the Ardonagh Group.
All AIUA horse insurance policies are underwritten by AXA Insurance Plc. AXA holds an A-rated financial strength rating, giving horse owners strong confidence that valid claims will be paid promptly and in full.
| Key Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Broker | Towergate Insurance (now also trading as Everywhen) |
| Underwriter | AIUA (Geo Underwriting Services Ltd) |
| Insurer | AXA Insurance Plc |
| Parent Group | Ardonagh Group |
| Years of Specialist Experience | 20+ years in agricultural and equine insurance |
| FCA Regulated | Yes |
| Claims Phone | 01536 486 060 / 0344 346 0228 |
| Emergency Out of Hours | 0330 123 0288 |
Towergate is not a direct insurer. It is a specialist broker, which means you always get expert guidance through the quote and claims process rather than dealing with a purely automated online system.
Towergate Insurance Equine covers a wide range of horse-related risks. The product range goes far beyond basic horse insurance and includes specialist policies for different horse types, different activities, and different commercial needs.
Here is the full list of policies available through Towergate equine in 2026.
The core individual horse insurance policy covers one horse under a single policy. It comes with death, theft, and straying as standard. Optional extras include vet fees, personal accident, legal expenses, and saddlery cover.
This is the most popular entry-level policy for private horse owners who ride for leisure or compete at amateur level. The policy can be tailored to match the horse’s age, value, and activities.
Multi horse insurance groups two or more horses under a single policy with one renewal date and one premium. Each horse can still be insured for different activities, different vet fee levels, and different public liability limits.
This policy is ideal for yards with multiple horses or families with several horses in their care. It simplifies administration significantly and can also deliver cost savings compared to managing several separate policies.
Pony insurance is specifically designed for ponies of all ages. Death, theft, and straying are covered as standard. Optional extras include vet fees, personal accident cover, legal expenses, tack cover, and permanent loss of use.
Public liability cover is included, with limits from £1 million up to £5 million. Owners of ponies over a certain age may be directed toward the veteran horse policy instead.
Veteran horse insurance is a specialist product for horses and ponies aged 16 years and over. It is one of the most important policies Towergate offers because older horses are statistically more likely to fall ill or become injured.
The policy covers death by accidental injury including bone fracture or visible external wounds. Public liability cover up to £2 million is included as standard. Vet fee cover for accidental injury is available up to £1,500, £3,000, or £5,000 per incident.
Theft or straying cover applies if the horse is not recovered within 60 days.
| Veteran Horse Cover Detail | Feature |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 16 years |
| Vet Fee Options | Up to £1,500 / £3,000 / £5,000 per incident |
| Maximum Vet Fees Per Year | Up to £10,000 |
| Public Liability | Up to £2 million standard |
| Theft Recovery Window | 60 days |
| Optional Extras | Saddlery, personal accident, legal expenses |
| Payment Option | 10 monthly Direct Debit instalments |
Foal insurance provides specialist cover from birth, with death, theft, and straying as standard. If a foal is stolen or strays, advertising costs are covered. If not found within 28 days, the market value or sum insured (whichever is lower) is paid out.
Optional extras available for foals include vet fees, personal accident for the handler, saddlery and tack, and legal expenses cover up to £50,000.
Towergate offers a dedicated racehorse insurance policy designed for horses competing at high level. This is a specialist bloodstock-style product adapted for the unique risks and higher valuations that come with racehorses.
Horses in pre-training or transitioning from racing to second careers may qualify for modified AIUA policies with appropriate risk disclosures. Standard equine policies are generally not suitable for horses actively racing.
Breeding stock insurance extends coverage to include pregnancy-related illness, difficult birth (dystocia), and post-foaling complications. Routine fertility treatments are generally excluded but emergency veterinary intervention for life-threatening complications is covered.
This is a specialist product for mare owners, stud farm operators, and breeders who need protection beyond what a standard horse policy provides.
Towergate horsebox insurance covers vehicles of all sizes used to transport horses. Policies are available at three levels: fully comprehensive, third party fire and theft, and third party only.
The policy offers true market value cover rather than assuming a fixed depreciation rate. This means if a horsebox is written off or stolen, the insurer works with the owner to calculate actual market value at the time of loss rather than applying a generic depreciation formula.
| Horsebox Policy Level | What Is Covered |
|---|---|
| Fully Comprehensive | Accidental damage, fire, theft, malicious damage, windscreen |
| Third Party Fire and Theft | Fire, theft, third party claims only |
| Third Party Only | Third party claims only |
| Optional Add-Ons | European driving, breakdown cover, legal costs |
| Young Driver Cover | From age 17 with full licence |
| Mileage Discount | Available for under 10,000 miles per year |
| Excess (Standard) | £100 accidental damage / £100 fire and theft |
No claims bonus protection is available on horsebox policies. Cover extends to personal effects stored inside the horsebox including tack.
Equine travel insurance protects horse owners if planned transport is disrupted. Cover includes equine travel vehicle theft, fire, and mechanical breakdown. Accidental damage during collisions, spills, or overturns is also covered.
Natural disaster disruption cover is included for events such as wildfire, volcanic eruption, earthquake, and extreme weather that prevents planned road transport. Optional extensions include personal accident, legal expenses, and saddlery and tack.
Towergate’s livery yard and stables insurance is a commercial product for yard operators and riding school owners. It covers material damage to the equestrian property, liability for horses in the yard owner’s care, and employer’s liability for staff.
The policy can be extended to include freelance teaching, hiring out facilities, and transporting horses. Trailers kept at stables must be insured separately by their owners and are not included in the yard policy.
As of 2026, Towergate is accepting renewals for livery yard cover but not currently offering new policies in this category.
Across all individual horse, pony, foal, and multi-horse policies, certain core covers are included as standard. Understanding what you automatically get without paying extra is important when comparing policies.
Death, theft, and straying are the three standard cover elements in every Towergate equine policy.
If a horse is stolen or strays, advertising costs are covered immediately. If the horse is not found within 28 days (60 days for veteran horses), you receive a payout up to the market value or sum insured, whichever is lower.
Public liability is also included as standard. This protects you against legal costs and compensation claims if your horse injures a member of the public or causes property damage. Given that a horse involved in a road traffic accident can generate claims worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, this cover is not optional for responsible horse ownership.
| Standard Cover | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Death by accident/illness/disease | Financial cost of the loss of the horse |
| Theft | Advertising costs plus payout if not recovered |
| Straying | Advertising costs plus payout if not recovered |
| Public liability (standard) | Up to £2 million against third party claims |
| Disposal and euthanasia | Included depending on policy terms |
Beyond the standard cover, Towergate equine policies offer a wide range of optional extras. These allow you to build a policy that precisely matches your horse’s needs and your own financial exposure.
Vet fees insurance is the most important optional extra for most horse owners. In 2026, AIUA has updated its vet fee limits upward to reflect UK veterinary cost inflation. The available tiers are £1,500, £3,000, and £5,000 per incident.
The highest tier provides a maximum of £10,000 per policy year including up to £1,500 for alternative treatments recommended by a vet. The standard excess on vet fee claims is £500.
Personal accident cover protects the policyholder and anyone they have given permission to ride or handle the horse. It covers bodily injury, dental costs up to £1,000, and death or total disablement up to £20,000. The excess on this section is £100.
Saddlery and tack cover is available from £1,000 upward. It protects saddlery, training tools, rugs, and boots. For pony owners, the maximum tack cover available is £5,000 per pony.
Legal expenses cover via Lawshield covers personal injury disputes, uninsured loss recovery, and contract disputes up to £50,000.
Permanent loss of use cover pays a benefit if your horse can no longer be used for the activities stated in the policy due to accident, injury, or illness. If the horse can still be used for breeding or low-level activities, only a partial payment may be made.
Loss of entry fees covers competition entry fees that cannot be recovered if your horse cannot compete due to injury or illness.
| Optional Add-On | Cover Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Vet fees | £1,500 / £3,000 / £5,000 per incident | Max £10,000 per year at top tier |
| Personal accident | Up to £20,000 death/disablement | £1,000 dental, £100 excess |
| Saddlery and tack | From £1,000 (max £5,000 per pony) | Covers rugs, boots, training tools |
| Legal expenses | Up to £50,000 | Via Lawshield |
| Permanent loss of use | Sum insured | Partial payment if some use remains |
| Loss of entry fees | Specified limit | Competition horses only |
| Stable loss cover | Specified limit | Available on relevant policies |
Public liability is one of the most critical elements of any equine insurance policy. Towergate offers flexibility on the level of cover you select.
Standard cover is set at £2 million. However, you can select £1 million, £3 million, or £5 million depending on your risk exposure and budget.
Horse owners who compete at high levels, keep horses near public roads, or operate commercial yard activities should seriously consider the higher limits. A single road traffic incident involving a horse can generate personal injury claims that far exceed the £2 million standard limit.
Every Towergate equine policy has exclusions that horse owners must read carefully before purchasing or renewing. Understanding what is not covered is just as important as understanding what is.
| Exclusion | Details |
|---|---|
| Pre-existing conditions | No cover for known existing illnesses or injuries |
| 14-day illness window | No illness claims in first 14 days of cover |
| Economic euthanasia | Must be on humane grounds with prior consent |
| Behavioural destruction | Not covered if cause is undiagnosed behavioural issue |
| Riding for financial gain | Excluded from personal accident section |
| Routine fertility treatments | Excluded from breeding cover |
| Hospitalisation | Not always included; check policy wording |
Getting a quote through Towergate is straightforward. You can call their specialist team directly or start a quote online through the Towergate website or its rebranded consumer portal Everywhen.
To get an accurate quote, have the following information ready: your horse’s age, breed, and current market value; the activities you use the horse for such as hacking, competing, or breeding; a full health history including any previous conditions or treatments; the vet fee level and optional extras you want to add; and your preferred excess level.
The quote will be tailored to your specific horse and circumstances. Towergate’s specialist team can also advise on which cover level is most appropriate for your situation.
You can pay annually or spread the cost into ten equal monthly Direct Debit instalments through Premium Credit Limited (PCL). Monthly payment attracts APR charges, so the annual total will be slightly higher than the single premium.
Claims number for standard claims: 01536 486 060 or 0344 346 0228
Emergency out-of-hours claims: 0330 123 0288
One of the most significant upgrades for Towergate equine insurance in 2026 is the improved digital claims process.
Horse owners can now submit veterinary documentation through a secure online portal. Photos of injuries can be uploaded directly from a mobile device. Claim status can be tracked in real time without needing to call the claims team.
For those who prefer to call, the process remains simple. Locate your policy number and documentation, call the claims team, explain what happened, and provide photographs if requested.
Vet fee cover is the optional extra that provides the most financial protection for the largest number of horse owners. Understanding exactly how it works helps you choose the right tier.
AIUA’s vet fee cover is structured on a per incident basis rather than a per condition basis. This means the £5,000 limit applies to each separate incident rather than to each separate medical condition, which can be important in cases involving multiple simultaneous problems.
Colic surgery is covered under the vet fees section provided the horse has no prior history of colic, the policy has been in force beyond the 14-day illness exclusion period, and prior consent from the insurer has been obtained where practically possible.
Alternative treatments recommended by a vet, such as physiotherapy or hydrotherapy, are included up to £1,500 within the top vet fee tier.
Age is an important factor that affects both the type of policy available and the premium you will pay.
Horses can be insured up to 19 years of age on full cover under standard Towergate equine policies. Veteran cover under the dedicated Equi-Veteran product is available from age 16 onward.
Foals can be insured from birth. Ponies can be insured at any age, though older ponies may be redirected to the veteran policy.
| Age Group | Applicable Policy |
|---|---|
| Foals (from birth) | Foal insurance |
| Young horses and ponies | Individual or multi horse policy |
| Horses aged 16 to 19 | Full cover or veteran cover |
| Horses aged 16+ (dedicated) | Equi-Veteran specialist product |
| Maximum age for full cover | 19 years |
Towergate AIUA operates in a competitive UK equine insurance market. Key rivals include Petplan Equine, SEIB (South Essex Insurance Brokers), NFU Mutual, Equesure, and direct online providers.
Here is how Towergate compares against the main alternatives on key criteria.
| Feature | Towergate AIUA | Petplan Equine | SEIB | NFU Mutual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vet fee limit (top tier) | £5,000 per incident | Per condition basis | Varies | Varies |
| Underwriter | AXA (A-rated) | Own underwriter | Ecclesiastical | NFU Mutual |
| Broker or direct | Broker (specialist) | Direct | Direct/broker | Direct |
| Veteran horse policy | Yes (from age 16) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-horse discount | Yes (5–10%) | Available | Available | Available |
| Digital claims portal | Yes (2026 upgrade) | Yes | Yes | Limited |
| Monthly payments | Yes (via PCL) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Public liability max | £5 million | £5 million | £5 million | £5 million |
Towergate’s broker model is both its greatest strength and its key differentiator. You always speak to a specialist who understands equestrian risks. The trade-off is that purely digital self-service users may prefer the direct online experience of some competitors.
Towergate Insurance Equine is best suited to horse owners who want specialist expertise combined with a comprehensive and flexible policy structure backed by an A-rated insurer.
It works best for owners of multiple horses who want a single policy with one renewal date. Competition horse owners who need higher liability limits and permanent loss of use cover will find the policy range well matched to their needs. Veteran horse owners who want specialist coverage for an older animal benefit from the dedicated Equi-Veteran product. Breeding stock owners who need pregnancy and foaling complication cover also have a dedicated solution.
Budget-focused owners with a low-value horse used only for light leisure riding may find direct online providers offer slightly lower premiums, but they will sacrifice specialist broker guidance in the process.
In 2026, Towergate’s consumer-facing equine insurance operations have been rebranded to Everywhen as part of a wider Ardonagh Group restructuring.
The underlying AIUA product is unchanged. AXA Insurance continues to underwrite all equine policies. Existing policyholders are not affected by the rebrand and do not need to take any action at renewal.
The Towergate Insurance brand continues to be used in some markets and by authorised broker partners. If you see both Towergate and Everywhen references online, they refer to the same underlying insurance product from the same underwriting structure.
There are several practical ways to manage the cost of your Towergate equine insurance without reducing the protection you actually need.
Choosing a higher excess on vet fee claims is the most effective way to lower your premium. Moving from a £250 to a £500 excess can generate a meaningful saving, but make sure you can genuinely afford to pay that excess if a claim arises.
Taking advantage of the multi-horse discount if you insure two or more horses can deliver five to ten percent savings on the combined premium.
If you use a horsebox infrequently, declaring an annual mileage below 10,000 miles qualifies you for a mileage discount on horsebox insurance.
Paying annually rather than monthly eliminates the APR charged on monthly instalment plans, which reduces the total cost of the policy.
Keeping vaccinations and worming treatments up to date is also important because some insurers will refuse cover or invalidate claims if medical prerequisites have not been met.
Towergate Insurance Equine is a UK specialist horse insurance broker offering policies for individual horses, multi-horse arrangements, horseboxes, foals, veterans, and livery yards, with cover underwritten by AXA via AIUA.
All Towergate equine policies are underwritten by AIUA (Agricultural Insurance Underwriting Agency), which is backed by AXA Insurance Plc, a globally A-rated insurer.
Every Towergate horse insurance policy includes death, theft, and straying as standard cover, along with public liability protection of at least £1 million rising to £2 million on most policies.
The highest vet fee tier available in 2026 is £5,000 per incident with a maximum of £10,000 per policy year, including up to £1,500 for alternative treatments recommended by a vet.
Yes, Towergate offers a dedicated Equi-Veteran product for horses aged 16 and over, covering accidental death, theft or straying, public liability, and optional vet fees for accidental injury.
The 14-day exclusion means no illness or disease claims are accepted during the first 14 days of a new policy. Accidental injuries are not subject to this waiting period.
Yes, Towergate’s multi horse insurance groups all your horses under one policy with one renewal date and one premium, while still allowing different cover levels for each individual horse.
Call 01536 486 060 (or 0344 346 0228), have your policy number ready, explain what happened, and submit supporting documentation including vet certificates and photographs through the 2026 digital claims portal.
Public liability cover is available up to £5 million through Towergate equine policies, with the standard level being £2 million and options to select £1 million, £3 million, or £5 million.
Yes, Everywhen is the rebranded consumer-facing name for Towergate’s equine operations following an Ardonagh Group restructure. The AIUA product and AXA underwriting are completely unchanged.
Towergate Insurance Equine remains one of the most comprehensive and specialist horse insurance options available to UK horse owners in 2026.
With policies covering individual horses, multi-horse arrangements, foals, veterans, racehorses, breeding stock, horseboxes, equine travel, and livery yards, the product range is broader than almost any competitor on the market.
The AIUA and AXA underwriting combination delivers financial security and stability.
The 2026 updates, including higher vet fee limits of up to £5,000 per incident and a fully upgraded digital claims portal, make the product significantly more competitive than in previous years.
Whether you are insuring your first horse or managing a full yard, Towergate equine insurance offers the specialist expertise, flexible policy structure, and reliable underwriting that responsible horse ownership demands. Get a quote by calling the team directly or visiting the Towergate or Everywhen website today.