Horsebox breakdown cover

[Philippa]

Who does everyone use please and have you had cause to call them out?? I'm concerned about companies lifting or low loading with the ponies onboard as I'm aware some do this. Obviously they may have to do this off a motorway but I'd prefer not to have them transported home this way

I'm looking for full cover to take my horses on separate transport and lorry home or to my destination should the inevitable happen ever.

I've looked at equine rescue

OHTO

Anthony Evans

Thanks

[jonp]

Hi Philippa, You are absolutely right to be worried about companies lifting, straight-bar towing and low loading with ponies on board. Whilst technically it is not "illegal" in the eyes of the law, it is in contravention of the DEFRA Animals in Transit Act and the repercussions can be just as bad for all involved. Generally you get what you pay for with breakdown cover. There is very little difference from an operational level between ERS and OHTO (PRP Rescue), except that OHTO has been around much longer and is much larger in both database and European coverage. Both are companies dedicated to horsebox and trailer breakdown, all the rest really trail behind in the usual melee of insurance companies trying to undercut each other at the expense of the product.

As most people on HG know, I am M.D. of PRP Rescue (OHTO) so I have to be careful not to be biased. Good luck in the coming season and I hope it transpires that you really don't need any of our services!

Jon Phillips

[hack]

We have used Anthony Evans for years. Would recommend them.

A friend used NFU and the company they sent to recover her wagon after a blowout was too small for her 7.5 ton wagon. Thought thy were coming for a 3.5 ton pony box.

[Philippa]

Thanks Jon I hoped you might reply. I also hope I don't need the services of breakdown but you never know!

Hack, have you had cause to call ,a,e out?? If so were your horses transported in a new vehicle & do you pay the premium cover with the new vehicle guaranteed??

I've only ever had to call anyone out once before and I didn't have horses on so it didn't really matter. They got me going eventually. I think that was a.e!

[sjw87]

I've used AE once before with my previous lorry and they did use a low loader with pony on board. Tbf, I didn't mind as we were only about 20mins from home and the pony on board was one of my veterans who is completely care free about travelling and the driver was extremely careful. Had we been further from home and/or had different horses on board then I wouldn't have been happy.

I now use NFU who I believe subcontract to PRP? Haven't had a need to call them out though thankfully.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[Philippa]

Thanks sjw

[telmorsidestud]

were with antony evans for lorry insurance and breakdown cover they are good as our clutch went at bakewell last year as we pulled on to show ground and they recovered it and sent a very nice lady in 3.5 ton lorry for native as we only had the one horse and she was very professional even had a fresh hay net

[Philippa]

Thanks. I've insured with AE before and would recommend. I'm with south Essex at mo so just looking for the best breakdown cover.

[judyh]

We have called out South Essex several times over the years. Once on a Sunday morning. Never any problem , always sent a good commercial horse transporter - the Sunday one was C&C. Many years ago we were with another firm - can't remember which and they did lift and get us home .my daughter went in the breakdown truck and I stayed in the box with the horse. No problem at all, I couldn't fault the journey, it was 10pm on the M 62- nearly at the top of the last hill travelling east. I would not have wanted to unload the mare there, good as she was to box. We have just renewed our policy and found S.E. the best value for us.

[Philippa]

Thanks. I've now joined OHTO/PRP.

To be honest it seemed the more professional outfit and although it didn't offer homestart (that I could find) I decided that if the box wouldn't start at home and we couldn't get it going ourselves I wouldn't be risking setting off anyway!!

[baileybob]

Must add that I've used (and called out) ERS and SEIB.

Both were good but the customer service, attention to detail and professionalism of ERS was brilliant. Every single contact I ever had with them (for whatever reason) was excellent.

I don't work for them by the way!

[mcnaughty]

We are with KBIS and have called them out a couple of times. They have a great service and send separate recovery for horsebox and horses.

[hack]

Feb 18, 2017 18:16:37 GMT Philippa said:

Thanks Jon I hoped you might reply. I also hope I don't need the services of breakdown but you never know!

Hack, have you had cause to call ,a,e out?? If so were your horses transported in a new vehicle & do you pay the premium cover with the new vehicle guaranteed??

I've only ever had to call anyone out once before and I didn't have horses on so it didn't really matter. They got me going eventually. I think that was a.e!

Not sure on premium cover, we've called them out a couple of times for blowouts, but each time luckily we've been within 5 mins of the showground, so made it there then called them.

[Philippa]

Ah right. Thanks everyone. Always good to know who gives a good service.

[gillwales]

Whatever you do make certain that the road rescue and normal insurence is with the same company or one will say that the other is responsible. I have been towed on a fixed bar and it was my worse nightmare, it might have been the circumstances and due to the light going but I hated it. I would ask if a company gaurenttees a time limit to attend a breakdown as I recall waiting for over 8 hours for someone to get to me. If they do a lift then make certain they then remove the front tyres as this then means that the wagon is not tilted so will not make any differenve to the horses on board. You need to ask and get confirmed in writing prior to purchasing the insurence.

[Philippa]

Thanks GW. this is purely breakdown cover not insurance. Pretty much the same as getting AA or RAC cover for the car. I've gone with OHTO as they seem one of the best with staff who understand and have horses