Does Horse Insurance Cover Colic Surgery?

Q: Does a mortality-only policy cover colic surgery?

No. Mortality insurance pays only if your horse dies. It does not cover vet bills for a horse that survives colic — even if surgery is required. To cover colic surgery, you need major medical or the free Emergency Colic Surgery endorsement that comes with most mortality policies.

Q: How much does colic surgery cost without insurance?

Medical management without surgery costs $1,500–$5,000. Simple surgical colic costs $5,000–$8,000. Complex surgical colic costs $10,000–$20,000 or more. Post-surgical care adds another $1,500–$3,000. Without coverage, a serious colic can cost $20,000–$25,000 total.

Q: Does horse insurance cover colic surgery?

Yes — but only with the right coverage. Major medical insurance covers colic surgery diagnostics, treatment, and hospitalization. Most full mortality policies also include a free Emergency Colic Surgery endorsement up to $5,000 at no extra premium. Stacked together, total colic coverage can reach $15,000.

Bailey Lacy
Apr 21
2 min read

Yes, horse insurance can cover colic surgery. But only if you have the right type of coverage. A mortality-only policy pays nothing toward your vet bill. Here's exactly which coverage pays for colic surgery, how much it covers, and what to do if your horse colics tonight.

The Direct Answer

Not colic specific.

Emergency Colic Surgery Coveragealued at $10,000 or more.

YES, if eligible and valued over $10,000.

POSSIBLY, depends on what sort of colic history and how long ago was the incident.

What Actually Covers Colic Surgery?

Major Medical Insurance

Major medical is the main coverage that pays colic surgery bills. It covers diagnostics, hospitalization, treatment, and surgery for illness or injury, including colic. Annual limits of $7,500 / $10,000/ $10,000+ / $15,000 / $15,000+ are available.

Major medical has a deductible ($425, $500, $600).

Major medical must be purchased alongside a mortality policy, it is not available as a standalone. See Remuda Insurance Group's equine insurance page for available limits and coverage details.

How to Stack Colic Coverage for Maximum Protection?

ECS and major medical work together, and this combination is the most important thing to understand about colic coverage:

Roughly 700,000 horses colic every year in the US according to the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Colic surgery costs range from $5,000 for a simple case to $20,000+ for a complex one. For a full breakdown of what horse insurance costs, including how much major medical adds to your premium.

What If Your Horse Has a Colic History?

Simple gas colic with full recovery, may still be insurable for colic depending on carrier

Surgical colic without resection, carriers vary; some will cover after 1-2 colic-free years

Surgical colic with intestinal resection, colic exclusion is typically permanent with most carriers

Rule: always disclose colic history honestly, undisclosed history can void your entire claim

If colic is excluded, your policy still covers all other conditions

What to Do If Your Horse Colics Tonight?

This checklist is the most practical part of this post, save it:

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a mortality-only policy cover colic surgery?

YES, Mortality insurance pays only if your horse dies, however if your horse is valued over $10,000 the carrier gives you $5000 in emergency colic surgery coverage. This is for a surgical colic only.

If my horse needs surgery but I choose euthanasia instead, does insurance pay?

Only if a licensed veterinarian certifies in writing that euthanasia was the only humane option. If your horse can be saved with surgery and you choose euthanasia, the mortality claim may be denied. Always contact your insurer before making this decision, they have 24/7 lines for exactly this reason.

How much does colic surgery cost without insurance?

Medical management without surgery: $1,500–$5,000. Simple surgical colic: $8,000–$12,000. Complex surgical colic: $12,000–$20,000+. Post-surgical care: additional $1,500–$3,000. Without coverage, a serious colic can cost $20,000–$25,000 total.