About Livestock Insurance
Fine Animals Are A Valuable Asset
The need for livestock insurance is created by the financial interest that an owner has in the animal from the moment it is born or acquired. The raising, showing and breeding of animals represent a considerable financial investment which can be lost by death.
Insurance Valuation
The insurable value of your animal is its purchase paid price. Such insurable value may be further increased when prize winnings, performance level, and value of your animal offspring justify the increases. Sentiment, replacement cost, and loss of profits are not part of insurable value. Requests for increases in value must be accompanied by substantive information and a veterinarian's certificate. An offer of purchase, unless accepted is not sufficient to prove an increase in value.
Applications
Livestock mortality insurance is a form of term life insurance. That's why any animal, to be insured, must be sound and in good health on the effective date of the policy. A veterinarian's health certificate, attesting to the animal's condition, must always be submitted with the application. In addition, the application include the name, age, use, sex, and registration number of the animal. Applications must be signed by the owner or authorized representative.
Full Mortality: An Explanation
Our full mortality coverage, which includes theft, insures your animals against death from any cause. This includes humane destruction which might result from an accident. Rates for coverage vary according to the age of the animal.
Insurance Coverage
Before your insurance coverage goes into force, your completed application, together with a veterinary certificate, must be received and approved by the company. No policy is issued for a term of more than one year. Coverage starts and expires at noon on the dates specified in the policy. Policies may be written for a shorter term and annual policies, cancelled by the insured are on a short rate basis. Animals may be added or deleted from existing policies during the policy term for a prorated charge. However, a satisfactory veterinarian's certificate must be submitted for each animal added to the policy.
Renewal Of Insurance
The Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc. will notify you of the current policy expiration and forward a renewal application to you well in advance of that time. Before renewal of the insurance can be effected, a new application and current veterinarians certificate must be received and accepted by the company. It is important, therefore, that you complete the application, obtain the necessary veterinarians certificate, and forward them to the Wilkins Livestock Insurers, Inc. as early as possible before the expiration date of the current policy. That way, there will be no possible lapse in your insurance protection.
Transfer Or Assignment Of Policies
Policies may not be transferred from one insured to another unless approved through endorsement by the company. Coverage may not be switched from one animal to another unless agreed to by the company, and then only if the request is accompanied by a current, satisfactory veterinarian's certificate and application.
Notice Of Sickness Or Injury
The insured shall, at all times, provide proper care and attention for each animal insured. In the event of any illness, disease, lameness, injury, accident, or physical disability whatsoever, the Insured shall immediately (at his own expense) employ a veterinarian to administer proper care and use every possible means to save the life of the animal. The Insured shall immediately give notice to the company. A number will be given to you with your policy with a 24 hour a day, seven day a week. A mortality policy covers death only. It does not cover minor injuries, depreciation in value, loss of profits, nor failure of an animal to perform the duties or requirements for which it is kept, employed, or intended (loss of use).
The company is not liable for:
1. More than the amount for which the animal is insured, nor for more than its actual cash value at the time it sustained the injury or contracted the disease that caused the loss, whichever is less.
2. The death of an insured animal, if such animal was used for any purpose other than stated in the application.
3. Death directly or indirectly caused by, happening through, or in consequence of :
A) Any surgical operation, unless conducted by a qualified veterinarian and certified by him to have been necessitated solely by accident, disease, or illness, and to have been carried out in an attempt to preserve the animal's life.
B) Inoculation, unless conducted by a qualified veterinarian or experienced personnel directed and certified by him to have been of prophylactic nature or necessitated by accident, illness, or disease.
4. Loss caused by or resulting directly from the carelessness, neglect, abuse or willful or malicious injury by the insured, or by the insured's agent, employees, or bailees (except bailees for hire) when acting in collusion with the insured or resulting from any fraudulent, dishonest, or criminal act or omission done by or at the investigation of the insured or any employee or any others having the care, custody, or control of the animal, including independent contractors when acting in collusion with the insured.
5. The destruction of any animal or animals by reason of such animal having contracted or been exposed to any contagious or communicable disease whether such destruction be by the order of any government or otherwise.
6. Confiscation or nationalization or requisition or destruction by or under the order of any government or public or local authority or any person or body having jurisdiction in the matter.
Prompt Notice Essential
An oversight on your part can cause your insurance claim to be denied. Livestock mortality insurance policies require that the owner do two things when an insured animal becomes ill or suffers injury:
1) Promptly provide the best veterinarian service available.
2) Give immediate notice to the company.
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