Foal Insurance Front of Mind for 2026-27 Breeding Season

With the 2026 breeding season now underway and the first thoroughbred foal of the season already on the ground, NZB Insurance is encouraging breeders to consider protecting their latest arrivals with specialist foal insurance cover.  

A foal represents not only a significant financial investment, but also years of planning, careful breeding decisions, and anticipation, making insurance an important part of managing risk during the earliest stages of a young horse's life. 

“It is always enjoyable this time of year with Spring right around the corner and new foals arriving at studs across New Zealand and Australia,” commented NZB Insurance Manager Jane McAlpine. 

“We provide breeders with practical risk management and aim to make insurance simple and available to all. 

“While our foal insurance policies generally cover mortality, we also offer optional extensions such as scoping cover for foals destined for yearling sales, and life-saving surgical cover. 

“We wish breeders every success for the season ahead and look forward to providing peace of mind when their new arrivals are here,” she added.  

NZB Insurance provides specialist bloodstock insurance with solutions tailored to the needs of owners, breeders, trainers and investors. New Zealand-owned and operated, they are backed by leading international underwriters Lloyds of London and on top of foal insurance, offer a range of policies for all types of horses. 

 

Some FAQs regarding Foal Insurance: 

When can you insure your foal? 
Insurance can be arranged from 24 hours of age.  

What type of cover is available? 
Foal insurance covers the foal in the event of death, or humane destruction on veterinary advice, resulting from an accident, sickness or disease. Our standard policy insures the horse anywhere in New Zealand and Australia. There are optional extensions available to add to foal insurance policies, such as Scoping Cover for those intended to be sold at Yearling Sales, or Life Saving Surgical cover. 

What is required to get a foal insured? 
To arrange insurance we require basic details around the foal, including the sire, dam, time and date of birth, colour, sex and the GST inclusive value. You can fill out the Foal Advice form for your new arrival here. 

Do you need a vet certificate? 
Yes, a current vet certificate is required for all foals under 30 days of age, and an IgG for those under 8 days of age. After 30 days of age we only require a vet certificate if the sum insured is over $100,000 +GST. 

What is an IgG? 
This is a blood test that gives an indication of the amount of Immunoglobulin G antibodies in the foal's blood. These antibodies are found in a mare’s colostrum and are only able to be absorbed through the lining of the gastrointestinal tract in the foal within the first 24 hours. 

What breed of foals can be insured? 
NZB Insurance can insure any breed of foal. 

How do you determine the value of a foal? 
You can use the sires service fee or other progeny from the dam that have sold in the past. As a guide it would be a maximum of 2x the service fee, but we are happy to discuss this if required. Our bloodstock team is available to advise should you need assistance here. 

Contact the team at NZB Insurance for a free quote, or fill in their enquiry form here.