Updated List of States We are Licensed In!

Did you know that we are licensed in over 20 states?! That's right! We not only provide equine insurance in Maryland, but we also can serve the following states:

California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia

If you are looking for an equine insurance agent in one of these states, or are looking for a farm and property insurance agent, please feel free to contact us! You can email Paul at: pcohen@auizhi.com OR call  (800)822-2202.

Don't forget how we can help you!

Hi everyone!

It's a new year and we are getting new inquiries every day. With that being said, we wanted to remind everyone of the services we offer.

Association Underwriters Inc. has been in the equine insurance business since 1955, covering horsemen and women throughout the country. The company was started by my grandfather Harry Cohen in an effort to spend more time at Pimlico Race Track, which was owned at that time by his brothers Ben and Herman.

At first, Association Underwriters developed an insurance coverage for jockeys in the event that they were injured during a race.  Later, he sold workers compensation and liability coverage for owners and trainers of racehorses.  From there, he started offering mortality coverage for racing and breeding thoroughbreds. His business continued to grow until he passed away in 1968, at which time his two sons took over the business. In 1985, I was presented with the opportunity to take over the business operations, and in 2004 I purchased the business.  At this time, I moved the business out of Baltimore City and relocated it to my home in Carroll County, Maryland.  The business continues to grow and successfully operate through many changes in the industry.

We provide insurance in the following:
        -Full Mortality
       - Major Medical
       - Loss of Use
       - Farm & Liability
       - Property Insurance
       -Equine Liability Insurance
...and more!

We are your one-stop-shop for all things farm and equine insurance! Feel free to contact us today to get a quote and find out more! Call us toll-free at: 800-822-2202

We are here to help you with all of your equine insurance needs! Whether in Maryland, or one of the other many states we are licensed in, we can help! Call us today or visit: www.equineinsuranceagent.com 

Winter Weather Preparedness (It's never too late!)

With winter here, and ice in the local Maryland area today, we wanted to re-share an article about things you can do to help prepare for winter weather. Although most of these should be done before the weather hits, it's never too late to prepare yourself and make adjustments before the next batch of weather. Also remember, if you have any questions please feel free to contact us at www.equineinsuranceagent.com.

Winter Weather Preparedness

Winter Storms, Freezing and Icy Conditions. Learn How to Be Prepared for Winter Weather

(article shared from safeco.com)

Winter weather brings along with it a number of risks. Winter storms bring wind, snow and icy conditions that can damage your home and auto. Cold can cause pipes to burst, frost swells and other damage. Heating your home with fireplaces and holiday lighting can both increase the risk of fire.

Before Winter Arrives
-Know What Your Insurance Covers and How Much You Need

-Check your homeowners policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you’ve chosen.

Winter Preparation Tips

• Winter-proof your car with good snow tires or chains, new wiper blades, antifreeze and emergency road supplies.
• Keep your attic cool to help prevent ice dams.
• Insulate the attic floor and make sure it’s well ventilated.
• Don’t overload circuits with holiday decorations.
• During a Winter Storm
• Play It Safe When Winter Storms Hit
• If you don’t have to drive, stay put.
• If you must drive, make sure you’ve winterized your car and have a full tank of gas.
• When the air’s cold, keep bath and kitchen cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around pipes.
• If pipes do freeze, let them thaw normally—they’ll be less likely to burst.
• If the power’s out, make sure you don’t leave candles or fires burning unattended.
• If you use a portable generator, follow the instructions, and don’t use it indoors.

After a Winter Storm
Winter Storm Damage? Call your insurance company or the claim number provided to you.

If you have experienced damage from winter weather, report it as soon as possible.

To Blanket or Not to Blanket

Happy New Year Everyone!

With winter upon us, and weather-related claims possible, we thought we would share an article with you to help prepare your horse for the weather. Blanketing is very common Maryland and other eastern states. This article is just an opinion of one individual, but it provides some food for thought as well as some blanketing safety tips!  

To Blanket or not to Blanket? That’s a Good Cold-Weather Question   

By Dr. Luke Bass, DVM, MS

The chilly months from late fall to early spring are generally a time of slowed activity for horse and rider, but attentiveness to horse health and management is just as crucial during the cold season. As an equine veterinarian, I’m often asked about blanketing during the cold months.

Primary considerations in horse blanketing are hair coat and environmental temperature. Here is some information that will assist you in making the right blanketing decision for your horse.

First, it’s useful to know that horses have an innate ability to withstand cold and wind, with the important caveat that they need shelter or a windbreak, as well as proper cold-season feed and nutrition.

Blankets tend to compress a coat's layers, which compromises their insulating properties.  Horses that do not live in extremely cold environments – meaning routinely colder than 10°F – will do well without a blanket, provided they are either stalled during the coldest temperatures or have access to a protective shelter.

Feed and nutrition are also factors tied to blanketing, because a horse generates body heat through digestive activity. To help your horse live comfortably in cold weather, make sure calories are adequate; most important, provide sufficient forage, typically in the form of hay.  As the horse digests forage, gut activity warms the body. This function, along with the natural insulating abilities of the winter coat, allows your horse to live comfortably in an environment that is not excessively cold, assuming shelter is available.

The decision to blanket your horse comes with pros and cons. A positive aspect of blanketing is that it helps maintain a short-haired show coat, thus decreasing your body clipping time if you are showing during the colder months. Performance horses may need clipping and blanketing to control winter hair growth, so they can exercise without getting too sweaty and so that sweat dries easily. Consider a partial rather than a full clip for the benefits of easily cleaned sweaty areas and heavy hair coat in other areas.

Blankets also are used in icy and snowy weather to keep your outside horse clean and dry, ready for you to ride. For horses living in very cold places – again, places where the temperature is often colder than 10°F – blankets can provide the added warmth needed, especially when protective shelter is not available. Additionally, when a horse is moved from a warm climate to a much cooler climate, a blanket can help the horse become acclimated to the new environment.

Here are a few blanketing tips to follow:

-Only apply blankets to clean, dry horses.
-Use the appropriate blanket for the appropriate use. A turnout blanket is for use during turnout and is designed to be waterproof. Horses that live in the elements wearing blankets should wear waterproof and breathable blankets. A blanket that is not waterproof will quickly become saturated, making your horse cold – the opposite of the desired effect with blanket use.
-If you have decided to blanket, use the blanket weight that is most appropriate for your horse's needs and the weather conditions. If it's 40 degrees, your horse probably only needs a lightweight blanket. If it's 10 degrees below zero, he might prefer a heavyweight blanket.
-Sweating in a blanket on a hot day can be just as problematic as wearing a non-waterproof blanket in wet weather.
-Remove your horse's blanket and groom on a regular basis.
-Properly cleaning blankets is recommended for longevity of the product, but remember that most are line-dried, so either purchase a quick-drying blanket or have a backup. When cleaning or rinsing your blanket, check all the fasteners and attachments to make sure they are secured tightly to the blanket. --A blanket that slips can cause your horse to spook, and may lead to injury.

Unless you are showing your horse, blanketing is a personal decision. The blanket will give your horse added warmth, but in return will decrease your horse's natural winter hair growth.

Consult your equine veterinarian for more information about horse care through the winter months, and for the latest information on nutrition, dental care, and preventative medicine.

Dr. Luke Bass is an equine veterinarian at Colorado State University’s James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital. To contact our Equine Services team, call (970) 297-5000.