You are correct. I have written a ton of equine mortality insurance, and yes, a vet has to certify cause of death. Same thing with cattle. If it weren't so, people would just call and say "my cow died", after they slaughtered her. Or sold her. Granted, people insure horses worth 5 figures and up, and if you have one that valuable, you are going to have a vet there when it is sick or injured anyway. I doiwnloaded a sample policy that one of my carriers issues for cattle. Looking over the form, it reads exactly like an equine mortality policy does. When you receive a policy there is always a cover letter explaining what to do in the event of a claim. I asked my underwriter to email me that document too. @Down in Dixie , did you have a policy for that bull, or one that covers the herd?My experience with insurance companies is they want a Vet to do an autopsy on them and identify the animal to make sure it is the one they insured.
Ken