Halo launches this autumn with AI-driven equine risk insights and flexible cover
Halo is set to launch this autumn in the UK and Ireland, pairing real-time predictive analytics with embedded, flexible equine insurance. Built with reinsurance input from Guy Carpenter and underwriting from Markel, the platform focuses on short-duration protection that fits how horses are bought, sold and raced. For insurers, it signals a clear shift: pricing and coverage that adjust to moments, not months.
What Halo offers
- Race-Day Cover: Insure a horse for a single race, from leaving the yard to safe return - or just from the parade ring to the finishing post.
- Fall of Hammer Cover: Instant protection from the moment a yearling is purchased in the sales ring until it arrives at its new yard.
These are micro-duration policies built to match real exposure windows. It's a pragmatic move for owners, syndicates and buyers - and a new distribution and pricing opportunity for carriers and brokers.
AI at the core: Hailey
Halo includes Hailey, a GPT-based AI agent exclusive to platform users. Hailey uses data to support sales strategy, breeding decisions and race planning. For insurance teams, this hints at faster risk signals, more context at point of quote, and cleaner decision support during high-velocity events like auctions and race entries.
Why it matters for insurance professionals
- Exposure fit: Cover aligns with the actual risk window, reducing dead time on risk and improving loss ratio discipline.
- Pricing and models: Micro-duration products demand event-level pricing, fast ingestion of live signals and clear attachment/cessation definitions.
- Claims clarity: Time-bound coverage requires precise triggers, clean data capture and tight FNOL processes to avoid disputes.
- Capacity and governance: AI-driven recommendations raise familiar questions on data quality, bias controls, auditability and model governance.
- Distribution: Embedded flows at racecourses and sales rings create new acquisition channels with high intent and better context at bind.
What the team is saying
"This is about reinventing equine insurance and ownership for the modern era. Through our work with Guy Carpenter and Markel, we're introducing products that match the way horses are actually bought, sold and raced.
Whether it's protecting a yearling the instant the hammer falls or covering a horse only for the few minutes it's on track, Halo delivers immediate, intelligent cover - and Hailey ensures those decisions are guided by the best data available." - Neil Sands, founder of Halo
"The combination of artificial intelligence and equine insurance has the potential to transform how horses are valued and protected. We are delighted to be supporting Halo as it brings a new dimension of transparency and innovation to the market." - Juliet Redfern, Markel's divisional managing director - equine & livestock
Market context
The global equine insurance market is estimated at £450-475 million (€510-540 million) in 2023. Forecasts point to £1.3-1.5 billion (€1.5-1.7 billion) by 2031-33. Products that align cover to precise risk windows could expand penetration and improve profitability as distribution shifts closer to the event.
Rollout and expansion
Halo goes live in the UK and Ireland this autumn. Expansion into Europe, APAC and North America is planned for 2026.
What to watch next
- Underwriting rules, attachment points and exclusions for event-level cover.
- Model oversight and explainability for Hailey in underwriting workflows.
- How capacity scales and how reinsurance structures adapt to short-duration risk.
If your team is building AI fluency for pricing, claims and distribution, explore role-based training here: Complete AI Training - courses by job.
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