What is horse liability insurance?

What is horse liability insurance?

It’s not uncommon to feel daunted when it comes to insurance, even understanding what’s a legal requirement and what’s recommended isn’t always obvious. When it comes to insuring you, your horse and all your equine equipment, it doesn’t always become much clearer. As we’ve got over 40 years of experience insuring horses here at Petcover, we wanted to answer all your questions and maybe even address a few you hadn’t even thought of.

What does equine liability insurance cover?

Equine liability insurance can vary between insurance provider and policies offered but the bear minimum will make sure you’re covered if someone seeks compensation to cover damage caused by your horse. The policy should cover any compensation awarded and any legal costs associated with the claim.

Whether your horse is just used for your own personal recreation or it’s a working animal, horses can always be spooked. Due to their large size, they can injure themselves, you or anything and anyone around them for which you can be deemed legally responsible for. Even the most cared for horses can escape grazing fields with a little determination so make sure your liability insurance covers:

• Damage to other vehicles like cars, vans, and even other horse boxes
• Injury to another person or animal including domestic pets and livestock
• Injury to another horse or rider
• Damage to someone else’s property both if it’s escaped its enclosure or thrown its rider

How much does horse liability insurance cost?

The cost of equine insurance will be 100% dependant on your individual circumstances and is often added as a policy extra to an existing insurance policy. Some insurers, like us, will offer it as a stand-alone policy.

If you often ride a horse you don’t own, always check with the horse owner before you go out. Any reputable riding stable will ensure the cost of the liability insurance is included in their fees and you should never be asked to sign anything saying you’re accountable for any liability.

Do I have to have equine liability insurance?

Legally, you’re not required to have liability insurance for your horse, but it is strongly recommended by any responsible horse owner. It is not just in the best interest of the horse, but the owner too. No matter how certain you are about your horse’s behaviour, they’re still an independent animal with their own minds.

You cannot guarantee a trespasser wouldn’t leave a stable door open and you cannot guarantee courtesy and consideration from members of the public and other road users when you’re out on your horse.