My trainer just gave me her 2018 contract. It now contains a clause that she is not responsible for any loss or damage to anything that I have at her barn. My horse is insured, but I don’t know about my $$$ tack. All the other boarding and training barns that I have been at in the past have told me that they have insurance, so this is new to me.
What should I do? Can I add my tack to my horse insurance? Or do I need renters insurance? Or would my homeowners cover this? Thanks!
I had to add a separate rider to my homeowner’s insurance to cover my tack at the boarding barn–the kind they write for expensive artwork or antiques. My BO had to provide a document that outlined the security measures that were in place. Cost was minimal.
I would absolutly add add it to your renter’s insurance.
FWIW, your trainer/ your trainer’s insurance never covered your tack to begin with, so nothing has really changed. She’s just spelling it out to make sure that clients understand that and to encourage them to obtain coverage. The best thing to do is to call up your homeowners insurance company and ask them. Your tack may already be covered under your homeowners policy, or you may easily be able to make a provision for that. If you rent an apartment or house instead of own, then renters insurance similarly should be able to cover your possessions.
I don’t know. It all depends on your existing insurance.
Call you agent and ask them. They are “the horse’s mouth” for a question like this! 
G.
I own my home so I will be calling the insurance company. BeeHoney - that is very interesting as I have a retired horse at a different barn, so I’m going to add all of his tack also! Thank you for the advice.
I have State Farm homeowners. My personal items are covered under my homeowners even if they are stolen from another location such as the barn, my horse trailer etc… If a particular item was over a certain amount ($10,000 at that time) then I would need a rider for that item but that applies to any item over that limit such as tools, jewelry. Since I have no one single item worth over $10,000 there was nothing to add to my policy. I had a very long discussion with my agent about my tack since I board and it is kept at the barn. I did not have to provide any details regarding security measures at the barn. I have actually moved barns a few times since then.
Interestingly I spoke to someone that is a sponsored rider. Her homeowners/renters insurance will not cover her saddles if they get stolen. Since they are actually on loan from the sponsor she does not own them. Since it is not her property and it is somebody else’s property that she is allowed to use and possess it it not covered under her homeowner/renter’s coverage. She was State Farm too.
If you are borrowing a friend or relative’s saddle that gets stolen things could get muddy quickly.
Therefore I would talk to your agent and get it in writing as there can be subtle differences in policies and the ownership of the item that may make a difference in coverage.
My tack is included in homeowners, I recently got a new saddle so I need to see if I need a rider for that or it would be covered under my normal personal property amount. Of note, your personal property can include a lot more than you think. For example, I own a condo, so when I had a lovely main water line leak that entered into my house (instead of those who usually pop up outside) was now getting all new flooring, paint, bathroom vanity. The flooring was considered )personal property because it was an upgrade from builder installed. So just make sure your property value is high enough in case of some disaster
There was an oddball accident at our barn caused by lousy workmanship by a carpenter. A few boarders’ saddles and other property were damaged beyond repair. BO attempted to have it covered on her policy and the insurance company refused. Their property was covered by their homeowner’s or renter’s insurance even though it was sitting in the barn. Fortunately I wasn’t affected. When I checked my agent they said my saddle was covered and I don’t need a rider. I have a replacement cost policy so maybe that makes a difference. This reminds me that I should call and check again.
I have State Farm as well and my experience with them was very similar. Al I had to do is list the saddles and other expensive items and document their value.
yes
Yes. And renter’s insurance is a great product. You should have it. That’s because it will replace all of your crap at Replacement Cost. Also, the price of the stuff you might own-- everything from the huge flat screen to your socks-- adds up fast. Ask about specialty stuff like tack and keeping it outside your home. Take pictures and record serial numbers for things like saddles. I have never had a claim, but I think it might a tad tougher to establish Replacement Cost for old, but well-made saddles than other kinds of things.
I would definitely recommend checking with your homeowner’s insurance. Mine included $10,000 towards sporting equipment but no one single item for more than $1000 unless I have a rider. So my $$$ saddle got a rider.
Ooh… that wouldn’t work for most saddles these days. Good to know about this way of structuring insurance.
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