Horse owner required to take out liability insurance policy and name barn owner as additionally insured party?

[AlterHalter2019]

My question was answered regarding whether it is normal practice to require a horse owner to purchase a liability policy and include a barn owner as “additional insured”. Thanks all for the help.

[hb]

Does the barn owner have insurance for her business, and this is just in addition to that? Or is she thinking that each horse owner getting liability insurance and naming her as additional insured will mean that she doesn’t need coverage for the barn business?

[Scribbler]

Where I live, membership in the provincial Horse Council equestrian association gets you a basic liability insurance policy on damage caused by any horse under your control. It is very common for barns to require everyone to have this. It isn’t medical insurance on the horse.

If the BO is requiring you to have liability insurance, I would certainly ask her about her own policy. It is possible that her policy requires her boarders to also be insured.

[AlterHalter2019]

Questions answered, thanks.

[MegBackInSaddle]

It’s a standard requirement here in Ontario. Also required to attend many (most?) shows/equestrian events here.

[Nezzy]

my current barn asked that of me when i signed in. My home owners ins was all they really needed. If you don’t own a home, idk what to say. I also get liability ins thru the PA equine counsel membership…

[OneTwoMany]

@AlterHalter2019

Using an alter for this post.

I have been looking for a new boarding situation for my horse. I looked at a barn this today that checked off most of my list, but then upon reading the contract was kind of surprised to see a clause that requires myself as the horse owner to take out an additional liability insurance policy and list the barn owner as an additional insured person. I would then be required to provide a copy of the insurance policy to the barn owner.

I’ve boarded at a couple different barns over the last 15 years and I have never seen that in a contract. Obviously I have signed the standard “hold harmless” agreements. But this struck me as odd. I feel like this is a deal breaker for me, but maybe this is standard and I shouldn’t let it sway me just because I haven’t seen it before?

I would like your thoughts / experiences. I am looking at a couple of other places this week. Another barn I looked at last week did not have a clause like this in their contract so I am curious to see if these other ones will.

That type of clause isn’t the norm in our area, but equine liability insurance is fairly affordable. A random google search suggests it can be had for as little as $175 per annum.

If you like the facility, confirm they have insurance and then factor the cost of purchasing your own liability insurance into the budgeting part of your decision. It wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me under those circumstances.

[ryansgirl]

I don’t understand why the barn owner needs to be listed as the additional insured party??

I can totally understand requiring private horse owners liability insurance. I’ve had it for years but have never heard of BO asking to be named as an additional insured party.

I’d be asking the BO why and asking my insurance company about it and what it means if something happens.

[ParadoxFarm]

I’ve not heard of that with a boarder, but some insurance companies here want any trainer that comes to teach at my farm to carry his/her own insurance and name my farm on the policy.

[Guilherme]

@ryansgirl

I don’t understand why the barn owner needs to be listed as the additional insured party??

Because if a “party” gets started EVERYBODY gets an invitation. A policy not only will pay for indemnity if a person is found to negligent it will also pay for attorney’s fees. Those can run into Big Bucks.

Of the course the simple answer might be because the BO’s insurance carrier requires it.

I can totally understand requiring private horse owners liability insurance. I’ve had it for years but have never heard of BO asking to be named as an additional insured party.

There is always something new under the Sun.

I’d be asking the BO why and asking my insurance company about it and what it means if something happens.

Why ask “why?” If it’s a term and condition of the contract then accept it or reject it. Arguing over it will not change the rule in all likelihood.

G.

[2tempe]

Not the norm in my experience - 40 years of boarding, though not terribly many facilities. As someone else mentioned, homeowners ins. may help; I also carry an excess liability policy because I have 1. a swimming pool and 2. two dogs. (and 3. two horses, lol.) A $1 mm policy costs me just under $300/year.

[ryansgirl]

@Guilherme

Why ask “why?” If it’s a term and condition of the contract then accept it or reject it. Arguing over it will not change the rule in all likelihood.

G.

Whatever makes you happy.

I would want to know WHY. Not that hard of a concept. You don’t understand so you ask questions.

It’s how things work.

So NO I would NOT agree to it until I fully understood WHY and the OP wants to understand it too.

[Alpha_Mare]

It’s so your policy will kick in to defend her if, for example, your horse gets loose, causes a traffic accident and the traffic victims sue her. If she has to take on all the liability for your horse without your also have a liability policy her insurance may be much more expensive - depends on how many boarders she has.

As G said, if it’s her requirement you may have to live with it, or not go to that farm.

[clanter]

I had always had to include companies I worked for as an additionally insured under my liability coverage… did not cost me any additional… and if listed as additional insured They Are Contacted if policy lapses.

The requirement of showing the policy to the barn owner really is nearly worthless other than oh pretty paper you have there

With every other word out of many people’s mouths alternating between attorney and law suit I understand the barn owners concern and would require the same if it were me

I do not board but understand the need as the requirement may very well be mandated by their carrier. …most people do not wake up one morning thinking today is great day to add Additionally Insured to my boarding contract,

[mmeqcenter]

Not standard in the States, IMO, but not unheard of. I had to have liability insurance at one barn, but I was not required to list the BO as an additionally insured. It was like $90/year.

[Marla_100]

A BO where I previously boarded ‘suggested’ all boarders should have liability because 2 horses got out onto a road

and caused a traffic accident. She said she wanted us all to know we may be liable even though it was known her husband and her nephew had accidentally left the pasture gates unlatched both times.

[Guilherme]

@ryansgirl

Whatever makes you happy.

I would want to know WHY. Not that hard of a concept. You don’t understand so you ask questions.

It’s how things work.

So NO I would NOT agree to it until I fully understood WHY and the OP wants to understand it too.

I agree you learn by asking. But you’re not asking “why?” to learn. You’re asking “why?” to argue about it. That’s a different.

Or, if you wish, you’re not entitled to anything that your contact does not give you. Does your contract entitle you to “explanation” and “understanding”? If so, you get it. If not, you get it if the BO decides to give it to you. If they don’t then that’s it. You can accept that or give your notice.

G,

[gottagrey]

I would question why the barn owner they are requesting to be named as an additional insured - that I believe would cover them if your horse damaged a 3rd party’s property which should be covered under their liability insurance. Best to contact your insurance company and then clarify it with the owner of the boarding facility. I would want to make sure they are carrying insurance and not relying on boarders to cover it for them.

[OneTwoMany]

@clanter

I had always had to include companies I worked for as an additionally insured under my liability coverage… did not cost me any additional… and if listed as additional insured They Are Contacted if policy lapses.

The requirement of showing the policy to the barn owner really is nearly worthless other than oh pretty paper you have there

I do not board but understand the need as the requirement may very well be mandated by their carrier.

Exactly. Someone can purchase a policy, present proof of the policy to the barn and then turn around and cancel the policy the next day and the barn will never be the wiser. If the barn is listed as additional insured, they will be notified if the policy lapses or is cancelled.

[S1969]

@Guilherme

I agree you learn by asking. But you’re not asking “why?” to learn. You’re asking “why?” to argue about it. That’s a different.

Or, if you wish, you’re not entitled to anything that your contact does not give you. Does your contract entitle you to “explanation” and “understanding”? If so, you get it. If not, you get it if the BO decides to give it to you. If they don’t then that’s it. You can accept that or give your notice.

G,

WTF? Such a weird answer.

Everyone should ask “why” to this question. Not to argue, but to understand. Insurance is complicated and understanding what coverage you have, and what it can be used for, is the sign of being a responsible adult.

The Barn Owner should be able to explain this. And an insurance company should be able to confirm the Barn Owner’s explanation.

For those that say their homeowner’s provides similar coverage - I would want that in writing. My homeowner’s stated that they would cover many things - so long as it was at my house, NOT for things elsewhere.