I have a person who wants to board at my place but we don’t have insurance for that. Does anyone know how much it would cost for a “care custody and control” contract for just one horse for a 6 month period? Is it even worth it. The potential boarder said she might pay for coverage if its reasonable. I have NO idea!
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The potential boarder said she might pay for coverage if its reasonable. ![/QUOTE]
now realistically who do they think is going to pay for this coverage the Government?
Clanter–huh? Can you clarify your remark?
Blueribbon–call your insurance company and ask. From other threads on CCC insurance it is not an insignificant amount, which might make a 6 month boarding bill plus CCC ridiculously high.
I have all my insurance through Farm Bureau. It was less than $10/month for 5 or less horses.
I think Clanter was saying “Who else does the boarder think is going to pay for the insurance? The insurance fairies?” I think the situation was more of a if it’s reasonable the boarder will pay it and board there, if it’s not the boarder will look for a different boarding barn. Not just still board there and expect the owner to pay.
Honestly, CC&C insurance is somewhat imperfect. I have it and I’ve never made a claim, but my understanding is that they will not pay out over the value of the horse (even for vet bills) and that they often pay out less than the full value of the horse. If the horse is a retiree worth $1000, it’s not worth getting a CC&C policy. Boarding barns that focus on inexpensive pleasure horses/retirees often forego CC&C policies. If you are boarding horses worth a lot of money, a CC&C policy makes more sense.
It also doesn’t cover you for everything in the sense that you are probably not going to make a claim for a smaller incident. Let’s say your son or daughter leaves a gate open and the horse gets injured and the vet bill is $300–you are clearly at fault, but are you going to make a claim? Probably not, but if you are obviously at fault you might feel really bad not paying for the vet bill either.
Overall, in your scenario I would consider 1) making sure that you have either a commercial equine policy (liability) or a homeowners’ policy that provides adequate coverage for a small boarding operation, 2) buying an umbrella policy (or increasing the amount of a pre-existing one, 3) encouraging your potential boarder to purchase her own Major Medical and Mortality policy on the horse, and 4) using very stringent language in your boarding contract that strictly limits your liability for any injuries or illness the horse might experience (see your lawyer for this one).
There is no way to purchase insurance that will cover you for everything when you board horses. You are always accepting at least some level of risk. So, lastly, I would make sure that you build into whatever rate you charge some kind of allowance above and beyond your monthly cost/profit to use to pay for those unforeseen (yet very predictably occurring) expenses and inconveniences that arise as a result of having a boarder/s.
Can’t they get Private Horse Owners Liability insurance? That’s what I’ve had for years (through Corinthian Insurance…$150/yr). I’ve always boarded at backyard type of barns and have always done all the work (100% of the time) so I’m responsible for everything related to my horse(s).
I don’t own a home so I can’t add anything like home owners can to their policy. I would expect the potential boarder to at least have their own insurance. No clue how CC&C policies work or umbrella either. Definitely worth a call to your insurance company.
Ideally all boarders would have their own private horse owners’ liability policy. However, boarders having this policy does not replace the need for the BO to have their own insurance. The horse owner’s policy covers the horse owners’s liability. It does not provide the BO with any coverage nor protect the BO from being sued.
Ryansgirl, whether a boarder is self care or full care, there is still liability for the BO.
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Clanter–huh? Can you clarify your remark?
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OP doesn’t need the insurance unless they have a boarder… ?
Yes, horse owner’s liability insurance doesn’t replace the need to have CCC insurance. They cover different things.
My farm policy covers boarded horses. I only have one boarder and the premium is something like $50 a year for the additional horse. It isn’t bad at all. CCC is included in what I pay for my trainers insurance (separate and in addition to the farm policy) and is around $750 for everything.
CCC is an endorsement added onto a liability policy. So you need a commercial liability policy as well.
What you may want to consider as an alternative to insurance is 1)have the boarder get a mortality/MM policy and have the boarder add equine liability as an endorsement. Or if your state does not allow the liability endorsement, then get a stand alone liability policy. 2)Have the boarder execute a hold harmless for your CCC exposure.
In some respects this is a better plan than CCC for reasons BeeHoney mentioned. The boarder will have 24/7 coverage for death or theft, as well as major medical coverage. The liability covers them wherever the horse may be for damage it causes to property owned by thrid parties and injuries sustained by third parties.
Yes you need insurance for just one boarder for all the reasons everyone has posted. It only takes 1 boarder to have an accident or horse gets hurt and you find yourself getting sued. Be clear about the boarder having visitors with her, they also become a liability when on your property, another good reason you need additional insurance. Have a good contract that covers all things. Be sure your boarder is aware of who is responsible for damage to your equipment/stable by her or her horse.
I know it sounds like overkill but better safe than sorry. Most likely you will never need to use it but its that one time that you do you’ll be glad you are covered.
As noted, the BO needs liability insurance in some form to protect BO and BO’s assets in the event the boarder is injured on the premises or the horse causes damage (ex: gets out and get’s hit by a motor vehicle with associated people/vehicle damage/injuries).
CC&C IMO would be a ‘nice to have’ while liability is a must have.
I have my farm policy through VA Farm Bureau. I have a rider for boarding one horse, and it adds about $50 to my yearly premium.
You need to notify your property insurance regardless, if you have a change in risk, which having a boarder would be a change for you in this case.
If you have any assets and/or are concerned about liability, in addition to insurance be sure to have a lawyer draft or review your boarding contract and hold harmless. Yes, it costs money to do this, but a contract or hold harmless that is worded incorrectly may not protect you the way you think it should.
All the Hold Harmless , and boarder maintained insurance on their horse will not be of help should that horse escape your property and cause a wreck on the road.
