I just moved into a new boarding facility after not boarding for a while. Unfortunately, I stupidly forgot to ask to review the contract prior to moving. This facility requires that every horse owner has their own liability insurance and must show proof. The BO did not mention this prior to me moving my horse there and I didn’t think to ask as no other boarding facility has required it.
What is the cost of liability insurance? Who do you like as a company? And has anyone else ran into this?
Ask the facility what they want. Then you’ll know what to shop for.
G.
I don’t have anything on the insurance. However, I wanted to throw this out there. It’s really unusual for a boarding facility to require their boarders to have liability insurance. It makes me wonder if the requirement is because the facility has crappy insurance, or whether or not they have any insurance at all.
Many barns are now requiring that their boarders carry personal liability insurance (protects the horse owner should the horse injure a third party or damage someone’s property) and name the barn owner as an additional insured. This does not release the barn owner from lawsuits in the event of their own negligence, but does provide them with some protection should they be named in a lawsuit simply because they own the facility. Policies with American Equine Insurance Group (AEIG) as the carrier start between $150 to $250 for the year for up to five horses, depending on the limit of coverage chosen, and Additional Insureds can be added for $10 to $20 each. Other carriers would probably have similar costs, you would just need to call around or do an internet search for the one that best fits your needs.
Actually, it is a very wise idea for EVERY horse owner, especially a horse owner that boards their horse to have a liability policy that covers horse ownership. Here’s the deal: if you own a horse, and your horse injures someone (another boarder, a guest, or gets loose and causes a car wreck) YOU, the horse owner are liable. Now, the barn might share some of the liability if their negligence somehow contributed to the accident, but a general rule of thumb is that animal owners are liable for the actions of their animals.
In no way does a barn requiring this suggest to me that the barn is not adequately insured, because this insurance does not cover the barn business. I don’t think this policy is as unusual as you think, I have been hearing about it being required more and more. Personally I do not require my clients to have horse owners liability insurance, but the majority of them are business savvy people with assets to protect and already have it in place.
Just to reiterate, buying your own horse owners’ liability policy protects YOU, the horse owner and in no way replaces a barn’s commercial liability policy.
I know horse owner who’s horse got out sometime in the night. No one knows how, Horse ran onto a road and was hit by a drunk driver. DUI Driver sued both barn and horse owner.
Membership in the USEF provides liability insurance on members horse.
https://www.usef.org/_iframes/memberservices/membership/fees.aspx
I have liability on the same policy as my renter’s and vehicle insurance. If I recall correctly, it is very inexpensive.
I have always carried liability insurance on my horses. I can’t imagine why someone wouldn’t carry liability insurance on such a large, dangerous animal!
I’m not making a statement on the facility (and yes I agree it’s good either way to have it if - though I believe home owner’s insurance covers them if you have horses on your own property right?), just was surprised to see it in there as I’ve never boarded at a place that had that requirement.
At the same time I was speaking to one of the trainers there, who also boards at this location, and she doesn’t have liability insurance (and she’s giving lessons/training horses 
).
I’ll look into where I have renters insurance through, but just may go with the USEF membership/coverage for now.
The USEF insurance used to be part of your membership, now you have to purchase it separately.
I have a million dollar liability policy for my 5 horses and it runs me about $350 a year.
I few suggestions for the OP. First, always read boarding contracts rather than signing them blindly. You might get fewer surprises if you do. Second, don’t go comparing out to others. You are not the contract enforcement police. Third, the type of coverage required is not expensive and readily available. Check with the agent for your renter’s policy. Some policies will extend to horses boarded at barns; some don’t. If you have mortality insurance on your horse, many states permit equine liability coverage to be added on to it. Otherwise, there are stand alone policies that are pretty inexpensive.
I’ve worked in insurance and been involved with horses for over 50 years. I chances of having an actual liability claim are very low, but if you do have a claim, you want those legal fees covered and funds available to settle or pay damages.
I got mine through Goetz insurance 2 years ago. It was under 300 to get liability on up to 5 horses that named the farm owners as co-insured. (The farm I was leasing a barn from was sold. The new owners WERE NOT HORSE FARM PEOPLE. I was given the opportunity to stay for 1 year, if I got the insurance. It was all good until they changed their mind and asked if I would mind leaving 3 months into the agreement. It was a frustrating experience because they were new to owning a LARGE property (600+ acres), had more money than sense, and were constantly flip-flopping on what they wanted to do and what was going to be done first.)
I moved to a different farm and since that one didn’t require liability insurance or to be co-insured, I went with the insurance that you can buy with a membership with USEF.
When I move my horses home (hopefully within the next year), I’ll check with my homeowners insurance to see what are the best options.
Well, now I feel pretty stupid. I’ve had my horse for 6 years and it never occurred to me to take out a Liability Policy. My horse is boarded, and the facility never asked for a policy, but I do have a young woman riding him from time to time.
Liability coverage seems like a no brainer. Should I call my home owner’s carrier (Liberty Mutual) and ask them about coverage? Part of me is a little afraid of alerting them to the fact that I own a horse, even though he’s not kept on property…
Remsmom, definitely call your insurance company and discuss. There’s no reason to be afraid of letting them know you own a horse and many good reasons to make sure you are covered. In the situation where you own a horse and allow others to ride it or handle it, you could easily be held responsible for any kind of an injury/accident that occurred, so definitely wise to make sure you have insurance coverage.
[QUOTE=BeeHoney;8191933]
Remsmom, definitely call your insurance company and discuss. There’s no reason to be afraid of letting them know you own a horse and many good reasons to make sure you are covered. In the situation where you own a horse and allow others to ride it or handle it, you could easily be held responsible for any kind of an injury/accident that occurred, so definitely wise to make sure you have insurance coverage.[/QUOTE]
Ok, thank you! Someone had (probably incorrectly) told me that some carriers will drop you if they know you own a horse. I’ll give them a call now. Thanks again for the guidance!
Just call your insurance agent. We added a rider to our homeowner’s back when we were boarding and had an umbrella policy to cover excess liability.
[QUOTE=DancingArabian;8191069]
I don’t have anything on the insurance. However, I wanted to throw this out there. It’s really unusual for a boarding facility to require their boarders to have liability insurance. It makes me wonder if the requirement is because the facility has crappy insurance, or whether or not they have any insurance at all.[/QUOTE]
Actually, no it’s not “really usual” these days and it’s not an indication of crappy insurance on the barns side. Its more common in higher end barns that travel to shows, then your basic boarding barn type facilities. If anything, requiring individual owner liability reflects a well managed business.
Think I paid about $150 a year for a million in liability tacked onto my mortality and MM policy. It’s also available without the other policy for only slightly more.The reason for it is if your horse kicks my kid in the groom stall, you, as owner, share liability with the barn. Even if you were not there and I don’t want to sue you. Not my call anymore.
These days when you go to the ER, a paper trail will be created that goes to the injured parties insurance and they will, in turn, go after the barn owners insurance and they will come after you to recoup their payouts.
No more can you assume nobody you know woukd sue you. They may not but their insurance company will and they cannot stop them. It’s a good idea.
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