Hello,
I recently heard about private horse owner liability insurance. Someone said it’s a great insurance to have just in case your horse injures someone and the party decides to take legal action. My horse is a good boy but hey, he is a 1200 lb animal and anything can happen, right?
How many people carry this type of insurance and what are your experiences with it?
Thanks!
I don’t have one specifically for horses. I just added $1m liability rider to my homeowners. It was relatively inexpensive it will cover me is a lot more situations: somebody getting hurt by my horses or dogs, getting hurt on my property etc… I have never needed to use it. It was easy to get through our State Farm agent. I board my horse but I take him to parks, shows etc…
Be sure to check with your home owner’s insurance company to make sure equines aren’t excluded.
If you don’t have home owner’s insurance, you could purchase a policy separately. I think you could find one for between $250-$300 a year for under 5 horses. The more horses you own the higher your cost.
We also have a million dollar umbrella policy added to our homeowners insurance, through State Farm. Very affordable, never have had to use it.
Would a homeowners policy cover your horse if you board or take them off property?
Thanks!
You would have to ask your agent for your particular policy and that particular insurer. If they do cover you for equine activities, it would be through an umbrella policy, which would be in addition to your home owners policy.
I also have a $1mil umbrella on my homeowner’s insurance, and I was told it covers me if I leave (I asked, if my dog bit someone who foolishly reached into my car or something). It costs next to nothing, like literally less than $5/year or maybe /month, but still…
Mine through State Farm does. I also specifically checked that it did not exclude equines. Same if my dog was at PetSmart and bit somebody. Still my liability since they are my property
Your state Horse Council might have a policy. North Carolina Horse Council has a $1M equine liability policy for an extra $25
State Farm said to me that no, horses are not covered if they are off property. I am worried about home as well as at shows or clinics someone getting hurt so I went ahead and purchased the separate policy. Also help if GOD FORBID you have a horse get loose on public roadway and should have an encounter with a vehicle. State Farm said to many variables to cover all, but the horses specific policy was much more comprehensive.
I think what you want is an Umbrella catastrophe policy - my coverage is $1MM and costs $179/yr through Erie. “Erie Insurance’s personal catastrophe liability coverage[SUP]1[/SUP] offers you an additional $1 million in coverage for covered claims brought against you or your family for things like bodily injury, emotional stress, libel, slander and accidental damage to another person’s property.” (Higher coverage amounts can be purchased.)
And it’s not just coverage on my property. It’s coverage no matter where I am if me or my horses causes something terrible to happen to someone and they sue.
I’m in another country but I have always had it. It’s basically required here and some boarding barns will ask for proof of insurance. I’m not sure how it is in your neck of the woods, but it’s generally inexpensive and smart to have given that horses seem prone to getting them selves into “situations” I would get a horse specific insurance through a company that specializes in horse and/or pet insurance plans.
I also have an Erie umbrella to cover this liability. I also had a past insurer that excluded horses from a homeowners bolt on umbrella. At that time, USEF offered this coverage at a reasonable cost to members. Not sure if that’s a current USEF offering.
Yes, so long as horses are not excluded. You need to ask.
If the OP does not own a home, it would probably make more sense to buy a policy through an equine insurance provider that can make sure they purchase enough coverage for the type of claim that is likely with horses.
My homeowners policy does not cover my horses if they are off the property. My umbrella policy probably covers most things, but if I was traveling with horses regularly to shows, etc. I would ask very specific questions of my agent and be willing to purchase a separate policy specifically designed for equine activities.
I upgraded to a farm policy from homeowners as there were too many gaps even with my umbrella. We got about 2xs the insurance for every bizarre situation imaginable and it was about $300 more a year. Our homeowners did not really cover theft of farm equipment and there were gaps if the horses got off property and were hit. Ask a ton of questions and don’t assume your umbrella covers what you think it does.
I’m glad this thread was started. Did not know all these details and will inquire. Thanks!
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