TYPES OF LIABILITY POLICIES
If you are involved with horses in any way - as an owner,
rider, trainer, instructor, breeder, or as an operator of
a riding club, horse show/event, boarding facility, or riding
lessons facility - you need to have adequate liability insurance
to cover any unforeseen incidents involving yourself, your
horses, and your property. There are different types of
liability insurance policies available, and your particular
circumstances will dictate whether you need one or more
of the different types of liability insurance available.
This article provides a brief overview of the different
types of liability insurance policies that are available
to you. It is very important that you consult with an experienced
equine insurance specialist who will look at your individual
situation and advise you on the complete coverage that you
need for your particular circumstances.
Personal Horse Owner's Liability:
This type of insurance applies to horse owners who are not
commercially involved with horses. If you make any money
at all with your horses or with other peoples' horses, you
need to obtain additional liability insurance. As a horse
owner, you are responsible for any damage or injury your
horse(s) cause. This includes damage to person or property,
and includes damage caused by your horse both on and off
your premises. This also applies whether your horse is kept
on your premises or it is boarded elsewhere. You are responsible
for any damage or injury whether you are involved with horses
professionally or just personally, and most homeowner's
policies do not cover equine liability risks. It is important
that you are adequately covered for this type of liability
as a horse owner.
Farm / Boarding Facility Liability:
If you operate a farm or facility which is used for boarding,
training, breeding or other professional equine activities,
you need to have full liability coverage to protect you
in various areas from claims of injury, loss or property
damage. This includes premises/operations liability, personal
and advertising injury, fire liability, tack/other equipment
liability, and farm structure liability. This type of liability
insurance will cover your home and your horse operation,
on and off premises, including operations such as: boarding,
breeding, racing, training, horse shows and riding instruction.
Care, Custody and Control Liability:
This type of liability is needed for anyone who provides
care and has control of other people's horses at any time.
It protects against injury, loss, theft or death of other
people's horses that may be caused by your negligence while
they are in your care. This includes situations where you
may be training or transporting other people's horses. If
you are a trainer, boarder or are otherwise caring for others'
horses, you need to have this extra type of liability insurance
as almost all general liability policies do not provide
coverage for injury or death to any animal in your care,
custody or control.
Riding Instructor / Horse Trainer
(Commercial) Liability:
Any person who is involved with horses in a professional
capacity needs insurance to protect them from lawsuits.
A general liability policy under this category provides
protection for you while you are engaged in professional
equine activities whether you are on or off premises. This
includes any activities such as riding lessons, attendance
at shows/events, boarding, training, or transporting horses.
This type of liability insurance can cover you for anywhere
you work in the USA, and it will cover you on various equine
facility grounds and/or event locations. People who need
insurance in this category almost always need care, custody
and control liability insurance as well. If you are engaged
in any activity with horses for which you are paid, you
need this type of liability insurance. Your policy can be
tailored to meet your specific needs.
Riding Club / Horse Association
Liability:
If you operate a riding club or association involving horses,
you need to have liability coverage to protect your club's
activities, employees, volunteers and members. This type
of liability insurance will provide protection for damages,
loss, injury or death.
Horse Show / Equestrian Event Liability:
If you or your organization holds a horse show/event - on
or off your property - you should be fully insured against
liability in a number of different areas. You can obtain
liability insurance for shows/events that will provide coverage
for the days of the actual event, and for the set-up and
take-down days. You need liability insurance which covers
the event, sponsoring organization, event committee members,
officials and event land owners. This type of liability
insurance protects against lawsuits resulting from loss,
injury or death of any event employee, volunteer, or spectator.
It also protects you from lawsuits resulting from fire,
property damage or damage caused by horses in your care
during the event.
This month's article has provided an overview of the various
types of liability insurance you may need as a person or
organization involved with horses. It is of utmost importance
that you consult with an equine insurance consultant so
they may review the details of your specific situation to
determine your liability insurance needs. By having a review
conducted of your exposures you may just sleep better at
night!
The truth is Equine Insurance, if
not purchased correctly,
can cost you hundreds or perhaps hundreds of thousands of
dollars.
Call us toll free today for an evaluation of your needs
or simply complete a Quick Quote request by clicking on
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Disclaimer:
Articles from Equine World Insurance are offered for general
informational and educational purposes. They are not offered
as, intended as, and do not constitute legal advice or legal
opinions. It is our intention to keep this information current,
although we do not promise or guarantee that this information
is correct for your exact situation, complete or up-to-date.
You should not act or rely on the information in these articles
without seeking the advice of an attorney who is licensed
to practice in your state. |
