Jeffrey Wade
Horses are powerful animals that can cause severe injuries to humans and damage to property. While there is no legal requirement for horses or riders to carry insurance when using roads, it is highly recommended that they do. This is because roads can be unpredictable, and riders cannot be sure how their horse will react. There are different types of insurance available for horses, including liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and sport horse insurance. Horse carriage businesses may also require insurance to protect against financial liabilities arising from accidents or injuries caused by their operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is there a legal requirement for insurance to ride a horse on the road? | No |
| Is insurance recommended for riding a horse on the road? | Yes |
| What type of insurance is recommended for riding a horse on the road? | Public liability insurance, personal accident cover |
| What does public liability insurance cover? | Legal costs or compensation for accidental injury to a member of the public or damage to property |
| What does personal accident cover include? | Death, loss of limb or sight, permanent total disablement, weekly benefits |
| What else should you consider when insuring a horse? | The activities you intend to do with the horse, the age of the horse, the value of the horse, horse trailer insurance, equestrian property insurance |
| Is insurance required for horse-drawn carriages on the road? | No, but it is recommended and may be required by the party hosting the event |
| What type of insurance is recommended for horse-drawn carriages? | Comprehensive liability insurance, equine insurance |
| Are there roadside assistance plans for horse owners? | Yes, USRider offers a plan that covers horse vans, tow vehicles, and trailers carrying horses |
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What You'll Learn
Horse riders don't need insurance to be on the road
In the UK, horse riders have the legal right to use public roads. This is established under common law, which recognises horse riders as legitimate road users. However, this right comes with the responsibility to adhere to the Highway Code and to ride in a manner that ensures the safety of all road users.
While there is no legal requirement for horse riders to have insurance to be on the road, it is highly recommended to have third-party liability insurance. This will protect the rider in case of an accident involving other road users. Horses are large, powerful animals that can move quickly to escape any perceived danger, and even the calmest of horses can behave unpredictably if startled. If a horse in a rider's care causes damage to property or injury, they may be liable to pay considerable costs. For example, if a horse escapes from its field at night and runs in front of a moving car, causing damage to the car and injury to the driver, the horse's owner or keeper may be made to pay compensation.
Personal injury compensation claims can sometimes run into millions, meaning that anyone who is uninsured risks losing their home and any other assets. Under the Animals Act 1971, 'strict liability' for damage or injury caused by animals falls to their owners or current keepers. 'Strict liability' is a standard of liability under which a person is legally responsible for the consequences of an activity, even in the absence of any fault.
Some horse owners may already have some liability cover included in their household policies, but it is generally for a comparatively small amount, and horses are sometimes excluded as they are not considered domestic pets. BHS Gold membership provides up to £30 million of public liability insurance cover, as well as personal accident cover. This includes protection for any horse you own, look after, or ride.
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Liability insurance for horses and carriages
Although there is no legal requirement for horses or riders to carry insurance when using roads, it is still a good idea to have liability insurance for horses and carriages. Horses are large animals that can cause severe injuries and considerable property damage, even when they don't intend to. According to Ohio State University, 10-30% of all horse-related injuries are head injuries. In addition, a survey of horse riders in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho found that 81% of riders had been injured at some point, and 21% had been seriously injured, requiring surgery, hospitalization, or resulting in long-term disability.
Horse owners can take precautions by installing fences, but it may be impossible to completely eliminate the risk of injury. Therefore, equine liability coverage is recommended to protect against the financial consequences of legal action. This coverage can include collision coverage, which pays for damages caused by collisions with other vehicles or objects, and third-party bodily injury and property damage caused by the horse(s). It can also provide coverage for claims against the owner regarding assault, battery, sexual abuse, or molestation.
Similarly, horse-drawn carriages do not need insurance to be operated on or off public roads, but carriage liability insurance is highly recommended. The owner/operator of a horse and carriage will be held responsible for any and all bodily injury and property damage caused by the horse and carriage. The unpredictable nature of horses and the possibility of driver errors or other environmental factors can quickly escalate into liability claims. Thus, a comprehensive horse carriage insurance policy is crucial to safeguard against these inherent risks.
Horse carriage liability insurance can provide coverage for legal liabilities arising from accidents or injuries caused by horse carriage operations, including damages or injuries to third parties or their property. Some insurance policies do not include coverage for the carriage, so separate property insurance or a specific clause in the policy may be needed to cover damage to the carriage itself. The cost of horse carriage business insurance can vary depending on factors such as location, the size of the operation, the number and type of carriages, and the events covered.
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Personal accident cover for horse riders
While there is no legal requirement for horse riders to carry insurance when riding on roads, it is still recommended that they take out personal accident cover. This is because the person most likely to be injured in a riding accident is the rider.
Personal accident insurance for horse riders provides a range of protections tailored to mitigate financial risks associated with horse riding or handling accidents. This coverage typically includes compensation for medical expenses resulting from injuries sustained while handling or riding horses, and reimbursement for rehabilitation costs. It also provides a lump sum if you are permanently disabled, lose a limb or your sight, or die while riding.
Personal accident cover costs can range drastically from company to company and depend on the level of cover and the policy holder's age. For example, KBIS offers a standalone personal accident insurance policy that covers the policyholder for accidents and illnesses that occur while riding, as well as incidents that can happen at any time, such as falling down the stairs. The policy provides a lump-sum benefit in the event of a serious injury and weekly benefits linked to income if the policyholder is temporarily unable to work. Harry Hall Insurance offers a Gold membership plan with £10 million in public liability insurance and personal accident cover starting at £4.92 per month. Enhanced rider fracture cover can be added for £1.50 per month.
It is important to shop around and look for the policy that's right for you. If you are a member of a society or organisation that offers insurance as part of the membership package, be sure to find out exactly what is covered and what is not.
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Horse insurance for high-value horses
While there is no legal requirement for horse riders to have insurance when out on the road, it is still a good idea to have some form of insurance for high-value horses. Horses are large, powerful animals that can cause severe injuries to humans and damage to property. As such, owners should consider liability insurance to protect themselves from claims and lawsuits. This type of insurance can cover legal fees and compensation costs, protecting your assets from expensive claims.
Mortality insurance is another option for high-value horses. This type of insurance depends on the horse's value, usually ranging from 2.5% to 4% in annual premiums. For instance, a horse valued at $7,000 may have annual premiums between $220 and $280. The more valuable the horse, the higher the premium. Some insurers offer agreed value policies, meaning they will pay the value stated on the policy at the time of loss. Other insurers provide fair market value or actual cash value coverage, where the payout is based on the horse's value at the time of death or when the illness or injury resulting in death occurred.
Medical and surgical insurance can be purchased in addition to mortality coverage, with average annual costs ranging from $150 to $250. This covers various deductibles and flat fees, generally ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 in coverage limits, with deductibles of around $150 to $250. Loss-of-use insurance is another relevant coverage for high-value horses, compensating owners if the horse can no longer perform its intended use due to illness or injury. This type of insurance is particularly important for horses used in professional capacities and may involve extensive vet checks and the exclusion of pre-existing conditions.
When determining the value of your high-value horse for insurance purposes, several factors come into play, including the animal's bloodlines, conformation, training, offspring, and competition records. It is crucial to provide accurate documentation, such as receipts for training fees, stud fees, and show records, to prove the horse's value.
Overall, while insurance for high-value horses is not mandatory when riding on roads, it is a prudent decision to have liability, mortality, medical, and loss-of-use insurance to protect yourself financially and ensure your horse's well-being.
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Horse trailer insurance
While there is no legal requirement for horse riders to have insurance when riding on the road, it is still a good idea to have some form of cover in case of accidents. Horses are powerful animals that can cause unintended harm to people and property. Horse owners can be held responsible for any injuries and property damage caused by their horses. Therefore, it is recommended that owners consider liability insurance for their horses.
Similarly, horse trailers are also not required to be insured by law. However, given the high cost of horse trailers and the potential risks of trailer accidents, it is advisable to have horse trailer insurance. A horse trailer insurance policy can protect your investment by covering physical damage to the trailer and its contents due to traffic collisions, fire, theft, vandalism, or "acts of God". Some policies may also provide liability insurance if you add a trailer endorsement or rider to your existing auto insurance policy.
In addition to insurance, horse owners can also consider joining a roadside assistance program specifically designed for equestrians, such as USRider. These programs offer benefits like towing services for vehicles, trucks, and trailers, as well as discounts on equine-related goods and services, and access to travel and safety information.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no legal requirement for a horse or rider to carry insurance to use roads. However, it is strongly recommended that you have third-party liability insurance when riding in public.
Third-party liability insurance covers you for any legal costs or compensation involved if your horse causes accidental injury to a member of the public or damage to property. Horses are large animals capable of causing considerable damage to people and property.
You need to make sure your horse is insured for the activities you intend to do with them. For example, if you travel a lot with your horse, you may want to consider horse trailer insurance. If your horse is older than 20 years, you'll need to look for mature or veteran horse insurance.
Horse trailer insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your horse trailer or horsebox if it gets lost, stolen, or damaged.
Other types of horse insurance include personal accident cover, sport horse insurance, and equestrian property insurance. Personal accident cover insures you in the event that you or anyone you permit to ride your horse suffers an accident or serious injury. Sport horse insurance is designed for high-value horses that compete in events and are, therefore, more at risk of injury. Equestrian property insurance covers your home and its contents, as well as those of your horse, under one policy.
