There are risks when you mix humans and horses together.
Not every visitor has experience with horses. Some have little or no experience handling, riding or training horses. And horses are large animals that can sometimes act unpredictably.
No matter how well you train your horses, you want to make sure you’re protected against a claim or a lawsuit.
What you’ll discover in this report:
- The difference between boarding insurance and a farmowners policy
- Common claims against boarding businesses
- How to plan ahead
- Coverage offered by a commercial general liability policy
- Other types of insurance to consider
How Horse Boarding Insurance Differs From Farmowners Insurance
Your farmowners policy isn’t that different from your homeowners policy, except that it covers you for raising, keeping and selling anything you have on your farm, including livestock.
But you’re not protected if you keep horses that belong to another owner if it’s a commercial venture. If you charge a fee or accept payment in another form of compensation, you need horse boarding insurance.
Top Claims Against Horse Boarding Businesses
The most common claim incidents involving horse boarding businesses include:
- A boarder gets hurt when their horse acts unpredictably because you didn’t contain, control or mark a hazard
- A boarder’s visitor suffers an injury while riding the boarded horse, watching the rider or petting the horse
- A boarded horse gets loose through a damaged fence or open barrier and runs into traffic, causing an accident
- A boarded horse is injured or dies within your care or on your property because of negligence
How To Plan Ahead
We know you care about the horses and the people who visit your farm. Below are steps you can take to protect yourself against potential accidents.
Enforce barn rules
Develop rules for your environment for both horses and people. Train staff members so they understand rules and procedures. Document procedures.
Plan for emergencies
Emergencies happen. But the more prepared you are, the better chance you have of providing proper care to your horses. Preparation can minimize the severity of any accident.
Develop semi-annual inspections of your property
By inspecting your premises for potential hazards, you can take care of them before an incident occurs.
Prepare a written waiver and review your province’s Occupiers’ Liability Act
Your province's Occupiers’ Liability Act could state that the stable owner/operator owes a duty of care to the people who enter their premises, which assures that any property they bring on your premises is also reasonably safe.
Anyone who participates in horse activities on your premises needs to complete and sign your province’s waiver, if applicable. Make sure to keep signed forms on file and safely stored. You are free to restrict, modify or exclude this duty of care through your written waiver.
Follow Provincial Safety Regulations
Check your provincial safety regulations regarding helmet use for minors and if helmets need to meet certain criteria, such as ASTM, BSI or European Safety Standards. Footwear is also often regulated (i.e. hard-soled footwear with a heel of no less than 1.5 centimeters).
Purchase an equine liability insurance policy
Protect you and your business with an insurance company that knows horses and your business. You want to make sure that any legal fees are covered, claim costs and settlements to ensure that in the case of an accident, your business doesn’t suffer a financial loss.
What’s Included in the Commercial General Liability Policy?
The policy gives you maximum limits or amounts of liability insurance for:
- Lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage caused by conducting your business operations
- Legal defense costs: You can save your business the financial burden of court costs if you’re sued, whether or not the case has merit.
- Claims or settlement costs: Without this policy, the business could be held responsible for bodily injury and property damage claims.
Other Coverages To Consider
In addition to horse boarding insurance, you should also consider:
- Care, custody and control liability: This policy protects you from expenditures for loss, illness or injury that could happen to a boarded horse in your care
- Tack, equipment and machinery: Protect your tools and your business by insuring your tack, equipment and machinery against loss or damage
Get Horse Boarding Insurance Today
At Henry Equestrian, Powered by NFP, we understand horses and we want to make sure your operation is protected with the right coverage. Contact us today to learn more or click below for a free, no-obligation quote.