If you offer horse-drawn vehicle rides, you want to make sure you have the proper insurance coverage.
Whether you’re giving a wagon ride for a child’s birthday party or a romantic carriage ride so a customer can propose, you’re responsible for incidents involving passengers and bystanders.
Because horses can sometimes act unpredictably – especially in busy areas – you also need to be concerned about property damage. This places horse vehicle incidents at a high-risk level.
What you’ll discover in this report:
- Common claims involving carriage and wagon rides
- How to plan ahead
- Coverage offered by a commercial general liability policy
Top Claims Involving Horse Carriages and Wagons
The most common claim incidents involving horse-drawn vehicles include:
- Passengers getting in/out of the horse-drawn vehicle
- Passengers falling (or jumping) off horse drawn vehicles, injuring themselves or losing/damaging their personal property
- Horses damaging vehicles on the street
- Frightened horses pulling the vehicle uncontrollably, damaging cars, buildings, lawns or other property
- Bystanders getting too close to the horse, which causes the horse to bite, kick, or step on the bystander
How To Plan Ahead
We know you care about the horses and the people that come for a carriage ride or wagon ride. Below are steps you can take to protect yourself against potential accidents.
Enforce 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
The Occupiers’ Liability Act states that the stable owner/operator owes a duty of care to the people who enter their premises. This 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 the waiver. 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.
Purchase an equine specific 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?
A commercial general liability policy responds to offer coverage for:
- Lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage caused by in the course of 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.
Contact Us Today
At Henry Equestrian, Powered by NFP, we understand horses and we want to make sure you and the passengers in your horse-drawn vehicles are protected. Contact us today to learn more or click below for a free, no-obligation quote.