If you own, ride or look after horses, then you’ll understand the importance of public liability insurance. If your horse injures someone, or damages their property, you could be legally responsible either in negligence or under the Animals Act 1971.

As any horse owner knows, horses are expensive enough to look after without factoring in a huge compensation claim.

However well-trained a horse is, it is still an animal — and a large animal at that — and all animals can be unpredictable, so while we might do our best to take all the right precautions, the fact is that accidents can and do still happen.

This is why public liability insurance for horses is so important, particularly as we head into the competition season.

What does it cover?

Public liability insurance covers your legal liability to others for compensation and costs arising from the ownership or use of your horse.

Think of it as being like having third-party insurance for your car. For example, your horse could spook while you’re out riding and bump a passing car, or it could kick out and injure another rider.

It could escape its paddock and be involved in a road traffic accident causing both damage to the car and injury to the driver.

Why is public liability insurance important?

Depending on the injury/damage, compensation and costs can be really high and even if you’re not found liable for any damage or injury caused by your horse, legal fees can still add up.

There have been plenty of well-publicised cases in the news, in particular a case reported by the BBC, where a young woman was left paralysed after falling from a horse, and a court ruled that she was owed full compensation from the horse’s owner that ran into millions.

What isn’t covered?

Read your policy wording very carefully. You won’t be covered if your horse injures someone or damages property in certain circumstances.

Here are a few examples:

  • Your horse has behavioural problems or has previously displayed aggressive behaviour towards other animals or people.
  • Your horse is being handled by someone without your permission.
  • The damage is caused to the property of someone with whom you have a contractual relationship, such as your livery yard owner.

Riding on the road

While there’s no legal requirement to have public liability insurance when riding on the road, responsible riders do.

Level of cover

Horse Rider Only Insurance from The Insurance Emporium comes with public liability cover of up to £3m for adult policies, and £2.5m for junior policies. It is designed for anyone who rides, even if they don’t own the horse they’re riding.

Public Liability is also an optional benefit of our Horse Insurance policies and both offer an *introductory discount (15% for horse rider policies and 20% for horse policies).

If you’re involved in an incident

If something happens that could result in a third-party claim against you, the most important thing to is not to admit any responsibility, agree to pay anything, or take part in any negotiation.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible so that they can handle your claim, making sure you forward to them all legal documents you receive so that they can act on your behalf.

Final thoughts

Nobody likes to think that the horse they’re riding, or that they own, is going to cause damage or injury, but the very definition of an accident is ‘something bad that happens that is not expected or intended and that often damages something or injures someone’.

Making sure you are covered in case the unexpected happens is the first important step.

Take a look at The Insurance Emporium’s website and get a free, no-strings quote today.

*The 15% and 20%  Introductory Discount(s) is available from the start of the policy until its first review/renewal date.

Lifestyle Policy Limited is an appointed representative of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited. The Insurance Emporium is a trading name of The Equine and Livestock Insurance Company Limited (registered in England and Wales no: 294940) which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority no:202748.

All content provided on this blog is for informational purposes only. We make no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. We will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. We will not be liable for any loss, injury, or damage arising from the display or use of this information. This policy is subject to change at any time.

We offer a variety of cover levels, so please check the policy cover suits your needs before purchasing. For your protection, please ensure you read the Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) and policy wording, for information on policy exclusions and limitations.

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