This is the third and final segment of our comprehensive blog series on equine insurance policies. Our first two blogs discussed coverages for equine mortality, injury, and loss of use, and private horse owner equine liability insurance. In this section, we will explore commercial equine liability insurance coverage policies that are designed to protect owners and their businesses from liability claims. It’s crucial that when accidents happen you have comprehensive equine insurance to cover you, your horse, your facility, and your employees from any legal claims filed against you.
What is Commercial Equine Liability Insurance?
Commercial equine liability insurance coverage is an umbrella policy to protect your equine business from damages and third-party injuries. Coverage is essential for all owners, trainers, instructors, and boarding facilities where there is a risk of injury or property damage from equine use and activities. No equine business is the same, so commercial policies can be customized to fit your company’s needs. Policies can vary depending on how many horses need to be covered, what types of activities are provided at your facility/business, and the size of your business. Commercial equine liability insurance covers:
- Bodily injury or property damage from riding lessons, horse training, boarding, and/or transportation.
- Legal expenses such as settlements and judgment costs if a lawsuit is filed.
Please note that commercial liability policies differ from personal liability insurance and its important to understand their differences. Personal liability insurance aims to protect the horse owner from personal injury claims arising from damage to others by your horse. Typically, personal liability policies cover you when your horse causes damage on someone else’s insured property. This coverage only covers horses used for personal activities and will not protect you or your commercial endeavors from liability claims. We advise speaking with an equine law firm and insurance team before determining the best policy for your needs.
Why Commercial Equine Liability Insurance is Necessary
No one plans for accidents, but they can happen at any given moment. Equine businesses should be aware of the risks associated with commercial use, so they are prepared for every situation. Commercial equine liability insurance covers many business-related activities, including:
- A client got injured after being kicked by one of your horses during commercial activities. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to concussions and fractures.
- Property damage to a client or third party, including horse transportation or damage to others’ property caused by your horse.
- Contract disputes during boarding, training, or sales, resulting in legal issues.
- Negligence claims in the event of improper supervision or inability to maintain facilities properly.
- Regulatory compliance with all local, state, and federal equine laws covering equine welfare, safety, zoning, and business license requirements.
As an owner of an equine business, it is important to fulfill legal responsibilities beyond what is covered by insurance. This includes taking preventive measures to avoid foreseeable injuries to staff members and clients. Meeting these responsibilities involves maintaining a safe and supervised facility, having a well-trained staff, and keeping equipment up to date.
Another layer of protection you can incorporate at your equine facility is liability waivers and releases. These can help minimize legal risks by demonstrating that your clients acknowledge and accept all the inherent risks associated with horse-related activities, including those that may be or may not be covered by your State’s Equine Activities Liability Act
How to Choose the Right Policy
Choosing the right policy can be daunting due to the numerous factors that need to be considered for full protection under your commercial equine liability insurance. Speaking with an experienced equine law attorney will ensure your business is covered for all activities, including training, boarding, and equine events. Below is a list of questions to ask yourself before selecting the right policy for your commercial property, so you feel confident as an equine business owner. Asking yourself these questions will help you make better decisions about coverage plans and determine if you need horse trainer liability insurance, boarding or transportation insurance, or equine event insurance.
1. Commercial Training Activities
- What type of equine training services do you offer?
- What high-risk activities may be involved in your equine training program?
- How many clients and horses does your facility usually have?
- What equipment do you use during your training lessons?
- Is there a risk of injuries to clients or damage to your horses during training lessons?
- Do your clients own the equipment they use during your training?
2. Commercial Boarding Activities
- Do you offer stall boarding, pasture boarding, or medical care boarding?
- How many horses are typically boarded at once?
- What security do you have to prevent escapes or incidents from occurring?
- Do you have veterinary care on-site?
- Do any of the horses you board have special diets or medical treatments?
- Do you need coverage in cases one of the horses at your boarding facility injures another horse or person?
Consulting Clayborne & Wagner for Commercial Equine Insurance
Get peace of mind with a team of experienced equine attorneys who know the ins and outs of equine law and liability. Feel confident that your equine business is fully protected with our equine law services. While no one wants to think of the what-ifs and possible accidents, it’s important to be prepared for them when they do happen. At Clayborne & Wagner LLP, our team of expert equine attorneys will help you with every step of commercial equine insurance coverage policies. Contact us today and let us help you with your equine legal assistance needs.
We hope you enjoyed our three-part insurance blog series!