Does my horse have to be insured before i can ride it?

Question

i am finally getting a horse and i have just been told it needs to be insured before i can even think about riding it, is this true and if so how much does it cost?

Answer 1

http://www.agririsk.com/

http://www.horseinsurance.com/

I use Markel for several horses, and they are really nice about quotes.Price depends on full mortality, loss of use, and colic surgical options per thousand/ value. Private owners are not required to insure, but if your barn requiers it these links can get u ready to ride  in minuites,more with a vet check ( fee for vet, varies 90-200$) depending on what you chose for your insurance package. Some farm owners insurance companys cover minimum risk equine insurance in a "blanket policy" this might be what they are asking for. Its spendy,mines 2 grand a year for public libility at 3 mil.

Luck! And hey don't sweat  the small stuff: Call Markel, hug your horse and have a lovely ride!And grats on new horse!

Answer 2

it's your choice to insure the horse. To my knowledge, they are no laws stating that you must have insurance to ride. I have three currently and non are insured.

Answer 3

It depends on if you are buying the horse on time payments or if you are paying for it outright.

If buying it on a time payment plan, then yes, you will need to insure it. If you are paying outright, then it is your choice to insure or not.

Will you be boarding it? If so, they may require insurance. Ask and they will tell you.

Have fun and good luck! Horses are a great way to learn about responsibility and love.

Answer 4

If you're talking about liability insurance, some boarding stables require that you carry a specified amount of liability insurance and name the boarding stable as a covered entity.  Palos Verdes Stables here in SoCal, where I boarded my horse for a while, required that boarders carry $1 million of liability insurance to indemnify the stable against liability.

We found that for a slight cost or no cost (can't remember which), we could obtain this coverage under our homeowner's insurance policy.

If it is a liability policy that is required by a boarding stable, I suggest you call (or have your parents call) the company they have insurance with and ask them about it.  

Liability insurance is not a bad thing to have if you own horses and ride them anywhere near public roads.  If, god forbid, your horse is involved in a horse-vs-car accident, you could find claims against you from the occupants of the car totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.  

Liability insurance also covers you in case your horse does something like harm a shoer or a vet, who then might sue you for damages;  or claims against you if someone sues you because of something your horse does to them.  

Normally, unless a boarding stable requires it, there is no law or other such requirement that you carry insurance.  If this is a municipal or other requirement, I would suggest you ask other horse owners who they are insured with and how much it costs.  

Good luck to you!