Buying Horsebox Insurance
Do you have a horse trailer attached to your vehicle? Your main vehicle may be insured when you tow it, however this may only be for limited liability cover. It is likely that you will require a separate insurance policy to make sure you’re covered correctly.
This is where horse trailer and horsebox insurance enter the picture. Remember, this insurance does not cover the horse, a separate policy will be required for this.
Horsebox doesn’t have a clear definition and can sometimes be a confusing term. In most instances, a horsebox is generally a motorised or non-motorised vehicle that is used for carrying and transporting a horse. A non-motorised horsebox is also referred to as a horse trailer in the UK.
No matter how you decide to move your horse, or any other animal, it can be expensive to transport it from one location to another. Because of this reason, it is important to consider the right level and type of insurance. This well help you remain road legal, and protect yourself in the unfortunate event of an accident or incident, whether it’s caused by you or a third party.
Note: It is imperative to know that horsebox insurance or horse trailer insurance is not there to protect the actual animal. You will be required to purchase horse insurance separately.
Motorised Horsebox Insurance
It is a legal requirement to have the right insurance in place, if you plan to take a motorised horsebox on the road. Depending on the level of cover you select, it will protect you, and any third party. If you have decided not to take the horsebox for a drive, you will still be required to have insurance. However, cover is not required if you have registered the horsebox as being ‘off road’. This can be done with a Statutory Off-Road Notice, also referred to as ‘SORN’
Insuring a horsebox is similar to having appropriate cover for any other road vehicle. This means that you will have three main levels of cover to choose from. These are the following: Comprehensive, third party fire and theft, and third party only.
Third Party Only: This is the minimum level of cover that is required by UK law. It will cover damage to third-party property, liability cover for accident and/or injury, and liability when towing a horsebox or horse trailer.
Third Party, Fire and Theft: This covers the above, in addition, it also covers fire damage, malicious damage and theft.
Comprehensive: This covers the above, in addition, it can also provide cover for windscreen damage, personal belongings, accidental damage, loss or damage to a vehicle, and medical expenses.
Along with the three main levels of cover, horsebox insurance options have other nuances too. Insurers may also ask how many stalls the horsebox has, is there living accommodation and whether it has been adapted for use through conversion.
Horse trailers can be expensive. Think about the value of the horse trailer when comparing horsebox insurance quotes online.
Horse trailer insurance – general exclusions
As you may already know, horses are very heavy animals. A horse trailer should not weigh more than the vehicle that is towing it. For this reason, we recommend referring to the manufacturer’s guidelines of the horse trailer. Failure to do this may result in any claim you make being turned down, thus voiding your insurance.
Think about the security of your horse trailer. An insurance company may apply an endorsement to ensure you have a wheel clamp when the trailer is not in use. Registering your horse trailer on a recognised database can also help you improve security and meet specific insurance requirements.
As with most insurance policies, cover can vary from provider to provider. There will be many standard features as well as optional extras that can be purchased in addition to the main policy. Make sure you’re buying the right level of cover that meets your needs. Avoid paying for optional extras that are not important to you. Some insurers will include breakdown cover as standard, whilst others will offer this to you as an add-on. Breakdown cover will be essential for most, as you will need to either stable or transport your horse as soon as possible, if you’re involved in an accident or incident.
Is your horsebox or horse trailer used for business? If yes, you will need to consider a multitude of other insurance types. Some of these will be included within a horsebox insurance or horse trailer insurance policy, however, this doesn’t always apply. Here are a number of things to consider:
- Employers’ liability insurance
- Public liability insurance
- Carriage of goods / Goods in transit
- Haulage cover
- Motor Trade Insurance cover (if you buy and sell horseboxes)
We hope you found this guide to buying horsebox insurance useful. For more helpful hints and tips, why not subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
