Insurance for riding someone elses horse?

SuperH

SuperH

Well-Known Member
Joined
15 July 2010
Messages
1,275
Location
Powys
Visit site
I've been given the chance to ride (and look after) someones horse for a few days a week. I wouldn't be paying them and they wouldn't be paying me.

I just wanted to ask people's opinions on insurance; when I have had my own horses kept at home I have been insured through my house insurance should, for example, I fall off the horse then the horse causes damage to someones property or hits a car etc. With this being someone elses horse kept elsewhere what insurance do I need as the rider?

The owner wants me to sign a declaration that I won't sue her should I injure myself, but where do I stand if we injure someone else?

Opinions and advice gratefully received, thank you.
 
You need to get your own third party liability insurance. The cheapest way to get effective cover is with BHS membership, you get public liability and personal accident insurance included in the cost of membership (less than £60 a year). As an added bonus you are supporting a worthwhile charity. You will also get the magazine, which is 6 issues a year, not quarterly - result!

Oh and it works out cheaper if there is more than one person in your family wanting membership as you can get family or joint membership at a discounted rate.

It will cover you for riding or handling any horse with the owner's persmission (except for circumstances where the horse is used for hrie or reward).
 
Just a note on BHS's insurance - the personal accident part only covers you for death, loss of a limb or eyesight or total disability. If you want to be covered for less serious injuries, you will need a different policy.
 
Thank you!

I will look into that now. Having lived in my sheltered bubble and never ridden horses other than my own kept at home all this is new to me!

:-)
 
Kat said:
You need to get your own third party liability insurance.
Click to expand...
Why? This should be covered by the horses insurance policy provided the owner notifies the insurers that the OP will be riding the horse on a regular basis.
If OP want personal injury insurance thats another matter but 3rd party should be already covered.
 
PaddyMonty said:
Why? This should be covered by the horses insurance policy provided the owner notifies the insurers that the OP will be riding the horse on a regular basis.
If OP want personal injury insurance thats another matter but 3rd party should be already covered.
Click to expand...

It should be, but it isn't necessarily. My friend's insurance doesn't cover her horse for other people to ride him, however I can ride him because my insurance does cover it.

If the OP has her own policy then she has maximum protection in the event of a dispute or disagreement. I would not like to rely upon someone else's policy, how is the OP supposed to know if the owner of the horse cancels the policy because it gets too expensive, or if the owner invalidates the policy either intentionally or accidentally. The sort of cover that the BHS provide is a really good back up, it costs very little for the peace of mind you get and the other benefits (how many times on here do people suggest calling their members legal helpline?) it won't pay out if there is another policy in force but it is valuable back up cover, which is just what the OP needs.
 
You can get 'rider only' insurance policies - I had one via Scottish Equestrian. It covers a WHOLE HEAP OF THINGS, not just 3rd party liability. Well worth it for peace of mind.
 
I am going through the reverse of this at the moment, in that i am gettting a rider for my horse on a short-term basis.

I have bhs gold membership which, as no money is exchanging hands, will cover the new rider for 3rd party liability.

The BHS will not cover for personal injury. So i have made a waiver for her to sign. Waivers are often not worth the paper they are written on, as effectively you are getting someone to sign their rights away. You have to be very explicit, i.e. lay out the risks clearly so that the rider fully understands what she is signing away. I have included in mine that the rider must wear a fixed 3point harnessed helmet at all times when mounted, and that the rider understands that rider insurance is available for injury (including death) and it is her choice as to whether she takes it or not.

I have researched it quite a bit, and as a bhs member have taken their legal advice.

If it was me riding, and i was worried about injury/ death damage to myself or my belongings etc...i would take out my own rider insurance, im sure it wouldnt be that expensive, as well as bhs gold membership as they cover different things.

As riders we all know the risks involved in our sport, everytime we step foot ina stable or get on a horse there is a risk, its a shame that we all now feel the need to mitigate a possible liable case....and real fear of being sued :(
 
Thanks for all the advice.

I will also look into a rider only policy. Do you know if any of these cover me in the event that I injure the horse? I don't want to get in the situation of an accident and they claim I have ruined their horse?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top