Sharing a horsebox... any pitfalls I should consider?

[Starbucks]

I have a 7.5 ton wagon I've kind of inherited from my parents. They don't use it, really but we all have a horse so pay 1/3 each when it comes to tax/test/insurance.

My pal at my new yard, who I know quite well from hunting, has just done her HGV and was planning to buy a lorry. She sends her horse away on full hunter livery in the winter but wants to get around for cubbing/summer stuff.

We hardly use our lorry so I've suggested she just use ours? It's sat there doing nothing most of the time and additional runs out will do it a favour really. We've just got it tested/taxed etc. so I've suggested she pay towards that (i.e 1/4) and then just use it when she needs it?

Am I being silly? Missing anything?

 

[TarrSteps]

Insurance? Will she needed to be added to your policy and will that change anything considering she is recently licensed? Liability for anything not covered by insurance?

 

[jenni999]

Get something in writing and signed. All costs to be shared (insurance, repairs, plating, tax) and she pays for her own fuel. I did this with a very good friend and it worked well.

 

[cptrayes]

You need to agree how to settle who gets the lorry on the one day a year you both really want to go to things that are in opposite directions.

And the cleaning rules. Mucked out at the end of each use, or washed down too?

For fuel, the easiest thing is for all users to return the lorry to base with a full tank. No arguments then.

Do you have breakdown cover? If not, does the cost of recovery fall on the person who was unlucky enough to be driving it at the time?

Damage to the lorry should be paid for by the owner of whoever's horse caused it. Ditto damage to the living, whoever caused it.


The arrangement should work well for you both if you set the rules up front.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Definitely make sure that the agreement says that if an accident should occur whilst she is in charge of the vehicle that damages the box (e.g. reverse into a gatepost) it must be repaired and any excess on insurance paid by her.