Liability Coverage

Protect Your Business

A liability policy is one of those things you hope you'll never need, but if you do, could help save your business and even your reputation. It will help protect you if you are sued by a third party (such as a client, spectator, or passer-by) who is injured or whose property is damaged due to your commercial equestrian activities.

Liability policies provide for defense costs as well as pay claims for which you are legally liable up to the policy limits. Annual policy limits ranging from $300,000 to $1 million or higher are available.

Following are explanations of two types of liability policies that are available for professional equestrians:

Commercial Equine Liability
If you accept a fee or barter for your services, such as teaching lessons, boarding, training, buying/selling, breeding, putting on competitions, etc., you should definitely consider purchasing a Commercial Equine Liability (CEL) policy. If you perform these activities at one location, or many, coverage can follow you.

Care, Custody and Control
If you are responsible for the care of horses you do not own, such as boarding, training, or breeding, you should consider Care, Custody and Control (CCC) coverage. If one of those horses is injured or dies while in your care and the owner believes you were negligent and sues you, this policy will provide for the medical care or replacement cost of the horse up to the policy limits. It also will pay your defense fees. You can purchase this coverage alone -it must be added to a CEL policy.

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Independent Horse Shows and Events

If you organize horse shows, equestrian events, or clinics, you should consider a commercial liability policy to protect yourself. Coverage is provided for the days the activity takes place, and can also include coverage for a certain number of days for set-up and take-down.

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Equestrian Clubs and Associations

If you are part of a riding club or association, especially if you hold public events, you need to make sure that you have commercial liability coverage to protect your group if it is faced with a lawsuit by a third party.