Hiring a horsebox can be something of an undertaking so it’s worth knowing the complications and risks before you get started. Whether you use it for transporting your horses to competitions, to events, or simply for leisurely rides around the countryside, ensuring your horsebox is protected with the right insurance is essential. Horsebox insurance provides the peace of mind and financial security to safeguard your equine transport against various risks and liabilities. Even if you’re hiring for a short time, you’ll probably need cover.
But there’s more to hiring a horsebox than insurance. This comprehensive guide delves into hiring a horsebox and the importance of horsebox insurance, including the various coverage options available to those interested in horsebox hire.
Why Hire a Horse Box Rather Than Buy One?
Hiring a horse box represents a more cost-effective transport solution than ownership for several reasons:
- The maintenance costs are shifted to the rental company, which spares you from any repair expenses.
- Hiring gives you access to various horsebox models, which in turn accommodates your different needs and preferences.
- For those exploring equestrian activities or attending occasional events, hiring a horsebox would align with your intermittent or sporadic requirements. In other words – you only hire it when you need it.
- Renting eliminates the hassle of selling or storing a horsebox when you’re not using it, which keeps things simple.
Hiring a horsebox offers convenience, financial savings, and adaptability, making it an attractive option for many horse owners.
Understanding Horsebox Hire Insurance
Horsebox insurance, sometimes called self-drive horsebox insurance, is a specialised horse insurance product designed to protect horsebox renters and owners against financial losses resulting from accidents, damage, theft, or third-party liabilities associated with their horse transport vehicles. This specialised type of equine insurance covers the vehicle itself and any horses or equipment being transported, ensuring that all parties involved in any accident are adequately protected.
Different Types of Horsebox Insurance Coverage
Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive horsebox insurance offers the most extensive protection – it covers damage to your vehicle caused by accidents, fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. It also includes coverage for third-party liabilities, medical expenses, and any legal costs that could arise from accidents involving you and your horsebox.
Third-Party Liability Insurance: Third-party liability insurance protects you against claims from third parties for property damage or bodily injury caused by their vehicle. This coverage is essential for covering legal expenses and compensation payments in the event of accidents or incidents involving your horsebox.
Breakdown Assistance: Some policies include breakdown assistance services, providing roadside assistance and support for mechanical failures, flat tyres, or other issues while transporting horses. This can often be added onto an existing insurance policy for an additional cost.
Horse Insurance: In addition to insuring the horsebox itself, many equestrians choose to purchase separate horse insurance to protect their equine companions against illness, injury, theft, or death during transport.
Commercial horsebox insurance – what’s the difference?
Like any other motorised vehicle, you must have the right insurance to drive legally on UK roads. Specialist brokers can find you the right cover, whether you’re driving a full-sized HGV or towing a trailer. But the moment you accept payment from a third party to use your motorised horsebox, you need commercial cover that treats that vehicle as a business asset, and you as the operator. So before you even think about insurance you may also need to apply for an operator’s licence.
What Are The Benefits of Horsebox Insurance?
#1 Financial Protection: Horsebox insurance provides financial security and peace of mind, ensuring you can repair or replace your vehicle and cover associated expenses related to accidents, damage, or theft.
#2 Legal Compliance: In many countries, including the UK, having insurance coverage for your vehicle and horsebox is a legal requirement. By ensuring you have adequate insurance, you can avoid potential fines and penalties for non-compliance with insurance regulations.
#3 Peace of Mind: Knowing that you have insurance coverage for your horsebox allows you to enjoy peace of mind while travelling with your horses, as you’re protected against unforeseen risks and liabilities on the road.
In Which Scenarios Is Horsebox Insurance Useful?
Here are some everyday situations where horsebox insurance would prove invaluable:
Accidents and Collisions: Even if you take every possible precaution, accidents will still happen on the road. Whether it’s a collision with another vehicle or an obstacle on the road, the risk of accidents is inherent when travelling with horses.
Horsebox insurance covers damages to your vehicle and any injuries sustained by your horses in the event of an accident. From minor fender benders to more severe collisions, having insurance ensures that you can repair your horsebox and provide necessary medical care for your horses without worrying about the financial burden.
Theft and Vandalism: Horsebox theft is a significant concern for owners, especially when parked in unfamiliar areas during competitions or overnight stays. Thieves may target horseboxes for their high value and the potential for valuable equipment stored inside.
Insurance offers protection against theft and vandalism, covering the cost of replacing your vehicle if it is stolen or damaged by vandals. This coverage provides peace of mind knowing that you are financially protected in the event of theft or malicious acts.
Third-Party Claims: Accidents involving horseboxes can result in third-party claims for property damage or bodily injury. For example, if your horsebox swerves on the road and damages another vehicle or causes injuries to pedestrians, you could be liable for the damages.
Third-party liability insurance included in horsebox insurance policies covers legal expenses and compensation payments for third-party claims, protecting you from potentially costly lawsuits.
Breakdowns and Mechanical Failures: Mechanical failures and breakdowns can occur unexpectedly, leaving you stranded on the side of the road with your horses. Whether it’s a flat tyre, engine failure, or electrical issues, breakdowns can disrupt your travel plans and pose risks to the safety of your horses.
Horsebox insurance policies may include breakdown assistance services, providing roadside assistance and towing to get you back on the road quickly. This coverage ensures you can access support and resources to resolve mechanical issues and safely continue your journey.
Emergency Veterinary Care: If your horse becomes ill or injured during transport, insurance could cover emergency veterinary expenses.
From minor injuries to more severe medical emergencies, having insurance ensures that you can provide prompt medical care for your horses without worrying about the financial implications. Emergency veterinary coverage may include treatments, medications, surgeries, and hospitalisation, depending on the severity of the condition and your particular insurance policy.
Natural Disasters: Horsebox insurance also protects against damages caused by natural disasters such as floods, storms, and wildfires. These events can pose significant risks to your horsebox and the safety of your horses, especially when travelling for competitions to areas prone to extreme weather conditions. Insurance coverage for natural disasters ensures that you can repair or replace your vehicle quickly and provide necessary care for your horses in the aftermath of a disaster.
By having horsebox insurance in place, you can confidently navigate these scenarios, knowing that you have comprehensive protection for your equine transport and the well-being of your horses.
What Else Should You Consider When Buying Horsebox Insurance?
When purchasing horsebox insurance, it’s essential to consider a few other factors, including:
Your Horsebox’s Value: you need to ensure your insurance policy provides adequate coverage for the value of your horsebox and specifies any modifications or upgrades you’ve made to it.
How you use your horsebox: Be transparent with your insurance provider about how you intend to use it- whether for personal or commercial purposes – as this may affect your coverage options and premiums.
Your Security Measures: Implementing security measures such as alarms, immobilisers, and tracking devices can help reduce the risk of theft and may lower your insurance premiums.
The Claims Process: Familiarise yourself with the claims process and requirements of your insurance policy to ensure a smooth and efficient claims experience in the event of an accident or incident.
Other insurance
If you do decide to hire out your horsebox on either a hire and reward or self-drive basis, you may also need to consider other insurance cover. If you employ someone to drive the vehicle then you will need to not only make sure they are covered on your insurance policy, but that you are also covered with Employer’s liability insurance too.
Park Insurance specialists also strongly recommend that you take out Public Liability and Personal Liability cover too. This means that you are protected financially if someone is injured whilst driving or using your vehicle.
You may be able to earn a reasonable income hiring out your horsebox, but make sure you have all the facts and figures in front of you first before deciding to make your asset ‘earn its keep’ – including getting the right horsebox hire insurance cover.
Hire and Reward or Self-drive?
If you are hiring out your box and providing a driver (and that could be you or another person authorised to drive the vehicle), you need to ensure that you have ‘Hire and Reward’ insurance. If, however, you are hiring out the vehicle you will need to make sure that the box is covered by self-drive hire cover – and that can be difficult to find.
“Horsebox hire insurance is a highly specialist market in itself, but if you then take it to the next level and start specifying self-drive or hire and reward cover, you may find that your options are very limited,” comments Marc Loud from specialist insurance brokers Park Insurance. “While there are providers out there for both types of cover, they are expensive and, in some cases, very limited as to what they actually offer cover for. And you also need to bear in mind that some companies will only provide self-drive cover if you have been trading as a transport business for a minimum of three years. So while it may seem like a good way to earn some extra cash, you do need to weigh up the pros and cons of using your horsebox as a money-making asset,” he adds.
Horsebox insurance is an essential investment for any equestrian enthusiast who owns a horsebox or trailer. By providing comprehensive coverage for your equine transport vehicle, horsebox insurance offers the peace of mind and financial security you need to enjoy worry-free travel with your horses.
At Park Insurance, we understand the unique insurance needs of horse owners and can help you find the right insurance policy to fit your requirements and budget. Contact us today to discuss your insurance needs and request a quote.
With our expertise and personalised service, we’ll help you safeguard your equine transport and enjoy peace of mind on the road.