When heading out to an equestrian event with a horsebox, your top priority is the safety of your animals onboard. Though you drive your horsebox with the utmost care and attention, things can still go wrong. Specialist horsebox insurance offers the reassurance that should the unexpected happen, you’ll not only be financially covered but also have access to support strategies that help you deal with mishaps when transporting horses.
What is horsebox insurance?
Horsebox insurance is a specialist cover designed for driven horseboxes rather than towed horse trailers. Though taking out insurance for a horse trailer isn’t compulsory, it is a legal requirement to hold insurance cover for a horsebox. It’s a good idea to secure cover for your horsebox through an experienced insurer like Park Insurance because you need to think carefully about the type of coverage you’ll need and the support you may require if something happens while your equines are in transit.
If your horsebox is used by a livery yard, you may have multiple drivers using the horsebox, including young drivers. You may hire out your horsebox or simply use it for social and pleasure purposes. This specialist policy must be tailored to reflect your unique needs, ensuring this valuable asset is well protected. A horsebox insurance quote online may not accurately reflect your needs, so always speak to your chosen insurer directly.
When might I need horsebox insurance?
A road traffic collision is always distressing, but when you’re transporting horses, the scenario can become more complex. If your horsebox is involved in an accident on a busy road, you may need the vehicle to be towed and the animals on board to be safely extracted from the scene. Many horsebox owners opt for a policy with horsebox breakdown recovery, including animal transportation.
Many horseboxes are high-value vehicles and it’s therefore prudent to protect your investment with robust insurance cover. If transporting horses is a vital part of your business, don’t be left unable to afford a replacement following the loss of your horsebox through theft, damage, or a serious accident. Make sure you take out an insurance policy with sufficient cover to reflect the value of your vehicle, minimising business interruption by getting you back on the road as soon as possible.
What types of policies are available?
By law, you must hold at least third-party cover for your horsebox. Many equestrians choose to take out comprehensive cover for ultimate peace of mind since horseboxes can represent a significant financial investment.
When it’s time to take out a horsebox insurance quote, you’ll be asked to choose between:
- Third-party – which covers the costs of third-party damage but does not cover the cost of damage to your own horsebox.
- Third-party, fire and theft – which covers third-party claims and theft and fire damage but does not cover other damages to your horsebox.
- Comprehensive – which covers third-party claims and fire, theft, and damages to your horsebox.
Once you’ve selected your level of coverage, you’ll be asked to choose your usage category:
- Social, domestic, and pleasure – for those horse owners who transport their horses for hikes, vet visits, or equestrian events where there is no financial gain.
- Business – for those who hire out their horsebox to other horse owners or attend equestrian events and competitions for potential financial gain – such as racehorses and eventers.
- Temporary horsebox insurance – if you’re hiring a horsebox, you may need to take out temporary cover for the period you use it.
What is and isn’t covered?
A good horsebox insurance policy may cover:
- The cost of replacing your horsebox in the event of a total loss
- Damage caused by horses in transit
- Windscreen and windows
- Key and locks, when the key is stolen
- Audio and visual technology
- Third-party personal injury and property damage
There is usually the option to add horsebox breakdown cover, with transport for the animals onboard or overnight accommodation. Due to the nature of many equestrian businesses, there is also often the option to add European and continental travel cover, with breakdown assistance in your named countries.
Horsebox insurers tend to prefer drivers over 25 or over 30 for temporary policies. For a premium, you can include younger drivers, but you should be aware that some policies will not cover drivers under 21.
It’s essential to understand what isn’t commonly covered, including replacement keys and locks when you’ve lost the keys, normal wear and tear, normal tyre damage, injury to the horses onboard (you’ll need separate pet insurance to protect your animals in transit), and personal possessions, such as tack. Also of note, the weight of your horsebox will be requested, and some policies have a weight limit.
How much will horsebox insurance cost?
Several factors will be considered when calculating your premium, including the age, make, and value of your horsebox, whether it will be driven abroad, the number of drivers to be named on the policy (and their ages), whether you need hire and reward cover (for renting out your horsebox), and the intended usage.
There are savings to be made by paying annually rather than monthly, enhancing the safety features of your horsebox (such as tracking devices and cameras), having an older and experienced named driver, and only driving a limited mileage annually.
Park Insurance has over three decades of experience tailoring specialist insurance policies. To find out more about how we can protect your horsebox, get in touch with our team of friendly insurance experts today.