Equine businesses face unique liability risks, including injuries to both riders and horses, property damage and professional liability. Taking out a basic Equine Commercial General Liability (CGL) insurance policy is often the first step in protecting yourself and your equine operation. However, it’s crucial to understand that this base policy will not provide coverage for wrongful acts as a professional or if you are found liable for the injury to or death of a non-owned horse in your care, custody or control.

Here, we take a comprehensive look at what coverage you might need for your operation and break down equine insurance terminology to help you better understand your coverage options.

Base Policy Coverage

A standard Equine CGL policy provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage to third parties. This means that if a guest or client is injured or if you accidentally damage someone else’s property during the course of your business operations, your CGL policy can help cover legal costs and settlements if you are found liable.

Many equine professionals are surprised to learn that the basic Equine CGL policy does not cover liability arising from wrongful acts as a professional, liability involving non-owned horses or injuries to employees. These important risks require additional endorsements or, in the case of employees, a separate policy altogether.

Included or Add-On Liability Coverage

This chart outlines the types of liability coverage included in or added on (by endorsement) to an Equine CGL insurance policy.

Common Coverages to Consider

Equine Professional Services Endorsement: If you offer equine sales, riding lessons, clinics, training, judging/officiating, show management, course design or other professional equine services, you should consider adding an Equine Professional Services endorsement. This policy endorsement provides coverage for wrongful acts such as actual or alleged errors, misstatements, misleading statements, act or omissions in the rendering of or the failure to provide Equine Professional Services that result in monetary damages. Without it, your base CGL policy won’t respond to claims that cause economic loss to a third party, like the result of an equine sale.

Equine Care, Custody or Control (CCC) Endorsement: Equine Care, Custody or Control (CCC) is a very important insurance coverage for all horse operations that involve non-owned horses (horses not owned by the insured). You should consider adding this coverage endorsement if you board, train or breed horses for others. If one of those horses is injured, stolen or dies while in your care and you are found negligent/legally liable, this policy will provide for the medical care or replacement cost of the horse up to the per horse policy limits. Defense costs are also covered up to the per horse policy limits.

CCC includes incidental transportation coverage for transportation of non-owned horses in your care while in the continental U.S. and Canada. The transportation must be incidental only (the horse must be a boarding, training or student horse in a regular program with you). There is no coverage for commercial hauling (horses that are not in a boarding, training or lesson program with you).

Workers’ Compensation Insurance: The Equine Commercial General Liability policy does not provide coverage if your employees are injured. You need a separate Worker’s Compensation policy for this coverage.

Why Comprehensive Coverage Matters

In the equine world, no two operations are alike—and neither are the risks. Whether you’re running a boarding facility, providing riding lessons, or training competition horses, it’s essential to assess the specific exposures of your business. Relying on a basic liability policy alone could leave you financially vulnerable in the face of a claim.

Partnering with an experienced equine insurance agency like Connaway & Associates allows you to customize your policy with the endorsements you need.

Demystifying the Equine Insurance Terminology

• Bodily Injury is a liability insurance term that includes bodily harm (in the Equine CGL policy, this relates to Bodily Injury to a person).
• Example: Your loose horse runs through a crowd at a horse show and injures spectators causing Bodily Injury. 

• Property Damage refers to physical harm or destruction of tangible property such as buildings, vehicles, or other property.
• Example: While riding your horse past a parked car, it bucks and kicks the car, causing physical damage/property damage.

• Wrongful act: a “wrongful act” is typically defined as an actual or alleged error, misstatement, misleading statement, act or omission in the rendering of or the failure to render Equine Professional Services that causes monetary damage.
• Example: A client purchases a horse from the insured, and then claims that the horse was misrepresented, suing the insured for monetary damages. The insured’s professional conduct in this incident allegedly caused the buyer financial harm.

For More:

• Learn more about equine insurance and colic-surgery reimbursement programs and how coverage works with leased horses here.
• To read more about Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc., click here.

About Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc.

Connaway and Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc., offers guidance, helping clients navigate the complexities of equine liability coverage. With decades of experience in the equine industry, their team understands the unique needs of horse owners, trainers, and equine professionals. They also specialize in tailored horse insurance solutions. Whether you’re managing a stable, operating a training business, or simply protecting your equine friend contact Connaway & Associates to discuss your specific insurance needs. Connaway & Associates on (501) 868-8084 or visit https://www.connaway.net.