Private Horse Owner's Liability
Your horse may be one of your most important possessions, but it can also be your biggest liability.  Individual horse owners place themselves and their assets at risk every time their horse comes in contact with people.  Equine-related lawsuits occur more frequently than you may think.  Many homeowners' policies limit this type of equine liability coverage or exclude it altogether.

If you own horses but do not operate a commercial horse business, Markel's Private Horse Owner's Liability policy protects you against legal claims that your horse caused bodily injury or property damage to a third party on or off premises - even if your horse is kept at an independently owned stable.  Combined with a Markel mortality policy, Private Horse Owner's Liability coverage can guard both your equine investment and your personal assets.

Coverage Highlights

• Coverage applies on or off premises anywhere in the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories
• Limits of $300,000 to $1 million available
• General Liability Aggregate limits are 3 times the liability per occurrence limit
• Medical payments up to $5,000 included
• Can be added to your Mortality policy

Optional Coverages

• International Liability - covers horses taken outside the continental U.S. to specified countries for shows, exhibitions, etc.
• Commercial Umbrella Liability - with limit up to $10 million

Note: not all coverages are available in all states.

This coverage is not available to individuals involved in commercial equine operations* (example: trail rides, riding instruction, race training, commercial breeding, boarding or leasing of horses which you do not own), or if you own more than 10 horses. If you are involved in a commercial operation, please complete our Commercial Equine Liability application.

*Commercial equine operation: where the insured is actively involved in breeding, boarding, training, leasing of horses and/or any activity noted above and receives monetary value or other compensation.

That's why if you...

• Board, breed, race or train horses
• Give riding instruction
• Conduct these activities on a rented premises
• Own an equine facility protected by property insurance, but not liability insurance

...you need Markel's Commercial Equine Liability coverage.

Markel insurance professionals have years of experience handling equine liability claims.  They'll ensure that a claim against you is resolved fairly, with consideration for all parties involved.

Coverage Highlights

• Liability limits of $300,000 to $1 million
• General Liability Aggregate limits are 3 times the liability occurrence limit
• Commercial general liability coverage applies on and off premises in the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories
• Provides Bodily Injury and Property Damage limits
• Fire Legal liability up to $100,000 at no charge (in most states)
• Medical payments up to $5,000
• Limited professional liability coverage for trainers, riding instructors and clinicians
• Personal/Advertising injury included
• Products/completed operations included
• No liability deductible
• Defense cost paid in excess in policy limit

Optional Coverages

• Care, Custody and Control - a "must" if you care for someone else's horse.
• Defense and court costs for litigation, and payment for judgments up to the aggregate policy amount (per animal limit applies)
• $10,000 liability limit for non-owned horse equipment
• Choose from various limits to meet your needs
• No deductible applies
• Available by endorsement to your Commercial Equine Liability or Equi-Farm Package policy
• Excess or Umbrella Liability (with limits up to $10 million) - Umbrella coverage is an excess limit of general liability over third party liability coverages.  We require the primary general liability policy to be written with Markel Insurance Company.  The Auto and Employers Liability can be written with outside carriers that are A- rated admitted.  Self Insured Retention of $10,000.
• International Liability - covers horses taken outside the continental U.S. to specified countries for shows, exhibitions, etc.

       Note: not all coverages are available in all states.

Markel's Property & Casualty products are offered through the Glen Allen, Virginia office. Both offices will work together to bring you both Mortality and Farm coverages.  For more information about Markel's Farm Package and Liability Coverages, please contact your insurance agent.

 NOTE: Actual coverages are subject to various terms, conditions and exclusions.
Full copies of wordings can be provided upon request.