You know that owning a horse is both an emotional and a financial commitment. Expenses for food, tack, boarding, and vet care can really add up. But you also know they're all essential for protecting your horse. The same is true for equine insurance. If your horse were stolen, became seriously ill, or even worse, how would you handle that loss?

Horse owners place themselves and their assets at risk every time their horse comes in contact with people or property. Equine-related lawsuits occur more frequently than one may expect, and many homeowners' policies limit equine liability coverage, or many exclude it altogether.

So many times horse owners are not adequately protected from these types of situations, and may not even be aware of their risk until an accident happens. That's why we've developed the following list of questions to help you determine your basic equine insurance protection needs.

Q: Have you invested time or money in your horse?

A: The financial investment in your horse is too important to go unprotected. Markel's All Risk Mortality and Theft coverage will reimburse you for the death, theft or human destruction of a covered horse.  Our mortality coverage is simple, affordable and easy to obtain. For more frequently asked questions regarding Markel's horse mortality policy, click here.

• The optional Medical/Surgical plan pays up to $8,000/year/horse for covered medical expenses or surgical procedures. 
• You can also add liability coverage should someone claim your horse caused their physical injury or damaged their property. (Not available in all states.)
• Agreed value settlement (except for racehorses.)
• Guaranteed Renewal
• Purchase coverage online 24-hours a day by clicking on the blue button!

Q: Could your horse kick someone or cause property damage to others?

A: If you own horses but don't operate a commercial horse business, our Private Horse Owner Liability policy can protect you against legal claims that your horse caused bodily injury or property damage to someone on or off your premises. For example, if your horse got loose in the road and caused an accident or injured someone at a show, you could be held liable.

• Up to $1,000,000 limit of liability available.
• Coverage applies on or off premises anywhere in the U.S., Canada and U.S. territories.
• International Liability coverage is available.
• Can be added to your Mortality policy.

Q: Do you give riding lessons or board, breed, race or train horses?

A: If you perform any of these activities on rented or owned premises, you need a Commercial Equine Liability policy, even if you have other coverage that protects you for general liability exposures. This coverage is designed specifically for all types of horse-related businesses such as: boarding, breeding, racing, sales, riding instruction, clinics, and team roping/penning practices.

• Up to $1,000,000 limit of liability available.
• Coverage applies on and off premises in the U.S., Canada, and U.S. territories.
• Fire legal liability and medical payments are provided in all states.
• International Liability coverage is available.

Q: Do you own a horse farm, and need to protect buildings and a home as well as cover your equine liability?

A: Our Horse Farm Package (Equi-Farm) provides complete coverage for a horse farm including:

• Property coverage - protects your house and its contents, barns and sheds, owned machinery and equipment, tack, and livestock.
• Liability coverage - protects your home and horse operation, on and off premises, including operations such as boarding, breeding, racing, training, horse shows, and riding instruction.

Markel is the innovator of horse farm insurance. And ever since we brought our first package to the market four decades ago, we've enhanced our products and services to meet your changing needs.

• Up to $1,000,000 limit of liability available.
• Basic, Broad, or Special options for all property.
• Various property deductibles are available.
• Available replacement cost on buildings and household contents.
• Package credit is available.
• Mechanical Breakdown??

Q: Do you have horses you do not own in your care, custody and control?  (For example, you transport horses to a show/clinic, you allow boarding of horses on your property, etc.)

A: If you take care of someone else's horse, you need the protection of Care, Custody and Control (CC&C) policy. This coverage will reimburse you if a covered horse in your care is injured, becomes ill, or dies, and you are found negligent. Most general liability policies exclude this coverage.

• Available as an endorsement to our Commercial Equine Liability and Farm Package policy.
• No deductible!
• Various limits are available to meet your needs.
• Includes coverage for non-owned tack up to $10,000.
• Click here to download an article on Care, Custody & Control coverage.

Q: Do you belong to a riding or hunt club?

A: Our Horse Club Liability policy can provide the protection your club may need for owned or leased premises, public event days, and various club functions.

• All members defended if a suit arises from a club activity.
• Coverage provided for all club activities on owned or leased premises.
• Liability limits available up to $1,000,000
• Volunteers included as additional insureds for liability.
• Spectator liability.
• Fire legal liability and medical payments available.
• We can write a farm package for clubs which own property. 

A: An Umbrella/Excess Liability policy might be the answer if $1 million worth of protection isn't enough to protect your assets. Markel's Commercial Umbrella Liability coverage provides up to $10 million in additional liability protection over your Markel Insurance Company general liability, business auto, and employer's liability policies.