Things to Consider When Buying Riding School/Equestrian Liability Insurance

The focus in recent years for yards buying liability insurance has very much been on price, but with a relatively stable market, what else should be considered to get the best value for money?

Age Restrictions

As a riding school you would like to know whether there are any inner or upper age limits of potential riders, these restrictions could limit your customer base.  Some insurers impose a minimum age of 4 or even 8, this restriction could apply to pony parties and lead rein rides etc. Ravenhall believe that these assessments of risk with rider should sit with you the policyholder, when presented with a young rider, you are in the best position to understand whether they are suitable to ride. we understand that there can be a big difference in he competency of young riders regardless of age.

Ratio Limits

Look out for restrictions within your policy which may enforce a maximum number of riders per class or per hack or a rider to instructor ratio. As equestrian specialists, your insurers understand that you are best place to risk asses these ratios. Ravenhall Rurals bespoke liability policy allows you the freedom to make choices based on your own business and knowledge, rather than being dictated to by underwriters.

Custodial Liability or Care Custody or Control

This part of your policy would provide cover for any horses that are on site that are in your care but not owned by you for instance, livery horses (whether full, part or DIY), working liveries or horses on loan to you. So if these horses were to sustain injury or damage, the custodial liability section of your policy would indemnify you for any legal liability you have to the horses owner. Ravenhalls Equestrian liability policy includes this cover as standard up to £10,000 per horse & £100,000 in the policy period, meaning that whether its an ongoing exposure to your business or just a one off that you are responsible for a third parties horse, you can rest assured cover is in place.

Volunteers

Within your business you may have children or adults stay after lessons to help in the yard with mucking out and tacking up of horses for lessons, general yard duties lets say, whether this be for their own pleasure or for work experience or for children working towards their pony club badges. Our policy covers the volunteers, helpers & work experience personnel as standard with the employers liability section should they get injured though voluntary or unpaid work. Whilst these individuals are not Employees, they can still bring an action against you in the event of an incident, as such we include the definition specifically so that there is no grey areas for your business in this respect.

Qualification Standards

Some insurers may also restrict your cover dependant on the level of qualifications your instructors hold. Some insurers endorse their policies that lessons must be held by a BHSAI instructor or there needs to be at least a BHSAI Instructor on site. Ravenhall understand that whilst qualifications are important, some of the best instructors in the industry are qualified by experience. As such there are no built in requirements for you to adhere to.

Family Members/Close Relatives

Some of you may have family members who work for you within the business. Now you’d like to think that a family member would not bring an action against you in the event of an accident or injury but what if you are negligent for the injuries sustained? Would want them to be entitled to indemnity for their injuries? Some insurers remove any liability protection where claims are brought by family members, which doesn’t mean that they cannot make a claim against you, it means that you will not be covered by your insurance if they do. Our policy does not have such onerous restrictions, especially bearing in mind that the industry has a high proportion of family businesses.

Insurer Quality

There are many considerations to ensure you get the best insurer. Hopefully this wont matter if you dont make a claim, but when you do you want the insurer to be there for you. Zurich, who have backed the Ravenhall Liability product since 2010, are Standard and poors AA-, moodys Aa3 and AM Best A+

If you would like further information about our liability product, please click here and register your details for a call back