For horse owners, horse liability insurance (Pferdehaftpflicht) is not optional but essential: under § 833 BGB (German Civil Code) you are liable for any damage your horse causes – without any fault of your own and without limit. A horse that breaks loose onto the road is enough to trigger claims running into millions. The key points are above all the third-party rider risk (Fremdreiterrisiko), carriage driving, competing in shows and damage to land (Flurschäden).
Why horse owners absolutely need their own liability insurance
As a horse owner, you are subject to animal keeper's liability under § 833 BGB (Tierhalterhaftung, German Civil Code). It is strict liability: you are liable regardless of fault and without limit for anything your horse does – even if you have behaved impeccably. The reason is the so-called animal hazard (Tiergefahr), i.e. the unpredictable behaviour of animals. A horse that breaks loose and runs onto a country road can cause an accident with the most serious personal injuries; medical costs, loss of earnings and lifelong pension payments quickly add up to millions.
Personal liability insurance (Privathaftpflicht) does not help here: it only covers tame small animals. Horses – and likewise dogs – need their own policy. Although there is no legal obligation to insure, without a policy you are risking your financial existence. Many livery yards and riding clubs therefore require proof anyway.
What to look out for when choosing a policy
- Sum insured – at least €5 to 10 million as a lump sum for personal injury, property damage and financial loss. The difference in premium between €3 and 10 million is small, whereas the risk is unlimited.
- Third-party rider risk & shared riding (Fremdreiterrisiko & Reitbeteiligung) – the single most important point. If someone else rides your horse, the policy must cover both damage the third-party rider causes to others and – depending on the policy – claims by the injured rider against you. Good policies include third-party riders without having to name them.
- Carriage and harness driving – not included in every policy. If you harness your horse to a carriage, sulky or cart, you need it explicitly included.
- Competing in shows – leisure riding is standard, shows are not. Check whether shows, show jumping, endurance rides or hunts are covered – sometimes only up to a certain performance class.
- Damage to land (Flurschäden) – hoof damage to other people's meadows, fields and paths is a classic loss when hacking out and in many policies is only insured up to a sub-limit.
- Stabling & grazing – damage to the livery yard, the stable box or someone else's paddock fence should be included as damage to rented property.
- Stays abroad – relevant for shows or trail rides abroad; temporary stays within Europe are usual.
- Number and type of animals – ponies and small horses often have their own, cheaper tariff, as do horses that are not ridden at all (retired horses, broodmares, foals).
Shared riding: who is liable for what?
A shared riding arrangement (Reitbeteiligung) is legally tricky. If the rider is injured as a result of the animal hazard, you as the owner are in principle liable – also towards the person sharing the horse, unless an effective exclusion of liability has been agreed. Conversely, if the person sharing the horse causes damage to others, they may themselves become liable as a so-called animal supervisor (Tierhüter) under § 834 BGB.
In practice this means: conclude a written shared riding agreement and check in the policy whether (a) third-party riders are co-insured and (b) claims by the third-party rider against you as the owner are covered – the second point is often missing in basic policies. If you deliberately do not let anyone ride your horse at all, you are better off with the cheaper tariffs for horses that are not ridden.
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