Keeping a horse comes with special legal responsibility. Horses are flight animals with strong instincts and can react unpredictably under stress. If a horse runs off, ends up on the road and causes an accident there, or if it injures someone, the owner is generally liable for all resulting damage. Horse owner liability insurance (Pferdehalter-Haftpflichtversicherung) is therefore a necessary and responsible safeguard for every horse owner.
In Germany, horse owner liability insurance is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended. Section 833 of the Civil Code (BGB) provides for stricter liability for animal keepers: anyone who keeps an animal is liable for all damage the animal causes, whether or not they are personally at fault. This so-called strict liability (Gefährdungshaftung) makes full insurance cover especially important.
The potential for damage with horses is considerable. A horse that runs onto a main road and causes a traffic accident can cause immense property damage and, even more seriously, severe personal injury. If someone is permanently injured and needs permanent care, compensation claims can run into the millions. Without sufficient insurance, such cases can become a threat to your livelihood and destroy a person's life plans completely.
Horse owner liability insurance is for all horse owners and also for people who have taken a horse into their care. That includes riders on someone else's horse who may not be sufficiently covered by their own private liability insurance. Riding clubs and livery horse owners should also have adequate cover, because liability falls on anyone who leads or supervises a horse.
When choosing the right insurance, the sum insured is a key criterion. We recommend at least 5 to 10 million euros for personal injury and property damage. Horse owners should also look out for special clauses, for example those covering competition entries or lending the horse to third parties.
We are available to work with you on the right cover for your individual situation.
Horse liability insurance: benefits
Allianz horse liability insurance (part of animal owner liability, Tierhalter-Haftpflicht) offers the following benefits:
Basic cover in all tariffs: protection against the financial consequences of personal injury, property damage and financial loss. Cover for rented property damage (Mietsachschutz) for rented facilities (e.g. stables, pastures). Cover when used without a bridle. Defence against unjustified claims, including in court.
Extended benefits depending on tariff: damage to borrowed items, secondary-occupation use of the animal, reimbursement at new value, no reduction for animal risk or contributory fault, animal recovery and rescue costs, cover for unpaid claims against insolvent third parties, sports events and courses, holiday accommodation damage, borrowed vehicle trailers (e.g. horse transporters), crop damage on agricultural land.
Worldwide protection: cover applies worldwide if you live in Germany. You are insured around the clock and for an unlimited time during stays abroad.
Foals: foals are covered through the mare until the end of the following insurance year.
Covering damage: damage from intended and unintended covering is insured, including the cost of veterinary treatment.