Horse trailer insurance: Ensuring comprehensive protection for transport and animals
7 May 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
Transporting your horse carries risks that a specialized horse trailer insurance can minimize. Many horse owners underestimate the necessity or extent of the required protection. Learn how to properly insure your horse trailer and avoid costly surprises.
The topic in brief and concise terms
A separate horse trailer insurance is often not mandatory for private sports use (green number plate), but it is usually highly recommended, especially for damages to the detached trailer or for more flexible use.
The choice between liability, partial comprehensive, and fully comprehensive insurance depends on the value of the trailer, frequency of use, and individual security needs; costs vary greatly.
Pay attention to details such as coverage amounts, deductibles, and exclusions; a comparison and expert advice can help you find the optimal and cost-effective protection.
Quick Facts: The Essentials of Horse Trailer Insurance at a Glance
For horse owners, their animal's safety is paramount, even during transport. Horse trailer insurance is a central component of this. Here are the key points summarised:
Insurance Requirement: There is often no separate insurance requirement for horse trailers used privately for sporting purposes, if they are registered with a green number plate and exclusively transport horses. Commercially used trailers always require their own insurance.
Liability is Fundamental: The motor vehicle liability insurance of the towing vehicle covers damages caused by the attached trailer to third parties. Own trailer liability covers damages caused by the detached trailer.
Comprehensive Cover Optional: Third-party, fire, and theft cover (e.g., for theft, fire, hail) and comprehensive cover (additionally for vandalism, self-inflicted damages) are voluntary but often sensible additions.
Cost Factors: The premium amount depends on the extent of insurance coverage, the value of the trailer, and the excess; annual costs can start at under one hundred euros.
Green vs. Black Number Plates: Green number plates are exempt from tax but subject to strict regulations (only horse transport for sporting purposes). Black number plates allow more flexible use but require tax and separate insurance.
This overview serves as an initial guide. The exact conditions and requirements depend heavily on your individual usage situation.
Practical Guide: Mastering Insurance Requirements and Choosing a License Plate
The question of mandatory insurance for horse trailers often causes confusion. Essentially, a horse trailer used exclusively for private sports purposes can be insured under certain circumstances through the motor vehicle liability insurance of the towing vehicle. This is usually linked to a green license plate. The key point is the strict purpose limitation: As soon as you transport something like hay bales or moving goods, this protection often expires. Transporting riding equipment can already be problematic with some insurers.
For registration with a green license plate, the trailer must be solely for the transport of horses for sport purposes. This brings with it a tax exemption. The registration office requires evidence for this, along with an EU type approval or individual operating permit. If you opt for a black license plate, the trailer is regularly subject to tax and insurance but offers more flexibility in use. The annual vehicle tax for a trailer with, for example, seven hundred and fifty kilograms of permissible total weight is about twenty-nine Euros.
A detached trailer that causes damage is never insured through the towing vehicle. Only a separate trailer liability insurance applies here. This often only costs a few Euros per month, for example, starting from around three Euros and forty-five cents. The decision for or against a separate insurance and the right license plate should therefore be well-considered to avoid coverage gaps.
Liability, partial coverage, comprehensive coverage: Define the optimal scope of protection
The fundamental insurance for every horse trailer that requires its own policy is liability insurance. It covers personal, property, and financial damages caused to third parties with your trailer. The coverage amounts should be chosen sufficiently high, and it's common for one hundred million euros for property and financial damages and up to fifteen million euros per injured person. But what about damages to your own trailer? This is where comprehensive insurance comes into play.
The partial comprehensive insurance for the horse trailer offers protection in the following events:
Theft of the trailer or permanently installed parts
Fire and explosion
Damage caused by storm, hail, lightning, or flooding
Glass breakage
Collision with wild animals (Attention: observe exact definition!)
Damage caused by marten bites to cables and hoses
Partial coverage is often available for only a few more euros per month and is especially recommended for newer or well-maintained trailers. The costs for partial coverage start at around seventy-five euros annually.
The fully comprehensive insurance goes a step further. It includes all the benefits of partial coverage and additionally covers damages to your own horse trailer caused by self-inflicted accidents or vandalism (malicious or wilful acts by third parties). A fully comprehensive insurance is particularly sensible for new and high-quality horse trailers because repairs can quickly cost several thousand euros. The annual costs for fully comprehensive coverage start at around one hundred euros. Bear in mind that some leasing companies or financing banks even require fully comprehensive insurance. Choosing the right comprehensive coverage depends on the value of your trailer, your individual safety needs, and your budget.
Cost analysis: Anticipating these contributions and fees
The cost of horse trailer insurance varies greatly. It depends on several factors: the chosen insurance coverage (liability, partial, or comprehensive), the new or current value of the trailer, the excess in case of damage, and the provider. Basic liability insurance for a horse trailer can be available for as little as about twelve to fifty Euros per year. For a trailer up to seven hundred and fifty kilograms total weight, liability costs range between fifteen and forty-five Euros annually.
Opting for a partial coverage insurance increases the annual costs. These often start at around seventy-five Euros. Comprehensive insurance is the most expensive option, with premiums starting at approximately one hundred Euros per year. An excess, for example, one hundred and fifty Euros in partial coverage and three hundred Euros in comprehensive, can reduce the premium.
In addition to the pure insurance costs, there may still be additional fees. Registering a horse trailer at the registration office will incur costs of about thirty Euros. If your trailer is taxable (with a black licence plate), annual vehicle tax is added. This is calculated according to the permissible total weight of the trailer. Seven Euros and forty-six cents are due for every two hundred kilograms of gross weight started. A trailer with a permissible total weight of two tons would therefore cost about seventy-five Euros in taxes per year. Always compare several offers to find the most suitable and affordable horse trailer insurance for you.
Expert Depth: Understanding Legal Principles and Current Judgments
The insurance of horse trailers is enshrined in German law, particularly in the Compulsory Insurance Act (PflVG) and the Vehicle Registration Ordinance (FZV). According to Paragraph 1 of the PflVG, third-party liability insurance must be in place for trailers used on public roads or places. Exceptions exist for special trailers used for the transport of sports equipment or animals for sporting purposes, if they are used exclusively for that purpose (Paragraph 3, Section 2 FZV). This is the basis for the regulation with green number plates.
An important aspect is the strict liability according to Paragraph 7, Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act (StVG). Accordingly, the owner of a trailer is liable for damages caused during the operation of the trailer, even without personal fault. This applies regardless of whether the trailer is registered or insured. This becomes particularly relevant with borrowed trailers: If an equestrian colleague causes an accident with your borrowed trailer, claims for damages can also be made against you as the owner of the trailer (joint and several liability).
Our expert tip: Always clarify insurance coverage in advance when you lend your trailer or use someone else's trailer. A separate trailer liability insurance is highly recommended even for trailers with green number plates, as it covers damages caused by the uncoupled trailer or those not covered by the purpose limitation. The costs for this are often low, usually under one hundred euros per year. Recent judgments repeatedly confirm the necessity of clear regulations and sufficient insurance to avoid high costs in the event of damage. Also, inform yourself about the General Terms and Conditions for Motor Insurance (AKB), which are the contractual basis of your policy.
Case Studies from Practice: Assessing Risks Correctly
To illustrate the importance of good horse trailer insurance, concrete examples help. Imagine your detached horse trailer starts moving on its own on a sloping tournament car park and rolls into another vehicle. Without your own trailer liability insurance, you would have to cover the damage of several hundred or even thousand euros yourself.
Another common scenario is theft. Horse trailers are highly sought after by thieves. If your unsecured trailer is stolen, the comprehensive insurance will cover its current value. Without comprehensive cover, this would mean a total loss, which can quickly amount to five thousand euros or more. Weather damage should not be underestimated either: A severe hailstorm can cause dents and damage to the roof and walls, which can also cost thousands to repair. Comprehensive insurance would cover this.
Here are some typical damage cases and which insurance applies:
Accident with the team: If you cause an accident with your car and coupled horse trailer that injures others, the vehicle liability insurance of the towing vehicle will cover it. Damage to your own trailer is covered by the comprehensive insurance.
Horse damages trailer: If your horse kicks against the inner wall while driving and damages it, this is often a case for the comprehensive insurance. A horse owner's liability can be relevant if the horse damages third-party trailers.
Maneuvering damage: If you damage your trailer while maneuvering, the comprehensive insurance kicks in.
Arson: If your trailer is set on fire due to vandalism, comprehensive (fire) or full coverage (vandalism) covers the damage.
Carefully check the conditions of your policy, especially exclusions or special regulations for animal transport. Good trailer insurance is worth its weight in gold when it counts.
Design Tips: Optimise Insurance and Save on Premiums
A tailored horse trailer insurance doesn't have to be expensive. With some tips, you can optimise your coverage and save on premiums at the same time. An annual insurance comparison for your horse trailer is the first step. The premium differences between providers can be significant, often up to fifty percent for comparable services.
Carefully consider what coverage you really need. For an older trailer with low remaining value, liability insurance might suffice, possibly supplemented by a partial coverage with a higher deductible. A deductible of, for example, one hundred and fifty euros in partial coverage or three hundred to five hundred euros in comprehensive coverage can noticeably reduce the annual premium. Weigh up the risk you can and want to carry yourself.
Further savings potential arises from:
Annual payment: Many insurers offer a discount of up to five percent for annual rather than monthly or quarterly payment.
Seasonal registration plates: If you only use your horse trailer for a few months a year, a seasonal registration plate could save costs (not relevant for green plates).
No-claims discount: Some insurers also offer no-claims discounts for trailer insurance, similar to the SF class table for vehicles.
Combination discounts: Bundling multiple insurances (e.g., motor vehicle, horse owner liability) with one provider often results in discounts of ten percent or more.
Our expert tip: Pay attention not only to the price but also to the services. A cheap insurance with many exclusions or low coverage limits can become costly in the event of a claim. Good advice helps to avoid pitfalls and find the right coverage. Also consider the type class rating, which is less relevant for trailers than for cars but can still have an impact.
Your next step to comprehensive protection
More useful links
Wikipedia provides comprehensive information on the topic of horse trailers.
The Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) provides statistics on vehicle registrations.
Information about the Central Vehicle Register (ZFZR) can be found on the website of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
The complete Animal Protection Transport Ordinance is accessible on the "Gesetze im Internet" portal.
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute (FLI) offers a comprehensive handbook on animal transport.
Systematic directories and further data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) can be viewed here.
FAQ
Do I need an eVB number for my horse trailer?
Yes, if you want to register your horse trailer and it requires its own insurance (e.g., with a black license plate or if you take out a separate comprehensive insurance), you will need an electronic insurance confirmation (eVB number) from your insurer.
Is my horse covered in the trailer?
The horse trailer insurance (liability, comprehensive) covers damage to the trailer itself or damage the trailer causes to third parties. The horse itself is generally not insured under this. For this, there are separate horse transport insurances or extended horse surgery and health insurances.
What happens if I have an accident with my horse trailer abroad?
The insurance coverage of your horse trailer insurance generally applies within the geographical boundaries of Europe and the non-European territories that fall under the scope of the European Union. Check the specific terms in your policy or consult your insurer, especially when traveling outside the EU.
Can I deduct the horse trailer insurance from my taxes?
If the horse trailer is used for business purposes (e.g. by an equestrian centre or professional trainer), the insurance costs can be claimed as business expenses for tax purposes. This is generally not possible for purely private use.
How fast am I allowed to drive with a horse trailer?
In Germany, you are generally allowed to drive a vehicle with a trailer at eighty kilometres per hour on country roads and motorways. Under certain conditions (including technical specifications of the trailer and towing vehicle, tyres), an exemption can be granted to drive at one hundred kilometres per hour (known as a Tempo 100 badge).
What if my trailer is stolen while it is parked at a tournament venue?
If you have taken out a third-party, fire and theft or comprehensive insurance for your horse trailer, theft of the trailer is usually covered. Report the theft to the police and your insurance company immediately.
