Equine liability insurance for carriage rides: Comprehensive protection for your team
30 Sept 2025
6
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A carriage ride is a special experience, but it involves significant liability risks. Many horse owners are lulled into a false sense of security, as standard horse liability insurance is often insufficient. This article shows you how to correctly insure private and commercial rides.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The standard horse liability insurance often only covers private carriage rides; for commercial rides, a special carriage liability insurance is absolutely necessary.
As a pet owner, you are liable under § 833 BGB regardless of fault for damages, which makes a high coverage amount of at least five million euros essential.
Check the insurance terms carefully for exclusions, the number of insured passengers, and the definition of private versus commercial use.
Risk analysis: Why the standard horse liability insurance is often not sufficient
As a horse owner, you are liable for any damage your animal may cause, making horse liability insurance an indispensable protection. However, when driving a carriage, the risk doubles because dangers arise both from the draft animal and the operation of the carriage. A runaway horse can cause a traffic accident with personal injury costs exceeding 100,000 euros. Many standard policies explicitly exclude the so-called carriage risk or only cover purely private journeys. Nine out of ten contracts offer no protection for journeys for a fee. This distinction is crucial for your insurance coverage. The coverage largely depends on the type of use.
Private carriage rides: When basic coverage applies and where the limits lie
For purely private use, the carriage risk is indeed included free of charge in the horse liability insurance with some providers. A private ride is, for example, a Sunday outing with the family, where you do not earn any money. Some insurers define this very precisely and limit the number of passenger seats to a maximum of six. HUK-COBURG, for example, covers damages that occur during a private carriage ride. Examine your policy carefully, because a ride for friends to celebrate an anniversary may already be considered a courtesy service with increased risk. A comparison of horse liability insurances highlights significant differences here. As soon as even a small fee is charged, the protection of the private policy ends.
Commercial Use: The necessity of specialized carriage liability insurance
Once you charge money for carriage rides, you are operating commercially and require a special carriage liability insurance. This applies to wedding rides, tourist tours, or participation in processions for a fee. A regular equine liability insurance is unsuitable for this and won't pay a penny in the event of a claim. The specialised policy covers the higher risks associated with transporting paying passengers. Premiums are often calculated based on the number of insured horses and the desired sum insured. The following points are crucial for commercial coverage:
Protection for paid passenger transport
Coverage for rental damages to the carriage
Liability at events and festivals
Insurance cover for employees (coachmen)
Sufficiently high coverage for personal injury
Without this protection, you risk your entire financial existence in case of an accident.
Details of coverage: What a good carriage insurance must cover
A robust carriage insurance should offer a coverage amount of at least five million euros flat for personal, property, and financial damages. Personal injuries are the greatest risk and can result in costs amounting to millions, such as lifelong pension payments. Ensure that damage to the passengers themselves is also covered. An important point is the coverage of damage to hired or rented carriages. Some policies also cover the risk if you rent the carriage to third parties. The question of how high the coverage amount should be is therefore crucial. An insufficient amount can mean financial ruin in the event of a serious claim.
Legal Pitfalls: The strict liability of the animal owner under § 833 BGB
The Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB) regulates animal keeper liability in paragraph 833. This paragraph establishes so-called strict liability. That means you are liable as the keeper for damages caused by your horse, even without personal negligence. If a horse breaks out and causes an accident, you are liable, even if the fence was actually secure. The question of who is liable in the event of an escape is clearly defined by law. This strict liability applies without restriction also for carriage rides and is further intensified by the carriage's operational risk. In the event of damage, a court will check whether you have fulfilled all due diligence obligations, but the fundamental liability remains. Therefore, insurance is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity.
Expert Tip: How to Find the Right Insurance Coverage
To find the right tariff, you should conduct a thorough needs analysis. Determine whether your journeys are exclusively private or have a commercial nature. Our expert tip: Document your journeys to be able to prove their private nature if necessary. Compare carefully the terms of different providers. Pay attention not only to the price but especially to the inclusions of services. The following checklist will help you in your selection:
Is the risk of carriage explicitly mentioned in the policy?
Is there a limitation on the number of passengers?
What is the coverage amount for personal injuries?
Are external riders or drivers also insured?
Is there an excess applicable in the event of a claim?
A careful review of these five points protects you from unpleasant surprises. This ensures that your insurance coverage matches your individual risk.
Request a personalised risk analysis now
The insurance of carriage rides is more complex than many horse owners assume. Inadequate or incomplete insurance can be life-threatening in the event of a claim. Have your insurance situation checked free of charge by our experts and receive specific optimisation suggestions. We analyse your needs and find a tailored solution that provides security for you and your team. Request your individual risk analysis now.
More useful links
Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) provides figures and facts about the Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) and equestrian sports in Germany.
DEKRA provides information on the carriage inspection.
TÜV Nord describes the carriage inspection.
Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) offers information and tips on horsekeeping.
Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen informs about what you need to know regarding horsekeeping.
Deutsche Reiterliche Vereinigung (FN) provides an overview of various horse insurance options.
FAQ
Do I need additional insurance for each carriage ride?
No. If purely private carriage rides are covered by your existing equine liability insurance, you do not need an additional policy. However, for any rides for a fee, a separate commercial carriage liability insurance is necessary.
What happens if I cause an accident without adequate insurance?
Without suitable insurance coverage, you are liable with your entire personal assets for any damages incurred. In the case of personal injuries, this could lead to lifelong pension payments and costs amounting to millions, which means financial ruin.
Are rides in a horse-drawn sleigh or covered wagon also insured?
The conditions generally apply similarly to horse-drawn sleds, covered wagons, or sulkies. It is important that the vehicle being pulled is explicitly mentioned in the policy or that the general "carriage risk" is insured. Check this in detail in your contract terms.
How many horses are covered by the carriage liability insurance?
That depends on the contract. Often, one to three lead horses are included in the premium. If you use more horses in front of the carriage, they must be specified and insured additionally, which adjusts the premium accordingly.
