Liability insurance for a horse imported from Dubai: Your guide
20.10.2025
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The dream of owning a noble horse from Dubai has come true, but the responsibility weighs heavily. One careless moment from your animal can cause damage worth millions in Germany, for which you are fully liable.
The topic in brief and concise terms
As a horse owner in Germany, you are liable under Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB) with your private assets without limitation, even without any fault of your own (strict liability).
A horse imported from Dubai poses an increased, unpredictable liability risk because of stress and the new environment.
A sum insured of at least ten million euros is essential to protect against claims for personal injury or property damage that could threaten your business's existence.
Understanding the legal basis of liability for horse owners in Germany
As the owner of a horse, you are subject in Germany to strict liability under Section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB). This means you are liable for damage caused by your animal, even if you are not at fault. For example: your horse gets frightened and damages a parked car worth €25,000. You must fully compensate the damage, even if you are not to blame. This rule applies because horses are legally classified as “luxury animals” that pose an unpredictable risk. Private liability insurance does not cover such damage, which is why a dedicated policy is essential. Unlimited liability against your personal assets is a risk no horse owner should take.
Analysing special risks associated with imported horses from Dubai
A horse from Dubai is accustomed to a completely different climate and different environmental stimuli. Transport and the new environment mean enormous stress for the animal, which can increase the likelihood of unpredictable behaviour by up to 30 per cent. Imagine your horse hearing the loud sound of a German combine harvester for the first time. A panic reaction that leads to it jumping onto a busy road can cause an accident involving personal injury worth over one million euros. Insurers assess such import risks carefully and adjust premiums accordingly. The acclimatisation phase of at least three months carries the greatest unquantifiable risk. A specialised equine liability insurance is therefore essential from day one.
Calculate the right sum insured for your imported horse
Choosing the sum insured is one of the most important decisions in horse liability insurance. Experts recommend a sum insured of at least ten million euros for personal injury, property damage and financial losses. A serious riding accident causing lasting injury to a third party can quickly exceed costs of five million euros. This amount is made up of treatment costs, compensation for pain and suffering, and lifetime pension payments. A sum insured that is too low, at just three million euros, would ruin your financial existence in such a case. Bear in mind that expensive imported horses in particular are often kept in livery stables with high property damage potential. A fire, caused by an overturned lamp, can quickly result in damage running into six figures.
Review important clauses in the horse liability insurance policy
A good policy is characterised by specific inclusions that go beyond basic cover. When choosing your horse liability insurance for an imported horse from Dubai, look out for the following four to eight points:
Third-party rider risk: Ensures that damage caused by a riding sharer or a professional rider is also covered.
Damage to rented property: Covers damage to rented property such as the stable box, the paddock or a horse trailer, often exceeding €1,500.
Stays abroad: Provides cover for temporary trips abroad, for example for competitions or holidays, for at least twelve months.
Uninsured loss cover: Steps in when your horse is harmed and the person responsible cannot pay for the damage.
Unwanted covering: Covers the costs if your stallion covers another owner's mare, which can lead to consequential costs of more than €5,000.
Damage to land: Covers damage your horse causes to other people's meadows or fields.
These clauses define the difference between basic cover and protection that is truly right for you.
Avoid pitfalls in the small print when importing horses
For imported horses, insurers take a particularly close look, which can lead to specific clauses in the policy. There are often waiting periods or exclusions for illnesses that could be related to transport. An equine surgery insurance policy can be a useful addition here. Our expert tip: Have a veterinary health certificate prepared immediately after arrival in Germany. In the event of a claim, this document can prove that certain conditions did not already exist before the start of cover, and it protects you from reductions in benefits. Also make sure that the sum insured corresponds to the horse's actual value to avoid underinsurance. Any increase in value through training should be reported to the insurer.
Assess financial implications of recent court rulings
Court rulings repeatedly highlight the enormous financial risks of animal owner liability. In a case before the Hamm Higher Regional Court, an injured motorist was awarded damages of more than 80,000 euros after a horse had escaped and run onto the road. The keeper was fully liable, although the gate had been opened by third parties. Such rulings confirm that strict liability allows hardly any exceptions. Imagine if the accident had resulted in the driver’s paraplegia. The claims would have amounted to more than seven million euros. Without comprehensive horse liability insurance, this would have meant financial ruin for the horse owner. The right cover is therefore not an option, but a necessity.
Request your personalised risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive specific suggestions for improvement.
More useful links
The Bund der Versicherten offers comprehensive information on horse owners' liability insurance and what horse owners should look out for.
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) provides information on the general customs and import regulations for the United Arab Emirates.
Specific import regulations for animals, plants and foodstuffs into the United Arab Emirates are also provided by Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI).
The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) provides a detailed handbook for animal transport containing important guidelines and information.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) offers comprehensive statistics and data on animals and animal production in Germany.
Detailed tables on livestock numbers in organic farming are also available from the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).
The Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (BLV) provides an article from the Swiss Archive of Veterinary Medicine on African horse sickness.
FAQ
Why is liability for horses regulated so strictly?
The law assumes a “animal hazard” – a horse can react unpredictably due to its size, strength and flight instinct, and cause serious damage. For this reason, the keeper is liable under § 833 BGB irrespective of fault.
What damages are typically not covered by horse liability insurance?
In general, damage to your own horse, damage caused intentionally, as well as damage incurred during professional racing or commercial use, is not covered. For this, special policies such as equine surgery or pet health insurance are required.
What is the difference between equine liability insurance and horse surgery insurance?
Horse liability insurance covers damage that your horse causes to third parties. The horse surgery insurance, by contrast, covers the costs of operations on your own horse, for example after colic or an accident.
Do I need to declare the import from Dubai to the insurer?
Yes, absolutely. The import is a material fact that the insurer needs for risk assessment. Incorrect or incomplete information can lead to loss of insurance cover.
How quickly should I arrange insurance for my imported horse?
Insurance cover should ideally exist from the moment the risk passes, i.e. from the purchase. At the latest, when the horse arrives in Germany, a valid policy must be in place, as liability takes effect immediately.
Does the insurance also cover damage to a hired horse trailer?
Yes, if the clause „Damage to hired trailers and carriages“ is included in the contract. Pay attention to the amount of the insured sum for this component, as repairs to trailers can quickly cost several thousand euros.
