Transport Insurance for Horses: Comprehensive Protection for Your Horse While Traveling
12 Apr 2025
3
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
A horse transport involves many risks, from injuries to total loss. Transport insurance for horses offers financial protection and security for horse owners. Find out how to optimally secure your horse.
The topic in brief and concise terms
An equine transport insurance covers financial losses incurred during transit, such as death, euthanasia, or injuries, often with reimbursements up to 80 percent of the horse's value.
The costs vary depending on the insured sum (e.g., €2,500 to €15,000), the scope of coverage, and the range of benefits, with basic premiums potentially around 1.85 percent of the insured sum.
Legal regulations such as the EU Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 and the Animal Welfare Transport Regulation must be complied with; the horse passport must always be carried, and for commercial transport over 65 kilometers, a certificate of competency is required.
Understanding the Basics of Horse Transport Insurance
Horse transport insurance is a special policy that covers financial losses that may occur during the transportation of a horse. This applies to journeys to the veterinarian, competitions, or when changing stables, often over distances of more than 50 kilometres. Many policies already offer basic protection from an annual premium of around 100 euros. The insurance coverage can include death, emergency euthanasia, or injuries to the animal that are directly attributable to transport. Some insurers reimburse up to 80 percent of the horse's value. This protection is an important complement to the horse owner's liability insurance. The exact conditions and insured amounts, which can be up to 15,000 euros or more, vary depending on the provider and chosen plan. Therefore, a careful comparison of the offers is essential to find the right protection for your horse.
Minimise and secure risks during horse transportation
Horse transport involves various risks, even on short journeys of less than 50 kilometres. A sudden braking manoeuvre, an accident involving the transport vehicle, or stress during loading can lead to serious injuries for the horse. Statistics show that transport stress causes health problems in about 15 per cent of horses. The costs for veterinary treatments can quickly reach several thousand euros. Without equine surgery insurance or transport insurance, you would bear these costs yourself. Transport insurance intervenes if your horse is injured during transport, during loading or unloading, or in the worst case, dies. Depending on the policy, damage to the trailer caused by the horse may also be covered. Good preparation for transport and a calm approach with the animal can reduce the risk, but cannot completely eliminate it.
Details of the horse transport insurance coverage
The scope of cover provided by a horse transportation insurance policy can vary greatly, but it generally offers protection for several scenarios. Typically, the death or emergency euthanasia of the horse as a result of a transport accident or another insured event during transit is covered. Many policies also cover the costs of necessary veterinary treatments following a transport accident, often up to a certain amount, for example, 10,000 euros. Some insurers also offer protection against theft of the horse during transport. It is important to check the exact terms, especially whether loading and unloading are explicitly included, as statistically about 30 percent of transport-related injuries occur during these times. Here's an overview of possible benefits:
Death or emergency euthanasia of the horse
Veterinary costs after a transport accident (often up to 100 percent of the insured amount)
Rescue costs for the horse
Partial coverage for permanent incapacity following a transport accident
Protection against theft during transport (optional)
Coverage often extends to Germany and neighbouring EU countries
Also check whether a trailer insurance covers separate risks. The exact details can always be found in the respective insurance terms and conditions.
Know the exclusions and limits of horse transport insurance
Not every claim is automatically covered by horse transport insurance. There are typical exclusions that horse owners should be aware of. These often include damages due to illnesses that existed prior to transport and were not caused or worsened by the transport itself. Damage resulting from gross negligence on the part of the transporter or the owner, such as inadequate securing of the horse or overloading the trailer, may also lead to a denial of benefits. Many policies do not provide cover if the horse is older than, for example, 14 years. War events, civil unrest, or nuclear energy are standard exclusions in almost all insurance contracts. Some insurers also exclude transports that are not carried out with suitable transport boots on all four legs. It is therefore important to read the insurance conditions carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises in the event of damage.
Cost factors and premium structuring of insurance
The cost of transport insurance for horses depends on several factors. A key aspect is the chosen insurance sum, which ideally corresponds to the value of the horse and often ranges between 2,500 and 15,000 euros. The basic premium can, for example, amount to 1.85 percent of the insurance sum. Other factors include the scope of coverage (e.g., only Germany or Europe-wide), the duration of the contract (one, five, or ten years), and the extent of the desired services. Short-term insurance for individual transports is often more expensive than annual contracts but can be sensible if transport is infrequent. A horse valued at 5,000 euros could be insured for an annual premium starting at approximately 90 euros. Comparing various providers, as one would with a pet health insurance, is recommended to find the best value for money.
Legal framework and obligations for horse transport
When transporting horses, various legal regulations must be observed, primarily serving animal welfare. The EU Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 and the national Animal Transport Regulation (TierSchTrV) form the basis here. For transports over 65 kilometres within a commercial activity, a qualification certificate is required for the driver. Private individuals who are transporting their own horse non-commercially usually do not need this certificate. Horses must be tied during transport and have sufficient space; the maximum transport duration for horses is 24 hours, with watering required every eight hours. The horse passport must be carried during every transport. Violations of these regulations can not only result in fines but also jeopardize insurance coverage. A vehicle return transport insurance can provide additional security in case of breakdowns.
Expert tips for choosing the optimal horse transport insurance
Choosing the right transport insurance requires careful analysis of your own needs and the offered rates. Don't just pay attention to the price, but particularly to the scope of coverage and exclusions. Our expert tip: Clarify whether loading and unloading are explicitly insured, as many accidents occur here. Check the level of excess in case of damage; some rates stipulate 20 percent. For horses that are frequently transported internationally, Europe-wide coverage is important. Also clarify whether a horse surgery insurance already covers certain transport risks or if a combination is advisable. Document your horse's value well (purchase contract, competition successes) in order to substantiate the insurance sum in the event of a claim. Obtain at least three quotes and compare them in detail. Consultation with specialists can help avoid pitfalls and ensure optimal protection.
Conclusion and Recommendations for Horse Owners
More useful links
Gesetze im Internet offers the complete version of the Animal Transport Ordinance, the legal foundation for animal transportation in Germany.
Pferd-Aktuell, the official portal of the German Equestrian Federation (FN), provides comprehensive information on animal welfare topics, especially in the areas of horse keeping and transport.
Statista provides up-to-date statistics on horse ownership in Germany, offering insights into the prevalence and significance of horse keeping.
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) provides official statistics on livestock numbers in Germany, including relevant data on horse keeping.
Federal Association for Animal Health (BfT) offers valuable information and guidelines for responsible horse keeping, which also touch upon aspects of transport.
Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) provides a detailed handbook on animal transport, summarising important guidelines and regulations.
Wikipedia offers a general overview of horse transporters, their types, and the associated aspects.
FAQ
Do I need a new insurance policy for each transport?
No, you can take out an ongoing horse transport insurance that covers all transports within the contract period (e.g., one year). Alternatively, there are also short-term policies for individual, planned transports.
Is the insurance also valid abroad?
Many horse transport insurance policies offer coverage in Germany and adjacent EU countries. For transports beyond this area or worldwide transports, the insurance coverage often needs to be extended or a special policy must be taken out. Review the conditions carefully.
What happens if my horse damages the trailer?
Damage caused by your horse to the transport trailer is not automatically covered by every horse transport insurance. For this, a horse owner's liability insurance is often responsible, which covers damage to rented or borrowed items. However, some transport insurances may include this as an additional benefit.
How much should the insurance coverage amount be?
The sum insured should correspond to the current market value of your horse. Consider the purchase price, training costs, and any competition successes. An excessively low sum insured will lead to underinsurance in the event of a claim.
Are transport boots mandatory for insurance coverage?
Some insurers make wearing transport boots on all four legs a condition for full insurance coverage. Please read the specific clauses in your insurance contract carefully.
What to do in the event of damage?
Report the damage to your insurance company without delay. Document the incident thoroughly (photos, witnesses, veterinary reports). Follow the insurer's instructions regarding further steps to ensure a smooth process.
