Last Updated on March 16, 2022
If you own a horse, having a way to transport it is a necessity, but it is a big investment, especially when adding in the horse trailer insurance cost. Luckily, the cost to insure a horse trailer is pretty reasonable. You just have to remember to read the specifics of the policy.
Is Horse Trailer Insurance Necessary
Getting specific horse trailer insurance is a good idea. While some car insurance provides cover for your trailer, this cover is not necessarily good enough. This cover might only cover you for liability but will not protect you from damage and contents.
When you take a close look at the total value of your horse trailer, any upgrades, your tack and equipment, and the value of the horses, it comes to a pretty big sum. Do you really only want a very restrictive cover that doesn’t protect this?
What Is Covered With The Horse Trailer Insurance Cost
Just like for your car, horse trailer insurance has various coverage. The main cover you get with your horse trailer insurance is damage that occurs to your trailer and its content if you are involved in an accident. It also covers fire, ‘act of God’, theft, and vandalism.
There are a few important elements that you want to ensure your coverage includes. The first is roadside assistance. If you break down or are involved in an accident, a horse trailer will require specialized towing service. You don’t want to get caught out with your horse trailer stuck hundreds of miles from home and no way to move it to repair service or home.
Another element to look out for is compensation cover for theft or damage. This comes in two forms replacement value or cash value. You will usually have to choose which one you want, and some providers will not offer replacement value on an older trailer.
Extra expenses cover is an option that helps you recoup costs incurred if you break down away from home. This often includes your own accommodation costs, horse boarding costs, and the rental of a trailer if you have to wait for your own trailer during repairs.
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Finally, an equipment cover is usually an additional option you can add to your cover. This will cover you for damage or loss to your tack and equipment if it is in the trailer at the time of the incident.
Horse Trailer Insurance Cost
- The cost of your horse trailer insurance will depend on several factors relating to you personally. Here is a quick list of the factors that will affect your cost.
- The model and make of your horse trailer
- How large your trailer is and the number of horses that will travel in it
- The value of any tack and equipment that will go in the trailer
- The value of the horses that will travel in the trailer
- Your personal driving history. Do you have previous claims? Any other driving record incidents
- Why you are hauling? Is it just your personal horses, or do you carry other people’s horses as well?
- Where you and the regions you will drive the trailer in
- Where you keep your horse trailer when it is not in use
- The deductible you choose
How Much Does Horse Trailer Insurance Cost
The average cost for horse trailer insurance is $350 dollars per year. However, you can expect the cost to go up in line with the value of the trailer, your tack, and your horses.
Do some research about requirements in your state, as this can vary. At a minimum, make sure your cover includes the right state-mandated liability insurance. Another way to protect your horse when it is traveling is to purchase horse insurance.
Horse insurance covers things related to your horse, such as major veterinary bills. However, it can also provide cover for your horse if it is injured or dies in a trailer accident.
Keeping Your Horse Trailer Safe
In addition to specialized horse trailer insurance, you can protect your trailer in other ways. Whenever you leave your trailer unhitched and parked up, make sure to lock the hitch. Even if this is not completely foolproof, it is a definite deterrent to someone looking to hitch it up and drive away quickly.
Always take photos of your trailer’s registration, VIN number, the trailer itself, and insurance information. This will help you prove that the trailer is yours. Paint something distinctive on your trailer that makes it stand out.
If your trailer is damaged or stolen, don’t delay reporting it to the police and your horse trailer insurance companies. Always make sure your policy includes theft and vandalism, don’t choose a policy without it.
If you cannot park your horse trailer in a garage or shed, consider getting a cover for it. This will help protect it from the elements, prolonging the life of its finish and parts. One great piece of advice we found is to not buy a specific horse trailer cover, but instead, buy one for an RV.
Horse trailer covers often don’t fit the trailer well. An RV cover is for a taller vehicle and will ensure even the lowest parts stay protected.
Insurance For Horse Trailer Conclusion
The takeaway here is to always get specialized horse trailer insurance. Your auto policy will not protect your investment, it will only cover damage you cause to someone else. Read your policy carefully before agreeing to it to make sure you get the coverage you want.
Always shop around. Don’t take the first quote you get. Try and find the best value for the coverage you need.
How do you insure a horse trailer?
The best thing to do to protect your trailer is to consult with your insurance agent about comprehensive and collision coverage for your horse trailer. Many vehicle insurance companies will simply add an endorsement to your existing policy that extends comprehensive and collision coverage to your trailer. In the grand scheme of things, this is a relatively minor expense per year.
Does car insurance cover towing a horse trailer?
Car insurance is a legal requirement in most countries, while the insurance for trailer is usually not mandatory. However, it’s important to have this type of coverage for liability as accidents happen all the time and the cost of repair can be very high.
It’s smart to get a separate insurance on your towed horsebox. Not only does this protect you in case of a theft or other damage, but your policy could also protect you in other ways – such as providing a legal defense if someone claims you were responsible for their injuries. Some insurances even include additional cover for the contents, such as your tack, saddles and personal possessions.
What do you need to pull a horse trailer?
To safely pull a horse trailer, your truck will need a tow package. This consists of a heavy duty class V tow hitch, wiring harness, and brake control. It can also include a heavy-duty battery, transmission cooler, and other features.
The tow package will be available for purchase separately from the horse trailer or can be included in the trailer’s purchase price. If your truck doesn’t come with a tow package, you can get one through a local parts dealer, online, or at the dealership itself.
If you are planning to pull a horse trailer on public roads, you will also need a hitch license plate. To get a hitch license plate, you will have to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They can issue a temporary license plate to you at no charge for the duration of your trip.
Do horse trailers have brakes?
Most modern horse trailers are equipped with brakes. In fact, many horse trailers are required to have brakes because they are so heavy. For example, the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of a horse trailer can be around 3,500 pounds or higher. In some states, horse trailers with a gross vehicle weight of over 3,000 pounds are required by law to have brakes to travel on the road. However, smaller and older trailer models can be more of a challenge when it comes to keeping your horses safe in their travels as they are not always equipped with brakes. This is specially true for older bumper-pull models of horse trailers.
How fast should you drive with a horse trailer?
A simple precaution for driving safely while towing a horse trailer is to always drive at least 5 mph below the posted speed limit. As part of the rules of the road, some states have a separate speed limit for those hauling trailers – in that case, you need to respect those limits by the law.
It may seem counter-intuitive to drive slower on the freeway. After all, we want to get from point A to point B as fast as possible, right? But slowing down will make you and your horses safer and more prepared for possible traffic related troubles on the road. Driving at the set limit, staying a reasonable distance back from other vehicles, not cutting off other drivers, and not letting other drivers intimidate you in driving faster will all contribute to your safety when hauling a horse trailer.
Michael Dehaan is a passionate horse owner, horse rider, and lover of all things equine. He has been around horses since he was a child, and has grown to become an expert in the field. He has owned and ridden a variety of horses of different breeds, and has trained many to compete in shows and competitions. He is an experienced horseman, having worked with and competed many horses, including his own. He is an active member of the equestrian community, participating in events and teaching riding lessons.
