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Horsebox insurance

Protect your horsebox with horsebox insurance

Cover your horsebox against damage, loss, theft and more
Explore cover options, from third-party to comprehensive
Understand what affects your horsebox insurance quotes

What is horsebox insurance?

Horsebox insurance provides a financial safety net for the repair or replacement costs of your horsebox. This might be due to fire, theft, or a road accident. It also covers third-party claims, helping you rein in those costs.

Horsebox insurance is different from horse insurance, as horse insurance covers the animal's health and wellbeing. You will need separate policies for both your horse and your horsebox if you drive it on UK roads, as horsebox insurance is a legal requirement for the vehicle itself.

It's important not to confuse horseboxes with horse trailers though. A horsebox is a motorised vehicle, whereas a horse trailer is towed behind another vehicle.

Standard vehicle insurance usually won't cover a horsebox. That's because horseboxes are specialised vehicles. Transporting horses introduces dangers not covered by a typical insurance policy, such as the safety of the animals themselves during an accident.

Types of horsebox insurance coverage

There are a 3 main coverage options when it comes to horsebox insurance:

Third-party insurance

Third-party insurance is the most basic level of cover. It covers you for any injury to another person or damage to their property caused by your horsebox in an accident. It's the minimum legal cover required for horseboxes on UK roads.

Third-party, fire and theft

Covers you for damage to other people's property and injury to others, as well as damage to your own horsebox from fire or theft. This policy does not cover accidental damage to your horsebox from a road accident.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive insurance generally covers accidental damage, theft, and fire to your own horsebox, as well as third-party liability for damage or injury to others. It typically includes cover for horse-caused damage, vandalism, and windscreen damage.

Now you’ve chosen the type of horsebox policy, it's time to choose the right usage:

Social, domestic and pleasure: If you transport horses as part of a hobby. For example, shows, competitions, or simply for fun.
Business: You’ll need this if you're transporting horses as part of a business. For example, if you're taking horses to competitions and profiting from the winnings. Remember: If you transport horses for a fee, or hire out your horsebox, you’ll need ‘hire and reward’ usage.

For more short-term needs, you might want to consider temporary horsebox insurance. You can typically find policies for as little as one day or up to 28 days, depending on the provider.

Factors affecting horsebox insurance quotes

There are a number of factors that affect the cost of horsebox insurance. Let's take a look:

The make and model of the horsebox: The specific make, model, and age of the horsebox affect the risk and cost of repair or replacement.
Value: The overall value of the vehicle, including any customizations, impacts the premium.
Weight: Heavier horseboxes, such as those over 7.5 tonnes, might leave you saddled with higher premiums.

There are also factors related to the driver to consider:

Age and experience: The ages and driving experience of any named drivers on the policy affect the risk profile.
Claims history: A history of accidents or claims on your driving record can lead to higher premiums.
Driving abroad: Driving the horsebox outside your home country also influences the quote.
Intended use: Whether it's for personal use or for business.

It's also worth considering Hire and Reward horsebox insurance.

Hire and Reward (H&R) horsebox insurance is a type of cover that legally allows you to transport other people's horses or to hire out your horsebox in exchange for a fee or payment.

It is a legal requirement to have H&R cover if you are doing so, and it protects you against the costs of accidents, damage, and potential injuries to third parties. This is different from personal or business use, where you only transport your own horses for hobby or business purposes.

How to compare horsebox insurance quotes effectively

To compare horsebox insurance effectively, you'll need to carefully consider the reasons for using the horsebox. As well as your own personal needs.

Let's go through some of the main things to remember when comparing policies:

Check the level of cover: You'll need to choose how much cover you want. Either third party, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive.
Look at policy exclusions: This might be wear and tear, personal effects, or usage restrictions. Always read through the policy terms carefully to make sure you've not missed anything.
Pleasure vs. business: You'll need to determine whether you'll be using the horsebox for pleasure or business purposes.
Check for any mandatory excesses: Check any mandatory excess that might come with the policy.
Check you're eligible: You'll need to verify your own eligibility for the policy you're looking at. This might include license requirements and age restrictions.
Geographical limits or conditions for travel abroad: If you'll be taking your horsebox abroad, you'll need to find an insurance policy that meets these needs.

Additional coverage options to consider

Like most insurance policies, there are a number of additional coverage options. Whether they're right for you depends on your personal circumstance.

You might want to consider breakdown cover, which provides roadside help for your horsebox, including recovery services and even towing. So don't stirrup trouble - make sure you're covered against disaster.

It might also be worth considering temporary or short-term insurance if you'll only be driving the horsebox for a brief period.

Other optional extras include:

Legal protection: Legal protection can be added to horsebox insurance to cover legal expenses and claims arising from an accident, such as defending against prosecution costs and covering uninsured loss recovery. It is separate from the minimum legally required third-party liability, which covers property damage and bodily injury to others, and is particularly important for business users to cover legal liability for horses in their care.

Equipment cover: Horsebox insurance can cover installed audio, visual, and navigation equipment. Though this often depends on the policy type and whether the equipment is factory-fitted or not. Typically, comprehensive policies provide coverage for built-in equipment like these, but you should always check the specific policy terms and conditions to understand the coverage limits and any exclusions.

Tips for reducing horsebox insurance costs

Why the long face? Don't let the initial cost of horsebox insurance put you off. There are a number of ways to save money on your policy. Let's take a look at your options:

Security: Ensuring your horsebox is secure will help lower your insurance costs. You can use physical security devices like hitch locks, wheel clamps, and security chains. Or install an alarm system with motion sensors and an immobiliser. You might also want to consider a GPS tracker to locate it if stolen.
Limiting annual mileage: You can get cheaper insurance if you limit your annual mileage. You'll need to let your insurer know what your estimated mileage is, being as accurate as possible.
Consider temporary horsebox insurance: If you're only planning on using a horsebox for a short period of time, temporary insurance might be the way to go.
Bundling policies or choosing a higher excess: Insurers will often offer discounts if you buy multiple policies. You can also save money if you choose a higher excess. This is the amount you agree to pay towards a claim.

What does horsebox insurance cover?

The list below highlights the general inclusions and exclusions when it comes to horsebox insurance. But always check your policy documents first, as individual policies can be different:

Covered:

Replacing a stolen or written off vehicle
Windscreen replacement
Key replacement if they're stolen
Trailer cover
Liability cover
Motor legal protection

Excluded:

Wear and tear
Incidents that occur while using the vehicle for purposes not covered by the policy
Equipment or contents being carried in the horsebox, like tack. This can be covered by separate horse insurance
Loss or theft due to carelessness. For example, leaving the horsebox unlocked
Horseboxes over a certain weight

But hold your horses - the level of cover might differ when travelling abroad. Some policies only offer third party cover whilst you're out of the country, even with comprehensive cover in the UK. Some insurers will offer upgrades to get fully comprehensive insurance abroad though.

Horsebox insurance also won't cover horses in the event of an accident. You'll need a horse insurance policy for that. Buying pet insurance is a great way to give yourself peace of mind that your animal is covered against unexpected vet bills. Vet treatment can be pricy, but don't bolt. Our vet treatments guide outlines the average cost of standard procedures and vet care. As well as how buying the right pet insurance policy can protect you against hefty fees.

Do I need horsebox insurance?

Yes, horsebox insurance is a legal requirement if driving a horsebox on public roads. You'll need a minimum of third party cover.

If you're travelling in certain countries in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, you might need a green card.

If you're using a horse trailer instead of a horsebox, insurance isn't mandatory, but it's still highly recommended. Remember: A horse trailer is towed, whereas a horsebox is driven.