A guide to finding the best trailer or horsebox insurance for you

The specialist equestrian insurance team from horsebox-insurance.co.uk, part of the County Insurance Group, offer a guide to getting the best trailer insurance or horsebox insurance for your needs. County Insurance are an independent broker who deal with the top insurers.
 
1. The price is right? – Owning and keeping horses and a form of horse transport is very expensive, so you don’t want to be paying more than you need to for your insurance.
Use a broker who you trust to search the market for you. They’ll do the ‘leg-work’ and will get you the best price out there by knowing which insurer is the most suitable to place your risk with.

Different insurers favour various areas of the country, certain vehicles or other particulars like where the vehicle is parked overnight, age of drivers etc. A broker will be aware of all of these factors.

They also, in effect ‘bulk-buy’, so can pass on the savings to you. It’s also reassuring to have their vast knowledge and advice on your side!

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2. What will you use your horsebox/horse lorry/trailer for? – Apart from the obvious answer, your insurer may want to know whether you will purely use it for personal use or as a business too (hire & reward – charging people to travel their horse in your vehicle).
If you state that your vehicle is purely for personal use and you have an accident whilst being paid to travel another horse, your claim may be jeopardised.
 
Make sure you have the support and protection you need if something goes wrong
3. Are the contents insured too? – We spend great effort insuring our horse and vehicle but what about the valuable items that also travel with us?

Nowadays horseboxes can carry iPhones, iPads, TVs, android phones, cameras, sat navs etc.; not to mention our saddlery, tack and other belongings. These can be easily stolen. Check whether these are covered too. Could you afford to replace them if not?

4. What happens if you have an accident or breakdown? – Although we really hope it won’t happen, this is the main reason for us having insurance. We want our treasured animals to be as safe as possible and for us to be given full support if anything does go wrong.
Speak to your broker about whether you will be offered alternative transport or stabling if your vehicle is damaged or unusable? Consider adding horsebox breakdown cover to your policy to make sure that your horses and passengers are taken home, if you breakdown while on the road.

Your broker will guide you through a claim and make sure you get the best outcome and settlement possible.

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Horsebox Breakdown Cover & Assistance
5. How to get further discounts – Many insurers will offer further discounts for certain criteria.  The top insurers that County Insurance work with give discounts for: Trailers kept at home rather than at the stables or yard, low mileage, horseboxes 3.5 tonne and under and horseboxes fitted with immobilisers etc. Make sure you or your broker are requesting further discounts and that you’re advised on modifications you could make to your vehicle that don’t cost the earth but will save you money on your premium.

6. Don’t be put off if you’re young or a learner– Many insurers won’t charge any extra for drivers who are learning and haven’t taken their test yet (provided they have a valid car license of course). 

As long as certain rules are adhered to (use of L plates and travelling with an experienced person who is eligible to drive the vehicle) then there is no extra charge applied if you have not yet got your licence (trailer – to tow a trailer, C+E – for up to 7.5 tonnes, or HGV – anything bigger than 7.5 tonnes). 

Insurance for horseboxes driven by younger drivers isn’t as scarily-priced as you’d think and it will just get better and better as you start to build your no claims bonus. 
Speak with a trusted broker and they will advise on your options regarding ‘main drive’, ‘named driver’ or ‘any driver’ policies and which may be best for your individual circumstances.

Visit www.horsebox-insurance.co.uk for more details.

Browse equipment for sale or place an ad on Horsemart now.