Insurance for animals. Do you have the cover you need?

There are many different types of insurance policies which may include cover for animals as standard. For example, if you have a domestic dog, you may have cover under your home insurance policy for any compensation you have to pay if your dog injures a third party or causes damage.

If you keep animals such as horses, sheep or even bees; it is likely you will require a more bespoke policy. An equine policy could provide cover for loss of your horse due to accident, injury or disease, also for veterinary fees and third party liability cover. As a beekeeper you can obtain cover against disease and also to protect against your bees causing damage to others and/or their property.

Businesses also need to consider if they require insurance for animals. If you have employees who work with animals, you will need to make sure that your insurers are aware of this, so you have the right cover in place. A full disclosure of facts around the business and any activities involving animals will be required. Some of the information insurers will need from you is the type of animals, how many you have, where they are kept and who cares for them.

If a business is responsible for looking after animals that are owned by someone else, for example a livery yard or boarding kennel, the owner may want to consider additional cover for loss of an animal in their care due to their negligence. Most policies will exclude damage to property in the care, custody and control of the Insured but there are extensions available on some insurance policies to include this cover in respect of animals.

A farmer may want cover for livestock to protect against risks such as mortality, infertility, theft and disease. Standard farm policies often include exclusions relating to such risks and therefore the policy wording should be checked carefully. Owners of livestock – in particular horses and cows – will undoubtedly require public liability insurance, as if any of their livestock escaped, the owner may be liable for any injury or damage caused.

The key to ensuring you have appropriate cover in place – for your individual needs – is to speak to your insurance broker and provide them with as much information as possible. They will then be able to advise and assist you in obtaining the cover which you need.

For more information, please contact Catherine Morgan

+44 (0)20 7133 1387

[email protected]