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An Overview to the coverages in the 1998 Insurance Program.
The Insurance Program provides you with the following:
1) $5,000,000. Liability Insurance ($500. Property Damage Deductible) This coverage will protect you against
law suits for Bodily Injury or Property Damage arising out of the ownership of a horse (or horses), or arising
out of your involvement in equestrian related activities subject to the following provisions.
A) The coverage excludes the “commercial use” of horses (such as renting them out to others) as well as participation
in rough stock Rodeo events, Pari-mutuel racing or unsanctioned racing activities.
B) Use of a horse in shows or competitions, or by a coach for instructional purposes is not deemed to be commercial
use.
C) Fund raising activities by clubs are not deemed to be commercial use however the coverage excludes club fund
raising activities that involve Trail rides, Pony rides, or the consumption of alcohol.
D) Clubs are allowed to conduct clinics using competent, experienced non C.E.F. instructors, if necessary however
the specific coverage for coaches that coaches purchase to insure their daily year round coaching operations only
applies to Canadian Equestrian Federation certified coaches.
E) If you are a member of the Horse Council of B.C. but you reside outside of the province of British Columbia
then your coverage is restricted to equestrian activities that take place within those provinces. This restriction
only applies to Non-Resident Members. Coverage for members of the Horse Council of B.C. who are residents of British
Columbia is world wide.
F) The basic coverage excludes exposures that result from the daily year round ownership, renting, leasing,
or contractual obligation for maintenance of land and buildings. This is different than the time limited exposure
that results from the short term activities of conducting an event or coaching session. However clubs and coaches
who do own, rent or lease premises on a longer term monthly or annual basis may apply and purchase a coverage extension
for this more permanent premises exposure.
G) Clubs or coaches who own, rent, or lease property and board horses for others may also apply and purchase
coverage for the value of the boarded horses that are in their care custody and control.
2) $3,000. per horse / $6,000. per accident Transportation Insurance This coverage will protect you against law
suits for damage to a horse (or horses) that belong to someone else while the horse (or horses) are being transported
by you from one location to another. This coverage does not apply to people who are commercially in the business
of trailering horses for compensation.
3) $30,000. Accidental Death, Disability, and Dismemberment This coverage is on you the member against accident
which results in a disabling injury to yourself. (i.e. being thrown from a horse, or kicked, etc.)
Some Questions and Answers:
1) Question
My children are members of our provincial association and have coverage under the Insurance Program. However the
horse is owned by the family and my wife or myself do all the driving and trailering. Are we covered if we have
an accident while trailering or while the horse is being used by my wife?
Answer
Only members of the Horse Council of B.C. are covered by the Program. The situation you describe is a common one
and the only solution is for all members of the family who are involved with the horse to become members of the
Horse Council of B.C. Fortunately this organization offers a Family Membership which is an economical way to solve
your problem.
2) Question
I own a horse that I lease to someone else for their use during show season. They pay me for the expenses of keeping
the horse plus a small extra monthly amount. Is this a problem? How does the Insurance Program deal with the lease
situation because this situation is very common.
Answer
The situation you describe is a problem because in addition to defraying expenses you are also realizing a profit
from the lease arrangement. There is no problem with a lease situation provided it is of a long term nature (monthly
or yearly not daily) and there is no profit being made. Simply defraying expenses by entering a lease arrangement
with someone you know and trust does not constitute a business or commercial enterprise under the Program. To fully
protect yourself both you and the other person should be members of the Horse Council of B.C. and you should have
the other party sign a legally sound release and acknowledgment form.
3) Question
I own a horse that I occasionally let my friend use. I do not ask for and am not paid for this, it is simply a
favor. Does this create any problem with my coverage?
Answer
The Insurance Program for 1998 will cover you in this situation as long as you are not paid for the ride or the
use of the horse. Being paid for the use of a horse in this fashion constitutes commercial use which is excluded.
However the person who you allow to use the horse does not have coverage under your insurance and should make their
own arrangements. We suggest that they join the Horse Council of B.C. Also be sure that people who you allow to
use your horse have the necessary skills and experience to avoid an accident.
4) Question
I am a member of a club and the club has purchased the 1998 Insurance Program. Does this cover me while I am participating
in my club’s activities? If it does then why do we both have to be members of Horse Council? It seems that we would
be double paying.
Answer
Under the law you are a legal entity and as such you may be sued. The club is also a legal entity under the law
and they may be sued. In the case of an accident resulting in a law suit the club and any other involved legal
entity could be named in the action. The Insurance Program covers the club as a legal entity for the arranging
and conducting of various club meetings, events, and other approved club activities. The club coverage applies
only to the club as a legal entity and does not automatically extend to cover other legal entities such as yourself.
Under the Insurance Program the only way you can protect yourself is by joining the Horse Council of B.C. and obtaining
the individual coverage. It is important to note that the coverage you would obtain applies to all of your equestrian
activities, not just those involving club events. The cost of the club insurance is substantially reduced because
of this situation.
5) Question
Our club has a policy of making our members all join Horse Council as we are supposed to in order to have coverage
under the program. What do we do if some members do not actually join? How do we police this?
Answer
In order for clubs to have coverage under the 1998 Insurance Program their members are supposed to be members of
the Horse Council of B.C. (This applies to riding or driving members). It may be difficult to police but it is
important. The cost to join Horse Council of B.C. is modest and includes all the insurance benefits as well as
supporting the considerable work that these organizations do on behalf of the equestrian community. Check your
club rider/driver membership roster with the Horse Council office to confirm that everyone has joined. Explain
to your members that this is necessary to make sure that everyone has proper coverage. Please have any of your
members call Capri Insurance at 1-800-670-1788 if they need any information about the insurance benefits.
Capri Insurance is able to offer a full range of products and services to assist you in the in the transfer of
risk to an insurance company where that treatment of an exposure is warranted. (i.e. Farm and equestrian property,
Horse mortality, Tack and Trailer, etc.)
All Inquiries concerning the 1998 Insurance Program should be directed to
Capri Insurance, (Equine Department)
Suite 204 Capri Office Tower,
1835 Gordon Drive,
Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 3H5
You are welcome to call Capri Insurance at 1-800-670-1877 (ask for the Equine Department)
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