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Insuring a riding stable or livery yard in Germany

A riding business in Germany carries three risks at once: liability for its own school horses, responsibility for other people's horses in its care, and the yard itself with arena, stables and feed. A private horse owner's liability policy covers none of this once lessons or livery are paid for. What matters is that the policy names every activity that actually happens on the yard.

The question almost everyone asks first

Is insurance compulsory for a riding stable in Germany?

There is no general legal duty to insure. Anyone running a riding or carriage business on a commercial basis, or keeping horses commercially such as in a livery yard, needs a permit from the local veterinary office under section 11 of the German Animal Welfare Act (TierSchG). Liability is strict: the keeper of a horse is liable under section 833 of the German Civil Code (BGB), and whoever looks after horses under a contract is liable as an animal minder under section 834 BGB.

School horses and strict liability

Under section 833 BGB the keeper of a horse is liable for the damage it causes, even without fault. For a riding school this weighs double, because school horses are ridden every day by different and often inexperienced riders. If a pupil falls because a horse shies, the claim lands on the business.

German law allows a defence for animals that serve the keeper's trade or livelihood, provided the keeper shows proper supervision (section 833 sentence 2 BGB). The Federal Court of Justice reads this narrowly and has in principle refused it to a non profit therapeutic riding association (VI ZR 312/09). A riding business should never plan around that defence, but around a policy that expressly covers injured pupils.

Livery horses: minder and custodian at the same time

Taking in horses for a fee means taking over their supervision by contract. The yard is then liable as an animal minder under section 834 BGB for damage those horses cause to others, alongside the owner. German courts also treat a livery contract as a mixed contract in which care and custody of the horse come first.

If a livery horse is injured in the field, caught in a fence or falls ill after a feeding error, the owner will claim against the yard. Many liability wordings exclude this care and custody damage or include it only up to a small amount per horse. With valuable sport horses a low limit does not go far, so this is the first point to check in any quote.

Buildings, stock and income need their own cover

Liability insurance protects against claims from others, not the yard's own assets. The arena, stables, horse walker, tack room and feed stocks need buildings and contents insurance, with attention to storm and snow load on large arena roofs. The yard's own horses can also be insured against fire, lightning and electrocution, or with equine mortality cover.

If the business stops after a fire or an official closure because of an animal disease, costs continue while livery and lesson income stops. Business interruption cover is designed for this. Whether it pays off depends on how quickly clients would move their horses elsewhere.

Farm or trade: the classification matters

Whether a livery yard counts as agriculture or as a trade is decided case by case by the tax office and the statutory accident insurer. Agricultural horse keeping falls under the SVLFG, the farm accident insurer, while a commercial riding business may belong to BG Verkehr. That also shapes which insurance product fits.

Many farms insure the riding business as a module of their farm liability policy, others through a dedicated riding stable policy. Both can work as long as the description is right: lessons, schooling, hacks, holidays and events must be named, or the activity that caused the loss may be missing.

What is covered

  • Injury and property damage caused by the yard's own horses, including school horses
  • Claims by injured pupils, clients and visitors, where the yard is liable
  • Animal minder liability for livery and client horses
  • Damage to livery horses in your care, if included and up to the agreed limit
  • Riding instructors and other staff while working for the business
  • Property owner's liability for the yard, arena and fields
  • Legal defence against unjustified claims, in court if necessary

What is not covered

  • Damage caused intentionally
  • Damage to the yard's own horses, buildings and equipment
  • Activities not described in the policy, such as carriage rides or riding holidays
  • Registered vehicles and horseboxes on public roads, which need motor liability cover
  • Contractual promises in the livery agreement that go beyond statutory liability, unless included
  • Care and custody damage above the agreed limit per horse

Who needs it

  • Riding schools with their own school horses
  • Livery yards and equestrian farms with boarded horses
  • Training yards that school other people's horses
  • Yards offering hacks, riding holidays or therapeutic riding
  • Farmers keeping livery horses as a sideline

Who does not need it

  • Private owners who only let others ride their own horse without payment, a horse liability policy is enough

Wheel of misfortune

Spin the wheel of bad luck

Six things that really happen. The wheel picks yours and shows who pays.

See all six cases
  1. School horse shies, pupil falls, a few thousand euros, six figures with lasting harm. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. The core case of riding stable liability. Medical costs, loss of earnings and damages for pain are covered where the yard is liable.
  2. Livery horse injured on a fence, vet bill up to the horse's value. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays. Care and custody damage. Basic wordings exclude it, strong ones pay up to the agreed limit per horse.
  3. Horses escape onto the road, often five to six figures. Budget policy: pays, Strong policy: pays. Keeper and minder liability apply outside the yard too. Make sure there is no sublimit for escaped horses.
  4. Feeding error, several horses ill, vet bills for several horses. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: pays in part. Feeding damage to livery horses falls under care and custody cover, and some policies cap it further.
  5. Storm strips the arena roof, five to six figures depending on the arena. Budget policy: does not pay, Strong policy: does not pay. This is damage to the yard's own building. Liability cover never pays, only buildings insurance does.
  6. Unreported holiday camp, child hurt, a few thousand euros and more. Budget policy: pays in part, Strong policy: pays. If the activity is not described, only provisional cover for new risks helps, and only up to its limit.

What it costs

There are no published average premiums for riding businesses in Germany that could be compared fairly. Insurers usually rate by the number of horses and by the activities on the yard. A pure livery yard and a riding school with the same number of horses can be far apart.

What drives the premium

  • Number of own horses and livery horses
  • Type of business: livery, riding school, schooling, breeding, hacks
  • Care and custody limit per horse
  • Sum insured and deductible
  • Buildings, contents and business interruption included
  • Claims history

We do not publish sample premiums, because public comparisons only cover private horse owners. Your premium is fixed only in the quote we obtain for you.

The policy levels on the market

01

Module of a farm policy

The riding business as an add on to the farm liability policy. Affordable and suitable for small livery yards, but damage to livery horses is often covered only up to a small amount or not at all.

02

Dedicated riding stable liability

A specific policy with lessons, animal minder liability and care and custody cover per horse. The right approach for most riding schools and livery yards.

03

Yard package with property and income

Liability, buildings, contents, own horses and business interruption from one insurer. For larger yards with an arena and many livery clients.

How to recognise a good policy

CriterionMinimum standardStrong policyWhy it matters
Activities described livery and lessons named also schooling, hacks, holidays, events and therapy Activities that are not named are often not covered when a claim comes.
Damage to livery horses included with a fixed limit per horse high limit per horse and per year, no separate deductible The value of a sport horse quickly exceeds small limits.
Injured pupils claims by clients from the riding business included expressly including minors, hacks and vaulting Falls during lessons are the most common injury claim.
Animal minder liability included for livery horses also for client horses in lessons and schooling The yard is liable under section 834 BGB for horses it supervises.
Sum insured combined single limit for injury and property damage high combined limit including financial loss A seriously injured rider can generate lifelong claims.
Escaped horses damage outside the yard included no sublimit, road traffic included A horse on the road can cause a serious traffic accident.
Staff and helpers employed instructors and riders also freelance instructors, interns, volunteers and sharers Yards rely on helpers without an employment contract.
Cover for new risks provisional cover up to a limit high limit and an innovation clause A new outdoor arena or a new offer is otherwise uninsured until reported.

Insurers on the German market

In Germany riding businesses are written by specialists in animal risks and by farm insurers, often as a module of a farm policy. The large property insurers mostly cover them through commercial or agricultural packages. The list describes the German market; it says nothing about which insurers we work with.

InsurerBackground
Uelzenermutual insurer specialising in animal and horse insurance
R+Vcovers equestrian businesses through its farm line, rated by number of horses
Allianzcommercial cover with offers for riding instructors and schools
Haftpflichtkassemutual insurer specialising in liability, sold through brokers
VHVbroker insurer with a wide liability range
Ammerländermutual insurer from Lower Saxony, sold through brokers
Gothaercommercial and farm clients through agents and brokers
Württembergischepart of the W&W group, commercial clients through agents and brokers

Compare the wordings of all tariffs Riding stables 9 tariffs from 7 providers, as of 24 October 2026

From the BaFin register

163

163 insurers supervised by BaFin, the German regulator, are licensed for this class of insurance.

(Allgemeine Haftpflicht, Hagel-, Frost- und sonstige Sachschäden)

Show all 163 names from the register
  • ACM Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Autoversicherung AG
  • ADAC Versicherung AG
  • ADAC Zuhause Versicherung AG
  • ADLER Versicherung AG
  • AGILA Haustierversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Allcura Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Allianz Direct Versicherungs-AG
  • Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty SE
  • Allianz Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Alte Leipziger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Ambra Versicherung AG
  • AMMERLÄNDER VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
  • andsafe Aktiengesellschaft
  • ARAG Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Astra Versicherung AG
  • AXA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • BA die Bayerische Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Badischer Gemeinde-Versicherungs-Verband
  • Baloise Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft Deutschland
  • Barmenia Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • BavariaDirekt Versicherung AG
  • Bayerische Hausbesitzer-Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
  • Bayerische Landesbrandversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Bayerischer Versicherungsverband Versicherungsaktiengesellschaft
  • BD24 Berlin Direkt Versicherung AG
  • Bergische Brandversicherung Allgemeine Feuerversicherung V.a.G.
  • BGV-Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • CG Car-Garantie Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Concordia Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • CONSTANTIA Versicherungen a.G.
  • Continentale Sachversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Cosmos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DA Deutsche Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • DARAG Deutschland AG
  • Debeka Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft Sitz Koblenz am Rhein
  • Delvag Versicherungs-AG
  • DEVK Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • DEVK Deutsche Eisenbahn Versicherung Sach- und HUK-Versicherungsverein a.G. Betriebliche…
  • DFV Deutsche Familienversicherung AG
  • Dialog Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Die Haftpflichtkasse VVaG
  • DOCURA VVaG
  • Dolleruper Freie Brandgilde
  • Domestic & General Insurance Europe AG
  • ERGO Direkt Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ERGO Reiseversicherung AG
  • ERGO Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Euro-Aviation Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • EUROPA Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • EXTREMUS Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Fahrlehrerversicherung Verein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Feuer- und Einbruchschadenkasse der BBBank in Karlsruhe, Versicherungsverein auf…
  • Feuersozietät Berlin Brandenburg Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • GARANTA Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gartenbau-Versicherung VVaG
  • Gebäudeversicherungsgilde für Föhr,Amrum und Halligen
  • Gemeinnützige Haftpflichtversicherungsanstalt Kassel
  • Generali Deutschland Versicherung AG
  • GGG Kraftfahrzeug-Reparaturkosten-Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Gothaer Versicherungsbank VVaG
  • Great Lakes Insurance SE
  • GRUNDEIGENTÜMER-VERSICHERUNG Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • GVO Gegenseitigkeit Versicherung Oldenburg VVaG
  • GVV Direktversicherung AG
  • GVV-Kommunalversicherung, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Haftpflichtgemeinschaft Deutscher Nahverkehrs- und Versorgungsunternehmen Allgemein (HDNA) VVaG
  • Hagelgilde Versicherungsverein a.G., gegründet 1811
  • Hamburger Beamten-Feuer-und Einbruchskasse
  • Hamburger Feuerkasse Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Hamburger Lehrer-Feuerkasse
  • HanseMerkur Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
  • Harsewinkeler Versicherung VaG
  • HDI Global SE
  • HDI Global Specialty SE
  • HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • HDI Versicherung AG
  • Helvetia Schweizerische Versicherungsgesellschaft AG Direktion für Deutschland
  • Helvetia Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • HUK-COBURG Haftpflicht-Unterstützungs-Kasse kraftfahrender Beamter Deutschlands a.G. in Coburg
  • HUK-COBURG-Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • HUK24 AG
  • Häger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Hübener Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • IDEAL Versicherung AG
  • INTER Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Interlloyd Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • InterRisk Versicherungs-AG Vienna Insurance Group.
  • ISSELHORSTER Versicherung V.a.G.
  • Itzehoer Versicherung/Brandgilde von 1691 Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Janitos Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-ALLGEMEINE Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • KRAVAG-LOGISTIC Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • Landschaftliche Brandkasse Hannover
  • LBN Versicherungsverein a.G. (VVaG)
  • Lehrer-Feuerversicherungsverein a.G. für Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
  • Lifestyle Protection AG
  • Lippische Landesbrandversicherung AG
  • Lucura Versicherungs AG
  • LVM Landwirtschaftlicher Versicherungsverein Münster a.G.
  • Mannheimer Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Markel Insurance SE
  • Mecklenburgische Versicherungs-Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Mercedes-Benz Versicherung AG
  • MVK Versicherung VVaG
  • MÜNCHENER VEREIN Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • NEH Neue Hildener Versicherung AG
  • Neodigital Versicherung AG
  • Neuendorfer Brand-Bau-Gilde
  • Newline Europe Versicherung AG
  • nexible Versicherung AG
  • Nordhemmer Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • NV-Versicherungen VVaG
  • NÜRNBERGER Allgemeine Versicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • NÜRNBERGER BEAMTEN ALLGEMEINE VERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • OKV - Ostdeutsche Kommunalversicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Ostangler Brandgilde, Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
  • OSTBEVERNER Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit (VVaG)
  • Pallas Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • ProTect Versicherung AG
  • Provinzial Nord Brandkasse Aktiengesellschaft
  • Provinzial Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • PVAG Polizeiversicherungs-Aktiengesellschaft
  • R+V Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Real Garant Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • RheinLand Versicherungs Aktiengesellschaft
  • Rhion Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • S DirektVersicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SAARLAND Feuerversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Schleswiger Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • SCHNEVERDINGER Versicherungsverein a.G.
  • SHB Allgemeine Versicherung VVaG
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SIGNAL IDUNA Unfallversicherung a. G.
  • Sparkassen-Versicherung Sachsen Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Stuttgarter Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • SV SparkassenVersicherung Gebäudeversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • TRIAS Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Uelzener Allgemeine Versicherungs-Gesellschaft a.G.
  • Union Reiseversicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • uniVersa Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • Vereinigte Hagelversicherung VVaG
  • Vereinigte Tierversicherung, Gesellschaft auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Versicherer im Raum der Kirchen Sachversicherung AG
  • Versicherungskammer Bayern Versicherungsanstalt des öffentlichen Rechts
  • Versicherungsverband Deutscher Eisenbahnen-Versicherungsverein auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Verti Versicherung AG
  • VHV Allgemeine Versicherung AG
  • VHV Vereinigte Hannoversche Versicherung a.G.
  • Volkswagen Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • VOLKSWOHL-BUND SACHVERSICHERUNG AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
  • VPV Allgemeine Versicherungs-AG
  • Waldenburger Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • WERTGARANTIE SE
  • WGV-Versicherung AG
  • WWK Allgemeine Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Württembergische Gemeinde-Versicherung auf Gegenseitigkeit
  • Württembergische Versicherung Aktiengesellschaft
  • Würzburger Versicherungs-AG
  • Zurich Insurance Europe AG
  • Öffentliche Feuerversicherung Sachsen-Anhalt

Source: BaFin company database, 18 September 2026; EU insurers without a German office excluded.

Legal basis and sources

Products and add-ons

Riding stable liability

Business liability for riding schools and livery yards with keeper and minder liability, pupils' claims and cover for livery horses.

Farm liability with riding module

For farms keeping livery horses as a sideline. Check that lessons and care and custody reach as far as in a dedicated policy.

Buildings and contents

For the arena, stables, horse walker, tack room and feed. Watch storm and snow load on large roofs.

Equine insurance for own horses

Mortality cover for school horses or protection against fire, lightning and electrocution.

Business interruption

Replaces lost livery and lesson income after a property loss, with some insurers also after a disease closure.

Myth or truth

True or false?

Five things people say about this insurance. Guess first, then see the answer.

A private horse liability policy is fine for a few paid lessons.

This is false.

False, private policies exclude commercial use. Even occasional paid lessons need business liability cover.

Only the owner is liable for a livery horse.

This is false.

False, the yard takes over supervision by contract and is liable as animal minder under section 834 BGB alongside the owner.

Commercial riding lessons in Germany need an official permit.

This is true.

True, a commercial riding or carriage business requires a permit under section 11 TierSchG from the veterinary office.

School horses can count as working animals, which allows a defence.

This is true.

True, under section 833 sentence 2 BGB, if the horses serve the business and supervision was proper. Courts read this narrowly.

A therapeutic riding charity can use the working animal defence like a business.

This is false.

False, the Federal Court of Justice has in principle refused that defence to a non profit therapeutic riding association (VI ZR 312/09).

Common mistakes

  • Running the riding business on a private horse liability policy
  • Leaving out care and custody cover for livery horses, or setting the limit per horse too low
  • Not reporting new offers such as hacks, holidays or therapy
  • Relying on the working animal defence in section 833 sentence 2 BGB
  • Promising more liability in the livery contract than the policy covers
  • Not updating the number of horses over the years

Frequently asked questions

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Does my private horse liability policy cover paid lessons?

No.

Private horse liability policies in Germany exclude commercial keeping and use.

As soon as you offer lessons, livery or hacks for money,

you need business liability cover that names those activities.

Am I liable for a livery client's horse?

Yes, in two ways.

If the horse harms someone else,

you are liable as animal minder under section 834 BGB alongside the owner.

If the horse itself is harmed, the owner can claim under the livery contract if you breached your

duty of care.

What is care and custody damage?

Damage to property or animals of others that are in your care,

for a livery yard mainly the clients' horses.

Many liability wordings exclude it.

Riding stable policies include it with a separate limit per horse.

Can a riding school rely on the working animal defence?

Possibly, if the horses serve the business and the yard proves proper supervision.

German courts interpret the exception narrowly,

and the Federal Court of Justice has in principle refused it to a non profit therapeutic riding

association.

It is no basis for insurance planning.

Do I need a permit to run a riding business in Germany?

Yes, if you run a riding or carriage business or keep horses commercially,

for example as a livery yard.

The permit under section 11 TierSchG comes from the local veterinary office,

which checks your expertise.

You may only start once it is granted.

Are volunteers and horse sharers covered?

Only if the policy names them.

Good wordings expressly include volunteers, interns and horse sharers.

Ask for written confirmation before you sign,

because yards depend on helpers without employment contracts.

Is my indoor arena covered by the liability policy?

Liability cover only pays claims by others, for example if a visitor is hurt in the arena.

Damage to the arena itself from storm, snow load or fire needs buildings insurance.

Why use a broker for a riding stable?

Because the differences sit in the modules: care and custody limits, described activities,

helpers and escaped horses.

We compare the wordings with your yard and support you when a claim comes.

NAMMERT insurance broker

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Personal

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3Details

Riding stable insurance

For example livery with turnout, riding school, schooling, hacks, riding holidays

For example shows on the yard, breeding, carriage rides, value of the most valuable livery horses

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