Is your horse trailer or horse lorry competition season ready?
With spring finally here, competition season is upon us! Many horse trailers and horse lorries will have been carefully put away for the winter or used only occasionally in recent months. The start of the season is a good time to make sure all is in working order, and you’re fully prepared for travelling for a successful summer of competitions.
Our team of Horse Trailer and Horsebox Insurance experts have compiled a checklist to ensure that, whether you have a horse lorry or a trailer, you and your horse are set for safe travels for the season ahead.
Annual Service
Whether you own a horsebox or a horse trailer, arranging a full annual service is essential. After the long, wet winter, the start of the competition season is the perfect time for a service to ensure you are travelling your horse safely in a well-maintained vehicle. In addition to full servicing, while many professional companies will check the flooring is safe for horses to travel, it is important to specifically request this at the time of booking. If you have a horse lorry, the MOT or plating does not always guarantee the floor is safe for travelling horses. It is important to regularly check the flooring of your horse lorry or trailer and consult a professional if you have any concerns.
Insurance Documentation and Breakdown Cover
As a legal requirement, Horseboxes are required to have third-party Horsebox Insurance. Most Horseboxes are covered comprehensively, with owners using specialist insurers to ensure peace of mind. At the start of the season, review your Horsebox insurance to ensure it still meets your needs—particularly your breakdown cover, which is crucial when travelling horses. At SEIB Insurance Brokers, we offer comprehensive cover for Horseboxes from 3.5 tons up to HGVs with unlimited mileage, flexible options include Horsebox and Horse trailer breakdown cover, windscreen repair and replacement, cover for high-value horseboxes, motor legal expenses up to £100,000 and up to six months of European Cover (excluding breakdown).
At SEIB, we offer Horse Trailer Insurance for trailers valued up to £35,000 with options including fire, theft and accidental damage, breakdown cover, up to a year’s cover for hired trailers, public liability cover for when the trailer is not hitched up is included automatically, and discounts are available for Equi-Trek Trailers. Trailer Cover is available in moments through our online Quote and Buy platform. Horse trailer cover is not a legal requirement, but you must ensure your towing vehicle insurance includes towing cover, as this is required by law.
Paperwork and Legal Requirements
A Horsebox must hold an annual valid MOT certificate. If the Horsebox is over 3.5 tonnes, it will also need a plating. The plating is the document defining the legal maximum weights the vehicle can carry. The plating is normally carried out at the same time as the vehicle’s annual MOT, which checks its mechanical safety. Even if the MOT and plating aren’t due near the start of the season, it is important to check, note the dates and get booked in well in advance.
The start of the season is also a good time to double-check your road tax is up to date on your horse lorry. If you have a horse trailer, now is also a good time to look at the MOT, insurance and Tax of the towing vehicle.
It is also a legal requirement that your horse or pony’s passport travels with them when you are out and about. Again, the start of the season is a great time to check the passport is up to date and make a note of any upcoming vaccinations.
Final Preparations
Before your first outing of the season, it’s important to make some final checks, including looking at the tyres, lights, and brakes.
The team over at Horse & Hound have created an all-round checklist of things to help you and your horse or pony be ready to go for the season ahead. Their checklist includes pointers on everything from getting your horse fit through to familiarising yourself with rule changes for the season ahead.
About SEIB
SEIB Insurance Brokers has been providing Horse Insurance for over 60 years. We provide a flexible range of policies to suit your needs. Our experienced team of horse owners can help provide you with advice on what cover you might need.
