Insuring Horse and Farm Property

posted by Lanna Gamble.

When I was a little girl, I can remember watching my dad drive the tractor and cut the fields for hay. This was bitter sweet for me because it meant I would have to help stack hay, not something I really enjoyed doing, and it meant my dad would move the big round hay bails to meticulously construct a giant maze for my sisters and me to play in. I remember hiding in the hay mazes and playing on top of the hay bails until the sun went down. Memories like this made me fall in love with Oklahoma and make me different from most people in the United States. I am sure many of you who own ranches and farms have similar experiences. These memories make the sweat and dedication to the farms and ranches worth while. The memories we have made and the memories to come are the backbone of what this state stands for.
These wonderful experiences would not be possible if it were not for our land; that is why you want to make sure your land and assets are protected. It is the job of your insurance agent to be an advocate for you, to analyze every possible situation, and make sure you are properly covered, keeping your personal coverage and the coverages for your farm and ranches separate.

What would you do in the following scenarios?

-You have horses on your land and one gets out and is hit by a car. The driver of the car dies and goes after your farm.
- You are traveling with a trailer and are carrying not only your horses, but horses with other owners. You have a wreck and the horses die, as well as people involved in the wreck. You were held responsible.
- You own a barn and stable horses. The barn catches on fire and the horses die in your care.
- You allow people to ride horses on your ranch. A student is kicked in the head by a horse and has acquired monumental hospital bills and the family wants you to pay them.

The possible scenarios are endless. The question is what would you do? Have you asked your insurance company if horses are covered, because while many people falsely assume that these situations are covered by standard liability insurance, the fact remains that many liability policies contain a provision which excludes the important coverages. If you are not properly covered and something happens with your horses and cows, this opens a window for law suits. If you do not separate your personal insurance from your farm or ranch insurance, there is potential for claim on your homes, land, cars, investments, retirements, etc. What would you do if you lost all you had worked for?
The Szeszulski Agency offers several options for farm and ranch owners. One of the cornerstones of the agency's coverage is the SFP10 policy. It provides effective yet flexible property and casualty coverage relevant to horse operations of varying size and scope. A number of coverage options ensures you're getting just the right amount of coverage you want. Major SFP10 Coverages include:


- Residence and Household Contents
- Building and Building Contents
- Farm Personal Property
- Scheduled Personal Property
- Liability


Another coverage offered by the Szeszulski Agency is the Commercial General Liability, or CGL. It is designed to cover many situations involving horses. It can help protect you from claims brought against you as a result of your horse operation. CGL coverage applies to the specialized needs of operations involving horse drawn carriages, sleighs, hay rides, pony rides, and more.
An optional coverage on our SFP10 policy, Care, Custody and Control, provides protection in the even that someone else's animal dies or suffers an injury while in your care, and you are held legally responsible.
Life is unpredictable; therefore it is important to protect the way of life you love, as well as your family. Meet with us or someone like us to make sure you and your farm or ranch are properly covered. Again, while most assume their horses are, they are not. Examine the possible situations and be proactive before it is too late. Let us be an advocate for you.