Who's Liable If My Car Hits a Horse?
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She covers topics ranging from car insurance to healthcare costs.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Who's Liable if My Car Hits a Horse?
If I hit a horse that is on the road and the accident damages my car and kills the horse, is my car insurance responsible for the cost of the horse, or is the horse owner responsible for the repairs to my car?
This actually depends on the state and the county where the accident occurred, specifically whether or not horses are permitted to be on the road in question in the first place. In some parts of the country, if a road goes through a horse owner’s property or runs adjacent to it, the property owners can allow their horses on the roadway. In other places, animals must be kept off the roads regardless of property ownership.
If your car insurance includes comprehensive coverage, your damages will be covered either way. If the accident occurred on a road where the animal was permitted to be, your car insurance liability coverage is likely to cover the horse. In addition, some horse owners carry animal collision insurance, which may cover the horse’s injuries or death.
If you carry only the state-mandated liability coverage, which will not include collision or comprehensive coverage, your liability coverage can cover the horse if you are at fault, but you are not likely to receive any compensation for the damages to your car. If you are not at fault, you will have to sue the horse owner or use your comprehensive coverage to cover damages to your vehicle.
An independent insurance agent can answer questions like these and many more. A local agent can help you get the coverage you need and keep you informed.