Guide

Which insurance does a horse share need in Switzerland?

4 min read

A horse share without a clear insurance basis is a financial risk for both sides. A fall, damage to the horse or to stable property can quickly trigger five-figure amounts. This article shows the most important types of insurance in a Swiss horse share and what to look out for when choosing.

Who needs which insurance?

The legal logic splits the insurance over two sides.

  • Owner as animal keeper: Animal-keeper liability for damage the horse causes to third parties. This insurance covers liability under OR Art. 56.
  • Rider as the person riding: Personal liability with the Swiss module "riding other people's horses" for damage they cause themselves, including damage to the horse.

These two insurances interlock and together cover most damage cases. Leaving out one of the two leaves a gap that has to be carried personally in a damage case.

The owner's animal-keeper liability

Animal-keeper liability is the most important insurance for every Swiss horse owner. It covers the animal-keeper liability under OR Art. 56.

  • What it covers: Damage the horse causes to third parties (personal damage, property damage), for example a kick against a parked car, an injury on a trail ride or damage to stable equipment.
  • Recommended coverage: At least 5 million CHF, ideally 10 million. Personal injuries with permanent disability can quickly reach this level.
  • What it does not cover: Damage to the horse itself, the owner's own injuries, illness treatment costs.

The Baloise overview of animal-keeper liability and comparable providers show the typical conditions. To compare prices use Comparis or an independent insurance broker.

Personal liability with the "riding other people's horses" module

The rider needs their own personal liability. Important: the basic personal liability is not enough.

  • What the standard personal liability covers: Damage the person causes to third parties (personal and property damage in everyday life). Damage to another person's horse is usually not included in the standard variant.
  • What the "riding other people's horses" module additionally covers: Damage to another person's horse that arises from riding or handling (tendon injury through overexertion, injury during loading, bridle damaged in a fall).
  • Swiss providers: Several established Swiss insurers offer this module. The Mobiliar guide page on riding other people's horses explains the concept in detail. Other providers have comparable solutions.

More on the module in detail in the riding other people's horses guide.

Other relevant insurances

Beyond the two essential modules, three more insurances are relevant.

  • Rider's accident insurance (UVG). Mandatory in Switzerland for working people. Covers treatment costs, loss of earnings and rehabilitation for accidents. For non-working people the accident component runs through the health insurance.
  • Surgery insurance for the horse. Covers operative interventions (colic surgery, orthopaedic operations) up to a certain amount. The owner decides whether this insurance is worth it.
  • Equestrian sport membership. Anyone who is a member of the Swiss Equestrian Federation (Swiss Equestrian) benefits from additional insurance options for competition riders.

These three insurances are not mandatory but can be important in specific situations.

What to clarify before the horse share starts

An insurance clarification belongs before the first riding day.

  • Record the insurance status of both sides in writing. The horse share agreement records which insurances each side has (insurer, policy number, where applicable the module name).
  • Confirmation of the "riding other people's horses" module. The rider provides evidence (with an insurance overview or insurer confirmation) that this module is included.
  • Check the coverage. An animal-keeper liability with 1 million CHF is clearly too low. In case of a large damage the owner stands personally for the difference.

More on contract clauses for insurance in the contract guide.

FINMA note: no product recommendation in this guide

FINMA (Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority) regulates the activity of insurance brokers. From 1 January 2026 a tightened industry register applies for tied brokers (FINMA overview). An active recommendation of a specific insurance product requires registration as a broker.

This guide therefore exclusively describes types of insurance, without recommending a specific product. For individual selection:

  • Consult independent insurance brokers in Switzerland
  • Use Comparis as an independent comparison portal
  • Get several offers directly from insurers and compare

Frequently asked questions

Which insurance does a horse share need in Switzerland? The owner needs an animal-keeper liability. The rider needs a personal liability with the module "riding other people's horses". Both sides should also keep their accident and health insurance in view.

Is animal-keeper liability mandatory in Switzerland? There is no federal obligation for horse keepers. In practice it is effectively indispensable, because the animal keeper is liable under OR Art. 56 for damage.

What does a horse animal-keeper liability cost in Switzerland? Amounts vary by insurer and coverage. For specific prices use independent comparison portals like Comparis.

Is the rider's normal personal liability enough? No. A standard personal liability usually does not cover damage to another person's horse. Only the module "riding other people's horses" closes this gap.

Who helps with choosing the right insurance? Independent insurance brokers or comparison portals like Comparis.

Sources and further reading

Manage insurance documents digitally

In HorseCompanion, insurance documents and policy numbers can be recorded per horse and horse share. That way all relevant information is immediately available in a damage case. Get started for free

Updated: June 2026