Race Horse Owner’s Liability

Michael Levy – President/Agent

A third generation horseman, Michael founded Muirfield Insurance in 1991 after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania.  Michael and his wife Meg own and operate Bluewater Farm and Bluewater Sales.  He has served on many boards throughout his career in the industry such as TOBA, Breeders Cup Limited and the American Graded Stakes Committee.

mlevy@muirfieldinsurance.com

Emily Estill – Accounting Manager/Agent

Emily joined the Muirfield team in June 2011. She manages our accounts payable and accounts receivable. Emily is the direct contact for any and all billing questions within our organization. Emily holds her Bachelors degree in Accounting from the University of Kentucky.

eestill@muirfieldinsurance.com

Bryce Burton – Equine and Farm Insurance Specialist/Agent

Bryce has been with Muirfield Insurance since 2014. He holds his Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Transylvania University. Bryce is the direct contact for any Property & Casualty exposures within our office.

bburton@muirfieldinsurance.com

Shelby Sapienza – Customer Service Representative/Agent

Shelby joined our team in 2020 with over 20 years of equestrian experience, from working, riding , and showing hunter/jumpers.  As our satellite agent, she uses her personal equine experience when assisting clients with their equine and farm insurance needs.

ssapienza@muirfieldinsurance.com

Julie Moses – Equine and Farm Insurance Specialist/Agent

Julie joined the Muirfield team in 2021 with nearly 20 years of Equine Insurance experience. She has been involved with horse since childhood and actively showing Hunter/Jumpers since 1990. She has worked for USEF, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and has been an active board member of the KHJA for many years. She assists clients with their equine, farm and liability needs.

jmoses@muirfieldinsurance.com

Ian Jones – Customer Service Representative/Agent

Ian joined Muirfield Insurance in 2021.  A native to Youngstown, Ohio, Ian spent 6 years in the military before making Kentucky his new home.  He quickly fell in love with the culture of the equine industry and became an avid racing fan. Ian brings a unique background in management and technology to help service our equine accounts.

ijones@muirfieldinsurance.com

Jessica Bowers – Customer Service Representative/Agent

Jessica joined the Muirfield team in late 2022. She moved to Kentucky 11 years ago for college, horses, and has since decided to make Lexington home. Jessica now holds her Bachelors degree in Biology from Eastern Kentucky University and has built a strong foundation working in customer service and as a veterinary technician. Her work history and personal equine experience with both riding and farm work help her to support and understand the needs of our clients.

jbowers@muirfieldinsurance.com

Morgan Withers – Customer Service Representative/Agent

Morgan was born and raised on a Thoroughbred breeding farm in northern Virginia. She grew up an avid rider, competing in the hunter/jumper circuit atop many ponies and homebred OTTBs. After receiving her B.S. in Animal Sciences from the University of Florida, she moved to Kentucky to further her contribution to the equine industry. From working the foaling seasons to the sales rings, to starting her own training business and competing in the Retired Racehorse Project, there is no one more appreciative of the Thoroughbred breed, both on and off the track.

mwithers@muirfieldinsurance.com

Charlie Boone – Customer Service Representative

Charlie is the newest member of the Muirfield team, having joined in 2025. Charlie was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky and holds a degree in Business Administration from Furman University. Charlie joined our team after garnering experience in the thoroughbred industry at Mount Brilliant Farm and Gainesway Farm. When he is not in the office, Charlie manages his family’s farm, Boonesborough.

 

The most common insurance policy written for Thoroughbreds is an all risk mortality policy. This type of policy provides coverage on the animal for death due to any cause, and generally includes coverage for theft and unlawful removal, poisoning, and willful and malicious misconduct. The policy is usually written on an annual basis, and the animal must be proven to be sound of health at inception to effect coverage. Completion of a satisfactory veterinary certificate at policy inception is the accepted means of proving the horse to be “sound of health at inception”.

The all risk mortality policy can be written in three basic policy formats, which include a “straight” mortality policy which has no deductible applicable, a coinsurance policy, or a deductible policy. The “straight” mortality policy is written on individual animals, or on schedules of horses. With a straight mortality policy there is no deductible applicable in the event of a loss, while with the coinsurance policy and the deductible policy, there is a deductible to apply in the event of a claim occurrence. The rating on the straight policy is dependent upon the age, use, value and sex of the insured animal, with breeding animals at the lower end of the rating scale, and flatracers at the higher end of the scale. Show animals are rated based on their use, age and value.

Coinsurance policies are written on an “each and every loss deductible” basis, and typically involve schedules of 20 or more animals with a total sum insured of over $1 million. A set “each and every” loss deductible amount is established at policy inception that would apply to each loss, with the excess of the insured value over that set amount being paid in the event of a claim. A maximum annual aggregate deductible rate is also set forth at the beginning of the policy period, and each time the “each and every” loss deductible is applied to a claim, it is offset against that maximum deductible. Once the annual aggregate deductible has been satisfied, all additional claims would be paid in full. Because the probability of collecting at least a partial payment on each claim is high, rates for coinsurance policies are higher than for deductible policies, but are still lower than basic non-deductible policy rates.

The final and most inexpensive type of all risk mortality policy available is the deductible policy. The underwriting requirements for deductible policies are the same as for coinsurance policies, but an annual aggregate deductible based on the total sum insured at the time of loss must be exhausted prior to any claims being paid under the policy. There is an annual aggregate deductible calculated at inception which must be exhausted prior to any actual payment of claims monies to the assured. The policy is rated by first rating each individual animal separately on a straight mortality basis, and obtaining an average rate weighted by the insured values for the entire schedule of horses, and then splitting out the average rate into the premium rate and the deductible rate. No one animal can be insured for in excess of 20% of the total sum insured on the entire policy. When this type of policy is quoted, the assured may be given several alternatives on rates to choose from and he can choose which option he prefers depending on the degree of retention, or self-insurance he feels comfortable with on the policy. He may choose a higher premium rate, and lower deductible rate, or vice versa, depending on his specific insurance requirements. Deductible policies are written on large schedules of usually 20 or more animals, with the total sum insured totaling $1 million or higher.

Insuring the mare’s fertility is also an important protection of an investment in a stallion season. Stallion nominations, or breeding seasons, can be purchased either on a “live foal guaranteed” basis, or on a “no guarantee” basis.

The first of the options, a live foal option, guarantees that a live foal is produced from the breeding or no stud fee is due. The live foal season is more expensive than the “no guarantee” season, for which the stud fee is due and payable even if no foal is ever even conceived or foaled. Obviously, there would be no reason to insure the live foal season, but through a package of insurance coverages, the no guarantee season can, in effect, be converted to a live foal season. This can often be accomplished for an even lower cost than if the same season is purchased on a live foal basis. Such a package would include coverage for stallion availability insurance, barrenness insurance, and in utero, or prospective foal insurance.

In Utero, or Prospective Foal Insurance can be effected independent of Barrenness coverage, and attaches once the mare has been declared 42 days in foal or more. This coverage can be effected not only during the breeding season of the year bred, but also on mares purchased at public auction later in the year. Insurance protection against the birth of twins can also be purchased provided an ultrasound is performed when the mare is 15 to 35 days in foal showing a single fetus to be present.

We have a specially designed liability policy to cover the unique liability exposures of Race Horse Owners for injury or damage caused by the horses. Individuals, partnerships, corporations and syndicates which own racing stock (including stallions at stud, broodmares and yearlings) but are not directly involved in breeding, training or racing (i.e. contract with independent trainers, breeding farms) are eligible. Prices are very competitive with liability limits to $1,000,000.

The coverage of this policy is designed to insure you for your legal liability up to the limits of the policy. When a person is injured or property is damaged as a result of activities involving the horse or horses you own we will, subject to the exclusions in the policy, settle claims for which you are legally liable, including defense costs.

Another type of mortality policy is the specified perils policy, which provides coverage for death due to fire, lightning or collision in transit. This policy provides extremely limited coverage, and is, accordingly, very inexpensive to purchase. The rates for specified perils coverage range from .5% to 1% depending only upon whether or not the animal is in training. In areas of the country which suffer severe lightning storms, this coverage provides a very economical protection from the perils named in the policy.

Stallion availability insurance provides coverage on the stallion so that in the event he is unable to cover the mare the required number of times to fulfill the barrenness insurance requirements for any reason whatsoever, the investment in the season is protected. This coverage can be incepted at the time the season is purchased, and expires automatically at the end of the breeding season unless specific arrangements are made otherwise.

The mare can be insured against barrenness, which insures that provided the mare is covered by the stallion a minimum of two times during two separate oestral periods she will get in foal. The barrenness policy is usually written in a package with an in utero, or prospective foal policy, which picks up as soon as the mare is actually in foal. The in utero coverage insures that she produces a live foal that lives to a specified age set forth at policy inception.

The options for the expiry of this type of policy are to 48 hours after the birth, 30 days after birth, 6 months or one year after the birth of the foal, with the rate charged being influenced by the option chosen.

Even though you already have liability insurance, an Umbrella policy may be essential to protect you from a large catastrophic loss. In today’s litigious society court awarded damages continue to rise dramatically. Our Umbrella provides excess coverage over and above the limits of your other liability policy or policies. So if your liability limit is used up, your Umbrella policy will take over and continue to pay for damages you are legally required to pay up to the limit of the Umbrella policy itself which could range from $1,000,000 to $20,000,000. The Umbrella policy does not take the place of any of your existing liability coverage. It merely gives you added coverage on top of those existing policies. The Umbrella policy is especially important for those individuals, partnerships or corporations that have large financial investments at stake in their horse operation. It extends over the listed policies indicated at inception, and provides excess coverage on top of the primary liability coverage provided in those policies.

With the high costs involved with the breeding business, fertility insurance on both stallions and broodmares has become increasingly important to protect investments in stallion seasons and shares. The stallion must be insured that he covers the mare and gets her in foal, and the mare must be insured that she gets in foal.paddock

Prior to retirement from racing, a prospective stallion should be insured for accident, sickness and disease infertility. This coverage protects the stallion in the event he is rendered permanently and totally unable to breed as a result of an accident, illness or disease which manifests itself within the stated policy period. This coverage is usually written in conjunction with a full mortality policy.

Once the stallion has been retired to the farm and prior to test breeding or semen-testing occurring, a congenital infertility policy can be effected on him. The congenital infertility policy insures that the stallion gets a specified percentage of the mares bred to him in foal. The actual percentage used is normally 60% of the mares which fit into a described age group and meet specific production parameters. If the terms of the syndicate agreement vary from this standard policy, the policy can be modified by underwriters to conform to the guarantees made in the syndicate agreement.

The equine industry consists of many unique liability exposures that many standard homeowner and farmowner insurance policies typically exclude or severely restrict. Our liability program for horse owners can provide the necessary legal liability protection for most horse related operations. It will provide the protection you need arising out of your horse business. It is intended for the amateur or the professional. It can be designed for a small two horse operation or it can cover a large breeding farm. Coverage is available for small individual operators or large commercial equine operations with policy limits of up to $1,000,000. Umbrella policies are available to provide additional coverage in excess of the $1 million basic limits provided under the Horse Owner’s General Liability policy.

Regardless of the size of your operation, you’ll be insured for your legal liabilities up to the limits stated in the policy. When a person is injured or property damaged as a result of your equine operations we will, subject to the exclusions in the policy, settle claims for which you are legally liable. In addition to this, we will make sure you are defended in lawsuits whether substantial or groundless and in most cases pay for all court costs and judgments, subject to the limitations and exclusions stated in the policy. Whether your activities involve riding instructions, breeding, racing, showing, boarding, pleasure activities or training, we can custom design a policy to fit your liability needs.

This policy is custom designed to meet the insurance needs of today’s horse farm owner. The farm policy offers both flexibility and broad protection at a competitive price. Whether you operate your horse farm as an individual, partnership, or a corporation we can provide a policy to meet your financial needs.

Coverage is available for all different types of farm structures. From the dwelling you live in, including your contents and personal property, to your barns and other farm outbuildings. Also, you can insure other types of property such as jewelry, furs and antiques which require special attention. We offer you a broad range of coverage choices, from the basic coverage of named perils protection to a special all risk protection which is the most comprehensive coverage that we offer.

The farm policy recognizes that many people not only work on their farm, but live there. Therefore, in addition to covering the farm operation, the policy can be tailor made to handle the needed protection for a homeowner or family who also lives on a horse farm.

The farm policy will also insure you against farm liability up to the stated limits of the policy. Coverage is available for small individual operators or commercial equine operations with policy limits up to $1,000,000. When a person is injured or someone else’s property is damaged as a result of your farm activities we will, subject to the exclusions in the policy, settle claims for which you are legally liable. Most equine operations are eligible, including but not limited to show, personal use, boarding, training, breeding and riding instruction operation facilities.

Certain exclusions and limitations apply to the Farm policy so it is important to discuss all the coverages provided and exclusions contained in the policy with your agent before purchasing the policy.

This insurance is essential for the horseman who boards or trains horses or who is responsible for other people’s horses while breeding, training, showing or racing them. It pays all sums you are legally obligated to pay for damage to horses in your care, custody or control, that do not belong to you. This coverage does not apply to horses you own or lease, which typically are covered by a mortality policy.

Typical policy limits are available from $5,000 to $200,000 per animal and from $25,000 to $500,000 maximum loss per policy year.

In response to increasing requests for higher limits, please be advised that we can offer the following in addition to our present program:

$500,000/$1,000,000
$800,000/$1,500,000
$1,000,000/$1,500,000
$1,000,000/$2,000,000

In addition to paying for damages to horses, the Care, Custody or Control policy will pay for the cost of your legal defense if a suit is filed against you on any horse in your care, custody or control, whether or not you are found to be negligent. This coverage will provide funds for you to purchase bail bonds, we will pay interest on judgments and all costs taxed against you in the suit. We will also pay expenses you incur at our request to assist us in your defense, including loss of earnings, up to $100 a day. These coverages are the most important aspects of this policy, as even defending unfounded or unsubstantiated claims of negligence can result in large legal expenses.

Your premium is partly determined by the number of horses in your care and their values, which makes this coverage affordable to both the small and large operation. For the protection the policy provides, the premiums are very reasonable, and it should be an integral part of your overall insurance program.

Other insurance coverages are available on Thoroughbreds, and can be written upon request, but are usually considered to “specialty” insurance coverages. While loss of use coverage is difficult to place on Thoroughbreds, especially on flatracers, there is coverage available for loss of income. This would be written on a high valued animal and is often specifically tailored for that animal. Transit coverage is included in the standard mortality policies, but can be effected on a trip only basis if desired.

The most important aspect of insuring an equine investment is making sure that investment is fully protected to the extent such protection is required – whether fully or partially. Given the specialized nature of this type of insurance, consultation with an expert agent on both the coverages and markets available is imperative so the optimum coverage is effected in the most secure insurance market so that in the event of a claim, the claim is settled promptly and efficiently.