INSURANCE

Membership of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners provides valuable Third Party Liability Insurance for Racehorse Owners. Third party Liability Insurance is very important to you and you can find out all the relevant information about the benefit that it offers to you below.

  • Members of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (including syndicates) will receive automatic third party cover up to €6.5 million.
  • If you are not a member of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners it is strongly recommended that you join up and receive adequate insurance cover and you will also avail of other benefits of membership
  • Annual Membership Subscription is €100.
  • See Policy Summary
  • You can apply now to become a member of AIRO by contacting the Association's Manager, Regina Byrne at 045-878173.
  • For full information on our owners Insurance policy, please click below

POLICY SUMMARY

The policy indemnifies each racehorse owner who is a member of AIRO and whose name is maintained on the register held by AIRO during the period of Insurance. The covered activities are the ownership of any horse kept for the purpose of racing under the Rules of Racing, National Hunt Rules and Point to Point (providing the horse is being trained by a licensed trainer only).

INSURANCE Q&A

What is third party liability insurance?
It is also known as Public/Personal Liability Insurance and will indemnify the Member for their legal liability arising out of their ownership of any racehorse. The cover applies in respect of damages,(including costs) that you may become legally liable to pay as a result of any accident or injury to a third party and / or their property. This insurance is in excess of any other more specific insurance.
What in respect of this insurance constitutes a racehorse?
​The definition of a racehorse under the terms of this policy is at the time of a claim an animal being kept for racing (under the rules of any recognised Turf Authority). This would include being prepared for racing, resting or recuperating (provided it is the intention of continuing a racing career). If the horse is not in a licensed yard at the time of an incident it will be the members responsibility to prove that the animal qualifies under the aforementioned definition.
​If my trainer has insurance why do I need cover?
It may be that your trainer's insurance doesn't adequately cover you. If your horse is out of training you may also not have indemnity. The animals act 1971, that applies in the UK including Northern Ireland, imposes strict liability in some cases, on an owner of a horse irrespective of whether they are the keeper of the animal or not.
Will cover be applicable to a horse that is owned by a Syndicate or a Partnership?
  • If a Syndicate is a member of AIRO then indemnity is provided.
  • In a Partnership then cover is ONLY applicable to those Partners that are members of AIRO.
​Is a yearling bought at the sales covered?
Cover is applicable from fall of hammer provided it is the intention to begin preparation for training.
Will a horse being prepared for a breeze up be covered?
Cover applies from the time the process starts.
​Am I covered for horses that I own trained in France?
No. Cover only applies to horses in training in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
​Am I insured if my horse travels to the UK, France or Germany to race?
Yes. Cover is world wide provided the horse remains in the care of an Irish/UK based trainer. Indemnity is subject to the EC Jurisdiction clause. (Indemnity will apply but legal action must take place in an EC court)
Are Hunter Chasers or Point to Pointers covered?
Both Hunter Chasers & Point to Pointers are covered, if they are trained by a licensed trainer.