The Quick Answer
You most likely need commercial (general) liability insurance coverage for yourself, anyone who works or volunteers with or for you, and the owners of any premises or horses involved in the work. If you are a mental health professional you also need professional liability insurance coverage and I would recommend this for other professionals too where it is available. Options for insurance providers include BFL Canada and Capri Insurance. If you decide to follow these options pro-EFW recommend that state you are a candidate for certification or that you have completed certification through Pro-EFW. These companies have pre requisites in terms of your experience, training and credentials in the work you are doing and there are often certain exclusions too – so read the small print, ask questions and be clear with your insurer/ broker in terms of what your scope is. This is all in addition to any property, farm or non Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW) equine related insurance that are relevant to your situation and needs. Most insurance companies recommend that you also have all clients sign a waiver which includes an acknowledgement of risk and describes the nature of the services you are providing. If you provide online services (e.g. by zoom) or even communicate with clients using technology (including text), your insurance should extend to include this aspect of your work (‘Cyber insurance’). If your clients ride (or even just sit on) horses at any stage during EFW sessions I highly recommend that you check this is included within your coverage – some policies do not extend to mounted work. If you work outside of Canada then the requirements will be different. If you are based in Canada and do some work overseas then some policies will extend to cover this but I don’t recommend assuming this – ask! If you are based in a country other than Canada then the requirements are likely to be different so I recommend consulting with an insurance expert in your area. I do have students in the UK who have told me that their insurance companies have accepted Pro-EFW training for their pre requisite requirements for coverage.
Please note I am NOT an insurance or legal expert so this is an area where you should check the requirements specific to your province, client base, approach, credentials and work situation with an expert in the insurance field.
The Longer Answer
Types of Coverage
Commercial (General) Liability Insurance
Generally speaking, this is the policy that covers you if a someone sues you for physical harm they suffer while on your property/ in a session with you. Everyone practicing EFW (including volunteers, contractors, employees and property/ horse owners) needs this coverage. You will also need coverage to protect you from liability arising from the actions of those you work with (e.g. your employees) and this may require a separate policy. If you are working out of someone else’s premises/ with someone else’s horses you may be covered under their policy or they may need to be covered under yours. Either way, you need to check that every policy applies to the nature and scope of the work you are doing, with consideration for your client base and the species of animals you are incorporating into the work. Most policies for riding instruction or horse training do NOT extend to EFW work. I recommend talking with your insurance company and/ or broker and describing clearly who is doing what, with whom!
Professional Liability Insurance (also known as Errors and Omissions Insurance)
This applies to the mental health professionals and may also be available to other professionals (e.g. teachers or life coaches) depending on their context, credentials and work environment. Generally speaking, this is the policy that protects you in the case of a claim that a professional service you provided caused your client to suffer harm due to mistakes on your part or because you failed to perform some service/ aspect of the service. Your professional body will usually have an insurance company that they recommend and which will offer you group policy rates for this insurance. These rates can be significantly lower that what you will find anywhere else. You will need to check with both your professional body and your insurance company to confirm that this policy will extend to include your activities within the equine and animal assisted field. This is usually a process of having your professional body confirm that EFW/ AAT (however you define this aspect of your work) falls within your scope of practice as a … (whatever it is you are certified as). Every professional usually has to carry their own professional liability insurance and if you have employees/ contractors working with/ for you then you likely also need business professional liability insurance to cover your professional liability for their actions.
Other Coverage
If you are teaching riding lessons, training horses, transporting horses, boarding horses or if your practice includes equine clinics or any other equine related work this will likely NOT fall under your EFW scope of practice and will thus require a separate equine commercial liability insurance policy.
You should also consider your need for farm insurance (which usually includes a liability component), property insurance (for damage to your property), health or life insurance for your horses, and insurance for your equipment and tack. If you have employees there are additional considerations that are outside the scope of this article such as workers compensation.
Where to get Insurance
If you are a member of a professional regulatory body such as the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association, the Alberta College of Social Workers or the College of Alberta Psychologists I recommend exploring your options for both commercial and professional liability insurance through this membership with their recommended insurance company, as you are likely to have access to group rates which could save you a significant amount of money. For this to apply to your EFW and/ or AAT work, it is my understanding that you need your professional regulatory body to state that EFW and/ or AAT (however you describe this aspect of work) falls within your scope of practice as whatever it is they certify you as (e.g. counsellor, social worker, psychologist etc.) and to provide this statement to the insurance company. I also recommend getting it confirmed in writing each year from your insurance company or broker that your insurance policy includes coverage for this aspect of your practice. The brokers (for example BMS) who place insurance for members of professional regulatory bodies are starting now to define pre requisite requirements (e.g. in terms of training in AAT/ EFW and experience/ training with the species worked with) and in some cases limitations on what is covered. So I highly encourage you to read the small print, ask questions and seek clarification.
Other options include BFL Canada and Capri Insurance. Pro-EFW have relationships with both BFL and Capris which allow you to access their policies once you have completed both Explorations and Foundations training. We have included some links to the application process with both of these companies below. If you decide to follow these options pro-EFW recommend that state you are a candidate for certification or that you have completed certification through Pro-EFW. Please do NOT contact Pro-EFW for insurance but rather the insurance company.
If you live in Alberta I highly recommend that anyone who owns or interacts with horses join the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF). Their reasonably priced annual membership comes with a group insurance policy which covers you for a wide range of risks including liability coverage if a horse was to get onto a road and caused an accident, some transportation coverage, and emergency boarding coverage. They also have several optional ‘add ons’ that I believe are worthwhile for most horse owners.
December 2022 Update from Pro-EFW!
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Please note I am NOT an insurance or legal expert or professional, so this is definitely an area where you should check the requirements specific to your country, province, client base, approach, credentials, training and work situation with an expert in the insurance field.
Note: If you are unsure of any of the terminology or acronyms we used above please refer to our earlier blog post where we defined and reviewed these terms for you.
If you found this article helpful, please share it!
Next Question in the Series: How and where can I gain Work Experience in the EFW/ AAT field?
What about you? If you have any questions you’d like us to answer in this series, or questions on any of the above material, please use the comments section below!
Belong to AEF, won’t research insurance until after Focus training week 1, and joining EFW Canada.
I have insurance through the PAA group plan (Psychologists’ Association of Alberta) which is liability, and I have commercial/general insurance for my office. I also belong to AEF but don’t have any insurance through them. It is helpful to know that I will need my liability insurance to specify that I do AAT/EFW work.
This is great information. As I already have a small private counselling practice, do contracted home study writing, and do have people riding on my property I do have commercial insurance for my corporation already. I look forward to continued discussions around this to ensure that my existing insurance will cover me in the future.
Great information! This article even gives me things to think about in terms of insurance as a horse owner. Does anyone know what the BC equivalent to the Alberta Equestrian Federation (AFE) is?
It may be the Horse Council of BC?
Much to consider after reading this article. I think that my insurance options will be defined more clearly as I go through the process of defining my scope of practice through the different phases of training.
My Professional Regulatory Body is ACSW and they recommend to have both commercial and professional to be on the safe side.
Frank
Lots of great info here!! I will dig into a little deeper once I have a membership with EFW and have completed some training. Insurance and waivers.
Great info thank you. I am interested to see if the CCPA student insurance coverage that they now offer while on practicum, could be bundled with other commercial liability insurance. Definitely worth looking into in the future.
That would be good to look into! Professional bodies usually get you the best rate – just need to be sure it covers your scope of practice
This article makes another complicated aspect of this work more easily understood. Once I have completed enough training to be working with clients under supervision, I will inquire about insurance needed through the CCPA.
Thank you for the great information Sue. Once I have completed some of the training required to work with clients and scope of practice, I will look into the recommended liability insurance and coverage needed for my practice.
very good information, thank you. My farm insurance currently cover our boarding services up to 9 horses, but after talking to them, I will need a commercial insurance when start equine assisted services as mention in the article. I contact Capri insurance already and found that they are pretty expansive. Look forward to discuss more this in the training.
Thank you for the overview! Obviously, it depends on the scope of practice, and what individuals chose to do. Something to think about for the future.
An important consideration when the time is right.
Good insight into something I haven’t yet thought much about yet! Definitely important to start thinking about insurance coverage.
Great information I used to have the AEF insurance when I used to ride at the local arena. Now that I ride at home I have it under my house insurance. I am aware that this won’t be sufficient if this becomes a practice. Good to know that there are some place out there that have better rates. Thank you!
Definitely an area that requires research to ensure adequate coverage. And as someone mentioned about, getting with my current regulatory body (ACSW), would part of that research and a good resource.
Thank you for the overview of the information! Insurance is a topic quite new to me beyond my scope as a yoga teacher. Once I become a MHP I hope to have a better idea what my coverage may look like.
This is a super helpful synopsis of the types of insurance that might be needed for practice and where we want to practice. I would have no idea where to start and this is a good place to start thinking about coverage for clients, horses, and myself.
Once I have a clearer picture as to my Scope of Practice, these references will be invaluable. Thank you! Is extra insurance necessary, do you think, if no money is exchanged for “services”?
That is a great question Elizabeth! As noted I’m not an insurance professional and it is always best to speak to your broker or insurer – but, to the best of my knowledge, the fact that no money changes hands does nothing to limit your liability. You are still liable if someone gets hurt and thus still need insurance. It is certainly a challenging aspect as you start up a practice. I believe BFL (the one connected with Pro EFW) offer a bit of a graduated plan – i.e. you pay less when your level of business is less. Another option is to get your initial hours with another program where you can be covered under their insurance. I hope this helps!
I’ve emailed Capri to add EFW to my insurance. I’m hoping it’s that easy! haha 🙂
Thanks for the info – and love the cross-country action shot!
When I was looking for insurance I found that BFL was about half the price of Capri when I received a quote from each and, from what I could tell, offered a similar package.
Great! That is consistent with what I hear from other students!
Have you heard anything about BFL’s reputation when there is an insurance claim? I have heard of people having trouble with some insurance companies with the payout for mortality insurance.
Hi Tonia
I haven’t heard anything positive or negative about their claims payout. They are relatively new to providing insurance in this area so I’m not sure that there have even been any claims made yet.
I didn’t realize I could get commercial insurance through ACSW, I will have to look into this and get more details! Thanks!
Again, this is something I never thought about! I am learning so much through this whole process.
Although you’ve offered some help in this area, I like that you’ve noted the fact that you’re not an expert in the field of insurance and that it’s up to us to do more research and find out for sure. Like you said, there may be different requirements specific to our province, client base, approach, credentials and work situation. Thank you for guiding us in the right direction.
Excellent information – I didn’t even think of insurance as a volunteer, but it’s good information to know. I will join AEF at a minimum…. then will research a bit more once I go further along in this field. BFL sounds like a great choice from what I’ve read so far.
My list of things to do is definitely growing! Thank you for the great information and also for making it very clear that you’re not an expert in the field, but also for providing this very important information!
Hi Andrea – as a volunteer at someone else’s program you may find you are covered under their insurance for general liability – just check that it extends to EFL/ EFW. If you are running your own program you definitely need your own policy, and professional liability is usually a personal policy also.
Great info, I will have to dig into my current liability policy for my equine body work to see if this is something that could be added on!
Hi Andrea – if you are with Capris they do provide coverage for EFL. Or BFL may be worth looking into too!
So much to consider after reading this! Thank you
I already have professional liability licence but it is important to consider additional forms of insurance I will need doing this work!
This information was extremely helpful. I have commercial and professional insurance through the ACSW as a home studies writer so I’m all covered in that area, but never even considered getting coverage through the AEF. Thank you for this valuable suggestion.
As a Registered Psychologist in the province of Alberta, I hold liability insurance through the College of Alberta Psychologists. We use BMS. I have reviewed my present policy and upon renewal in May, I will be adding the AAT/EFW coverage to my plan. Thank you for the invitation to consider registration with the Alberta Equine Federation. Lastly, I have taken some time to read through the AEF website and there is a wealth of information within the “resources” link (https://www.albertaequestrian.com/resources/) which attend to equine facility/event safety, equine healthcare/disease management, injury of person or animal, emergency preparedness, and more. I look forward to reading these sources in more depth!
Thanks for sharing this link Kim!
I’m definitely going to be checking out the Alberta Equine Federation. Thanks for providing some clarity on this Sue!
This was big for me as I have heard off the cuff comments about how expensive insurance is for EFW especially if you include therapeutic riding. I am have my coverage as a psychologist so I will have to look into how EFW is incorporated and what steps I need to take/what information they need to provide this coverage and to better understand the limits of the coverage. Down the road I will also need to look into waivers of liability etc.
We have a number of psychologists who have trained with us and have their EFW insurance as an add on within their regular policy, so if you post a question on the HH trainees/ graduates FB group about this I am confident one of them would respond. Or I can connect you directly with someone if that would help.
Thank you for this information. I don’t plan on doing this work, but I can imagine this will be very helpful for people starting out!
Thank you for offering these resources and considerations.
Insurances are a big concern. Thank you for the informations.
This is so helpful, I have been wondering about insurance and how it works if you are not at a CanTRA facility. Thank you.
you are welcome!
We have just gone through a heck of a time with renewing our farm insurance. (Farm insurance is on top of the professional insurance that is in the blog above.) Many others may be in the same boat as apparently the market has changed and coverage has been hard to find for those running an equine business or program on their premises. We finally found AVID in Yellowknife who will cover our farm/home.. just incase anyone else is having trouble. They have an office in Saskatchewan too.
thanks for the recommendation Judy!
I am currently struggling finding this as it is not something that is familiar here in Manitoba…
Hi Melanie – we actually have quite a few practicing students in Manitoba. I’d encourage you to post a question on the FB group and see who gets back to you. In terms of insurance both BFL and Capri should have options which could apply for you.
also often hear of the expense and difficulty obtaining equine insurance
Thank you for info!
Thank you for this. I find insurance while important, quite confusing.
I hear you Denay! If you have specific questions or areas you need clarity on please do ask!
Capri Insurance offers insurance for people teaching riding lessons as insurance for coaching. Also need to remember that with AEF insurance it only covers other members riding your horse so make sure that you tell clients or people who will be riding or working with horses to get insurance in case something happens. This year it looks like AEF is offering summer camp insurance to children and youth age 5-17.
Yes this article certainly is helpful in pointing us in the direction of what we need. I didn’t think about the owner of the land, so if my husband is part owner, I need to look into what insurance should have him included.
Insurance is something that I was wondering about so it’s good to know there are options!
Perfect! I have AEF and Professional and general liability coverage through BMS insurance! But you just reminded me to check if my AAT coverage includes Equine specifically or not! Thank you for this!
you’re welcome Elicia!
Lots to consider – great information here!
Thanks for the information. I will be verifying with the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists on my current insurance coverage.
I will look at horse council of BC as well. Thanks for the info
Thank you for this essential information! I’m wondering whether there are any out-of-pocket expenses? Or does the facility or organization that offers EAT/AAT cover the premium?
Hi Desiree – do you mean if you’re working/ volunteering at a program? In that case it often depends on how they are set up. If it’s a program that’s already established they should (hopefully – always check though!) have general liability in place to cover staff and volunteers but you will have to carry your own professional liability. Many programs require contractors to also carry their own general liability too.
Thank you Sue! This answers my question from my earlier email. 🙂
So much information, thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the information – it’s nice to know that ProEFW is recognised by some of these insurance companies already
They are also recognised by insurance companies overseas – I discovered this when I was extending my coverage to work in the UK!
I am so grateful about how convenient it is to get insurance for EFW practices. Through my CCPA insurance BMS I only had to complete a check box to be covered for equine psychotherapy.
It was helpful to think on the additional insurance needed for activities that are horse related but with be outside of EFW practices. I could have overlooked that.
Yes – it is great now that more professional bodies are including these options. BMS do have requirements attached to the coverage applying – broadly that you have training in the approach you’re following and with the species you’re working with. Are you a member of the AAT in C chapter with the CCPA? This would be a great place to keep up to date on all of these requirements, options and opportunities. I’m sure you could contribute lots to the chapter too with your experience!
Insurance is such a comprehensive area! Thank you for making these details so straight forward. As Ashley and you have already mentioned, BMS has a separate clause available for equine psychotherapy….I will have to look further into the fine print as I go forward. I also have a ton of questions re: having horses/building/equipment/tack, etc as part of a private practice but located on a personal farm. Perhaps we could discuss these details further at a later time Sue!
You’re welcome Chaundra
When you also have farm and equine property insurance to consider BFL can sometimes become the best option. The only area where I’d say they’re not competitive is the professional liability piece
Very helpful article and delighted to read about this training being accepted by some UK companies, need to look into this further
Great! Ella (I think you have her contact info) would be another great person for you to chat with about the UK insurance options
Lots of great info here and so much to consider. I was able to get insurance to have a small dog partnering in my work through CCPA’s partner insurance company and I think it is a little more straightforward than when working with equines – that being said, I believe it is time for me to join the AAT in C chapter with the CCPA to help keep me better informed and connected.
I have BMS through the registering board and interestingly enough there is only a small check box and an extra fee of around $50 to include animal assisted therapy in my policy. I found there was very little information pertaining to AAT and even when I reached out to BMS for further clarification, there is very little wording on specifics.
I would recommend keep watching the fineprint with BMS. Right now BMS is the broker for at least three of the MH bodies and places these with different insurance companies which means the details do differ between each. However, the move is towards asking for training and certification/ eexperience to support your scope of practice – both with the species you are working with and specifically in AAT/ EFW.
Another great article and something I should start looking into!