Horse float insurance: what it covers, what it doesn't, and how to choose

Owning a float · 5 min read · From EuroFloat, Australian owned and operated

In this guide11 sections

1. What horse float insurance covers
2. What it doesn't cover: your horses
3. Stay under your ATM and GCM
4. Isn't my float covered by my car insurance?
5. Agreed value or market value?
6. Five things that can void a claim
7. How to choose a policy
8. Who we recommend
9. Have these ready when you get a quote
10. Australian owned and operated
11. Questions buyers ask

What horse float insurance covers

A comprehensive horse float policy protects the float whether it's on the road behind your vehicle or parked at home. Most cover falls into three groups.

Cover	What it usually includes
Damage to the float	Accidental damage and repairs, total loss, theft, and on some policies damage caused by your horse
Legal liability	Damage or injury the float causes to other people or their property
Extras	Equine equipment such as tack and gear, and a hire float after theft or total loss
Your horses	Not covered. You need a separate equine policy.

What's included, and the limits on each, change from insurer to insurer. Always read the policy wording before you buy.

What it doesn't cover: your horses

This is the gap that catches most owners out. Float insurance covers the float. It doesn't pay vet bills, and it doesn't pay out if a horse is injured or lost on the road.

To cover your horses while they travel, you need an equine policy that includes transit cover. Ask your equine insurer:

• Are my horses covered while they're in the float?
• Does that include emergency vet fees after an accident?
• Is there a value limit per horse?
• Am I covered if I'm carrying someone else's horse?

Using one equine specialist for both your horses and your float makes it easier to see where one policy stops and the other starts.

Stay under your ATM and GCM

This is the rule we care about most. A float that's overloaded, or a vehicle towing more than it's rated for, is unsafe for you and your horses. It's also illegal, and it gives your insurer grounds to refuse a claim, even if the accident wasn't your fault.

There are four numbers to know:

• ATM (Aggregate Trailer Mass): the most your float can weigh fully loaded. It's on the float's compliance plate and every EuroFloat model page. Your float, horses, water, feed, tack and gear must all add up to less than this.
• GCM (Gross Combination Mass): the most your vehicle and float can weigh together. It's in your vehicle's handbook. Count everything: the loaded float, the vehicle, passengers, fuel and anything in the car or tray.
• Towing capacity: the most your vehicle can tow. Your loaded float must be under it.
• Tow ball limit: the most weight your towbar can carry. How you load the float changes this.

Most people get caught by GCM. A vehicle can be rated to tow 3,500 kg, but once it's full of people and gear it may only be able to tow far less without going over its GCM. Check all four numbers before you buy a float, not after.

Not sure? Send us your vehicle's make, model and year and we'll check it against the float you're looking at. You can also weigh your loaded vehicle and float at a public weighbridge. Read Towing a horse float for the first time.

Isn't my float covered by my car insurance?

Partly, and usually not the part that matters most.

• Injury to people: when you're towing, the compulsory third party (CTP) insurance on your vehicle generally covers it.
• Damage to other people's property: your car policy may cover this while the float is hitched. Check the wording.
• Damage to your own float: almost never covered by a car policy. That's what horse float insurance is for.

Home and farm policies are similar. They might cover the float in the shed, but cover often stops at the gate. One phone call to your insurer will tell you where you stand.

Agreed value or market value?

• Agreed value: you and the insurer agree what the float is worth when you take out the policy. If it's written off, that's what you're paid.
• Market value: the insurer pays what the float is worth at the time of the claim, which is usually less than you paid.

A well-built float holds its value better than a car, so market value can leave you short. Ask which your policy uses. If you can choose agreed value, include your upgrades, such as air conditioning, an awning or a reverse camera, and review the amount at each renewal.

Five things that can void a claim

1. Towing over the limits. If the loaded float is over its ATM, or your vehicle is over its towing capacity or GCM, your insurer can refuse the claim. See above.
2. A float that isn't roadworthy. Worn tyres, faulty brakes or lights, or a breakaway unit that doesn't work can all count against you. Service your float at least every 12 months by a qualified mechanic, and keep the records.
3. Carrying horses for money without telling your insurer. A private policy generally won't cover hire and reward. If you're paid to carry other people's horses, even now and then, you need it declared on your policy.
4. An unlicensed or excluded driver. Make sure everyone who tows the float holds the right licence for your state and is covered by the policy.
5. Not telling the insurer about changes. New upgrades, a new address or a new use can all change your cover. Update your policy when they happen.

How to choose a policy

• Value: agreed value if it's offered, including upgrades.
• Where you're covered: Australia-wide, on the road and at home.
• Liability: check the limit. Higher is better.
• Damage by your horse: horses kick and chew. Check it's covered.
• Equipment: check the limit for tack, saddles and rugs, and increase it if your gear is worth more.
• Hire float: look for cover to hire a float if yours is stolen or written off, so you're not stuck before a show.
• Excess: a higher excess lowers the premium, but make sure you could pay it tomorrow.
• Exclusions: read them before you sign, not after a claim.

Who we recommend

We recommend Affinity Equine Insurance for your EuroFloat. Affinity are equine insurance brokers, so they understand horse floats and the people who tow them, and they can insure your horses too.

Affinity's Float and Gooseneck Insurance covers floats Australia-wide. Depending on the options you choose, it includes:

• Own damage, both repairs and total loss
• Theft
• Equine equipment
• Damage by your horse
• A hire trailer after theft or total loss
• Liability

Cover is underwritten by Lloyd's of London. You can apply online in about five minutes, or call Affinity on 1300 130 535. Read the policy wording first to check it suits you. Visit Affinity Equine Insurance

Have these ready when you get a quote

• Make, model and year of the float
• VIN and registration number
• Purchase price and your invoice
• A list of upgrades and their cost
• Tare and ATM, from the compliance plate
• Where the float is kept
• How you use it: private, or carrying horses for others
• Who will tow it, and with what vehicle

Buying a new EuroFloat? Arrange insurance before you collect it or it's delivered, so you're covered from the moment it's yours. Your invoice has the details your insurer will ask for.

Australian owned and operated

EuroFloat is an Australian owned and operated business. When you buy from us, you deal with an Australian team from your first enquiry to handover and after. We know Australian roads, Australian conditions and Australian towing rules, and we'll check your vehicle against your float before you buy, so you start on the right side of your ATM and GCM.

Every new EuroFloat comes with a 2-Year Warranty and an 11-Year Aluminium Flooring System warranty. Conditions apply. Visit our Gold Coast or Melbourne showroom, by appointment, to see the floats in person.

Questions buyers ask

This guide is general information, not insurance advice. Cover, limits and conditions vary by insurer and the options you choose. Always read the policy wording and check it suits you. Affinity cover details from affinityequineinsurance.com.au, October 2026. Always follow your vehicle maker's limits and your state's towing rules.